Fine and Performing Arts

Philosophy: The Fine Arts Department seeks to develop aesthetic potential, self-awareness, and cultural awareness in students through a variety of experiences.  These include technical and performing opportunities that allow for individual differences and expressions which take place in a positive supportive environment, thus encouraging learning and creativity and exposing students to a wide range of fine arts.

WOMEN’S CHORUS  
Women’s Chorus gives students an opportunity to participate in a performing group that concentrates on individual and group choral enrichment.  The group participates in required outside performance activities with the St. Paul’s Singers and separately.  Because this class is performance based, with no homework, participation at performances is mandatory.  Evaluation is based on participation in class and attendance at required performances.

MEN’S CHORUS  
Men’s Chorus gives students an opportunity to participate in a performing group that concentrates on individual and group choral enrichment.  The group participates in required outside performance activities with the St. Paul’s Singers and separately.  Because this class is performance based, with no homework, participation at performances is mandatory.  Evaluation is based on participation in class and attendance at required performances.

CHORALE 
Chorale gives qualified students the opportunity to participate in a performing group that concentrates on individual and group choral enrichment.  The group participates in required outside performance activities with the St. Paul’s Singers and separately.  Because this class is performance based, with no homework, participation at performances is mandatory.  Evaluation is based on participation in class and attendance at required performances.  Students must qualify by audition.

CHAMBER SINGERS 
Chamber Singers gives advanced chorus students opportunities to participate in a performing group that concentrates on individual and group choral enrichment in a small ensemble setting. The group participates in required outside performance activities with the St. Paul's Singers and separately. Because this class is performance based, with no homework, participation at performances is mandatory. Evaluation is based on participation in class and attendance at required performances. Students must qualify by audition.

SHOW CHOIR  
Show Choir gives qualified students an opportunity to participate in a class that combines the toughest demands of athletics, including team spirit, with the finest forms of contemporary vocal music and closely choreographed dance routines. The group participates in required outside performance activities with the St. Paul's Singers and separately. Because this class is performance based, with no homework, participation at performances is mandatory. Evaluation is based on participation in class and attendance at required performances. Students must qualify by both vocal and dance audition.

VISUAL ENSEMBLE 
Students in this course learn the use of a variety of equipment (flags, hoops, props, etc.) along with dance styles including lyrical, jazz, military, and modern to interpret musical selections. The Visual Ensemble performs during halftime at football games, pep rallies, and parades. Performances and extracurricular practices are scheduled throughout the year as required by the band director. The Visual Ensemble meets daily during the first semester to develop and improve all aspects of the field show. Students attend evening rehearsals in the summer (July) and a Band Camp during August to learn the music and field performance for the upcoming season. Students will receive .5 elective credits for the class (first semester, only) and may pair it with another class for the second semester. 

THEATER:  PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTION 
This course provides an avenue of creative expression, growth in self-confidence, an outlet for creative energy, and makes students a more discerning audience.  Using Theatre: Art in Action as a text, the course will focus on acting, production and technical theater.  This elective will benefit the students taking any college course in the arts, public speaking, humanities, and/or survey of literature. 

CHAMBER STRINGS 
Advanced Strings (The Chamber Strings) refines the higher points of orchestral ensemble playing through the study of music history, theory, and pedagogy. Students are required to attend numerous performances outside of the school day, as well as all church and school performances. Advanced Strings prepares students to compete at a collegiate level. Students are expected to maintain performance skills and demonstrate behavior required to participate in the Chamber Strings. Advanced Strings is a full year course. Students must qualify by audition.

ADVANCED BAND (GRADES 9-12) 
During marching season, the band performs at football games, marching contests, and parades.  During symphonic season, the ensemble will perform at least four concerts, district and state festivals.  Individual students have opportunities to participate in All-State Festival and various Honor Bands throughout the southeast.  All students are expected to maintain basic playing skills and to maintain the discipline necessary to perform on their instrument.

PHOTOGRAPHY I   
The photography program enables students to study photography as an art form.  The Photography I course introduces basic digital photography with an emphasis on controlling the photographic variables.  Specific areas of study include: proper use and control of a digital SLR camera, mastery of basic shooting, elements and principles of design, composition and the life and work of selected photographers.  All classes carry a $175.00 (camera lease from the school) or $75.00 (if DSLR is already owned) fee per semester to cover camera lease (optional), printer paper, ink and mat board. 

PHOTOGRAPHY II 
In the Photography II course, after a review of basic skills, students are encouraged to begin exploring their own subject interests while learning alternative photographic processes. While refining fundamental skills learned from Photography I, students will continue to advance digitally but also engage in proper use and control of a manual 35 mm camera, darkroom skills, and experimental processes such as cyanotypes, pinholes, and mixed media.  The main focus of the course is creative expression; fine art photography emphasizes the use of the camera as a means of expression and discovery.  All classes carry a $175.00 fee per semester.  Photography I is a prerequisite.

PHOTOGRAPHY III 
This is an advanced course similar to an independent study and designed for the seriously motivated student interested in continuing the learning of fine art photography.  Photography III students will focus on their main interest in subject matter and improving their visual perception using the various techniques learned in Photography I and II.  Traditional and digital applications will be used throughout the year.  All classes carry a $175.00 fee per semester.  Photography I and II are prerequisites and teacher approval is required.

AP 2D DESIGN    
This is a course for Advanced Photography students who would like to submit an AP Portfolio in 2D Design, Studio Art.  Students would be working ONLY in photography.  AP 2D Design requires teacher approval.

ART I 
This studio course introduces students to the elements and principles of design through experimental work with a variety of media.  Drawing skills are emphasized during first quarter, followed by painting, 2D design, relief and stencil printmaking processes and 3D design activities.  A broad overview of Art Movements and artists from the Egyptians through the 20th century artists is incorporated into the studio portion of the course.  Class critiques at the end of each project reinforce the objectives and allow the students to learn from one another and become articulate when discussing art.  Teacher evaluation, based on individual abilities and skill levels, is integral to the course.  Teacher approval required to continue to Art II or Photography I or II.

ART II 
This art elective affords students the opportunity to continue the study of two-dimensional concepts while exploring three-dimensional design.  Project inspiration is often gathered from Modern and Post-Modern artists, their styles, media, and various themes / concepts.  Students study the artists from a historical as well as a technical perspective involving a variety of mediums.  Specific media explored include: painting, printmaking, collage, found objects, mosaics, wire, wood, and cut paper.  3-D sculptural construction and presentation expand the students’ experience with new concepts and materials while preparing students for AP Art.  Elements and principles of design, composition, subject matter, color, space and form are addressed as students search for personal forms of expression.  Class critiques and discussions are an integral part of the course.  Art I is a prerequisite and teacher approval is required. 

ART III 
This course is for the visual artist who wishes to develop a deeper understanding of the elements and principles of design through more sophisticated aesthetic problem solving.  Life drawing and figure drawing constitute the point of departure for the exploration of a variety of media.  Graphite, pen/ ink and wash, oil and chalk pastels, Prismacolor, watercolor, tempera batik, and acrylics will be used with an emphasis on each student developing personal, individualized expression.  Class critiques and teacher evaluation are integral to the learning process.  Art I is a prerequisite and teacher approval is required.   

ART IV
This course is for the serious art student who wants to continue to improve artistically but does not feel capable of producing the quality of work for the more rigorous Advance Placement Studio Art course.  The skills acquired in Art III will be reinforced and a variety of art media and techniques will be explored.  Class critiques and teacher evaluation are integral to the learning process.  Art I is a prerequisite and teacher approval is required.

AP ART 
This course is intended for the highly motivated student interested in the serious study of art.  It emphasizes the quality, breadth and concentration of work and the development of an accumulative portfolio as prescribed by the Advanced Placement Course Syllabus.  During the first semester students complete the Breadth requirements, and during second semester, they work on their individual concentration projects.  Continuing teacher evaluation and regular class critiques enable the students to become confident as they refine their personal modes of expressions.  At the end of the year each student is required to submit a portfolio in the 2 Design or the Drawing category.  This course carries a 1.06 weighted grade factor.  Art I is a prerequisite and teacher approval is required. 

Advanced Placement courses provide the opportunity for students to receive college credit through the Advanced Placement examination process.  All students enrolled in the Advanced Placement courses will be required to take the Advanced Placement exam, for which there is an additional fee.