ART

The Fine Arts Department offers a variety of courses to suit all students’ interests and abilities. All students can achieve success as they explore the arts through a variety of introductory courses that are one or two semesters in length. Interested students can continue their studies through intermediate courses, and serious art students can explore materials in depth through advanced courses as they gain skills and experiences essential to fulfill their individual college/career goals. Courses taken in the Fine Arts Department meet the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

 CORE ELECTIVES

FINE ART 1: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                     2.5 or 5 credits

This one semester, 2.5-credit course or full year, 5-credit course provides the beginning art student with the opportunity to experience and understand basic art concepts. Drawing, painting, and other related art forms are generated through the development of art ideas and a variety of approaches to design and composition with art media through a multitude of techniques.

FINE ART 2: 10, 11, 12                                                                                                                    5 credits   

This full year course provides the student with an opportunity to further develop the skills for creating drawing, painting, and other related art forms studied in Fine Art 1. Advanced works will result from research relating to subjects in art and a variety of approaches to design. The analysis of historical and contemporary artists’ ideas and styles will support experimentation in form and expression. A multitude of art techniques will be presented to permit the individual art student to strive toward personal exploration and creativity. This course may be taken for a total of three years.

FINE ART 3: 11, 12                                                                                                                        5 credits   

This full year course provides the student with an opportunity to further develop the skills for creating drawing, painting, and other related art forms studied in Fine Art 2. Advanced works will result from research relating to subjects in art and a variety of approaches to design. The analysis of historical and contemporary artists’ ideas and styles will support experimentation in form and expression. A multitude of art techniques will be presented to permit the individual art student to strive toward personal exploration and creativity. This course may be taken for a total of three years.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                          2.5 or 5 credits

This half or full-year 2.5 or 5-credit course provides the student with the opportunity to study and create art with a concentration on sculpture, ceramics, pottery, and other 3-D media. Material and techniques used by historical and contemporary artists and artisans from a variety of world cultures are introduced to the student for the purpose of exemplifying the subjects and significance of such art forms as they relate to course projects.

INTERMEDIATE THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART: 9, 10, 11, 12                                     2.5 or 5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Three-Dimensional Art

This half or full-year course provides the student with the opportunity to study and build upon the techniques introduced in the Three-Dimensional Art course. This class will get a more in depth look into clay and various 3D art media as well as researching cultures that use ceramics as an art form. This course will offer a steppingstone into advanced 3D art.

ADVANCED THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART: 10, 11, 12                                                2.5 or 5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Intermediate Art

This half or full-year course provides the student with the opportunity to study and create advanced ceramic, craft, and sculptural forms. Advanced and refined techniques with a variety of materials permit the student to create unique art forms in these areas of three-dimensional design. The student may concentrate on one or more projects in any or all areas. This advanced course may be selected by the student for a maximum of three years.

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY:

9, 10, 11, 12 (West); 11, 12 (East)                                                                                                                                  2.5 credits

This one-semester, 2.5-credit course provides the student with the opportunity to develop visual sensitivity to items and events to be photographed through the study of photographs and photographic processes. The student will learn about the mechanics of equipment and photographic processing of film and prints by using a 35mm camera in a traditional photo studio and darkroom setting. Activities will consist of taking photographs outside of school with the students’ or schools’ camera. Students will learn the scientific fundamentals of photography and creating graphic art forms and display methods.

INTERMEDIATE PHOTOGRAPHY: 9, 10, 11, 12 (West);11, 12 (East)                                                    2.5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Introductory Photography

This one-semester, 2.5 -credit course provides the student with the opportunity to further develop skills and techniques with photographic equipment and expand experiences from the previous course. This course permits the applications of developed techniques to produce unique photographic art forms. In addition to the traditional processing of 35mm images, digital photography equipment and techniques will be introduced.

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY: 12 (East); 10,11,12 (West)                                                 5 or 10 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Intermediate Photography

This full-year, 5-credit course is designed to provide the student with skills and techniques needed to study and produce advanced photographic art. It presents content relating to advanced photography and photojournalism to the experienced photographer as a means of completely rounding his/her education in photographic arts at the high school level. Advanced techniques and processes including different types of paper will be studied. It thoroughly prepares the student for future study in the field. At West, this course may be taken for a total of three years.

AP ART HISTORY: 11, 12                                                                                                          5 credits

Advanced Placement History of Art is designed to provide secondary school students with a program similar to an introductory college level course in Art History: An appreciation of architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms within historical and cultural context. No prior exposure to Art History is required. Students who have done well in history, literature or any studio art forms are encouraged to enroll. This class counts in weighted class rank.

AP ART AND DESIGN TWO DIMENSIONAL: 11, 12                                                           5 credits

AP Art and Design Two Dimensional is a full-year course where highly motivated students pursue college-level work in the visual and applied arts. Students are required to develop a concentrated art portfolio, which may be eligible for college credits. The emphasis of the portfolio will focus on a sense of excellence in art, an in-depth commitment to artistic forms, and a variety of diverse media to meet the required standards of the AP program. This course may be taken for two years. This class counts in weighted class rank.

ART WORKSHOP: TWO DIMENSIONAL: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                      2.5 credits This one semester, two- and one-half credit course will provide any student with a general survey of art and an opportunity to experience and experiment with basic two-dimensional art concepts. Creative activities may consist of painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, or photography. Fundamentals of art will be presented through a variety of techniques and introduce students to the types of art activities encountered in depth in the full year art courses.

ART WORKSHOP: THREE DIMENSIONAL: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                 2.5 credits This one semester, two- and one-half credit course will provide any student with a general survey of art and an opportunity to experience and experiment with basic three-dimensional art concepts. Creative activities may consist of ceramics, textiles, crafts, collage, or sculpture. Fundamentals of art will be presented through a variety of techniques and introduce students to the types of art activities encountered in depth in the full year art courses.

UNIQUE ELECTIVE AT EAST

COMMERCIAL ART 1: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                2.5 or 5 credits

This one-semester, 2 ½ credit course or full-year, 5 credit course, provides the student with the opportunity to develop artistic skills and understanding, which permit the creation of sophisticated and expressive graphic illustrations. The students will explore jewelry making, promotional design concepts, printmaking skills, computer generated design layouts, cartoon illustration, collage and artistic styles to illustrate a logo or message. Students will discover the traditional and modern techniques of creating commercial art.

COMMERCIAL ART 2: 10, 11, 12                                                                                    5 or 10 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Fine Art 2

This full-year, single or double period, 5- or 10-credit course provides the student with opportunities to gain further experience by studying examples of commercial art or by illustrating and originating techniques suitable to develop graphic images which can be produced through a variety of printing and color media. The student is guided through the selection of subject matter of personal significance. Illustrations relating to selected themes are planned and created in several forms, styles, and print media. Consultations with the instructor permit the selection of an illustration(s) which will provide the best visual effect if reproduced as a print from silk screen or calligraphy. This course may be taken for a total of three years.

UNIQUE ELECTIVES AT WEST

COMMERCIAL ART: Graphic Design I: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                                                                        2.5 credits This course will focus on visual communication through commercial graphics and illustration. It will provide the student with the opportunity to explore design in a commercial context through the development of concepts and images. Typography and typographic principles will be introduced, and issues of type/image relationships will be explored to enhance communication. The two Commercial Art courses provide a yearlong concentration.

COMMERCIAL ART: Graphic Design II: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                                                                        2.5 credits This one semester course will focus on the integration of text, typography, photos, and graphic imagery to creatively solve communication and design problems in advertising and illustration. Students will explore the potential for enhancing creative art concepts through experiences with computer imagery and desktop programs, such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher. The student will have the opportunity to explore issues of type/image relationships in a commercial context to enhance communication. The two half-year Commercial Art courses at West provide a year-long concentration for the students interested in knowing and creating traditional and current commercial forms of art.

UNIFIED ART: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                        5 credits

Unified Art will explore a variety of art mediums at a pace that accommodates all learning abilities. Students will create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works of art. This class is open to students of all ability levels who will create individual artwork, as well as some group work. Using creativity to engage students with and without disabilities can help form special bonds and relationships for all students. Students will be introduced to 2-dimensional (drawing, painting, printmaking, photography) and 3-dimensional (clay, other materials) art during this 1 semester course. Students can also take 2 semesters for 5 credits. The class will offer opportunities to all students who are interested in studying education, museum studies, nursing and other fields that involve working with all different types of people. This course can pair with the partnership from the University of the Arts that focuses on inclusion of all learning abilities through art.

DRAMA/THEATER

 CORE ELECTIVES

LIVING THEATER: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                 5 credits

This is the recommended first course for all students interested in any aspect of theater

This course serves as an introduction to all phases of theater. As a general survey course, it exposes the student to dramatic literature, theatrical terminology, and basic acting terminology-. Students will study improvisation and character development. Technical theater is also introduced as students study construction of scenery, lighting, costume, and other design techniques. Throughout the course the students will engage in activities which will broaden their creativity and will have opportunities to exercise self- expression.

ACTORS STUDIO I: 10, 11, 12                                                                                                    2.5 credits

PREPARATION: It is recommended that student has taken Living Theatre

Actors Studio I is a course in drama which is divided into two areas of study: the practical and the theoretical. The practical phase involves training in the fundamentals of voice production, the effect of costumes on body movement, and a variety of acting techniques. The theoretical area includes a study of character analysis and interpretation and fundamentals of dramatic criticism.

ACTORS STUDIO II: EAST 11, 12; WEST 10, 11, 12                                                             2.5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Actors Studio I and Living Theatre

Actors Studio II includes a unit in Stage Management which prepares the student for the organizational aspects of production. It is primarily a course designed for the student who is a more serious actor and anticipates auditioning for a college theater program or expects to pursue acting beyond high school. This course offers intensive exercises in characterization, concentration, dialects, imagination, and emotional recall. A close examination of Stanislavsky’s “method acting” prepares the student for practical application of the art of acting through the performance of a full-length play as the culminating activity of the course.

PLAY PRODUCTION: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                          2.5 credits

Play Production is a drama course examining the technical aspects of theater. The areas to be studied include scenery production, stage makeup, stage lighting, costuming, properties, and sound. The course will include discussion of the production of a play from auditions through performance as well as the various areas of production management.

PLAY DIRECTING: 11, 12                                                                                                        2.5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Actors Studio I and II and Living Theatre

In this course, students will gain insight into the purpose of a director and develop those skills which will enable them to direct a play artistically, create a concept for visual effect, establish an inner rhythm for performance, instruct actors, and fuse all contributing production elements into one harmonious whole. The students will direct scene projects and have the opportunity to apply to direct the all-school one-act plays.

MUSIC

** Unique elective at East

CORE ELECTIVES

INSTRUMENTAL

EAST ORCHESTRA: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                                5 credits

Orchestra is for those students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass. These students will perform at concerts and will have a small group lesson on the rotating music schedule. The Orchestra wind and percussion players are members of the Wind Ensemble and rehearse separately during the Wind Ensemble period. It is, therefore, necessary for the full symphonic orchestra (strings, winds, percussion) to rehearse after school or in the evenings prior to a performance. Students will perform in concerts in and out of school. Grading is based on participation, lessons, testing, and rehearsal and concert attendance.

WEST ORCHESTRA: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                               5 credits

West Orchestra is open to any student in grades 9-12 who plays a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass). NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS!

EAST WIND ENSEMBLE: 10, 11, 12                                                                                         5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of audition

These outstanding instrumentalists are chosen by audition to study and perform music literature that is scored for the wind ensemble idiom. The instrumentation is identical to that of a symphonic band, except that frequently there is only one player on the part. Students in this organization perform at assembly programs, concerts, recitals, and state festivals. A weekly small class ensemble is provided for students on a rotating schedule. Students will perform in concerts in and out of school. Grading is based on participation, lessons, testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

WEST WIND ENSEMBLE: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                     5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of an audition for students in grades 9-12

Incoming freshmen can audition based on a recommendation from their middle school band director. If the student does not successfully complete the audition, they may still take the Symphonic Band class.

EAST SYMPHONIC BAND: 10, 11, 12                                                                                       5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of audition

Auditions for Symphonic Band are held annually. Students in this organization perform at assembly programs, concerts and recitals. A weekly small class ensemble is provided for students on the rotating music lesson schedule.

WEST SYMPHONIC BAND: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                   5 credits

The Symphonic Band at West is open to any interested student in grades 9-12 that has previous experience on a musical instrument (excluding guitar and piano). NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS! West Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble (audition required), Pit Orchestra (director recommendation), Wire Choir and Small Ensembles are co-curricular activities that meet after the regular school day.

VOCAL

VOCAL WORKSHOP: 9, 10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                                                         5 credits

No audition is required to participate in this class.

Vocal Workshop is for men and women who enjoy singing for social as well as aesthetic reasons. A balanced variety of vocal repertoire is experienced, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques. Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness. They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for music as an art form, and music related careers. Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula. The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule. Vocal Workshop will perform at concerts in and outside of school. There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts. Grading is based on class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

CHANSONS: 10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                                                                                     5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Audition and one-year high school choral experience

Chansons is a balanced group of mature soprano and alto voices. Octavos and major forms of the choral tradition for treble voices are studied, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques. Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness. They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for music as an art form, and music related careers. Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula. The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule. Chansons will perform at concerts in and outside of school. There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts. Grading is based on class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

CONCERT CHOIR: 10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                                                                     5 credits

PREPARATION: Successful completion of Audition and one-year high school choral experience

Concert Choir is a balanced group of men and women with developed voices. Octavos and major forms of the choral tradition are studied, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques. Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness. They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for music as an art form and music related careers. Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula. The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule. Concert Choir will perform at concerts in and outside of school. There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts. Grading is based on class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.