Art
The Art curriculum aims to teach students to see and to use their maximum creative potential. The approach is sequential and conceptual; it builds from project to project and from year to year as time permits and according to the abilities of individual students.
FRESHMAN YEAR
The ninth grade course encourages students to develop the skills necessary
to coordinate their eye and hand movement by involving them in contour drawing.
In addition, students are introduced to the concepts of negative space; they
manipulate "pure form," and create collages that give life to this concept
while making use of the skills learned. The course also refines the students'
understanding of the science of color as they become familiar with the color
wheel and complete still life projects that teach them to draw from life.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
The tenth grade course emphasizes the basic principles of design; students complete projects that require them to construct and combine geometric shapes. These projects are enhanced with the introduction of color as students confront the challenges of painting their designs. Students continue to develop their contour awareness skills as they draw hands and faces-combining and synthesizing the skills learned over the entire two year course sequence.
JUNIOR (ELECTIVE)
The junior year elective course helps students refine their drawing skills
and their understanding of negative space. The projects that reinforce these
skills are collages and still life drawings. Culminating the year, students
complete a landscape painting done from a photograph. The painting also poses
a problem in color. Additionally, students are responsible for quarterly museum
reports, as well as weekly presentations based on articles that focus on the
visual arts.
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Music
FRESHMAN YEAR
The ninth grade course introduces students to the elements of music: melody, rhythm, harmony, tempo and dynamics. The course also develops the students' appreciation for musical form and notation. At the same time, students are trained to listen critically and to appreciate orchestral arrangement.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Students continue to develop their appreciation for the elements of music. At the same time, they are taught to analyze music from a historical perspective-from the baroque to the classical. Students are required to attend one concert each semester and to submit a term report analyzing their concert experience.
JUNIOR (ELECTIVE)
Students who choose this course enhance their understanding of music theory and composition. Their ability to analyze music from a historical perspective is further developed-from romanticism to the beginnings of twentieth century music. Students are presented with projects that involve their composition skills as their ears are trained to detect the subtleties of composition, arrangement and performance.
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