Arts

2D Art & Design I

The course will provide opportunities for students to develop drawing and painting skills. Students will develop observation and accuracy skills as they progress through a variety of assignments such as still life drawings, perspective drawings, portraiture, figure drawing, and landscape paintings. A wide range of drawing and painting media may be used, such as graphite, charcoal, pastels, oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor, acrylic, and tempera paint. Students will continue to develop compositional understanding by applying the elements and principles of design to their sketches, drawings and paintings. Students will be expected to produce original works. One Semester

2D Art & Design II

This course is designed to continue and enhance the skills and knowledge gained through Drawing & Painting I with greater emphasis on advanced techniques and individual expression. There will be more emphasis on critical thinking and critiques as a means of evaluating and looking at works of art. This course will allow participants an opportunity to explore drawing and painting as a method for investigating and recording the visual and imagined world. Varied media, styles, and methods will be discovered as students learn to sharpen their observational skills. The drawing component will encompass an understanding of the basic elements of drawing: line, mark, tone, value, scale, and space. The painting component will explore the basic elements of painting: color, shape, space, tone, value, and mark. Both drawing and painting allow students expressive and imaginative ideas to meld with the observable world. Historic and contemporary artists will be presented to establish a connection with their own work. Students will maintain a sketchbook/journal as a record of learning and as a container for recording, imagining, and self expression. Prerequisite: 2D Art & Design I

3D Art & Design

In 3D Art and Design, students are asked to demonstrate their understanding of design principles as they relate to the integration of depth and space, volume and surface. The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm repetition, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationship) can be articulated through the visual elements (mass, volume, color/ light, form, plane, line, texture). For the design portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 3D design through any three- dimensional approach, including but not limited to figurative or nonfigurative sculpture, architectural models, jewelry, ceramics, installation, assemblage, and 3D fabric/fiber arts. One Semester

Digital Photo I, II

Students will learn to see photographically through an exploration of the basic tools, techniques, and aesthetics of digital photography, with an emphasis on creative use of camera controls, exposure, digital imaging software, and an awareness of issues in contemporary photography. Students will also learn how to edit, process and manipulate digital images for use in different applications including and computer applications using Adobe Photoshop and photo quality printers. A major emphasis of the course will be to develop and increased awareness of visual literacy as a means of understanding and creating visual images. Photo II Prerequisite: Digital Photo I

AP 2D Art and Design

This course is intended to address two-dimensional (2D) design. Design involves purposeful decision making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. The principles of design (unity/variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, figure/ground relationships), articulated through the visual elements (line, shape, color, value, texture, space), help guide artists in making decisions about how to organize the elements on a picture plane in order to communicate content. Good design is possible whether one uses representational, abstract, or expressive approaches to making art. For this course, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2D design through any two-dimensional medium or process, including, but not limited to, graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, and print making. Prerequisite: 2D Art II or Photo II

Advanced Topics in 2D Art and Design

Students who excel in AP 2D Art and Design and wish to take a fourth year of advanced drawing or photography have the opportunity to take Advanced Topics, per teacher recommendations. Students will create a portfolio of work that can be submitted to art schools.

Yearbook

This class is designed to produce the yearbook and give students an opportunity to gain skills in one or more of the following areas: page design, advanced publishing techniques, copy writing, editing, and photography. Students will apply written and visual communication skills, and use technology to create a product of historic value. Students that take this course as an elective will gain useful, real-world skills in time-management, organization, teamwork and design principles.

Band

Band is for students who play woodwind, brass, percussion, double reed, bass, or piano. Band will play concert band music, jazz band music, contemporary music and more. All levels welcome, but US band will be geared towards students that have played in CSN MS band or it’s equivalent for multiple years.

Chamber Strings

This course is open to experienced string students. The class will study and perform repertoire from the chamber music and string orchestra literature. The music will include a wide variety of pieces ranging from the Baroque and Classical eras to Broadway and Pop tunes. In addition to working toward technical mastery of the selections, students will be given a historical context for the music. Performance opportunities will include required winter and spring concerts as well as special events on and off campus.

Vocal Ensemble

In Vocal Ensemble, students will be focusing on building solid vocal technique. Students wishing to strengthen their soloing skills will be given the opportunity to do so, while also fine tuning the aspects of being part of an ensemble with harmonies, light staging, and an end of semester performance. The class will include developing strong musicianship with sight singing, harmonization and octavo reading. Fall Semester

Introductory Theater

For beginning actors who have minimal or casual experience in theater, they will learn a variety of acting techniques, public speaking, stage presence, and other general theater skills. Coursework will include memorizing monologues, learning stage presence, conducting play studies, etc. One public performance in front of an audience is required, such as at Open Mic Night, a US Class Meeting, Winter Showcase, etc. Taking the course as a PO is an option for students needing to fulfill that requirement. Can be taken once. One Semester

Advanced Theater I, II

For experienced actors who have performed in shows both in school and outside of school. Thespian participation is required, with some class time dedicated to practice and rehearsal. Participation in the fall play is expected in some capacity. Students will do play, scene, and character studies; learn acting techniques/skills in the various disciplines/styles; and perform at a winter showcase. This course can be taken twice, since the curriculum alternates years. Fall Semester

Advanced Topics in Theater III, IV

For experienced juniors and seniors who have taken at least one semester of Advanced Theater. Thespian participation is required, with some class time dedicated to practice and rehearsal. Participation in the fall play is expected. In this course, students will continue to hone their acting skills, but will go deeper in directing and stage management. Class would focus on directing Winter Showtime numbers, writing short scenes to be performed, and conducting advanced play and scene studies. Select seniors would be chosen to host a winter showcase. This course can be taken twice, since the curriculum alternates years. Fall Semester

Advanced Topics in Theater: Shakespeare

For experienced theater students wishing to continue their acting development, the class will put on a Shakespeare production in mid-April. Students will begin with Shakespeare study, an in-depth review of the selected play, and then plan on producing a one-night show. Following the show, students will continue their study of Shakespeare and The Bard’s impact on the theatrical arts. This course can be taken multiple times with teacher approval. Spring Semester.

Introductory Musical Theater

For beginning actors who have minimal or casual experience in musical theater. Students will learn singing and dancing techniques and be cast in ensemble roles for the spring musical. Some after-school rehearsal will be required in March. Performing in the spring musical is required for credit; students unable to participate will either earn an F or need to withdraw for the semester and get a W. After the musical, students will do musical theater appreciation by watching, studying, and practicing well-known musicals. Taking the course as a PO is an option for students needing to fulfill that requirement. Can be taken multiple times. Spring Semester

Advanced Musical Theater

For experienced actors who have performed in musicals both in school and outside of school. Students in this class will be cast in the main roles of the spring musical, which will take place in late March. Some after-school rehearsal will be required in March. Performing in the spring musical is required for credit; students unable to participate will either earn an F or need to withdraw for the semester and get a W. After the musical, students will spend their time on group/individual tasks, which could include supporting upcoming CSN performances, writing and producing scenes for a spring showcase, etc. Can be taken multiple times. Spring Semester

Theater Tech

Students will learn the basic skills required to run the backstage needs of productions. Students will be required to serve in a volunteer capacity for at least one event: assembly, school concert, play, musical, etc. Students may take the course up to once per year, with more experienced students expected to take a leadership role in the course and assist less experienced students. Taking the course as a PO is an option for students needing to fulfill that requirement. With teacher approval, AT credit is an option for juniors/seniors who complete a special project. One Semester.

Advanced Topics in Creative Studies

This foundational course of the Creative Scholars program (which can be taken by any qualified upperclassman), provides students with the opportunity to create and perform an original production. Students will write the script, design the sets, perform the score, and manage all other aspects of a professional production. In the fall semester, students will focus on writing the script and finalizing their own pieces for the fall Evening of the Arts. In the spring, students will put on the performance.

Principles of Clothing & Interior Design

Interested in designing and sewing clothes and household items? You will be trained in the skills required to create renderings, including skills of basic sewing, patterning, draping, fitting, fabric selection, fabric dyeing, and painting. One Semester

Principles of Guitar & Music Appreciation

Interested in learning how to play the guitar? You will learn some basic chords, a few simple chord progressions and songs and will be able to accompany yourself or someone else through a pop song (or a few) by the end of the course. For budding musicians who have little to zero experience with guitar. Throughout the course, students will also listen to music critically and analyze song form, composition styles, lyrics, instrumentation, musical genre, and eras. One Semester