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This full year course is designed to introduce students to the elements and principles of art, as well as the scope and limitations of the basic materials we use. Studio Art is the foundation course upon which other more advanced electives are based. The class is designed to provide experiences in a variety of media , and an understanding of the creative process. Various projects include, but are not limited to: charcoal still-life drawing, plaster, abstract painting, pastel studies, portraiture, sculpture, clay and printmaking. Concepts covered are: drawing and observational skills, creative problem-solving, color theory, painting techniques, three-dimensional sculpture, multi-cultural art, and art historical movements. This class is required for art and fine arts sequences. Drawing and Painting I In this half year course, a variety of drawing media (pencil, charcoal, marker, ink, crayon, etc.) and painting materials (watercolor, tempura, acrylic, oil, mixed media, etc.) will be used to explore the figure, still life, landscape, etc., as well as more experimental, less traditional, approaches to art. Students will study major works of artists and movements in art and learn about art as a career. At the end of the course, they will be able to: understand the effects of light, contour line, proportion and means, value, linear and aerial perspective in creating an illusion of three dimensional space, apply knowledge of composition through the use of positive and negative space; apply knowledge of facial proportion and means of expression through self portraiture. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Drawing and Painting II Building on the concepts learned in Drawing and Painting I, this course is an advanced elective concentrating on the materials and techniques in drawing and painting. The course focuses on life drawing, figure drawing, and portraiture, using long-term projects and in-depth study of subjects and materials. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Sculpture This is an advanced course designed to introduce the student to a variety of sculptural activities and concepts such as creating a mold, carving, modeling, mass vs. space, mobiles, armatures, bas relief, sculpture in the round, etc. Introduction to major concepts of aesthetics will be made by critiquing the students' works and those of major artists and cultures. The history of sculpture and related design concepts will be touched on briefly during class lectures and critiques. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Sculpture II This half year course is for students who wish to further explore the creative possibilities of personal expression through sculpture. Advanced studio problems will allow create solutions in a choice of materials including: clay, plaster, cement, wood, wire, found objects and other materials. Students will research contemporary sculptors and create a work directly influenced by a chosen artist or create a site-specific work of art. Sculptors, past and present, and contemporary trends in three-dimensional works of art will be researched and discussed. Topics also include viewing local sculpture exhibitions and possible sculptor’s studio visit. Regular sketchbook and internet assignments will be given. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Graphic Design I In this course, students will be introduced to the many skills and techniques used in the world of commercial art. A wide range of media, including digital media, will be used to create logos, package designs, commercial illustrations, etc., all with the purpose of selling products in newspapers, magazines, and the like. Students will experience problem solving for specific assignments in the graphic arts such as CD covers or promotional brochures as final projects. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Graphic Design II This half year course is for students who wish to study and explore graphic design in further depth. Through the further honing of their design skills and style, students will have the opportunity to develop a body of work in one specific area of the broad graphic design field. Possible areas include: typography, logos and corporate identity, posters, advertisements, package design publishing (books, magazines, newspaper) and greeting card line. Pioneers of the graphic design industry and contemporary design innovators will be researched and discussed. Topics also include career exploration in the world of graphic design and possible group project experience of working as part of a design team. Regular sketch book and internet assignments will be given. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Printmaking Printmaking is a half year visual arts elective. This course allows students to explore and create individual, original works of art. Some of the printmaking processes that will be covered in this course include: relief, monotype, collagraph, etching and art of the book. This class requires a pre-requisite of studio in art. Portfolio Presentation This course is designed to prepare college-bound art students for collegiate application and portfolio review by researching college art programs, preparing applications and essays, and filling gaps in their portfolios. The class will include field trips to local art programs, weekly sketchbook assignments, advanced drawing, painting, design or sculpture assignments, and in-class critiques and portfolio reviews. This course will also cover matting, slides, and presentation of finished works, art history research and project tie-ins, and out of class work such as figure drawing at the Junior College of Albany. The course culminates in a show of student work in a public venue. This class is an elective for an art or fine arts sequence. Music Symphonic Band Symphonic Band meets every other day for a full period. The emphasis is on building skills learned in eighth grade band and introducing students to high school band literature. Students are required to attend lessons once a cycle and all concerts scheduled. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Concert Band Concert Band meets every other day for a full period. Diverse literature is covered and includes NYSSMA levels 3 and 4. Students are required to attend lessons once a cycle and all concerts scheduled. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Wind Ensemble The Wind Ensemble meets every other day for a full period. Upper level wind band literature is covered and includes NYSSMA levels 4-6. The commitment level of expectation of the student in this group is at a higher level than students particiapting in Concert Band. Students are required to attend lessons once a cycle and all concerts scheduled. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Chorus Chorus meets every other day for a full period. Students will learn a variety of music styles with an emphasis on good vocal techniques and sight reading skills. Students who are not in any other performing group will be scheduled for a lesson once a cycle. Students are required to attend all concerts scheduled. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Music in our Lives This one-year course is designed to meet the requirement for one unit of high school Arts credit. Students will be listening to many different types of music (pop, rock, jazz, rhythm and blues, classical, non-Western, etc.), learning the fundamentals of music composition, performing using computer keyboard laboratory or traditional instruments, and learning about various types of careers in the music field. Students will be producing a special interest project by the conclusion of the class. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Music Theory I/UNIV This elective course deals with the elements of musical structure. It is designed for those students who may wish to pursue a sequence in music, for those who wish to develop insights into the structural content of music, or, for those who wish to acquire a more thorough awareness of music through the theoretical principles which underlie it. Basic content includes: scales and key signatures, rhythmic studies, melodic and harmonic organization, form and style, sight singing, dictation, basic composition and rudimentary keyboard skills. This course is required for a Music sequence and can also be applied toward a Fine Arts sequence. It may be taken for University in the High School credit. Music Theory II This full year, upper level course is a continuation of the course content presented in Music Theory I with an emphasis on composing and evaluating the structures of music. Four part harmony and advanced classical chord structures are emphasized at this level. This course can be applied toward a Music or Fine Arts sequence. Applied Music Credit Applied Music Credit is based on the New York State
plan to award one half credit of study for participation in advanced
private study of classical music on a musical instrument (including
voice). Credit for such participation shall be upon the recommendation
of the student's music teacher, shall be approved by the District Music
Coordinator and High School Principal, and shall be consistent with the
goals and objectives of the school music program. Students are to apply
for this program at the beginning of the school year, log weekly
practicing (5 hours per week required), receive quarterly evaluations
from private instructors, and are to perform in an end of the year
recital and/or participate in a NYSSMA Solo/Ensemble event in the
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