2022-2023

Visual Arts

Exploring Visual Design:

(1 credit) 602 – Duration: Year Prerequisite: None.

Introductory art offers an opportunity to focus on basic designs that deal with the elements and principals of art. The course focuses on the development of creativity and skills in projects that involve drawing, design, painting, printmaking, crafts, sculpture, cartooning and art history, as well as involvement with school related activities.

Mix Media:

(1 credit) 685- Duration 1 year

Prerequisite: None

Students will explore a wide range of media and studio techniques, connecting with the contemporary Art scene. Production of artwork will utilize techniques including, but not limited to, the following: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed-media and assemblage. Class activities incorporate reading, critique, and written work. Studio work will provide prompts for creative thinking and build on existing studio skills, with opportunities for individualization.

Cartooning:

(1 credit) 613- Duration: 1 year Prerequisite: Introductory Art

Students will explore the steps and techniques for creating characters and visual stories.  Using the exemplars of Disney, Anime, Graphic Novels and classic comics, we will conduct artistic investigations into what makes an impactful character.

Visual Arts: 

(1/2 credit) 614: Duration: 1 semester

Prerequisite: Introductory Art

Students are introduced to advanced concepts and projects in this second level art course.  Students will interact with art through creating social justice and public art projects.  Students will work independently and collaboratively.

Ceramics:

(1/2 credit) 631- Duration: 1 semester

Prerequisite: Introductory Art 

This introduces hand-building clay techniques.  Students will learn coil, slab and pinch hand building methods along with glazing techniques. 

Photo 1:

(1 credit) 639 - Duration: Year Prerequisite: Introductory Art.

This course introduces the fundamentals of photography through both digital and darkroom modes.  35 mm camera mechanics and basic darkroom techniques will be examined and experimented with. Students will begin to develop their own photographic eye and style. Special emphasis will be given to photographic design and composition throughout the course. Students will study the techniques of master photographers as well as contemporary artists. Cell phone camera or another personal camera device is strongly recommended.

Advanced Photo (Photo 2):

(1 credit) 640 - Duration: Year Prerequisite: C or better in Photography 1 (Fine Art). 

This course is offered to students who have completed one year of photography and are ready to move on to the next level. Advanced projects such as light box photography, alternative light source, double exposure, and digital manipulation are among the techniques that will be explored as well as techniques of contemporary art photographers. Cell phone camera or another personal camera device is strongly recommended.

Digital Art

(1 credit) 655- Duration: 1 Year

Prerequisite: None

This course is an introduction to creating art on the computer. Students will work with both vector and raster programs and create their own unique art works. Projects will be based on learning the elements & principles of art, as well as translating traditional art mediums in a digital space. 

Advanced Painting:

(1/2 credit) 624 - Duration: 1 Semester Prerequisite: Introductory Art.

This course focuses on the student’s individual creative expression through water color, tempera, acrylic and oil painting techniques.

Advanced Drawing:

(1/2 credit) 614 - Duration: Semester Prerequisite: Introductory Art. Concentration on different techniques of drawing starting with beginning exercises (e.g.) Continuous contour); delve into Shading, Movement Drawings, Peephole, Scratch book Drawing, Nature and Animal Drawings. Students will also work with a variety of mediums; e.g. pen charcoal, pen and ink, markers.

AP Art and Design: (1 credit) 646- Duration: 1 year

Taught in addition to the arts block electives, this challenging portfolio course is modeled after an entry-level college course and is authorized by the College Board. The course focus is to build skills, stretch creative thinking and enhance student portfolios in the areas of depth in a single theme/medium and breadth in a range of media and techniques. Students will work in a variety of media, using numerous techniques, concentrating in one area for an extended period to develop depth in their portfolios. They will compile digital portfolios to be sent to the College Board to determine eligibility for college credit.

Music

Chorus:

(1 credit) 730- Duration: 1 Year Prerequisite: None

Chorus 1 is a vocal group of mixed male and female voices for grades 9 & 10. The aim of Chorus 1 is to acquaint and train students in choral and general music. This course is open to students with the gift and talents for singing. This course will also develop proper vocal techniques, styles and music reading skills as well as solo and part singing in performing a variety of music in many different styles. All chorus participants will be required to perform in many school and community performances.

Advanced Chorus:

(1 credit) 731A- Duration: 1 Year Prerequisite: Chorus

The Advanced Chorus is a vocal group of mixed male and female voices. The music performed by this group will be of a more challenging nature, singing a wide variety of music such as classical, show tunes, popular, spirituals, etc. The Advanced group is required to perform in scheduled school and community performances as well as participation in state competitions.

Band 1:

(1 credit) 748- Duration: 1 Year

Prerequisite: None. Instrument inventory is limited. Students will be required to rent an instrument.

This is a full-year elective course, which focuses on the techniques, skills and musical experiences that are associated with a beginning-intermediate level course in instrumental music. Students may learn how to play a musical instrument for the first time or review previously learned musical skills by electing this course. A strong commitment to participating in public performances is expected of each class member; this class will play in at least two concerts during the year. Proper performance attire required. Daily practice is expected.

Advanced Band: (1 credit) 750A- Duration: 1 Year 

Prerequisite: Ability to play an instrument and to read music, Director approval. 
This is a full-year elective course which focuses on the techniques, skills, and musical experiences that are associated with an intermediate to advanced level course in instrumental music. In addition, instruction in music of the wind band repertory and the history of music will be provided. Students who elect this course should have at least intermediate-advanced proficiency on their instrument. Students interested in playing the percussion for this class must see the instructor for an audition. Performances will include playing at athletic events and other school functions. The course is divided into two sections; Marching Band in the Fall and Concert Band in the Spring. Students who are enrolled in Honors Band are expected to audition for CMEA Regional Music Festival and encouraged to audition for CMEA All-State. A strong commitment to participating in public performances is expected of each class member. Proper performance attire required.

Jazz Ensemble

(1 credit) 748- Duration: 1 Year

Prerequisite: Director approval, Ability to play an instrument and read music. 

This is a full-year elective course, which focuses on the techniques, skills and musical experiences that are associated with an intermediate level course in instrumental music. In addition, instruction in music of the jazz repertory and improvisation will be provided. Students who elect this course should have at least a beginning or advanced proficiency on their instrument. Students interested in playing drum set, piano, or bass guitar for this class must see the instructor for an audition. A strong commitment to participating in public performances is expected of each class member. Proper performance attire required.

Study of Guitar:

(1 credit) 771- Duration: 1 Year

At the end of the course, the student will be able to, play chords and riffs of popular songs on guitar and piano, keep a steady beat on drums and bass, compose and arrange their own music, set up and run an audio mixing board for live performance.

Instrumental Strings:

(1 credit) 757- Duration: 1 Year

At the end of the course, the student will be able to, perform with a level of craft and mastery on Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass, communicate with and lead other musicians in performance, practice and develop skills with mindfulness, efficiency, and purpose.

Recording Arts:

(1 credit) 793- Duration: 1 Year

This course is designed to help students learn music through the use of music technology. Students will learn the fundamental elements of music, musical form, musical style and how to manipulate musical elements to influence style through electronic music composition. Students will also learn the fundamentals of analog and digital recording in the recording studio. Topics covered include music theory, basic keyboard skills, digital sequencing and sound processing, microphone techniques, acoustics, digital recording software as well as college and career connections.

Theater

Acting 1:

(1 credit) 658- Duration: 1 Year

The objective of the course is to give students an overview of theatre in general. The super objective of this course is to introduce, familiarize, and ultimately adopt students into a consistent and challenging performance-based learning environment. 

Acting 1 covers a bold and broad spectrum of topics, ranging from EMPATHY and its importance in life (on and off the stage), to PLAYWRITING and ACTORS PROCESS, as well as units covering significant elements/moments in THEATRE HISTORY -- spanning over thousands of years.

Advanced Acting:

(1 credit) 798- Duration: 1 Year

Advanced Acting builds upon the bold and broad spectrum of topics covered in ACTING 1,  preparing any student actor for the many different challenges they will face if they elect to continue their journey into the world of Theatre/Acting/Performance in both the collegiate and professional world. This almost exclusively performance-based course will not only continue to establish a strong foundation of Dramatic Arts knowledge, but will challenge students, through rigorous performance-based and student facilitated “acting workshops”,as well as, among other tasks, group projects, collaborations with MOVIE MAKING students, and real-world audition experiences to solidify understanding of Acting as a craft. The goal of Advanced Acting is to assist students in their quest to gain a better understanding of themselves -- both as performers and empathetic human beings. Before any actor can truly embody any one character, he/she must first uncover their own TRUTH (goals, aspirations, limitations and ultimate possibilities), trusting the process along the way.

Rehearsal & Performance (644)/Technical Theater (792): 1 credit Duration: 1 Year

Prerequisite: Acting 1 or Director Approved Audition

Students participate in a musical stage production in various roles, including, but not limited to stage running crew, scenic design and construction, lighting design and tech, as well as costuming and marketing. Rehearsal/planning will take place during class time, including scene study, character study, scene direction, and technical design study. Students will apply acting, technical and analytical skills, to assist the creative team in producing a stage performance which will be open to public audiences.

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ECA (click here for more info)

ACES Educational Center for the Arts' (ACES ECA) mission is to provide high school students with the experience of studying the fine arts with practicing professional artists, stimulating a life-long curiosity for learning and a passion for the arts.

ECA is nestled in the heart of New Haven’s Audubon Arts District and since 1973 has been a leader in fostering the education of emerging artists as they develop their unique voices. High school students from over twenty-five school districts attend ECA in the afternoon to study creative writing, dance, music, theatre and visual arts with professional artists.

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