Course Catalog

50.0211701     Survey of the Visual Arts CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This introductory course is designed to provide experience in a wide range of art forms. Students explore a variety of art materials and techniques through a series of projects which might include basic design, art history, painting, ceramics, sculpture and crafts.

50.0311702       Drawing I CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

Beginning students explore the world of drawing. The elements, principles and technical skills are acquired through a series of sequential drawing experiences dealing mainly in pencil with additional experimentation in charcoal, ink, pastel, and markers.

50.0312703     Drawing II CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students     Prerequisite - Drawing I

The focus of the course is for students to further develop their drawing abilities and skills, after learning the basic fundamental skills from Drawing I. The goal of this course is to develop a more individual approach to drawing.

50.0411704     Clayworks I CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th – 12 th grade students

The focus of this course is on all aspects of working with clay. The course covers hand building, wheel throwing, and various techniques of glazing and finishes.

50.0412705     Clayworks II CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th – 12 th grade students   Prerequisite - Clayworks I

This course is for students who have completed a semester of Clayworks and will focus on a more in depth approach to working with all aspects of clay. The course will cover hand building, wheel throwing and various techniques of glazing and finishes.

50.0611706     Three-Dimensional Sculptural Forms CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th – 12 th grade students

This course is for the student interested in the construction of three-dimensional pieces involving a variety of media: paper, wood, fiber, clay, plaster, metal and other mixed techniques involved in the construction of sculpture.

50.0000707     Design Fundamentals CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th - 12 th grade students

This course deals with the application of the elements and principles of design in a variety of mediums. Students are given assignments that apply to areas of design which might include graphic art, illustration, and architecture.

50.0321708     Exploring Painting CP (Y)

    Offered to 10 th – 12 th grade students Prerequisite - Drawing I or Survey of the Visual Arts Students will learn the historical development of painting through series of related projects. Students will apply color theory and color relationships to create various color effects in their work and master techniques related to the medium.

50.0511700     Printmaking CP (S)

       Offered to 10 th - 12 th grade students     

This course will introduce the student to various techniques involved in printmaking, which include relief, monoprint, Xerox transfer and etching.

50.0000709     Advanced Studio Art CP (Y)

    Offered to 11 th – 12 th grade students

Advanced Studio Art is designed for the serious minded art student who has mastered the fundamental skills and desires to further develop his/her artistic abilities. This course focuses on the perfection of technical skills through work with sophisticated imagery and in-depth assignments.

50.0812740     Advanced Placement Studio Art: General (Y)

50.0811741     Advanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing (Y)

   Offered to 12 th grade students   Prerequisite – Advanced Studio Art and submission of   portfolio         showing proficiency in drawing and painting

This course is designed for self-motivated students committed to serious study in art. A prescribed portfolio reflecting three areas of study, quality concentration, and breadth, is submitted to the evaluators of the Advanced Placement program. College credit may be awarded on the basis of the evaluation.

51.0000701     Dance I CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This course is an introduction to ballet and jazz dance. The course focuses on the basic concepts and performances of both disciplines. Group discussions center on dance vocabulary, dance history and choreography. Students perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

51.0000702     Dance II CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students            Audition required

This course continues the study of ballet and jazz fundamentals, as well as introducing intermediate level dance steps, phrases, and combinations. Group discussions center on dance vocabulary, cultural dance history and choreography. Students perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

51.0000703     Dance III CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students       A udition required

This course continues the study of ballet and jazz dance as an art form. Students further develop their technique through increased complexity in class combinations, musical phrasing and choreography. Group discussions center on dance vocabulary, dance history and choreography. Students work with guest choreographers. Students perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

51.0000704     Dance Company CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade student Prerequisite - currently studying ballet outside of school       

    A udition required

This course is for students who have achieved proficiency in ballet, as well as jazz technique. Students should perform at an advanced level and demonstrate the ability to work as an ensemble. Outstanding stage presence and performance are required. Students rehearse on Wednesday afternoons (as well as in daily class) and perform during the Open House, Morning of the Arts, and Spring Dance Concert. Students in this course participate in master classes with visiting dance teachers and work with guest choreographers. This course is for students who have an extensive dance background and who are serious and dedicated to this art form.

52.0000701     Oral Communication CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This course emphasizes personal and interpersonal skills through many verbal and visual projects. The creation of original commercials (writing and videotaping) is the course highlight, as well as a formal twelve minute speech at the end of the semester. Self-evaluation is an integral part of the class.

52.0210702     Dramatic Arts/Fundamentals I CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This is a basic course in acting for students who have little or no experience in this area. Memorizing lines and performing scenes, as well as the reading of popular plays are some of the challenges. Field trips to live theatrical productions, both amateur and professional, are required. A solo monologue is performed and evaluated at the end of the semester.

52.0220703      Dramatic Arts/Fundamentals II CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th – 12 th grade students

This course includes further study of acting techniques: body movement, improvisation, and scene presentation. It also includes more advanced vocal, physical and emotional exercises as well as proper monologue delivery and technique. Students also participate in drama workshops on campus, read popular plays, and take field trips to local professional theaters.

52.0000704     Advanced Scene Study and Improvisation CP (S)

    Offered to 10 th - 12 th grade students with Department approval

This course will include a detailed examination of scenes from a variety of popular plays both comedic and dramatic. Reading aloud, creative input, and performing will enhance the experience. Corresponding films will also be analyzed.

52.0000705     Directing CP (S)     

    Offered to 11 th – 12 th grade students   Prerequisite - Pius Players for at least 2 years     Department approval required

This is an intensive course in directing for the advanced drama student. Course includes lectures by guest directors, student directed scenes and a one-act Readers Theatre. Students also assist the Drama Director with Pius Players yearly productions.

52.0000706     Survey of Musical Theatre CP (S)

       Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This course is designed for actors as well as non actors. The course will examine how musical theatre egan in America and its impact on the Broadway experience. Performance techniques are included.

53.0000790     Concert Choir CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students     Audition required for new members

The focus of this class is on vocal technique and ensemble singing. Students should have a basic knowledge of pitch and rhythms. Members are encouraged to take private vocal lessons. The concert choir performs a wide variety of literature from sacred to popular. The group performs at school Masses. The group also performs at other school events, at a select choral festival and the Christmas concert. The group may be required to rehearse after school in preparation for concerts.

53.0841701     Beginning Guitar CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

This course is for students with little or no experience on the guitar. Students learn the fundamentals of guitar and finger style techniques. No prior music knowledge is necessary. Development of musical sense and understanding of basic musical concepts and theory will be introduced with the guitar. History of the guitar in Western music will be examined. Emphasis is on proper form and technique development. Students are required to have a suitable guitar prior to the first class period. Acoustic and nylon string guitars are preferred, but not required.

53.0851702     Intermediate Guitar CP (Y)     Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students           

   Audition required

This course is for students with a working knowledge of the fret board on the guitar. Students work on more advanced concepts of right and left hand techniques with the guitar. The course teaches music reading skills, theory, and improvisational techniques. Development of musical concepts and improvisational styles will be examined. Classical and modern guitar literature in Western music will be examined. Emphasis is on proper form and technique development. Students are required to have a suitable nylon string guitar. This is a performance class and after school rehearsals, performances, and concerts are required.

53.0861703     Advanced Guitar CP (Y)        Offered to 9 th - 12 th grade students          

    Audition required

This course is for students with advanced knowledge of the fret board on the guitar. Students learn advanced concepts of right and left hand techniques with the guitar. The course teaches advanced reading skills, theory, and improvisational techniques. Development of musical ideas, composition, and improvisational styles will be examined. Classical and modern guitar literature in Western music will be examined. Emphasis is on proper form and technique development. Students are required to have a suitable guitar nylon string guitar. This is a performance class and after school rehearsals, performances, and concerts are required.

53.0140704     Music Appreciation CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students

No music experience is needed for this class. Students will enhance their understanding of music in their daily lives. The study of music history will provide a perspective through which stylistic trends, compositional devices, and elements of musical expression can be better interpreted, understood, and appreciated as directly reflected by human development and thought. This course emphasizes how classical music has influenced what we hear and perform today.

53.0210705     Music Theory CP (S)

    Offered to 9 th - 12 th grade students with Department approval   

Students study basic fundamentals of music theory (rhythm and meter, keys, harmonic analysis, aural recognition of intervals) on a more in-depth level than they would in a performance class. Students will also be introduced to composition techniques and analysis of musical form.

53.0000706     Concert Band CP (Y)

    Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students   Audition/Interview required for new students

This course is open to any student who has had at least one year of instruction on a brass, Woodwind, or percussion instrument. Focus will be on the development of concert technique including articulation, pitch, rhythm, phrasing, dynamics, and tone quality. Members are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. The group will perform select concert literature appropriate to the skill level of the group. The concert band typically performs at least one concert in the fall and one in the spring semester. The group may be required to rehearse after school in preparation for concerts.

53.0000707     Marching Band-Wind Instrument CP (S)

       Offered to 9 th -12 th grade students     Audition/Interview required for new students

Students must have at least one year of instruction on a Brass or Woodwind instrument. Focus will be on development of marching and playing technique, and learning of marching repertoire. The Marching Band performs a half-time show at home football games. Performances at one or two away games may be scheduled. The group also participates at several mandatory marching band competitions as well as certain community events. Marching Band members are required to attend band camp and several late July and early August rehearsals. Members are also required to attend weekly after-school practices. The group also performs in the Christmas Concert.

53.0000708     Marching Band-Percussion CP (S)

       Offered to 9 th - 12 th grade students     Audition/Interview required for new students

Students must have at least one year of instruction on a percussion instrument. Focus will be on development of marching and playing technique, and learning of marching repertoire. The Marching Band performs a half-time show at home football games. Performances at one or two away games may be scheduled. The group also participates at several mandatory marching band competitions as well as certain community events. Marching Band members are required to attend band camp and several late July and early August rehearsals. Members are also required to attend weekly after-school practices. The group also performs in the Christmas Concert.

53.0000709     Symphonic Band CP (S)

       Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students      Audition/Interview required for new students

To be eligible for this course students must have be enrolled in marching band the first semester, unless otherwise decided by the band director. The symphonic band rehearses and performs intermediate to advanced literature. Members are encouraged to take private lessons. The group will perform in at least one concert second semester. The group will occasionally perform at the GMEA large group festival evaluation or another select event. The group may be required to rehearse after school in preparation for concerts.

53.0000700     Advanced Drumset Applications I CP (S)

       Offered to 9 th – 12 th grade students     Audition/Interview required for new students

This course is open to students who have a minimum of one year drumset playing experience. Students must know some basics of reading drumset music notation. The focus of the class is the study of drumset rhythms, particularly in the idioms of jazz, pop, and world music (Latin, African, Caribbean ). Students will learn material through dictation, listening examples, and hands-on drumset playing. If a student does not have a drumset at home, he/she must sign up to practice before or after school in the band room. This class does not perform in concert.