Visual & Performing Arts

It is our mission and purpose to share with the St. Joe’s community the education of its students in a Lasallian, Christian tradition. Each member of the department – faculty, students, parents and volunteers – is encouraged to explore and develop his/her talents in the arts with the purpose of contributing to the department, the school community, our local community and to society. Art production/performance or academic study of such shall reflect a spirit of integrity, professionalism and stewardship, recognizing God as the ultimate artist working creatively through us.

 

6104 Freshmen Singers Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: 9 This course intended for the beginning singer is a survey of musical elements through the experience of singing and listening.  Attention is paid to reading music, learning to match pitch, and reading simple rhythms.

6144 Arts Appreciation Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: 9 This team-taught course is a comprehensive introduction to music and the visual arts.  Students study the basic elements of each and participate in creative exercises to develop appreciation and understanding of art and music, past and present.

6004 Freshmen Band (Brass) Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: 9 This course is for the beginning student who is interested in learning the trombone, trumpet, or other brass instrument.  No prior experience is necessary.  Certain instruments are furnished for a nominal fee.  Class enrollment is limited.

6014 Freshmen Band (Percussion) Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: 9 This course is for the percussion student who has had some previous experience either through a school program or private lessons.  Basic snare and reading skills will be developed. Each student must purchase drumsticks, pad, stand, and metronome through the instructor.  These will be used for all classes.  Class enrollment is limited.

6024 Freshmen Band (Woodwind) Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: 9 This course is for the beginning student who is interested in learning the clarinet, saxophone, flute, or other woodwind instrument.  No prior experience is necessary.  Certain instruments are furnished for a nominal fee.  Class enrollment is limited.

6154 Introduction to Theatre Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: Upperclassmen This is a comprehensive introduction to the theatre.  Students study basic elements and participate in interactive creative exercises to develop an appreciation and understanding of theatre.  This course is required of all sophomores who have not taken or who are not enrolled in Concert Band, Glee Club, or Studio in Art.

6044 Concert Band Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen This course is for the intermediate or advanced brass, woodwind, and percussion instrumentalist.  Standard concert band literature is performed.  Attendance at assigned performances is required.  Freshman and sophomore enrollment is by audition and permission of the instructor.

 

6034 Percussion Class Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Freshman through seniors may take this course.  This course is for the percussionist with previous experience.  Students must have had a minimum of two years in a school instrumental program or two years of private study.  Students will do ensemble work and develop skills in preparation for work in concert band.  Latin instruments will also be studied.  Class enrollment is limited.  There will be required attendance at Percussion Ensemble performances.

6114 Glee Club Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. This course is a two-four part men's choral group.  Sight- reading and elementary music theory are presented in addition to choral performances.  Concerts, public performances, and required special rehearsals are required of each student (although usually limited to the two departmental concerts.)  Students participate in all St. Joe's liturgies, including the Sunday Family Masses and special liturgies throughout the school year.  Admission is open to incoming freshmen according to experience.

6124 Varsity Singers Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Enrollment is by permission of the director. This ensemble explores and studies three and four part men's choral arrangements, as well as solo singing experience.  The pace is more advanced than Glee Club.  Students are expected to study scores on a daily basis, and a serious extended commitment is required of all students.  Ensemble members are required to participate in all SJCI liturgies, departmental concerts, other concert events, and Sunday Masses at SJCI and at various parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo.  Members will also participate in Glee Club as time permits.  Occasional after-school rehearsals are required.

6074 Music Theory Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Department approval. This course is a study of the technical aspects of music and music composition.  Content includes sight-reading, notation, scales, meters, chord structure, (both written and aural) and the analysis and creation of musical compositions.  Students will complete exercises in melodic dictation, chord function, rhythmic dictation, and formal analysis.  Students should be able to play a musical instrument.

6204 Studio in Art Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Approval of instructor for all levels and portfolio for freshman only. This course introduces students to the basic art elements and design principles, while working in a studio atmosphere with a variety of media.  Good design is stressed in each project, along with the proper presentation of finished works.  Appreciation of work, past and present is also related to art production.

6214 Drawing and Painting Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Completion of Studio Art and instructor approval. This course applies art elements and design principles learned in Studio Art to drawing and painting projects using a wide variety of media and techniques.  Students create still-lifes, figure drawings, portraits, landscapes, and expressive works while being encouraged to develop their own styles presented in portfolio form.

 

6236 Advanced Placement Studio in Art Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Completion of Drawing & Painting, a regents commencement level portfolio, and instructor approval. Students study art styles and techniques at an advanced level to develop a portfolio in three sections:  quality, breadth, and concentration.  Completion of the portfolio demands self-discipline to apply creative talents to a variety of projects, both assigned and self-structured.  College credit through the CEEB may be awarded based on the evaluation of the student's portfolio and the college to be attended.

6224 Graphic Arts Credit: 1 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Completion of Drawing & Painting and instructor approval. Working in a studio setting, students learn various aspects of advertising, graphic design, illustration, packaging, copy placement and computer applications.  Art elements and design principles are used by the students while they work on projects designed to mirror the client artist relationship.

6234 Independent Sculpture Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Completion of Drawing & Painting and instructor approval. Students apply their knowledge of art and design to three-dimensional media. Students will create in a self-directed format using both additive and subtractive techniques with plaster, wood, fibers, etc.

6254 Introduction to Photography Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. It is preferable that students have their own digital camera. Taught by a professional photographer, this course will cover basic photography principles of composition, lighting, exposure, aperture, and depth of field using the students’ digital or 35mm cameras and classroom digital cameras.  All images will be digitized and students will learn to manipulate and print using Adobe Photoshop. A set number of hours required as part of each student's evaluation.

6264 Digital Arts Credit: 1/2 credit Grade: Upperclassmen Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. It is helpful if students have access to their own digital video camera. This course will explore applications of a variety of electronic media, including website design & management, digital video editing, and digital imaging in Photoshop. All work will be done on Macintosh computers using state-of-the-art software. Some video cameras are available for student use. Content expression and solid design will be stressed as well as mastery of program techniques. A set number of hours working in the digital photo lab outside of class time is required as part of each student’s evaluation.

NON-ACADEMIC OVERELECTIVES The following courses meet outside of the school day and are not included in a student's course load or grade calculations.  Students are rated according to an alphabetical grade that appears on report cards and permanent records.

6324 Applied Voice Credit: 1/2 credit Prerequisite: Instructor's  approval. This course is for advanced singers interested in the study of classical literature and vocal techniques as needed for college entrance auditions as well as general performance.

6064 Jazz Lab Band Credit: 1 credit Prerequisite: Audition required; instructor's permission; co-enrollment in Concert Band. This course is for the advanced instrumental music student who is interested in performing in the jazz idiom.  Students study standard big band jazz literature and improvisation.  Outside working practices and concerts are required.

 

6134 Swing Choir Credit: 1 credit Prerequisite: Audition required; instructor's permission; co-enrollment in Glee Club. This course is a mixed choral group performing numerous concerts throughout the school year.  The music literature emphasizes Broadway show tunes, popular music, and light jazz.  Outside working practices and concerts are required.

6054 Guitar Credit: 1/2 credit Prerequisite: Instructor's  approval. This is an intensive study about the mechanics of the guitar.  Technical instruction and music theory will be provided.  Students examine the history of the instrument and its most influential players.  Enrollment is open to all skill levels.

6304 Advanced Drama Credit: 1/2 credit Prerequisite: Instructor's approval. This course meets outside of the regular school day. It is an introduction to the art of acting, using an eclectic approach to exploring acting styles and improvisation. Acting games, creative exercises and journaling will help students develop natural talents and apply them to presentation and communication skills in daily life. Grading is based on attendance and participation in semester-end theater performances.

Workshops The Visual and Performing Arts Department offers a variety of non-graded, non-credit bearing workshops taught by professionals in their fields through an Artists in Residence Program. Highly trained professionals offer these opportunities for the students outside of the school day in a variety of artistic venues including: Dance, Musical Theater, Graphic Design, Set Design, and Lighting. Sign ups for these workshops take place as they are offered. Successful completion of the workshops will be noted on the student’s transcript, but no grades will appear on the report card.

Faculty
Mr. James Deiotte
Mr. Paschal Frisina
Mr. James McCoy
Mr. Russell Owens
Mrs. Catherine Ward – Department Chair