The Arts
“Students begin to demand more from themselves as their explorations become more sophisticated.”
Some of our Arts courses may require participation in our Associate Student program.
Grade 6 - INTRODUCTION TO ART – I
This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of art and design. students begin to see the visual world more clearly, feel more comfortable with their creative abilities and feel more capable of expressing their ideas in two- and three-dimensional projects. This course also integrates a study of art history into the curriculum. The Fine Arts Department feels that the history of art is an important component in the students’ understanding of the humanities, and that artist role models act as powerful guides and incentives to students of art.
Grade 7 – INTRODUCTION TO ART - II
In seventh grade, students are enrolled in a full semester of art, enabling them to continue to develop the basic technical skills they acquired in Introduction to Art I, while also exploring new media and techniques. Students expand their range of tools and their approaches to subject matter. Media and tools used may include pencil, charcoal, ink, watercolor, printing and clay. Students will continue to study the history of art and the lives of artists. This course places an emphasis on composition and individual expression, and is designed to help students develop a sense of confidence in their ability to create original work at a middle school level.
Grade 8 – INTRODUCTION TO ART – III
In eighth grade, students are once again enrolled in a full semester of art. This class continues to build on and incorporates the skills and techniques learned in Introduction to Art I and II, while introducing a more detailed approach to drawing skills. This course also mirrors concepts covered in the Upper School Foundations of Art class.
GRADE 6 – GENERAL MUSIC
This trimester course is designed to introduce all incoming students to the various elements of music through a program of listening, study and performance. Students will learn basic music history and theory, and their exploration of both instrumental and vocal music will help them develop a greater appreciation for the world of music. This class also serves as good preparation for those students interested in participating in performance ensembles. Participation in an end-of-trimester concert is expected and required.
GRADE 7 - WORLD MUSIC
This course continues to build on the material learned in sixth grade music, with its primary focus being the music of other cultures. As they study music from countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, students will expand their knowledge of the world of music and will continue to hone their listening skills. While this is a non-performance class, with a research project taking the place of a final concert, performance-oriented activities (rhythm, singing, etc.) will be covered in class. Other topics of study may include basic piano skills and beginning composition.
GRADE 7 – CHORUS
Students who prefer vocal performance should register for the 7 th grade chorus. In this semester class, students will be introduced to the concept of sight-reading, and will focus on improving their singing technique, on expanding their repertoire to include more challenging 2 and 3-part pieces, and on becoming more at ease singing in front of an audience. Participation in chapel, in other events throughout the semester and in an end-of-semester
GRADE 8 – CHORUS/VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Similar in nature to the 7 th grade chorus, this semester course is open to students wishing to further develop their vocal skills, with particular attention being paid to improving sight-reading ability. Students will focus on more challenging music for presentation in an end-of-term concert. At the end of the middle school sequence, students should know the basics of reading music, have improved their sight-reading skills, have a greater knowledge of the musical culture in America and abroad, and become more comfortable in performing in front of an audience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BALLET, JAZZ, & TAP
Ballet/Jazz and Tap courses are offered each semester for those students wishing to gain exposure to the technical side of dance. Performance is emphasized, with participation in school events and trips into the community being a possibility.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DRAMA
The middle school drama class is offered in the fall as a trimester course. Students start with basic acting and improvisation techniques before beginning work on a full-length play, which is performed in mid-November. Participating students are expected to take a role in the production; however, exceptions can be made for students wishing to do more behind the-scenes work.
SURVEY OF THE ARTS
Over the course of this class, the four major areas of artistic interest - art, dance, drama and music - are examined from a critical standpoint as students explore how basic principles, such as form and design, and the theories behind various art forms are at work in the world around us, and how they influence our appreciation of the art and music we encounter every day. This is not a studio class; it is lecture-based, and students will be expected to complete several short written assignments over the course of the semester. In-class presentations by visiting artists and relevant field trips may also be included. At the end of the course, students will have a better understanding and appreciation for each of the art forms discussed, which should allow them to make a more informed decision regarding the art electives they choose to pursue.
INTRODUCTION TO FILM
The focus of this course will be on understanding and reading film as an art form, rather than how to make film. Students will work to obtain a broader understanding of what goes into making a film through a study of various elements (such as photography, mise en scene , movement, editing, sound, acting, drama, story, and writing) and how these elements work together to create an interesting visual display. The “texts” for the course will be a textbook and various films (either clips or full-length) and instruction will be a combination of class discussion and written assignments; students will demonstrate their grasp of the material through periodic quizzes and tests.
TWO DIMENSIONAL DESIGN
By focusing on the elements and principles of design, students begin to understand the impact of design on architecture, decorative arts, graphics and textiles. Students must use skills and creativity to solve problems within given guidelines. Knowledge gained will lead students to an introduction of visual communications, design and graphics. Art history will be incorporated as it relates to new projects.
COMPUTER ASSISTED DESIGN
Purchase of CAD program required
Students will:
- learn the basics of construction and design
- develop a sense of design and proportion in several different mediums
- learn to use a computer drawing program
CERAMICS
Students learn basic hand-building skills, wheel-throwing and acquire the necessary technical information and terms. By using different cultures as a vehicle, students will have the opportunity to discover the how and why of art in the realm of ceramics. Students will explore the techniques of decorating and glazing as they work with clay, and will begin to use the wheel during the second half of the course.
ADVANCED CERAMICS
Students continue to study clay as a medium of an art. Students develop further their skills with glazing, hand-building, wheel-throwing, and begin to focus on the techniques of relief and masking. Students are encouraged to “think outside the box,” and take advantage of expanded opportunities for self-expression.
SCULPTURE
Students study the basic processes of sculpture through modeling with clay, plaster casting, and additive and subtractive approaches to form. Students will also explore the history of sculpture and design.
DRAWING AND PAINTING
Students explore the importance of color, line, value, gesture, and perspective as they work with still-life, landscape, and abstract art. This course focuses on the sense of space in composition as students develop a critical “eye.” Materials include pencil, pen and ink, acrylic, and watercolor. Students will explore both historical and modern techniques and corresponding examples of drawings and painting, and will be expected to incorporate what they learn into their work.
ADVANCED DRAWING AND PAINTING
Building on the skills acquired in Drawing and Painting I, students are encouraged to strive for more individuality in their work as they continue to work in pencil, acrylic, pen and ink and watercolor media.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Students will be required to furbish their own 35mm manual camera, film, and rc photo paper.
This course explores the basic principles of black and white photography. Students will understand the operation of an SLR camera and will learn different ways to use their camera to take photographs.
Students will learn rules of design and composition as used in photography, become competent of how to use the darkroom, develop film, make prints, etc. The history of photography will also be introduced and explored as well as various Darkroom techniques.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
An introduction to photography using digital cameras and software-based darkroom techniques with focus on artistic applications, technical aspects and conceptual challenges associated with this equipment. Course materials cover the basics of digital photography, equipment, software, printing and electronic publishing. Students are expected to have their own cameras; the course welcomes point-and-shoot cameras and/or SLR cameras. While cameras with 4 megapixel image capture or better are preferred they are not a requirement for success in this course.
ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY
A course for students wishing to further explore black and white photography. This course will be fast paced and deadline driven. Students will continue to develop their technical and artistic skills as needed in photography. There will be further exploration in toners, hand coloring, and the history and styles of Photography. Infrared photography and further darkroom techniques will be introduced.
CHORUS
This performance class is open to all interested upper school students. Students will continue to strengthen proper vocal technique and sight-reading ability through exposure to more advanced exercises, expanded repertoire and an exploration of a variety of musical styles. Participation in end-of-term concerts is expected and required, and members will be expected to help lead music in chapel and participate in other performance opportunities as they arise.
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE KEYBOARD SKILLS
Students will explore another avenue into the world of music, and develop their knowledge and skills on another instrument. The class is especially appropriate for those students interested in non-choral music. Primary focus will be on piano technique, note reading and theory and music history as it pertains to the instrument. Students have the freedom to move at their own pace. Participation in each end-of-semester recital is required.
INTRODUCTION TO ACTING
This course is designed to better acquaint students with basic acting concepts and techniques, and to give them the opportunity to work alone or in groups on such topics as character and scene development, basic improv and stage direction. Instruction will be a combination of classroom instruction and in-class student performances, and will also touch briefly on the history of drama and acting. Participation in the US musical will be taken into consideration for those students enrolled in the spring semester.
INTRODUCTION TO STAGECRAFT
This course is designed to give interested students an in-depth look at the various behind- the-scenes duties of theatrical productions and to introduce them to the basics of set, sound and lighting design. Instruction will be a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on projects and relevant field trips. Students enrolled in the fall semester are expected to assist with the middle school drama production; students enrolled in the spring semester are expected to assist with the upper school musical.
ENSEMBLE MUSIC Band and Strings
The following QAS performing groups are open to both middle & upper school students.
By playing music within a group setting, students are able to further their skills and knowledge of a particular instrument, and to develop ensemble skills which may not be emphasized in their private instruction. While these groups are open to all skill levels, students will be exposed to challenging repertoire and will be expected to improve their technique, tone quality and general musicianship. Students are expected to perform in the holiday and spring concerts, and in other performance opportunities as they arise.
Band. Meets every other day; ½ credit is given for a full year’s participation.
Strings. An after-school club; meeting time to be determined at first meeting.
BALLET, JAZZ, & TAP
Ballet, Jazz, & Tap is offered each semester for students wishing to gain more exposure to the history and techniques of dance. Performing in front of an audience is also emphasized, with participation in school events and trips into the community being a possibility. |