Visual and Performing Arts

Freshman Year Requirement:

Ninth graders at Holy Child are required to take the following three one-trimester courses in the Arts:

• Introduction to Art
  This one-trimester course explores the fundamentals of drawing, painting and 3D design. Students will learn the elements of art and principles of design, important keys in the world of art. In the art studio, students will incorporate these elements into each project. Students will experiment with a variety of media, including charcoal, watercolor, linoleum cuts, oil pastels, acrylic and tempera paints, wire sculpture, natural sculpture and more!
  
• Introduction to Music
  Chorus develops the vocal potential of the singer through the study of basic vocal technique, breath management, and rhythmic training. Singing in harmony, singing in tune, and proper vowel formation will also be emphasized. The trimester will culminate in a choral performance.
• Introduction to Performing Arts
  This course is an introduction to basic acting, improvisation, and movement techniques.

Fine Arts

• Advanced Art
  This portfolio building curriculum will challenge students to go beyond the fundamentals and to think outside the box. The course is broken down into one trimester each of Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media. The coursework is designed to help the student learn more about herself as an individual and as an artist. Art history and formal critiques are incorporated into most projects. This class may include field trips to local museums as well as MoMA and the MET in New York City.
• Digital Photography
  This course will emphasize the importance of composition, focus, contrast and lighting. Each student will learn the basics of using a digital camera, as well as the fundamentals of photographic composition using manipulative programs such as Picassa, Fireworks and Moviemaker.
• Sculpture/3D Design
  This class can be taken for one year or for one trimester. Each trimester will stress the basic elements of art in three dimensions, using simple form, clay form, and wood and stone.
• Design and Media
  This is a Project Based Learning course in which students work in groups to solve real life design and media challenges. Students will create marketing schemes, commercials, business plans, budgets, project calendars, podcasts, DVDs, music and data CDs, campaign posters, and advertisements. The students will learn to use the following programs: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia, Dreamweaver and Flash. Key skills include working on a team to reach a common goal, peer assessment, problem solving with creative answers, and the formal presentation process. The class may take field trips to visit advertising and marketing agencies in NYC, local politicians' offices, design studios and other professional offices. Additionally, outside professionals may be called in to help assess students' work and observe their presentations. All of the works created in this class will be archived in students' online portfolios.
• Portfolio Design
  The goal of this course is for each student to build a strong body of work that illustrates a variety of techniques and media. Each project will challenge the student to create her best work. The portfolio of works will be sent as slides to colleges along with students' college applications, and may enable students to place out of foundation courses in their first year. In January (at the student's request), portfolios may be reviewed by the instructor for possible AP designation. If the portfolio is accepted, the student will be given AP status and will continue the year working on her concentration for her AP Studio Art portfolio.
• Advanced Placement (AP) Art History
  This course will present an intensive survey of the history of art from prehistory to the present day. Students will learn how to describe, analyze, and write about works of art. Students will also have the opportunity to examine works first-hand, through visits to art museums in New York City and other nearby collections. Strong academic performance in
  both History and English is required as a prerequisite. Prior knowledge of, or experience
  with art, is helpful. Students should understand that this course is reading intensive and
  good essay writing skills are necessary.

Choral Music

• Music Theory
  An introduction to the fundamentals of music, including notation, scales and triads, and sight-singing. The course is intended for those wishing to improve their ability to read and analyze music, and for students who ultimately wish to take AP Music Theory.
• Voice Class
  Using a small-group lesson format, Voice Class will emphasize healthy vocal production, as well as different solo vocal repertoire, from classical to current. Breath management, pronunciation of various languages, use of the International Phonetic Alphabet, and performance etiquette will be studied and practiced. Class members will perform in a group recital at the end of the trimester. No previous experience is necessary.
• Cappella Nova
  Cappella Nova is an auditioned choir of 30-35 voices. Their repertoire is drawn from the music of many countries, spanning the 15th to 20th century. Special emphasis is placed on expressive singing, as well as singing in three or more parts. Students wishing to join Cappella Nova must pass an evaluative audition which includes a range assessment and a sight-reading test.
• Madrigals
  Madrigals is a chamber choir of 8-12 voices. Members study and sing three- to six-part choral works of various composers. Special emphasis is placed on expressive singing and personal leadership; the course should be considered as preparation for collegiate a cappella and other select singing groups.
  PREREQUISITE: An ability to read music and strong sense of pitch. The group is an auditioned group open only to students who have sung in Cappella Nova for at least one year.
• AP Music Theory
  This course explores the structural and compositional elements of music through the study of harmony, melody, and counterpoint. The AP examination is required at the end of the course. A specific focus is placed on the application of music theory principles to both classical and popular music and ear training. Upon completion of the exam, the student may receive college credit.

Instrumental Music

• Wind Ensemble
  This course is an introduction to wind instruments that explores the fundamentals of the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trombone and tuba. Over the course of the year, students will learn to play an instrument, sight read and play as an ensemble. The group will perform during the Arts Festival in the spring.
• String Ensemble
  This course is an introduction to string instruments that explores the fundamentals of the violin, viola and cello. Over the course of the year, students will learn to play an instrument, site read and play as an ensemble. The group will perform during the Arts Festival in the spring.
• Percussion Ensemble
  This course introduces drums, symbols, hand bells and orph-instruments. Over the course of the year, students will learn to play an instrument, sight read and play as an ensemble. The group will perform during Arts Festival in the spring.

Performing Arts

• Introduction to Theater
  This course will examine the importance of both performance and text to the life of the theater. Students will learn the fundamentals of acting which includes character construction, relationship to the audience and improvisation.
• Movement and Blocking
  This course will study the art of spatial relationships in the theater. Students will examine performances for their use of the physical stage and study how an actors gesture and action can contribute to a character.
• Character and Motion
  In this course students will be asked to develop monologues and short performance pieces which will create character foundation routed in costume, speech, gesture and spectacle.

Other Art Electives

• The Artist in Society 
  The artist maintains a distinct place in society, whether heralded for its achievements or reviled for its representation, and oftentimes criticism, or the society. This course will probe the artist's experience, the political function of art, and the ways in which artists act as agents of change in society. The course will draw upon a variety of genres, cultures, and times and will explore cultural expectations, notions regarding gender, and social mores. Students will study fictional texts such as The Picture of Dorian Gray or The Seagull as well as photography, political cartoon, and non-fiction writings.