THE ARtS AT HOLY CHILD

At School of the Holy Child, we strive to instill in each student a life-long love of the arts. We maintain a long history of excellence in the fine and performing arts, and we know that a strong Arts program is an essential component of any well-rounded education. For this reason, we are consistently expanding our curricular and co-curricular offerings to ensure that our student-artists are both challenged and inspired. Students can choose from a wide range of arts offerings in drama, dance, instrumental and choral music, studio arts, photography and film.

Course Offerings in the Arts

Visual Arts

Studio Art

Studio Art I: Students will be expected to solve the proposed assignments through exciting 2-D and 3-D scenarios, allowing for great depth in understanding and interpretation. Consideration of artistic process through planning, execution, and amending will generate habits that help unveil unique style. The elements of art and principles of design will be thoroughly reviewed and students will develop artistic skills through a variety of techniques introduced. A range of artists will be used as examples and guides for solving and completing projects.

Studio Art II: Students will expand their breadth of skills and visual art pursuits through a variety of mediums. Students enrolled in the year course will develop compositions that build upon the foundations they learned in Studio Art I. Upper level students may opt for a single trimester of study in the following disciplines:

Drawing and Painting (1 trimester) Prerequisite: Studio Art I or Department Chair approval

This course is for students who wish to continue in drawing and painting. Each student will improve her technical skills and application of color theory. This course will focus on drawing and oil painting. Students may need to purchase and care for some of their own supplies, such as palettes and brushes.

Printmaking (1 trimester) Prerequisite: Studio Art I or Department Chair approval (minimum enrollment required)

This class will feature traditional printmaking: woodcuts, linoleum cuts, embossing and mono-prints on Plexiglas. The class will also include more experimental and improvisational monotype printmaking on plywood and other materials.

Sculpture (1 trimester) Prerequisite: Studio Art I or Department Chair approval (minimum enrollment required)

Sculpture introduces students to the unique concepts and challenges of three dimensional art. Students will explore composition, balance and movement by creating a variety of projects using simple materials, as well as clay, stone and wood. Students will learn to create functional and nonfunctional sculptural forms, as well as the reductive sculptural methods of wood or stone carving. Mixed media work including the idea of installation or site-specific art will also be explored. Due to limitations of space, class size may be limited.

Studio Art III: Advanced Art Prerequisite: Studio Art I and II or Department Chair approval

Advanced Art course trains students in traditional techniques blended with contemporary methods. Skills are fine-tuned and styles emerge as students take ownership of the conceptualization of their work. The classical studies of drawing are learned including studies in the figure, the face, still life, landscape, and composition. The language of art takes precedence in formal critiques. A self-directed concentration ends the year.

Senior Portfolio Prerequisite: Studio Art I, II and III or Department Chair approval

Students who are planning to pursue art studies at the college level will need to present a portfolio in the college admission process. The goal of this course is for each student to build a strong body of work that demonstrates their skills in a variety of techniques and media. In the first trimester, guidance is provided for the portfolio presentation and digital images of the student’s work. During the second and third trimester, students will choose a theme and build a cohesive body of work based on this theme or concentration. The works will be displayed in a senior exhibition that will be designed and curated by the members of the class.

Digital Design and Film

Digital Media I: This introductory one-year course considers what components make for a strong photograph and strong film. The course starts in studies of composition and camera settings, then into digital photo editing software, and ends with a trimester dedicated to transitioning into the moving picture. Students are expected to find creative and original solutions to projects, showing voice and unveiling style. Major trends in digital art and art history are integrated into lessons, as well as a consideration of how photo and film are used in the business world. Finally, students will be expected to maintain an organized digital portfolio using current online technology and participate in local and community art exhibitions.

Digital Media II: Students will expand their breadth of skills and digital art pursuits through a variety of forms. Students enrolled in the year course will build upon the foundations they learned in Digital Media I. Students may opt for a single trimester of study in the following disciplines:

Digital Media II: Digital Photography (one trimester) Prerequisite: Digital Media I
The Digital Photography course focuses on teaching students the basic operations and functions of a digital single lens reflex camera and how to achieve meaningful results by manipulating its settings. Students will gain an understanding of the elements of art as they apply to photography including lighting, composition, and design. Students will develop the ability to speak and write about their own and others photographs through critical analysis of aesthetic, expressive and technical components of the work. Students will learn to use software for image editing and manipulation as well as how to archive, organize and optimize photographs for output to print or the web. Students are encouraged to pursue their interests and develop their unique point of view. This course is offered during trimester 1.

Digital Media II: Digital Video (one trimester) Prerequisite: Digital Media I
This course builds upon the skills learned in the Digital Media I course. Students will learn storytelling, project management, capturing and editing video and audio to produce a completed, concept driven digital video. Students gain experience through real-world projects that help them understand the various roles and processes involved in digital video production. Experience will be gained by working both independently and in group collaboration. Students will engage in peer-to-peer evaluation through periodic class critiques and learn to communicate their concepts and principles to an audience. Completed work will be presented at a group exhibition at the end of the course. No prior knowledge of digital video design software or hardware is required. This course is offered during trimester 2.

Digital Media II: Digital Design (one trimester) Prerequisite: Digital Media I
In this course, students explore the world of designing and creating graphic and animated digital media content. Students will create original content using different technologies as expressive tools, including but not limited to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects. The media content created in the course may be used in various campus publications, posters, and events. The course also examines graphical design in print, advertising, app design, and online media while focusing on color, composition, and style. Students will work to develop an artistic vision and learn how to use digital design to bring their ideas to life. This course is offered during trimester 3.

Other Visual Art Offerings

Art History and Appreciation (one semester) This course will introduce students to the various forms of the visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, film, and more. Students will learn how to look at a work of art, identify and compare key characteristics in artworks, and understand the role art has played throughout history. Through hands-on activities, museum visits, discussion, and research, learners will develop an overall appreciation for the art they encounter in their daily lives. Focus will be on Renaissance to Modern art historical periods.

Music

School of the Holy Child approaches music as a tool to foster creativity and expression, as well as to broaden students' global perspective. Courses in Instrumental and Choral Music are available to all students in grades 5-12. In addition, we offer instrumental instruction in brass, woodwind, percussion and strings, grade-level choral studies, as well as two advanced choirs in the Upper School. Students take part in winter and spring concerts in addition to recitals throughout the year.

Music Theory
This class uses an engaging, practical approach to cover the basics of music theory. Topics such as scales, chords, key signatures, and musical form are explored by both analyzing musical examples and composing original pieces. Students explore the ways in which various musical artists have used the same basic musical materials, and learn the interconnectedness of various musical genres, from traditional classical to modern pop.

Chamber Ensemble

This course will introduce students to a range of musical genres including classical, liturgical, jazz, and rock. This is a general instrumental ensemble open to all instrument types, and students may vary from beginner to advanced. Over the course of the year, students will learn to play individually and as an ensemble. Students will meet as a group several times per cycle, and in rotation on an individual or small group basis one to two times per cycle. Students will learn basic fundamental skills in reading music and create arrangements for performance. Students must rent or buy their own instruments (except piano). Limited financial aid is available. This is a repeatable course.

Cappella Nova

Cappella Nova is a beginner to intermediate choir open to all students. Special emphasis is placed on vocal production, expressive singing, as well as singing in three parts. Students wishing to join Cappella Nova must pass a basic audition which includes a range assessment. Repertoire is drawn from the music of many countries and genres, from 11^th century chant to contemporary gospel. Also included are solo and small group opportunities, including vocal jazz. Students perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as in smaller concerts throughout the year. This is a repeatable course.

Madrigals Prerequisite: Audition and Approval of the Choir Director

Madrigals is an advanced, audition-only, chamber choir open to students in grades 10-12. Members study and sing primarily 4-part a cappella repertoire. Madrigals should be considered as preparation for collegiate a cappella and other select singing groups. Students perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts, as well as in smaller concerts throughout the year. This is a repeatable course.

Dance

Dance I (minimum enrollment required)

This is a beginner to intermediate level movement class. The course objective is to teach students the basic fundamental skills in movement and expression through exposure to a variety of dance styles. This course satisfies the Physical Education requirement for each trimester in which the student is enrolled.

Dance II-IV Prerequisite: Dance I or prior experience and approval of Arts Director (minimum enrollment required)

These are intermediate to advanced level movement classes. Some dance experience or the completion of Dance I is required to enroll in this series of courses. The objective in each is to build on the dance skills and training that the student already possesses and to enhance the student’s understanding of movement and form.

Ballet and Modern Dance

This is a foundational course focusing on exposure and exploration of both ballet and modern dance forms. Students will learn technique, vocabulary and performance elements throughout the trimester. Students with little to some experience may join this trimester long class.

Jazz and Hip Hop

This is a foundational course focusing on exposure and exploration of both the jazz and hip hop dance forms. Students will focus on technique, rhythm, body isolation and performance styles throughout the trimester. Students with little to some experience may join this trimester long class.

Theatre

Theatre I: Introduction to Theatre (minimum enrollment required)

This course is an introduction to basic acting, improvisation, and movement techniques, as well as vocal training. Students will also be exposed to various movements and important periods in theatre history.

Theatre II: Advanced Theatre Prerequisite: Theatre I or approval of the Arts Director (minimum enrollment required)

The purpose of this course is to give the student an increased appreciation for and additional experience in theatre as an art form. The student will act, direct, and be technically involved in scenes and one-act plays. The course will culminate in a student-produced performance for an audience. Students will read and evaluate plays as well as view and critique taped and live performances. Students must fulfill lab hours.

Theatre III: Advanced Theatre Showcase Prerequisite: Advanced Theatre or by audition (minimum enrollment required)

This course will focus on classic and contemporary scene work. Students will build on skills developed in Advanced Theatre to work in an ensemble and develop fully-realized, nuanced characters. Sessions will consist of intensive character study, peer critique, improvisation, and vocal preparation. Additionally, students will attend live theatre events to continue the development of a critical eye. This course will culminate in a final performance.

Musical Theatre Performance: This course is designed for students with an affinity for combining music and theatre. Study will include scene analysis, character development, movement, singing, and acting. Students will apply the aspects of movement, music, and drama in performance-based assessments. Students will improve their audition skills through practice and performance. Upon completion, students will leave with a working portfolio containing a solid list of contrasting repertoires.