Fine Arts Course Descriptions

Fine Arts Department
Updated for 09 - 10
Art

This course is an introduction to the basic principles of "Making Art."  Students will explore several media including ink, collage, pencil, colored pencil and many others.  They will also have the chance to participate in an art show, and display their best works.

Same as 803 Drawing/Painting except for pre-requisite.
Pre-requisite:  Department approval

Composition is the key element in the visual arts.  This course will teach the student the positioning of forms and shapes in relation to each other.  Design is the arrangement of form and color.  The student will learn how to organize line and mass.  Various media will be explored such as pencil, watercolor, pastels, computers, and charcoals.  Computers are used for research.  Creativity and technical skills will be emphasized.

Pre-requisite:  Drawing/Painting, and/or Department approval.

This course explores the use of concepts integrated with technical skill.  Students will use these skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, architecture, 3-D sculpture and multimedia.  Students will use computers as a tool to complete assignments for some projects.  A strong emphasis will be placed on homework and drawing ability.  This course is for the serious student.

Pre-requisite:  Drawing/Painting, Composition and Design, and/or Department approval.

This course is designed to offer a rigorous in-depth program of study for those choosing a major in the field of art or wishing to study art in an intensive manner.  The first and part of the second semester of this program will concentrate on portfolio requirements; part of the last semester will encourage personal artistic growth.  The emphasis will be on visual and technical skills with student's creativity.  All students taking this course must exhibit in the Bishop Fenwick Art Show with an exit portfolio.  Computers are used in this course for research.

Pre-requisite:  Drawing/Painting, Composition and Design, Studio Art, and/or Department approval.

This is a general art course that will aid students in the knowledge and handling of various media, namely pencil, crayon, chalk, charcoal, watercolor, poster paints, collages, portraits, landscapes, and many other avenues of beginning art and art techniques.  Contests and exhibits are also opened to each student.

An introduction to the fundamentals of clay and its properties will be taught.  Students will work through various methods of hand built construction such as pinch, coil, and slab.  Other materials such as papier-mâché, foam board and wire will be explored from a three dimensional point of view.  Projects will be representational as well as imaginary.  Students' best work will be displayed in a school wide art show.

Pre-requisite:  Department approval.

Students will learn how to use a digital camera and how to photograph a wide range of subjects.  Students will also learn to scan both prints and negatives and how to output quality prints.  Students will learn how to use Photoshop, and PowerPoint software applications to enhance/complete their projects.  Projects typically include a publication design (book), a multimedia presentation (PowerPoint slide show), a poster design, and numerous prints.  Students must also present their work in the art show at the end of the year.  Students are required to have a digital camera that captures at least 4 Megapixels for the course.  Students will have at least two weeks from the first day of class to acquire a camera.  Purchasing the right camera will be discussed on the first day of the course.  Students should also be prepared to purchase photo quality printer paper and other supplies throughout the year.

Pre-requisite:  Department approval.

This Art History/Art Appreciation course is intended to enhance college level history and sociology courses.  It will do this through hands on activities and telling the story of art in simple language, as well as help to prepare liberal arts majors who choose to elect Art History as a course in college.  It also sets out to place the works in their historical setting and thus lead towards an understanding of the Master's artistic aims.  This allows a concrete picture of the surroundings in which the art of the past comes to life.  No previous art education or studio art is required.

Students enrolled in full year art courses will incur additional expenses during the course of the year.

Music

This course forms an instrumental organization for intermediate and advanced players, and serves as the primary performing group in instrumental music.  Music studies will vary in terms of style and level of difficulty.  Concepts covered will include: good tone production and intonation, development of good technical facility, principles of ensemble playing, blend and balance, and sight reading.  Preparation of music for performance is a major course objective.  Private lessons are strongly recommended to supplement classroom work.  Students are also expected to work on the music outside of classroom time.  Beginning students must take private lessons in an after school program.  Participation in concerts and various music programs and extra rehearsals as needed will be required.  There are special dress requirements for concert appearances.

Pre-requisite:  Department approval.

This course forms a beginning level choral ensemble for any student who enjoys singing.  It teaches students the fundamentals of voice production and prepares student for continued participation in either the Chorale or Concert Choir.  Emphasis will be placed on developing a working knowledge of good vocal techniques, including: correct breath control and posture, production and support of good tone quality, good diction, vowel sound and consonant articulation, good blend and balance, poise and confidence.  There are special dress requirements for concert appearances.

Preparation of music for performance is a major part of the course.  Participation in concerts and various programs, and extra rehearsals as needed will be required.

This course is the foundation for a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music.  Through a variety of group musical activities, students first learn basic theory; how to read and write notes how to execute different rhythms, how to construct scales, intervals and chords, and how to identify them aurally.  Then through guided listening, students learn how to identify these elements in the music they listen to.  Musical examples of many different styles and time periods will be used, including rock, jazz, new age, musical theater, film scores, classical music, and music from different countries.  An important part of the class will be the use of digital technology for writing music, research and MIDI.  All students will be required to participate in the Spring Concert.

This course involves young men and women in a specialized chorus, serving as the primary performing group in vocal music.  The music studied will be fairly difficult, and mostly in 4and 5 part setting.  Concepts of proper breath support, sight-reading, good tone production, and diction will continue to be developed, with particular emphasis on blend and balance.  Preparation of music for performance is a major course objective.  Private lessons are strongly encouraged to supplement classroom work.  Students are also expected to work on the music outside of classroom time.  Participation in several concerts and various music programs, and extra rehearsals as needed will be required.  Also, there are special dress requirements for concert appearance.

Pre-requisite:  Above average singing ability, audition and Department approval.

This course forms an intermediate level choral ensemble for students with good singing skills.  Students will continue to develop and improve their singing techniques (breath control, posture, good diction, good tone production), as well as their sight-reading skills.  Preparation of music for performance (of moderate difficulty, and mostly in 3 and 4 part settings) is a major course objective.  Participation in concerts and various programs, and extra rehearsals as needed will be required.  There are special dress requirements for concert appearances.

Pre-requisite: Department approval.

This course has limited enrollment and will be taught through the Virtual High School over the Internet.  This course is designed to give students a good understanding and working knowledge of the fundamental components of music, and to lead them through the process of creating their own compositions.  An essential part of the course will be learning to use the available digital technology such as computers, music writing and sequencing software, MIDI and keyboards.  Examples of popular composers will be examined to assist students in developing their won musical ideas.

Pre-requisite:  Computer skills required. Successful completion of Introduction to Music and/or Department approval.