FINE ARTS CURRICULUM
MUSIC (Five Course Offerings)
MUSIC THEORY Course # 745 Credit: 0.5
This prerequisite course for our ensemble offerings (Handbells, Choir, Piano, and Music Technology) introduces students to fundamental music theory concepts, including notation, rhythm, scales, intervals, chords, and basic harmonic progressions. Students will develop skills in reading and writing music, understanding structural elements, and using Finale for detailed music notation and BandLab Education for collaborative projects and digital audio workstation (DAW) skills. This course provides a solid foundation in both traditional and contemporary music contexts.
This course offering is compulsory for all Freshmen.
HANDBELLS Course #746 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: Completion of Music Theory course
This elective is open to all students who have completed Music Theory. The course focuses on beginning handbell techniques and practical music applications. Students will explore a repertoire that includes Church music, Broadway, Disney, and Classical pieces. Class size is limited to 14 students, providing a great musical experience with hands-on learning.
CHORUS Course #747 Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: Completion of Music Theory course
This elective welcomes students of all musical backgrounds, with no audition required. The course covers a broad repertoire of choral music, performed at the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, School Masses, and Graduation. Students will develop their vocal skills through techniques and participate in the group learning and performance process. This course meets daily.
AFTER SCHOOL CHORUS Course # 748 Credit: 0.5
This elective is for advanced and experienced singers and requires an audition.
Students will study and perform a diverse repertoire of choral music for the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, School Masses, and Graduation. Vocal techniques will be emphasized, and students will collaborate in learning and performing music. This course meets after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:40 to 4:00 pm. Regular attendance is required to receive credit.
PIANO Course # 741 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: Completion of Music Theory course
This elective is open to all students. No previous piano experience is required, but a commitment to daily practice is necessary. Students will learn to read sheet music, perform repertoire, and participate in the Christmas and Spring concerts. The class provides one-on-one instruction and individual practice time during sessions, with weekly in-class performance opportunities.
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STUDIO ART (Six Course Offerings)
ART I Course #755 Credit: 0.5
In this introductory studio art course, students will learn to create and critique art in a variety of media including, drawing, painting, collage and sculpture. Students will develop an understanding of the elements of art (color, line, shape, etc.) and the principles of design (balance, unity, proportion, etc.) and other basic art vocabulary in order to communicate ideas. Significant artists will also be discussed. This class is designed to teach beginners and expose students to different styles of art. No skill or previous experience is required, just the willingness to get creative! There is a $10.00 art packet fee. The supplies can also be purchased independently. The sketchbook and supplies purchased can be reused for any other art classes taken.
ART II Course # 765 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: 85% in Art I or a portfolio approval by the Art teacher.
This class will continue to build upon skills learned in Art I and concentrate on the elements of art and principles of design through previous and additional media including Prismacolors, watercolor, soft pastels, oil pastels, different sculptural elements, and larger scale paintings. Significant artists will also be continued to be discussed. A sketchbook is required. Projects will be increasingly independent.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT 2-D ART AND DESIGN Course # 770 Credit: 0.5
Opened only for Grades 11 and 12
This is an introductory college-level two-dimensional design course. Students are asked to create a themed 15-piece art portfolio. All 15 artworks must relate to a singular idea, theme, or inquiry that the student chooses. Any 2D medium is allowed and students may experiment with various materials as the seem relevant to their own work.
Throughout the year-long course students are asked to document their process and write about how their art relates to their theme and exploration. Digital Art and Photography are also allowed along with traditional 2-D mediums. Photos will also need function as art to convey something beyond mere documentation. Personal creative experimentation is encouraged.
College credit:
Some colleges allow students to receive exemptions and/or credit for a score of 5 on Advanced Placement Examinations. However, scores will be reviewed in conjunction with all other application materials, including academic transcripts and portfolios. Credit awards and exemptions are usually assessed on an individual, case-by-case basis.
This is recommended for creative students who can create their own themed body of work. Copying other artists is not permitted, but taking inspiration is. All artwork is expected to be original by the student.
PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL ARTS Course # 769 Credit: 0.5
NO PREREQUISITE
This is an introductory course to both photography and digital drawing. Students will learn about the basic form and content of photographic compositions and use their own photographs for the basics of their digital art compositions. The elements and principles of design will be explored in how they relate to photography and digital design. Artwork by photographers and digital artists will be examined. Students are welcome to bring in their own camera or use an iPhone to take photographs and a free software program can be downloaded on a Mac, PC, iPad or Tablet for the digital drawing projects. A class digital camera will be shared among students.
YEARBOOK Course # 756 Credit: 0.5
During the duration of this course the SVF yearbook for the academic year will be created, giving students experience in print media publishing. Students will compose, construct, and edit all elements; computerized text layout, graphic art, and digital photography. Deadlines are crucial in creating a yearbook. In order to meet our deadlines, it may become necessary for students to work after school, on articles or layouts. The class will not meet regularly during the 2nd semester but students are expected to finish work until the final deadline in March. This class is open to all grade levels. Sign up and help get coverage in the yearbook for your grade!
