Fine Arts
Art
Introduction to Studio Art
Grade 9; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Studio Art introduces the students to a variety of media in a program that encompasses art for art's sake and educational relevance. This introductory course is designed to give students a taste of many ways of doing art, including design, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. This course meets one period per cycle and fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Painting and Printmaking
Grades 10-12; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Students concentrate on different ways of making prints and painting. Acrylic, watercolor, gouache and mixed media are methods of painting that students can employ. Printmaking can include linoleum, silk-screening, collagraph, intaglio, and many ways of using monotype to produce images. This course meets one period per cycle. This class is a suggested pre-requisite for Portfolio.
2D & 3D Design
Grades 10-12; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
In this course students explore line, form, color, space, shape and texture in as many ways and with as many materials as possible. Materials such as paper, wood, plaster, wire, paint and markers are used to answer problems of relief, logo design, typography, bookmaking and sculpture, to name a few. This course meets one period per cycle. This class is a suggested pre-requisite for Portfolio.
Advanced Drawing
Grades 11, 12; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
This course is designed for students who have had experience drawing. The students who elect to take this course have demonstrated above average drawing skills, have had at least one year of drawing and are ready to further explore different media, surfaces and compositional challenges. Work will include long-term drawings, still life, interiors, and portraiture. Figure drawing is offered in a special one time after school class. This course meets two periods per cycle. Students in Grade 10 may take this course with departmental approval.
Grade 11; 1/2 Credit - Two Semesters
Junior Portfolio is a process course. Students experience drawing, intaglio, relief and monotype printmaking. In the second semester, students do watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings. The last work is a collaborative sculpture project. The goal is for the students to have a “hands on” experience with most of the materials available in the studio. Assignments are presented in the aforementioned sequence. Materials and methods are taught through demonstration and experimentation. Junior Portfolio is a pre-requisite to Senior Portfolio. This course meets three periods per cycle.
Grade 12; 1 Credit - Two Semesters
Portfolio Art is designed for students who plan to pursue the visual arts or architecture at the college level. Portfolio students are students who have demonstrated initiative and artistic curiosity. Any student electing this course, who is not planning to pursue an arts program in college, will be held to the same requirements and expectations as those who are. Drawing, printmaking, self-portrait, painting, learning about art, artists and visiting museums are elements of this course. The independent aspect of this course allows students to develop a personal artistic vision. Within the context of this course, some students prepare AP Portfolios.
Students electing this course must be motivated artists, must have taken art every year of high school, and must have taken at least one year of drawing. This course is graded as other credit bearing courses and is calculated as part of the grade point average.
The recommended sequence for Portfolio Art is the following: 9 - Introduction to Studio Art; 10 - 2D/3D Design, and/or Painting and Printmaking; 11 - Advanced Drawing, Painting and Printmaking, and/or Junior Portfolio; 12 - Senior Portfolio
AP Drawing
Grade 12; 1 Credit - Two Semesters
Course description forthcoming.
Drama
Introduction to Drama
1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Grade 9
This course is designed to give students an overview of drama. The class includes drama exercises, vocal training, body movement and diction practice. Students will learn correct stage, theater and drama terminology. Students will interpret written texts through a series of theater games and scene performances. The course culminates with a production of a short play presented to the ninth grade. This course meets three periods per cycle. This course fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Drama Overview
1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Grades 10, 11, 12
This course is designed to give students an overview of drama. The class includes drama exercises, vocal training, body movement and diction practice. Students will learn correct stage, theater and drama terminology. Students will interpret written texts through a series of theater games and scene performances. The course culminates with a "black box" production of a short play in the Geruson Gallery. This course meets three periods per cycle.
music
Music Technology and Creation
Grades 9-12; 1/4 Credit – Two Semesters
This course uses computer and music software in the creation of music. There are two aspects to the course of study. The first aspect is the creation of music through entirely computer generated sounds and sequencing. Students would learn to compose music using sounds generated by digital sources. Students who do not play acoustic instruments would be able to compose music through the knowledge of music sequencing.
The second aspect of the course would be digital recording of acoustic and/or electric instruments. Students would learn how to record and digitally manipulate live performances. They would learn how to incorporate sound from both digital and acoustic sources to create and record musical compositions.
Grades 9-12; 1/4 Credit – Two Semesters
This course is for students who play string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and upright bass). The class studies small ensemble music as well as the literature performed by the large ensembles at Holy Ghost Prep. The class meets three times per cycle. This course fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Introduction to Guitar
Grades 9-12; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Introduction to Guitar is a course designed to introduce students to basic guitar playing and basic music theory. Students must supply their own guitar. This course meets one period per cycle. This course fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Intermediate Guitar
Grades 9-12; 1/4 Credit - Two Semesters
Intermediate Guitar is a course designed for students who have some background playing guitar but may not have yet been fully introduced to music theory. Students will have an opportunity to advance guitar playing skills. Intermediate guitar is designed to be a follow-up to students who have completed Introduction to Guitar. Placement is at the discretion of the instructor. This course meets one period per cycle. This course fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Guitar Ensemble
Grades 9-12; 1/2 Credit - Two Semesters
Guitar Ensemble is a performance course designed for students with knowledge of the guitar and music theory. Students in the Guitar Ensemble take part in school concerts and various school liturgies or other events. This course meets one period per cycle. Enrollment is limited to those approved by the instructor. This course fulfills the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Chorus and Music Theory
Grades 9-12; 1 Credit - Two Semesters
The goals of this course include an appreciation of music as an expressive art, an understanding of musical terminology and music theory, and an understanding of choral music in history. This course also provides students with another performing experience and can serve as training for the annual musicals. The chorus class will serve the school community at liturgy. This course can fulfill the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
Jazz Band
Grades 10-12; 1 Credit – Two Semesters
This is a performance-based course, which focuses on the study of Jazz. Enrollment is limited to the instrumentation of a jazz band and is by audition only.
Instrumental Music
Grades 9-12; 1 Credit - Two Semesters
Instrumental Music has a number of goals, which include an appreciation of great music of all time periods, a development of performance potential within each student and an appreciation of his classmates' talents as well as those of professional musical artists. The group serves as a performing ensemble within the Holy Ghost Prep community. This course can fulfill the ninth grade Fine Arts requirement.
AP Music Theory
Grade 12; 1 Credit - Two Semesters
AP Music Theory is a college level course, which introduces musicianship, theory, harmony, dictation, and the structure of music, integrating music history and style. Dictation and other listening skills, such as solfeggio and keyboard harmony are important parts of the course. Students must be able to read music and have acquired basic performance skills in voice or an instrument.