Department Chair: Mrs. Holly Putegnat hputegnat@sja.us
7th GRADE ART
This course has an emphasis on the basic elements and principles of art. Additional projects include painting and drawing. The elements and organizing principles of art are studied and applied in all projects. There is an art history component that supplements this studio course. Each student will have the opportunity to work with the teacher, independently, and in groups. An elective course for students in grade seven.
8th GRADE ART
This course emphasizes the basic elements and principles of art. Additional projects may include crafts and media exploration. There is an art history component that supplements this studio course. Each student will have the opportunity to work with the teacher, independently, and in groups. Students will be responsible for quizzes and/or tests that cover art history and art techniques. An elective course for students in grade eight.
TWO DIMENSIONAL DESIGN
This course has an emphasis on the basics of two dimensional design, drawing, painting, and printmaking. Students will also study the elements of design, as organized by the principles of design. Students will have the opportunity to work on individual and group projects and will gain experience in critiquing their own art and that of others. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students.
THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN
This course has an emphasis on the basics of three dimensional design, ceramics, crafts, and sculpture. Students will study the elements and principles of design as it relates to form. Students will have the opportunity to work on individual and group projects and will learn to critique their own art and that of others. Prerequisite: Two Dimensional Art. Credit: 0.50; A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students.
ART PORTFOLIO
The Art Portfolio course is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in the arts or in art-related fields such as architecture, landscape design, fine arts, or design. Students will experience an independent course of study under the direction of the instructor in order to produce a consistent body of work to be submitted with their college applications. Students are particularly encouraged to consider enrolling in this course during the spring semester of the junior year and/or the fall semester of the senior year in order to prepare their portfolios for use with their college applications. Prerequisite: Two Dimensional Design and Three Dimensional Design or approval of the instructor. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students. This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.
BAND: Beginning/Advanced
This is a performance course divided into two sections, Beginning and Advanced Band, in which students learn and apply the fundamentals of tone production, intonation, rhythm, musical expression, and interpretation of various styles of music on a standard woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. The Beginning class is available to all students (7-12) interested in learning to play a band instrument. The Advanced class is reserved for those with one or more years of instrumental experience. Ensembles formed within the course include: Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble. All students will be required to participate in Concert Band and /or Wind Ensemble. All Advanced students will be required to participate in Marching Band. Beginning Students will be encouraged to participate in Marching Band whenever possible. Accommodations can be made for students involved in other activities upon request and discussion.
These ensembles and bands will require three or four after school rehearsals per week throughout the year, as well as occasional evening and Saturday rehearsals in preparation for performances. During early August rehearsals preparing for the marching season will require the students to come for marching practice before school officially opens. Marching Band students will be required to attend up to four after-school rehearsals per week in order to prepare for the weekly performances. Attendance at required rehearsals and performances will be closely monitored and graded.
All students are expected to learn solos and small ensembles and to participate in solo and ensemble festival. The Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble are formed from all three sections, primarily from the Advanced Band, by audition only and make up the select group of students that participate in band festivals and region, area and all-state auditions. Credit: 1.0; A full-year elective course in grades 7-12. Marching Band satisfies the P.E. requirement. All classes satisfy the Fine Arts requirement. This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.
JAZZ BAND
The Jazz Band is a select ensemble consisting of any combination of jazz players from a
small combo up to a full jazz “big band.” The purpose of this course is to educate players in the area of jazz realization and improvisation through the study of standard repertory, improvisation texts, listening assignments, and rehearsal. After school rehearsals may be required. This ensemble will perform regularly throughout the year. Prerequisite: Audition and consent of the instructor. Credit: 1.0. A full-year elective course for Upper Division students. This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.
GIRLS’ CHOIR
This course is open to girls in grades 9-12 who are interested in performing a varied repertoire of choral music representing styles from diverse cultures and musical periods.
Choir members will also learn to read rhythmic and melodic notation, while developing an appreciation for choral music as an art form and as an aid to worship. Girls’ choir members perform at school liturgies, fine arts evenings, concerts, and other school and community events. In addition to the daily class period, one evening rehearsal each week is required, along with occasional additional rehearsals, which are scheduled as necessary. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor. Credit: 1.0. A full-year elective course for Upper Division girls. This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.
MUSIC THEORY
This course will cover the basics of music theory, including the reading of treble and bass staff notation, note values, rhythm patterns, and major and minor scales and triads. Students will also learn to take basic rhythm and pitch dictation and be introduced to the art of music composition. Credit: 0.5, A one-semester elective course for Upper Division Students.
MUSIC THROUGH THE AGES
In this course, students will be introduced to musical styles from the Middle Ages through the Twenty-First Century. Through study of famous composers and their works, students will become familiar with and gain an appreciation of music from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth Century musical periods. The course will conclude with a study of the history of Jazz, Pop, Rock & Roll, and other contemporary musical styles. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students.
DANCE CLASS
Students will receive instruction in a variety of dance styles such as basic ballet, jazz, modern dance, Latin dance. The course will emphasize dance terminology, technique, fitness and endurance. This course will focus on the components of fitness, including fitness training in the form of aerobic exercise. Technique training will be necessary part of the course. Credit: 0.5; An elective course open to students in grades 9-12; Credit may be earned in P.E. or Fine Arts.
THEATRE ARTS
This course is designed as an introductory study of the theatre arts that surveys the total art form. The intention of this course is to develop understanding and enjoyment of theatre and how it operates as a unit. The students will study the elements of theatre and examine how they work together to bring magic and enjoyment to a live audience. The course will cover the following topics: theatre history, the director and producer in professional theatre, the performance space, technical theatre, and acting. Credit: 0.5; A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students.
STUDY OF ACTING
Designed as an introduction to the study of acting, this course will cover the following topics: the actor’s vocal, physical, and psychological resources, an introduction to the mechanics of stage movement, exercises in sensory, imaginative, emotional, and pantomimic responsiveness, the characterization process in scripted and unscripted scene work, and the varying acting philosophies of Uta Hagen, David Mamet, and Constantine Stanislavsky. Attendance at SJA and Camille Playhouse productions will be required. Credit: 0.5, A one-semester elective course for Upper Division students.
YEARBOOK
This course is devoted to the production of a published work: the Red & White yearbook. Students develop skills in layout, design, story writing and photography. Students are expected to produce work of a high quality and meet rigid deadlines. Prerequisite: Recommendation of the instructor; primary consideration given to students in grades 11 and 12. Credit: 1.0; A full-year Fine Arts elective open to Upper Division students (see above). This course may be taken multiple times for elective credit.