FINE ARTS CURRICULUM
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
MUSIC (Seven Course Offerings)
MUSIC THEORY Course # 745 Credit: 0.5
This is the prerequisite course for our ensemble courses; handbells, choir, piano & music Technology
This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of music theory, including notation, rhythm, scales, intervals, chords, and basic harmonic progressions. Students will develop skills in reading and writing music and gain an understanding of the structural elements of music. Utilizing Finale for detailed music notation and BandLab Education for collaborative projects and digital audio workstation (DAW) skills, students will gain a practical understanding of music theory and its application in both traditional and contemporary music contexts.
HANDBELLS Course #746 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: You must successfully complete Music Theory course prior to enrolling in Handbells
This musical elective is open to all students. Beginning Handbell techniques are studied and the rudiments of music are learned through practical applications. A great musical experience! Class size is limited to 14 students. Students learn repertoire of different styles ranging from Church music, Broadway, Disney, to Classics.
CHORUS Course #747 Credit: 1.0
Prerequisites: You must successfully complete Music Theory course prior to enrolling in Chorus
This elective is open to students of all musical backgrounds. No audition is required. A broad repertory of choral music is studied and performed for the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, School Masses, and Graduation. Each member develops her voice through vocal techniques and participates in the group process of learning and performing music. This course meets every day.
AFTER SCHOOL CHORUS Course # 748 Credit: 0.5
This elective is for advanced/experienced singers and requires an audition. A broad repertory of choral music is studied and performed for the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, School Masses, and Graduation. Each member develops her voice through vocal techniques and participates in the group process of learning and performing music. This course meets on Wednesday and Thursday after school from 2:40 – 4:00, students must attend all practice sessions to receive credits.
MUSICS TECHNOLOGY LAB Course #751 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: You must successfully complete Music Theory course prior to enrolling in Music Technology Lab
In this state-of-the-art music technology lab, students will learn basic musical skills and concepts through using computers and keyboards as well as electronics and mixing softwares. Using a variety of software programs, students work their way through rhythm, melody and harmony, culminating with original compositions. No experience is required but an interest in music is necessary.
PIANO Course # 741 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: You must successfully complete Music Theory course prior to enrolling in Music Technology Lab
This elective is open to all students. No previous experience playing the piano is required but an interest in piano and commitment to daily home-practice is necessary. Students learn to read sheet music and repertoires on the piano and perform in the Christmas and Spring concerts. This class will operate on an one-on-one teaching basis where students get individual tuitions at a time and individual practice time during class, with a weekly in-class practice performance.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC Course # 753 Credit: 0.5
This elective is open to students of all backgrounds, and specifically welcomes students who own an instrument and wish to bring it to school to play. Students of this class in the past played instruments ranging from the guitar, ukulele, violin, xylophone, djembe drum, percussion instruments, to the lyre. Depending on the instrumental choices, each year students from this class form unique music ensembles and perform in all school music events and concerts. Students who do not own an instrument are welcome to enroll too, and will be assigned to a school instrument.
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.
FASHION & FIBER ART Course # 767 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: 85% average in Art I or portfolio approval by the Art teacher.
This class will concentrate on a combination of hands-on projects relating to fashion, textile design, and fiber arts. Students will learn the elements of a basic fashion design sketch and pattern making for textiles. The class will also explore other artwork created solely with types of fibers and work on projects such as weaving, felting, and sewing. The history of fashion, textile design, and fiber artists will be discussed. A sketchbook is required.
PRINTMAKING & PAINTING Course # 773 Credit: 0.5
Prerequisites: 85% average in Art I or portfolio approval by the Art teacher.
This class will focus on a mix of printmaking and painting techniques. Printmaking is creating art by printing an inked image onto paper. Relief printing (using different techniques and plates, such as Styrofoam, linoleum, and wood) and monotypes will be explored, as well as the incorporation of painting techniques. A sketchbook is required.
PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITALARTS 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 2023 yearbook 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 3rd 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!
