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PERFORMING AND VISUAL
ARTS CURRICULUM - CURRICULUM | FACULTY
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PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
The Performing and Visual Arts Department offers classes in four areas: art, drama, instrumental and vocal music. Students enrolled in the performing and visual arts often become involved in school plays, concerts, musicals, and art exhibitions. Through this involvement, students bolster their self-esteem and learn self-discipline. Research shows that studying performing and visual arts increases academic success and achievement in today’s evolving world.
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
The Art III students will continue to increase their 2-D drawing skills and develop 3-D drawing skills. Emphasis is on drawing faces, perspective drawings, painting and making sculptures. This course is for students that are interested in furthering their knowledge in Art, but who are not planning to continue Art at the college level.
ART III PREPORTFOLIO
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Art I, II and consent of instructor.
This course is for Art students interested in continuing Art studies in college. 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: 11, 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. During semester one, the course is teacher directed, during semester two the course is student independent study.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART DRAWING / ART 3-D DESIGN
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 24 pieces of art work. Much of the art work is completed outside of classtime.
DESIGN BASICS
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11 (with consent of instructor), 12
Prerequisites: None
This course is designed for the student 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, photo manipulations 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 units
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course gives students an opportunity to learn a musical instrument and join the wind 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 units
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 acoustic guitar 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 will be provided with a guitar for use during class, but are expected to have one for home practice. No prior experience needed.
GUITAR II
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: 90% average in Guitar I and consent of instructor
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: 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 on piano, guitar, bass, vocals and drums to continue their musical interests. Students improve their individual skills as well as learn to play with other musicians in an 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 BLUE
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition
This course provides an opportunity for students with instrumental (wind and percussion) and band experience to continue in high school. Students need to play their instrument and read music at an advanced rate. Students enrolled in this course, along with Music Ensemble students and Wind Ensemble White students will comprise the school’s premier band. This band performs at various functions both at school and in the community
WIND ENSEMBLE WHITE
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an opportunity for students with instrumental (wind and percussion) and band experience to continue in high school. Students need to play their instrument and read music at an intermediate rate. Students enrolled in this course, along with Music Ensemble students and Wind Ensemble Blue students will comprise the school’s premier band. This band performs at various functions both at school and in the community.
MIXED CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None.
This chorus is for all freshman boys and girls at St. Francis. 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.
CONCERT CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None.
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
CHAMBER CHOIR
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition and approval of instructor
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 16 th century madrigal music. Members will perform in four concerts, some school liturgies, community outreach and other school events. Members will also participate in the IMEA auditions and IHSA solo and ensemble competitions.
MUSIC SURVEY (not offered in 2012-2013)
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Note: This course is offered every other year.
This course is designed for students interested in all genres of music. Students will take a musical journey through history to take a closer look at how the music and musicians of the past continue to influence the music of today. Students will see live performances as a class and will have some input as to what contemporary music is covered. Attendance at St. Francis concerts is required. Neither reading music nor playing an instrument is required.
INTRODUCTION TO THEORY AND COMPOSITION (not offered in 2012-2013)
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Ability to read music at a beginning level
Note: This course is offered every other year.
This is an introductory class devoted to the fundamentals of music theory that are necessary to compose quality instrumental and vocal music. The study of musical notation, intervals, scales, key signatures, chords, and orchestration are covered. Students will have the opportunity to use these skills to focus on original composition. Some performances may occur both in and out of class. Students should already know how to play at least one instrument, and have some note-reading background. Students who study privately and wish to further their study of music will enjoy the composition aspect of this class.
HONORS ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY
Credit: 1 unit
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Ability to read music at an intermediate level and consent of instructor.
Note: This course is offered every other year.
This is an advanced course devoted to the basics of music. 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. This course follows the scope and sequence as described by the Advanced Placement program. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to take the AP exam in May.
THEATRE WORKSHOP I
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 10(consent of instructor), 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 three perspectives, as an audience, as an actor and as a stage technician.
THEATRE WORKSHOP II
Credit: .5 units
Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Theatre Workshop I or audition and instructor approval
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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