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FINE
ARTS CURRICULUM - CURRICULUM | FACULTY
We hope you enjoy our student Art Gallery
The Performing and Fine Arts Department offers classes in three areas: art, drama, and music. Students enrolled in the fine arts often become involved in the school's plays, concerts, musicals, and art exhibitions. Through this involvement students often discover and enjoy new talents. All courses offered give the student a new appreciation of the fine arts, as well as an excellent base for future artistic pursuits.
ART FUNDAMENTALS I
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None Art I introduces the student to the elements of art and
principles of design. Students work on
improving drawing and observational skills while completing exercises and projects
that relate to the elements of art. In addition, students study art history
beginning with prehistoric cave art up to the time of the renaissance.
ART FUNDAMENTALS II
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites:
90% average in Art I and consent of instructor.
In Art II students concentrate on improving their drawing skills
using a variety of media. Students complete direct observation
drawings (the still life) using
ebony pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolors, and color pencil. Students
are introduced to artwork created in different professions of art today such
as book illustrations, advertising, architectural renderings, and scientific
illustrations and will discuss different careers in art
ART FUNDAMENTALS III
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Art I,
II and consent of instructor.
In Art III students discuss how to develop a portfolio and what
is required by colleges and universities for acceptance in art
programs. Students view
slides
of art work completed by Advanced Placement students and are encouraged
to develop portfolios of their own. The study of twentieth century artists
combined
with
the drawing and painting projects are completed during the year. Students
are encouraged to attend the National Portfolio Day in November at the
Art Institute
of Chicago
ART FUNDAMENTALS IV
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Art III and
consent of instructor.
This is an independent study course for students previously enrolled
in Art I - III . The student and teacher plan goals and objectives together
and
then organize
projects to meet those goals.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Consent
of instructor.
This is an independent study course based on the Advanced Placement
Program which requires approximately 40 pieces of art work. Much of
the art work
is completed
as homework.
DESIGN BASICS
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introduction to Computers
This course is designed for the students who wishes to learn the process and basic principles of design through projects using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop Elements. The student will use the design principles to create posters, ads, logos and more. This class is for anyone interested in improving their design sense to create more interesting and appealing work for use in the art world, business world and beyond.
INTRODUCTION TO INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course gives students an opportunity to learn a musical instrument
and join the ensemble program in the following semester. Students
learn how to
play and
perform their instrument and learn the basic fundamentals of music
such as musical notation, rhythms, and music theory.
GUITAR I
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course introduces students to general instrumental music.
The class allows beginning music students an opportunity to learn
about
playing
and performing
music on the guitar. Students learn to play acoustical guitars
and gain an understanding for the basic fundamentals of music.
Students
learn
how to
read music, tablature,
rhythms, chords and play melodies with one another. Students are
expected to provide their own acoustical guitar. Students do not
need prior
experience.
GUITAR II
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Guitar I
In Guitar II students learn more advanced methods such as barre chords, scales, music theory and advanced music notation and tablature. Students will learn to play in small ensembles with one another and will play a variety of different genres. Students will develop proper technique as well as studying several different techniques that can be played on guitar.
MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
Audition Note: Students may enroll in this course more than once.
This
course provides an opportunity for the advanced solo musician who plays piano,
guitar, bass, and drums to continue their musical
interests.
Students
improve
their individual skills as well as learn to play with other musicians
Incan ensemble situation. Students enrolled in this course,along
with Wind Ensemble
students,
will comprise the school’s premier band. This band performs
at various functions both at school and in the community. Students
not playing the specified instruments
should see the instructor about enrolling in the course.
WIND ENSEMBLE
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
Audition
Note: Students may enroll in this course more than
once.
This course provides an opportunity for students with instrumental
(wind and percussion) and band experience to continue in high
school. Students
need to
play an instrument and read music. Students enrolled in this
course, along with Music Ensemble students, will comprise the
school’s premier band. This
band performs at various functions both at school and in the
community.
CHAMBER CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition.
Note: Students may enroll in this course more than once.
Chamber choir is an advanced ensemble of 10-12 mixed voices. Style is all a cappella and ranges from 'rock-appella" (a cappella arrangement of popular songs) to voice jazz to 16th century madrigal music. Students will perform in three concerts, some school liturgies, community outreach and other school events. Audition and approval of instructor is required.
CONCERT CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
)Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11,
12
Prerequisite: Audition.
Note: Students may enroll in this
course more than
once.
This is the mixed-voice advanced chorus for serious students who wish to
further develop vocal technique and musicianship. Advanced
ear training,
theory, and
sight-singing are covered. Students will perform in three concerts, some school liturgies, community outreach and other school events. Audition and approval of instructor is required.
MIXED CHOIR
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Note: Students may enroll in this course more than once.
This chorus is the entry-level chorus at St. Francis. It is for girls of all ages and abilities. No audition is required. This choir studies choral music of various languages, styles, people, and periods. It provides opportunities for developing techniques of vocal production, ear training, sight-singing and basic music theory. Students will perform in three concerts, some school liturgies, community outreach and other school events. Audition and approval of instructor is required.
MUSIC SURVEY
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
This course is designed for students interested in learning
more about the history of music and its relationship
to the world
in areas such
as art,
literature, theater, religion, and world history. Through
listening exercises, students
learn
how to describe the form, texture, harmony, and melody
of each style period. The Renaissance, Baroque, Classical,
Romantic,
and Contemporary
music are
covered during the course. Trips to performances take
place. Attendance at St. Francis
concerts is required. Reading music is not necessary
in order to take this course.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
Ability to read music at intermediate level and consent
of instructor. Note: This
course is
offered every other year.
This is an advanced one-year course devoted to developing
the theoretical and analytical skills necessary for
entry into
a music or music-related
major at
the college level. The study of musical notation, harmonic
analysis, intervals, scales, modes, key signatures,
chords, orchestration,
ear training, some
keyboard skills, and composition are covered. Those
who study music privately and wish
to further their study of music would greatly benefit
from this class.
THEATRE WORKSHOP I
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite:
None
Theatre Workshop I is primarily an exploratory course
covering all of the elements of theatre and acting
(imagination, concentration, sense
awareness,
pantomime,
make-up, stage craft and script work). The broad
spectrum of units offers the student and prospective
performer
a
complete background
and foundation
for
further study. The course increases the student’s
appreciation and enjoyment of theatre from two perspectives,
as audience and as actor/stage technician.
THEATRE WORKSHOP II
Credit: .5 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Theatre Workshop I or audition.
This course offers an extended study of the principles
introduced in Theatre Workshop I. The emphasis
is on performance, studying
script analysis, character
development, characterization, stage discipline
and improvisation leading
to original works. An overview of theatre history
is integral to this course.
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