Visual and Performing Arts

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit

Students explore painting and drawing processes and mediums. Building upon existing knowledge and understanding gained through grades 6-8, this course, prepares the art student for more advanced study though the high school program as well as providing students the opportunity to develop their creative thinking abilities, aesthetic understanding, and joy of the world around them. By exploring, experimenting, and investigating a variety of mediums, students will further develop their art skills and engage confidently with art and design concepts as they begin to develop their own visual language to communicate and express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Through contextual studies of art and artists, students will explore links between creative thoughts and practical outcomes whilst also focusing on the quality of communicating ideas. This course will also include an element of collaborative projects and digital media with a view to investigating the most contemporary practices and how art education informs about careers and life choices.  Students will also study in DC galleries to develop deeper thinking skills.                                                                                                                               

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit

This course builds upon prior art knowledge and understanding and prepares the art student for more advanced study using mixed media applications. It aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop their creative thinking abilities, aesthetic understanding, and joy of the world around them. By exploring, experimenting, and investigating a variety of mediums, students will further develop their art skills and techniques. Students will be given an opportunity to engage confidently with art, craft, and design concepts as they strive to continue to develop their own visual language to communicate and express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Through contextual studies of art and artists’ students will explore links between creative thoughts and practical outcomes whilst also focusing on the quality of communicating ideas. This program explores printing, fiber arts, book arts, plaster work, paper sculpture and mixed media artworks using a variety of surfaces. Also included is a field trip to a DC gallery with docent lead studies, developing critical and contextual thinking skills.                                                                                                                      

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit

The ceramics course introduces and familiarizes the student with basic methods of preparing and forming clay vessels and sculptures. This course provides students with the opportunity to understand the elements of art and principles of design through the lens of three-dimensional objects. This course includes basic methods of decorating, glazing, and firing ceramic objects as well.  Students will consider the historical and cultural meaning of ceramic materials, as well as examine the importance of functional objects. Students are asked to draw on their personal experience and consider new possibilities and uses for items. This course includes lectures, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and experimentation which will allow students to develop process knowledge, and the skills necessary to produce original ceramic artworks.                                                                                                               

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: Painting & Drawing

Studio Art 1 is an upper-level art class that builds upon prior knowledge and understanding, providing students with the opportunity to further develop their creative thinking skills, aesthetic understanding, and joy of the world around them. Students will be encouraged to develop their personal artistic voice as they work on lengthy art projects, developing an inquisitive mindset through questions, perseverance, and attention to detail. By exploring, experimenting, and investigating a variety of mediums, students will further develop and discover art skills, engaging confidently with art, craft, and design concepts. Students will be able to deepen their individual visual language and communicate and express ideas, thoughts, and feelings through a variety of projects. Students will explore links between creative thoughts and practical outcomes through contextual studies of art and artists as well as a visit to D.C galleries. With focused concentration of media control, students will enhance their hand eye coordination and explore techniques to improve their expectations and abilities with an emphasis on individual skill levels. Students will learn to review and think reflectively through peer and self-evaluation and presentations. There will be increasing emphasis on independent thinking practices to create a deeper connectivity with their final realizations. Students will explore digital media and creative design projects as well as explore opportunities for courses and careers in the field of art, design, and creative communication.  Students will engage in Project Based Learning to create a garment in line with how artists and designers work in industry, including a presentation of their artwork to an audience and the creation of a class website.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: Painting and Drawing

                   
Studio Art 2 aims to provide students with the opportunity to deepen and develop their creative thinking abilities, aesthetic understanding, and joy of the world around them and prepare the student for the next stage of their artistic journey. Through exploration, experimentation and investigation using a variety of mediums, students will further strengthen their art skills and techniques. Building upon existing knowledge students will engage confidently with art, craft, and design concepts as they continue to develop their own visual language to communicate and express ever more personal ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Through contextual studies of art and artists’ including a visit to a D.C gallery, students will explore links between creative thoughts and practical outcomes whilst also focusing on communicating their own inner artist voice. Students will work on a variety of projects with a focus on personal expression in both 2- and 3-dimensional forms, including digital media. Artwork will also provide a body of work for development towards a portfolio for college application. There will be further opportunities to explore courses and careers in the field of art, design, and creative communication.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit *this course can be taken more than one year

Prerequisite: Painting and Drawing.

The Portfolio course builds upon existing skills, knowledge, and understanding. Students will deepen conceptual understanding with the opportunity to express individual thoughts, ideas, and feelings with an emphasis on inner artist voice. Students will further develop creative thinking abilities, aesthetic understanding, and joy of the world as well as explore how artists and designers engage in the world around them. Through more individualized guidance, students will prepare artwork for a college portfolio and submission requirements. Students will be encouraged to visit galleries and talks during the year. Students will also discuss and present work to each other, working and guiding each other as a community of artists.   

Semester | .5 Arts Credit

Theatre Foundations is a gateway course that introduces students to the history, theory, and practice of theatrical design and acting. Students will gain an understanding of the onstage and off-stage elements that go into making a story come to life onstage. Building on their experiences with middle school theatre productions, students engage with play texts, craft and design technical elements, and are introduced to the art of acting.  In addition, the class will provide hands-on opportunities to work on the productions at Holy Child.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit

Theatre Production II is designed to further students’ skills, knowledge, and interest in the collaborative work of technical theatre arts and appreciate what goes on “behind the scenes” by engaging in practical projects that engage students in various aspects of technical theatre production. Students complete projects in the areas of directing, costumes, sets, lighting, sound, publicity & script writing, gaining hands-on experience by providing real technical support and design for school events. The program is enriched by professional guest speakers and backstage tours.

Semester | .5 Arts Credit

This course aims to provide each student with the opportunity to develop a greater understanding and appreciation for music through the exploration of various musical genres. Students discover the musical elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, form, expression, and styles with a focus on listening, keyboard skills, guitar, ukulele and technology. Emphasis is on learning to listen to music and the role it plays within the wider contexts of history and society. Listening and performance materials are drawn from a variety of sources focusing on classical, world music, and American popular music.

Semester | .5 Arts Credit

Survey of Popular Music is a class designed to expand and diversify the students’ knowledge in popular music and current events in the music industry. This course explores the evolution of popular music styles from the early 20^th century to the present. Musical forms covered will include: Ragtime, Blues, Tin Pan Alley, early Jazz, Swing, Country, Bluegrass, modern Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Doo Wop, and all styles of rock and roll from the 1950s to punk, funk and hip-hop. Students are introduced to these through reading, in-class demonstration, videos, and extensive listening. The course also explores the relationship between music and social movements and reveals how the emergent global society and the prominence of the Internet are making musical forms more accessible worldwide. The class focuses on the analysis of popular music. The first semester covers early musical forms, classical music, and American jazz. The second semester presents modern traditions including gospel, folk, soul, blues, Latin rhythms, rock and roll, and hip hop. Students will analyze music including pop, jazz, and world music from the 1920's onward. The class will also feature a project leading up to the GRAMMY awards. Through listening, studying, and analyzing specific musical works, the students develop a greater appreciation for music.

Semester | .5 Arts Credit

During this year-long course, students will begin to discover an effective, dependable, and applicable set of tools for the actor and working theatre company. Students will study a complete spectrum of acting for theatre from comedy (stand-up, improvisation) to classical acting (Elizabethan and neoclassical texts) to movement (physical theatre, mask and puppetry work) all the while developing a ‘real world’ set of working tools for the actor, ultimately shaping professional, critical, explorative, confident, brave, and truthful performers. The written portion of this course will be limited. Students will be assessed on a mostly practical basis, learning by doing and assessment by showcasing learned skills practically in rehearsal and performance: discussion, participation, rehearsal, preparation and performance with limited written work within analytical responses: evaluation and scriptwriting/dissection of texts.

Semester | .5 Arts Credit

This course introduces students to various forms of dance and movement and encourages them to perform in front of an audience with confidence and poise.  The goal of the class is for students to be introduced to movement. They become familiar with basic dance terminology and allows students to experience the personal creativity and expression behind movement, dance, choreography, and performing. Students explore the relationship between dance and popular culture. The course is intended to encourage students who have an interest in dance to continue to pursue opportunities, which will enhance their personal development, and for others, the appreciation of the art form.

Semester | .5 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: department recommendation/audition. May repeat the course each semester

Students build upon dance skills reviewing movement, vocabulary, and technique in genres including modern and musical theatre dance (including tap). Previous dance course, experience, or teacher recommendation is required to register for this class.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: department recommendation/audition. May take the course for 4 years.

The dance ensemble provides an advanced option for students in dance and movement.  Students perform throughout the year in various arts performances and are able to take the course for multiple years. Students practice in group dance experiences through rehearsal, performance, and dance technique training. This course is designed to develop technical range and performance skills through the study and production of dance repertory.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: department recommendation/audition. May take the course for 4 years.

Instrumentalists can enroll in the Instrumental Ensemble class starting freshman year with teacher recommendation or an entrance audition. Advanced students in the middle school may also be invited to audition for this class. Students study and perform music of varying styles from all genres including classical, jazz, and American popular music. Students study technical exercises, solo repertoire, chamber music, and orchestral pieces. Instrumentalists in the class perform in the winter musical pit orchestra, Christmas concert, arts events, and two recitals throughout the academic year.

Full Year | 1 Arts Credit
Prerequisite: department recommendation/audition. May take the course for 4 years.

Vocalists can enroll in the Vocal Ensemble course with teacher recommendation and/or successful entrance audition. Students will strengthen their vocal, sight-singing and performing skills while discovering their vocal instrument. Students will study and perform music of varying styles from all genres including Classical, Jazz, Folk, and Pop, with opportunities for solo performances.  Songwriting, improvisation, and piano skills are developed while exploring new artists and techniques.  Vocalists in the class perform in concerts, masses, arts events, Fall Recital, our Upper School Musical, and attend all Upper School Chorus rehearsals.

Full Year | Co-curricular Program
Prerequisite: audition. May take the course for 4 years.

Chorus is an exciting ensemble open to students who love to sing from grades 6-12. Students will develop vocal stamina, musical repertoire and will gain confidence. In Chorus the focus is placed on vocal production, proper diction, basic sight-reading and singing in parts. Students interested in chorus must audition with the instructor for appropriate vocal placement. Performance opportunities are: Masses, Christmas concert, Evening of the Arts and graduation. Other performances such as our middle and upper school musical and off-campus events are also possible during the school year.