Fine Arts Department
Art
Studio Art
Studio Art is an introductory Visual Arts course. It is an overview and introduction to basic concepts, skills and a variety of media. Students are introduced to Drawing, Design, Painting and Sculpture. This course fulfills a student’s Fine Arts requirement. (1 Credit)
It is advisable that a student interested in Visual Art take Studio Art as early as possible, as it is a prerequisite for all upper level Visual Art courses.
Prerequisite: none
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Drawing and Design
Drawing and Design is an advanced studio course focused on the practice and study of Drawing and Design. It builds on skills and concepts introduced in Studio Art. A variety of drawing and design materials and concepts are studied. Traditional and contemporary modes of drawing are explored. (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Studio Art and the recommendation of the teacher.
Intended for: students in grades 10-12
Painting
Painting is an advanced studio course that explores the essential elements of painting utilizing acrylic paints. These include color theory, a variety of painting techniques and styles and an introduction to the conceptual and technical bases of painted imagery. As a final project, Painting students may choose to paint a mural in the school. (1 Credit)
It is advisable that students take Drawing and Design prior to taking painting, as strong Drawing skills are foundational to painting.
Prerequisite: Studio Art, and the recommendation of the teacher.
Intended for: students in grades 11 and 12 only
Beginning 3-Dimensional Design
Beginning 3-Dimensional Design is an advanced studio course that includes the study of Sculpture through the utilization of materials such as wood, ceramics, plaster, and wire. Students explore the aesthetics of Sculpture through the elements and principles of three-dimensional design. (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Studio Art and the recommendation of the teacher.
Intended for: students in grades 10-12
Advanced 3-Dimensional Design
Advanced 3-Dimensional Design is an advanced full year course. Coursework will be self-directed, with students and teacher determining a course of work for the year. Student projects develop as a cohesive body of work. (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Studio Art, Beginning 3-Dimensional Design, and the recommendation of the teacher.
Intended for: students in grades 11 and 12 only
Digital Art
Digital Art is a studio course open to students interested in developing creative solutions using original digital imagery. In this class, students will be making art with the desktop computer as an interface between the artist and the art work. Students will be using the software Adobe Photoshop in combination with mixed media applications and/or digital input. At the end of this class, students will be able to create and analyze professional digital designs. (1/2 Credit)
Prerequisites: Studio Art, Image Editing with Adobe Photoshop CS
Intended for: students in grades 10-12
Creativity and Perception
Creativity and Perception is a full year course designed to develop and enhance student’s creative thought processes and understanding of visual culture using hands-on making techniques to problem solve and create original works of art. Students’ imaginations, insight, awareness, and critical thinking skills will be refined by investigating this subject through visual/audio studies, spoken and written word crafting, group discussions, and structured problem solving. Over the course of a year students will learn how information, perception/cognition, style and culture affect thoughts and actions. (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: None
Intended for: students in grades 11 and 12 only
Advanced Art and Portfolio Preparation
Advanced Art and Portfolio Preparation is full year course open to seniors who have taken several other Visual Art courses. This course offers advanced study of a variety of Visual Art disciplines. It is highly recommended for students interested in applying to a Visual Arts program at the college level (e.g., Architecture, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, etc.). Students will develop a portfolio with which to apply to such a program. At the discretion of the teacher, Advanced Art students may choose to paint a mural in the school. (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Studio Art, at least one advanced studio course and the recommendation of the teacher.
Intended for: students in 11th or 12th grade only
Comics and Sequential Art
Comics and Sequential Art is half year studio course. In exploring the language of Comics and Visual Narrative, students will complete projects that investigate the way in which comics and sequential imagery can be used to create narratives and convey information. As a final project, the class will conceive, execute and publish a comic anthology in magazine format. (1/2 Credit)
Prerequisite: None
Intended for: students in grades 10-12
Printmaking
Printmaking is a half-year advanced studio course that explores traditional and contemporary non-toxic Printmaking techniques. Students will utilize existing drawing skills while exploring the variety of style and imagery that can result from a broad variety of printing methods. Also, students will learn some of the history of the printed image. (1/2 Credit)
Intended for: students in grades 10-12
Prerequisite: none
Classroom Music
Introduction to Keyboard, Guitar, and Music Theory
This class is intended for the student with no musical experience. It is an introduction to basic keyboard and guitar playing techniques. Music reading and theory will be taught in this class. Students will be able to read music and perform at a basic level after completing this course. There is a playing and written component for the mid-term and final. (1/2 credit)
Intended for: students in grades 9 and 10 only
Prerequisite: none
Arranging, Composing, and Music Technology
This is an advanced music class that is intended for students that have previous performing or theory experience. Students will learn how to arrange previously composed music, their own compositions, and use technology to do this. Students will develop melodic, rhythmic, and interval dictation skills as well as gaining knowledge about instrument families and ranges. Students will be prepared for AP Music Theory, or composition and orchestration skills. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Any High School Performing Ensemble, Introduction to Keyboard, Guitar, and Music Theory, or instructor approval.
Intended for: students in grades 10-12 only
AP Music Theory
This course is intended to further develop the musical skills of students past the beginner level to an advanced level of musical understanding. Through a study of form, harmonic progression, and other theoretical aspects of music, students gain an understanding of the complexity of music and its aesthetic value in society. The level of musical study is that of first semester college theory. Students need instructor approval to enroll in this class. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Symphonic Band (2 years), High School Chorus (2 years), or High School General Music Courses (1 credit).
Intended for: students in grades 11 and 12 only
Performing Ensembles
Chamber Orchestra
This course meets every other day for a full year (for 9 -12 graders) and is open to musicians playing string instruments only (violin, viola, cello, or upright bass). Bass players must play UPRIGHT BASS not Electric. Students playing guitar or piano may be interested in taking another music course. This course will cover a wide arrangement of musical styles and genres that will be challenging to the level of the students. Instrumental lessons taken either privately or at McQuaid Jesuit are required for completion of this course. Students will perform frequently throughout the year in school and community settings. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: must play an acoustic string instrument (not guitar)
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Symphonic Band
This course meets every day for a full year and is open to musicians playing woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments only. Students playing guitar or piano may be interested in taking Arranging, Composing, Music Technology, High School Chorus, or Accompanying. This course will cover a wide arrangement of musical styles and genres that will be challenging to the level of the students. Instrumental lessons taken either privately or at McQuaid Jesuit are required for this course. Students will perform frequently throughout the year in school and community settings. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Percussion Ensemble
This course meets every day for a full year. A wide arrangement of musical styles and genres for percussion ensembles will be explored in this course. Instrumental lessons taken either at McQuaid Jesuit or privately are required for completion of this course. Students will perform frequently throughout the year in school and community settings. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: 1 year of a McQuaid instrumental ensemble (Concert or Symphonic Band) or instructor approval.
Intended for: students in grades 9-12 only
Chorus
This course meets every day for a full year, and is open to students who enjoy singing and can match pitch. Little or no experience is required for this class. Students need approval from the instructor prior to registration. Students will sing a wide variety of choral repertoire appropriate to the level of the group. Vocal lessons taken either privately or at McQuaid Jesuit are required for completion of this course. Students will perform frequently throughout the year in school and community settings. Performance evaluations both individually and by vocal section are required for course completion. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: instructor approval.
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Chorale
This course meets every day for a full year, and is open to students who enjoy singing and can match pitch. Chorale is intended for the student who not only has a good singing voice, but also the work ethic to perfect each piece of music, to make each piece excellent. Students will sing a wide variety of choral repertoire appropriate to the level of the group. Vocal lessons taken either privately or at McQuaid Jesuit are required for completion of this course. Students
will perform frequently throughout the year in school and community settings. Performance evaluations both individually and by vocal section are required for course completion. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: instructor approval with audition to follow.
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Accompanying
This course meets every day for a full year, and is open to students who have developed their skills as a pianist. Enrollment in this course is limited. Students wishing to
enroll must have the approval of the vocal director prior to registration. The Accompanying class will meet during chorus rehearsals. This class is intended for the piano students who wish to participate in a performing ensemble, but does not play a band/orchestra instrument and does not sing. Students enrolled in the Accompanying class will accompany the vocal ensembles at concerts and Liturgies throughout the year (this is required for course completion). Lessons which will develop the skills necessary to accompany an ensemble and follow a director are required for course completion. (1 credit)
Prerequisite: Instructor approval and successful audition. Limited enrollment
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
High School Drama Classes
Drama
This course is designed for any students who are interested in Drama and dramatic production. This course looks at the history of the theatre, its drama and methods of presentation. Students will study various production elements including producing, directing, acting, and technical elements. Projects include acting and directing scenes, designing a set for a scene, and presenting research on a topic related to modern theatre. (1/2 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Theatre Tech
This course will explore principles of technical theatre and the stage space as it developed from the Greek through the modern periods. The technical contributions to innovations in theatre throughout history will be covered in this course. Guest speakers and field trips will be added to this class. Students in this class will be required to be part of the stage crew for one of the two McQuaid main stage productions (student production not included). (1 credit)
This class will be team taught by Mrs. Stoffel and Mr. Karnisky
Prerequisite: None
Intended for: students in grades 9-12
Acting Seminar
This is a performance-based course that focuses on method, delivery and creative exploration. The drama course is not a prerequisite for acting, nor is this course a repetition of the skills covered in drama. Due to the performance nature of this course, class size is limited to 16 students. (1/2 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Intended for: students in grades 10-12 only
