Visual & Performing Arts
October 29, 2021
Course Descriptions:
ART GR 9
(ARHR1G) – ½ credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course places emphasis on a student-centered approach to learning. It will focus on ideas that relate to students and their environment. A major part of the course involves an in-depth study of the elements and principles of design, and the role they play in drawing, composition, painting, printmaking and sculpture.
ART GR 10
(ARTR2G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 9 Art
Content: This course is a continuation of Art 15G in terms of allowing students to further explore and develop personal imagery and expertise with various media. The role of art as a means of communication on a historical and contemporary level will also be studied.
ART GR 11
(ARTR3G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Art
Content: The intent of this course is to further increase the student’s knowledge and ability to use various media. Students will also explore the development of personal imagery and expression in the context of multicultural and global issues.
ART GR 12
(ARTR4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Art
Content: Students will be able to develop personal ideas of expression and style through the advanced study of materials and techniques employed in drawing, painting, clay work and sculpture, stressing design fundamentals and working techniques. This course will also include an examination of the influences on contemporary art making in the context of art styles, historical and cultural themes.
NOTE: All students enrolled in art will be required to develop an art portfolio for year-end evaluation purposes; and, an idea journal (sketchbook) for the purposes of visually recording ideas that may potentially be used for art assignments or projects.
BAND GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(BANR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: A minimum of 1 year in band or permission from Band instructor.
Content: The course involves developing technical skills on a wind instrument through private practice, small group and large group rehearsals. Students will develop an understanding of different musical styles and a knowledge of theory appropriate to the grade level. Performance is an expectation of this course.
NOTE: There is a $20.00 band fee for use of school instruments.
JAZZ BAND GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(JABR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: A minimum of 2 years band experience or permission from Band instructor.
Content: Through rehearsal and performance, students will develop an understanding of Swing, Latin, Rock, and instrumental Improvisation styles. The band performs at concerts and festivals throughout the year. Students who are registered in Jazz Band, but not Concert Band, will be required to rehearse and perform with the Senior Concert Band for concerts and festivals.
NOTE: There is a $20.00 band fee for use of school instruments.
CHORAL GR 9
(CHOR1G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course will focus on basic choral singing techniques including sight reading, ear training, part singing and vocal resonance.
CHORAL GR 10, 11, 12
(CHOR2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Permission from Choir Director
Content: Choir is a practical course in which students have an opportunity to study and perform a variety of choral music. The focus of this course is to develop an appreciation for music, improve individual and group choral skills, and to realize the many positive and fun aspects of a cohesive school choir. If you sing in the shower, check out the Senior Choir. Participation in performances is a requirement. Students will continue to develop their vocal and choral skills, including the ability to read music. Students will also develop their ability to work as an individual for self-improvement as well as the betterment of the group.
NOTE: Failure to participate in performances will result in a loss of 50% of term mark.
VOCAL JAZZ GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(VOJR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Must also be registered in Grades 9-12 Choral (audition required).
Content: This choir is a small auditioned ensemble focusing on technically demanding vocal repertoire. Students will focus on voice production and sight-reading skills through a wide variety of choral styles, including jazz, pop and classical. Vocal Jazz is involved in various concerts and festivals throughout the year. Participation in performances is mandatory. Students will advance their vocal and choral skills, including the ability to read music, harmonize and improvise. Students will further improve their vocal technique and stage presence.
NOTE: Failure to participate in performances will result in a loss of 50% of term mark.
DRAMA GR 9
(DAHY1G) – ½ credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This Grade 9 course emphasizes introductory units to drama. Focus will include definition of drama, stage movement, imagination and sense recall and improvisation.
DRAMA GR 10
(DMAR2G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course is designed to introduce students to dramatic arts through the use of theatre games, improvisation and scene work. Individuals are encouraged to use all their creative abilities in all aspects of this course. Dramatic concepts such as character (who), action (what), and setting (where) are explored with unlimited possibilities. Basic principles of staging will be introduced and practiced.
Alongside the development of acting/dramatic skills, students will gain self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively as individuals as well as with partners, small and large groups.
DRAMA GR 11
(DMAR3S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Drama or consultation with Dramatic Arts Instructor
Content: Students develop from dramatic play to theatrical performance. Students will build on the foundation of the skills they have developed in the introductory level and move toward more complex improvisations and script work. Projects are more ambitious in nature than
at the previous level. Goals include the development of specific performances both in and outside of the school setting.
Opportunities for further advancement and development of acting/dramatic skills is a primary focus for this course. Students will continue to increase their self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively both individually as well as with others.
(ARHR1G) – ½ credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course places emphasis on a student-centered approach to learning. It will focus on ideas that relate to students and their environment. A major part of the course involves an in-depth study of the elements and principles of design, and the role they play in drawing, composition, painting, printmaking and sculpture.
ART GR 10
(ARTR2G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 9 Art
Content: This course is a continuation of Art 15G in terms of allowing students to further explore and develop personal imagery and expertise with various media. The role of art as a means of communication on a historical and contemporary level will also be studied.
ART GR 11
(ARTR3G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Art
Content: The intent of this course is to further increase the student’s knowledge and ability to use various media. Students will also explore the development of personal imagery and expression in the context of multicultural and global issues.
ART GR 12
(ARTR4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Art
Content: Students will be able to develop personal ideas of expression and style through the advanced study of materials and techniques employed in drawing, painting, clay work and sculpture, stressing design fundamentals and working techniques. This course will also include an examination of the influences on contemporary art making in the context of art styles, historical and cultural themes.
NOTE: All students enrolled in art will be required to develop an art portfolio for year-end evaluation purposes; and, an idea journal (sketchbook) for the purposes of visually recording ideas that may potentially be used for art assignments or projects.
BAND GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(BANR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: A minimum of 1 year in band or permission from Band instructor.
Content: The course involves developing technical skills on a wind instrument through private practice, small group and large group rehearsals. Students will develop an understanding of different musical styles and a knowledge of theory appropriate to the grade level. Performance is an expectation of this course.
NOTE: There is a $20.00 band fee for use of school instruments.
JAZZ BAND GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(JABR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: A minimum of 2 years band experience or permission from Band instructor.
Content: Through rehearsal and performance, students will develop an understanding of Swing, Latin, Rock, and instrumental Improvisation styles. The band performs at concerts and festivals throughout the year. Students who are registered in Jazz Band, but not Concert Band, will be required to rehearse and perform with the Senior Concert Band for concerts and festivals.
NOTE: There is a $20.00 band fee for use of school instruments.
CHORAL GR 9
(CHOR1G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course will focus on basic choral singing techniques including sight reading, ear training, part singing and vocal resonance.
CHORAL GR 10, 11, 12
(CHOR2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Permission from Choir Director
Content: Choir is a practical course in which students have an opportunity to study and perform a variety of choral music. The focus of this course is to develop an appreciation for music, improve individual and group choral skills, and to realize the many positive and fun aspects of a cohesive school choir. If you sing in the shower, check out the Senior Choir. Participation in performances is a requirement. Students will continue to develop their vocal and choral skills, including the ability to read music. Students will also develop their ability to work as an individual for self-improvement as well as the betterment of the group.
NOTE: Failure to participate in performances will result in a loss of 50% of term mark.
VOCAL JAZZ GR 9, 10, 11, 12
(VOJR1G, 2G, 3S, 4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Must also be registered in Grades 9-12 Choral (audition required).
Content: This choir is a small auditioned ensemble focusing on technically demanding vocal repertoire. Students will focus on voice production and sight-reading skills through a wide variety of choral styles, including jazz, pop and classical. Vocal Jazz is involved in various concerts and festivals throughout the year. Participation in performances is mandatory. Students will advance their vocal and choral skills, including the ability to read music, harmonize and improvise. Students will further improve their vocal technique and stage presence.
NOTE: Failure to participate in performances will result in a loss of 50% of term mark.
DRAMA GR 9
(DAHY1G) – ½ credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This Grade 9 course emphasizes introductory units to drama. Focus will include definition of drama, stage movement, imagination and sense recall and improvisation.
DRAMA GR 10
(DMAR2G) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: None
Content: This course is designed to introduce students to dramatic arts through the use of theatre games, improvisation and scene work. Individuals are encouraged to use all their creative abilities in all aspects of this course. Dramatic concepts such as character (who), action (what), and setting (where) are explored with unlimited possibilities. Basic principles of staging will be introduced and practiced.
Alongside the development of acting/dramatic skills, students will gain self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively as individuals as well as with partners, small and large groups.
DRAMA GR 11
(DMAR3S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 10 Drama or consultation with Dramatic Arts Instructor
Content: Students develop from dramatic play to theatrical performance. Students will build on the foundation of the skills they have developed in the introductory level and move toward more complex improvisations and script work. Projects are more ambitious in nature than
at the previous level. Goals include the development of specific performances both in and outside of the school setting.
Opportunities for further advancement and development of acting/dramatic skills is a primary focus for this course. Students will continue to increase their self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively both individually as well as with others.
DRAMA GR 12
(DMAR4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Drama or consultation with Dramatic Arts Instructor
Content: Students are expected to take on a more independent role in their own dramatic development. They will continue to improve improvisational skills while also exploring and analyzing scripts. They will further develop acting techniques using the principles of theatrical staging. Opportunities to instruct younger students in a drama module may be provided. Performance will be an ongoing goal for this course.
Opportunities for further advancement and development of acting/dramatic skills is a primary focus for this course. Students will continue to increase their self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively both individually as well as with others.
(DMAR4S) – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Grade 11 Drama or consultation with Dramatic Arts Instructor
Content: Students are expected to take on a more independent role in their own dramatic development. They will continue to improve improvisational skills while also exploring and analyzing scripts. They will further develop acting techniques using the principles of theatrical staging. Opportunities to instruct younger students in a drama module may be provided. Performance will be an ongoing goal for this course.
Opportunities for further advancement and development of acting/dramatic skills is a primary focus for this course. Students will continue to increase their self-confidence, improve social skills and develop their abilities to work creatively both individually as well as with others.