Music, Visual & Performing Arts
Little Shop of Horrors
The mission of the Music, Visual, and Performing Arts School at Villa Maria is to
- Educate our students with the best artistic training
- Empower our students to use their minds more creatively
- Inspire our students to broaden their life experiences
- Encourage our students to excel in everything they do
- Equip our students for fine arts programs at the University level or to simply be life-long participants in the arts
REQUIREMENTS: Freshman Fine Arts course and Art Appreciation/Movie History or Music History in Sophomore, Junior or Senior Year.
MUSIC PROGRAM
FUNDAMENTALS OF ART & MUSIC # 1242 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course serves as an introduction to the subject of art and music, studying techniques, methods, and materials in the art and music process. Units presented will integrate the above aspects of the practice of art, with a focus on studio projects and assignments. Basic music theory as well as varieties of instrumentation and style will be presented. Students will gain an introductory level understanding of both music and art history. This course satisfies the Freshman Arts requirement, and is the prerequisite for many higher-level art courses.
MUSIC HISTORY #4242 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This course satisfies the upper level Arts requirement. The course is a chronological study of Western Music from Antiquity through the 21" Century. Emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding and appreciation of the History of Music and provides students with the opportunity to gain knowledge of musical critique and elements as well. Social, political, and cultural parallels and influences in conjunction with Music History will be discussed throughout the various styles and periods of music. In order to receive Honors credit, students will complete a research paper and other additional assignments agreed to by signing a contract within the first week of class. Sophomores taking this class must have guidance counselor approval.
CHORUS - VILLA VOICES # 9212 (Semester) Grade levels: 9-12
# 9214 (Year)
Chorus focuses on performing quality vocal literature of the concert repertoire with pieces from various periods and in various styles. Students will learn and apply proper vocal technique and production, sight reading skills, and basic music theory skills. Chorus emphasizes accurate and expressive performance of choral literature and performs in all VMA concert settings. Additional rehearsals outside of school may be required, which will count towards your course grade. Students may take this course more than once. Freshman Music Scholarship recipients will take this class to fulfill the Freshman Fine Arts requirement.
GUITAR CLASS # 7242 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in spring 2013-2014
The purpose of this class is to teach students basic through intermediate guitar. Students will be introduced to concepts of guitar playing relative to their level of playing achievement. Individual and group playing will be emphasized and aspects of music theory and music history will also be discussed relative to class content. Students will be exposed to a variety of popular music, arrangements and standards and will learn to read music in both the classical form and the jazz/popular form. Class size is limited to 10 students.
PIANO CLASS # 6292 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
The purpose of this class is to teach students basics through intermediate piano. Students will be introduced to concepts of keyboard playing relative to their level of playing achievement. Individual and group playing will be emphasized and aspects of music theory and music history will also be discussed relative to class content. Students will be exposed to a variety of popular music, arrangements and standards and will learn to read music in both the classical form and the jazz/popular form. Class size is limited to 7 students.
SHOW CHOIR – THE TREBLEMAKERS # 5264 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 1.0
Show Choir is a vocal and dance ensemble comprised of no more than 12 students performing vocal literature of the jazz and musical theatre repertoire. The ensemble continues the development of proper vocal technique while adding the elements of movement. This ensemble performs in all VMA concert settings. In addition, Show Choir performs outside of the VMA community in the greater Erie area for other schools, churches, and civic venues. This course requires additional commitment and rehearsals outside of school, which will count towards your course grade. Students may take this course more than once. A contract will be signed during the first week of class.
Prerequisite: Audition required for approval. See Mr. Alesso
VOICE CLASS #6282 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.5
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in 2013-2014
This course is designed for students to work on the basic skills of singing, including vocal techniques (in speech and singing) and solo vocal performance. Aspects of breathing, support, diction and a variety of vocal literature will be addressed. Students will work on self-improvement by fostering and developing greater self-awareness, confidence, and expression. The majority of the class time will be spent learning how to sing and training your voice. Students will develop more appreciation for the vocal art, as a cultural force in a civilized world. Students will learn ways in which singing is used in culture and in individual lives.
AP MUSIC THEORY # 9214 Grade levels: 11-12 Credit: 1.0
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in 2013-2014
This advanced level course is designed for students who plan to pursue a career in music. The format of the course is independent. Class time will be used to prepare music for college auditions, as well as prepare for the AP Music Theory exam. The Music Theory AP exam may be taken in May. The fee for this exam is approximately $90.
Prerequisite: Department approval
VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM
ART APPRECIATION # 4262 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in 2012-2013
This advanced level course is designed for students interested in meeting their Fine Arts requirement through the Art Department. Art Appreciation aims to provide students with a general overview of the study of art, including methods and techniques, media and materials, technologies, innovations, artists, art movements, and a general history of art. This is a seminar course, integrated with cooperative learning activities, technology-based research opportunities, and creative arts projects. This course also involves field trips in the form of museum visits and exhibitions. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class. Sophomores taking this class must have guidance counselor approval.
AP ART STUDIO - 2-D DESIGN # 7224 Grade levels: 11 & 12 Credit: 1.0
This course is designed for students who plan to major in Art in college. Students must produce 5 pieces of artwork per quarter and 30 slides of artwork for the year. A portfolio reflecting skill in a variety of media, subjects, and techniques is produced and presented to the College Board for Advanced Placement credit. Summer work will be required upon approval of class and will count toward a percentage of the first quarter grade. Fee: $ 90 for AP Portfolio, $50 for supplies and $40 for photos and slides.
Prerequisite: Department approval
AP PHOTOGRAPHY - 2-D DESIGN # 7234 Grade levels: 11 & 12 Credit: 1.0
This course is designed for students who plan to major in Photography in college. Students will photograph over 1000 images and must produce 5 pieces of artwork per quarter and 30 slides of artwork for the year. A portfolio reflecting skill in a variety of subjects, and techniques is produced and presented to the College Board for Advanced Placement credit. Summer work will be required upon approval of class and will count toward a percentage of the first quarter grade. Students will have an art show at the end of the third quarter. The fee is approximately $90, with additional costs for photographing of work and slide production. Fee: $ 90 for AP Portfolio, $50 for supplies and $40 for photos and slides.
Prerequisite: Department approval
CERAMICS 1 # 5212 Grade level: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
Students will explore the processes of hand building sculpture, glazing, and firing in the creation of finished ceramic pieces. An introduction to the process of throwing on the potter's wheel will also be given, with time allotted for each student to create a piece on the wheel.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Fundamentals of Art & Music or Department approval
CERAMICS 2 # 8272 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This advanced level course is designed to engage the experienced student ceramist in further development of pottery and hand-building skills. Students will expound on knowledge gained in Ceramics 1 to design and produce more advanced ceramic vessels and sculptures.
Prerequisites: 85% in Ceramics 1 or Department approval
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 1
(Students must have a digital camera) # 8242 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This is a beginning level course for students who wish to develop their artistic talents in photography. It provides a core background in how to use a digital camera along with how to safely store and save photos on computers and storage devices. This course also provides students with the knowledge of printing devices. Along with this course the students will learn the correct way to take photos with different styles of projects throughout the semester. Students must have a digital camera.
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 2 5252 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This intermediate level course is for students who wish to develop their artistic talents in photography. It provides a review background in how to use a digital camera. This course also provides students with an advanced knowledge of digital photography. Projects throughout the semester are Architecture Photography (inside and out), Nature Photography (landscape and wildlife), Photojournalism and Event Photography. Students can take Digital Photography 2 or 3 before going on to Digital Photography 4. Students must have a digital camera.
Prerequisite: Digital Photo 1
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3 # 5282 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This is an intermediate level course for students who wish to develop their artistic talents in photography. It provides a review background in how to use a digital camera. This course also provides students with an advanced knowledge of digital photography. Projects throughout the semester are People and Portraits, Sports Photography, Sunsets and Night photography (around Erie). Students can take Digital Photography 2 or 3 before going on to Digital Photography 4. Students must have a digital camera.
Prerequisite: Digital Photo 1
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 4 # 6222 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
Students selecting the course must produce a photo essay that reflects a specific theme. The theme may be any subject or element of photography that can be a focus of the semester's work. Students have a minimum of 20 images submitted at the end of each quarter. Students must have a digital camera.
Prerequisite: Digital Photo 2 or Digital Photo 3
DRAWING 1 # 5222 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This is an intermediate level course for students who wish to develop their artistic talent in two dimensional media. It provides a background in drawing through the use of various drawing media such as pencil, charcoal, ink, pastels and colored pencil. The materials, methods, processes and techniques involved in the study of drawing are investigated. Units presented will integrate all of the above sections of the practice of art, with a focus on studio projects and assignments. Subject matter from still life to the human figure will be explored, as well as subjects from nature. Freshman Art Scholarship recipients will take this class to fulfill the Freshman Fine Arts requirement.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Fundamentals of Art & Music
DRAWING 2 #6272 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This intermediate level course is designed for students who are seriously interested in further developing their talent in two-dimensional media. This class will encompass an in-depth study of drawing using various media such as pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink/watercolor and mixed media collage. Subject matter will include portraiture, human figure, still life, nature, abstraction and imaginative imagery.
Prerequisite: 85% in Drawing 1 or Department approval
DRAWING 3 # 7222 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
Students will complete a minimum of six major drawings that will be evaluated by the student and teacher. A sketchbook will be kept and submitted every two weeks. The sketchbook should reflect brainstorming ideas and practice work in preparation for each of the six major drawings. At least one sketch will be done outside of class each week. Media and subject are completely up to the student, but must be approved prior to beginning the work.
Prerequisites: 85% in Drawing 2 or Department Approval
FUNDAMENTALS OF ART & MUSIC # 1242 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course serves as an introduction to the subject of art and music, studying techniques, methods, and materials in the art and music process. Units presented will integrate the above aspects of the practice of art, with a focus on studio projects and assignments. Basic music theory as well as varieties of instrumentation and style will be presented. Students will gain an introductory level understanding of both music and art history. This course satisfies the Freshman Arts requirement, and is the prerequisite for many higher-level art courses.
GRAPHIC ARTS 1 # 8282 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is designed for students who are interested in the field of graphic design. This course will cover areas of design such as advertising, fashion illustration, product design, graphic design, computer aided designs and architectural design. This is an introductory course to the tools and processes of graphic art. Students must have a digital camera.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Fundamentals of Art & Music
GRAPHIC ARTS 2 # 8292 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is the follow-up to Graphic Arts 1. It emphasizes the more advanced techniques and tools of design. Students may work on similar design problems as the Graphic Arts 1 students; however, more creativity and advanced layouts are expected from Graphic Arts 2 students. In addition, this course furthers explores the processes of the Adobe Photoshop® computer program, animation, and graphic design. Students must have a digital camera.
Prerequisite: 85% in Graphic Arts 1 or Department approval
JOURNALISM & YEARBOOK # 5234 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 1.0
Students taking this course will be responsible for the publications of the Villa Maria Academy Yearbook ESCHATON and the Villa newspaper THE VOICE. Students will learn and apply photojournalistic and journalistic skills as they help produce both publications. THE VOICE will be produced five times a year. Students scheduling this course should have mastered basic writing skills, have an eye for design or a photographic experience and a commitment to meet deadlines. Time in school and after school may be required for students. Students will also have to sell Yearbook ads to offset the cost of the book. Students may take this course more than once. Prerequisites: Teacher Approval and C average in English
MASS MEDIA # 6252 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This class is offered every other year. It will be offered in 2012-13
Mass Media is a course that explorers all aspects of the media, its place in society, and historical significance. It will involve the students with the history and application of American media including newspapers, radio, television, movies, advertising, marketing, and the Internet. Students may take this course for Honors credit if they do additional assignments (videotaping activities and afternoon announcements). Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
MOVIE HISTORY # 6242 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in 2013-2014
This class will take students from the birth of movies to the present day. The class will break down and discuss the movies we watch in class and do an analysis of each film. Students will also watch and analyze two out of class movies and write a critique of each. The class will see fifteen movies in the course of the semester; some movies just in parts and others in whole. We will examine how the movies were made from all aspects; filming, editing, sound, music, actors and directors. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class. Sophomores taking this class must have guidance counselor approval.
PAINTING 1 # 5262 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This intermediate level course is designed for students who are seriously interested in developing their painting skills beyond the basic level. This course serves as an introduction to the intense study of painting and the materials, methods, processes and techniques involved in using the medium. This course also examines the importance of art history, art criticism and aesthetics to the study of the process of painting. Units presented will integrate all of the above sections of the practice of art, with a focus on studio projects and assignments. It is recommended that Drawing 1 be taken before Painting 1. Prerequisite: Studio Art or Fundamentals of Art & Music required; Drawing 1 recommended or Department approval.
PAINTING 2 #7272 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This is an advanced level course designed for students who are seriously interested in further developing their painting skills. This two-dimensional and mixed media course is designed to allow students to explore more advanced methods of painting by investigating various subject matter and media. Technical skill in painting with acrylic and watercolor will be emphasized, and students will also be encouraged to experiment with the inclusion of other two-dimensional media, such as paper, ink, pastel, and charcoal. Students will be self-directed to explore the full capability of paint and brush, and to focus on the development of their own style and process. Competence with painting media and tools is expected.
Prerequisites: 85% in Painting 1 and Drawing 1 or Department approval
TEXTILE DESIGN 1 # 9262 Grade levels: 10-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year. It will be taught in 2013-14
This course is designed for the student interested in an in-depth exploration of wearable and fabric art Students will gain a stronger knowledge of textile art forms along with fiber application in wall murals, clothing, and sculpture pieces. Projects will include: Macramé, Hand Beading, Vertical Weaving, Fabric Painting, Embroidery and Appliqué.
Prerequisite: Studio Art or Fundamentals of Art & Music
PERFORMING ARTS
ACTING # 9272 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in spring 2013-2014
Develop your individual acting skills through improvisation, readings, monologues, scenes with other classmates, and critique of self and others in the areas of comedy and drama. Emphasis will be placed on stage presence, character development, and performance. Audition skills and techniques and repertoire will also be developed. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.
ADVANCED DANCE # 5542 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
Continue your dance training and experience advanced training, challenging you beyond the basics. Guest choreographers will challenge you at an upbeat pace. Students may take this course more than once. Freshman Dance Scholarship recipients will be placed in this class to fulfill the Freshman Fine Arts requirement.
Prerequisite: Previous dance training - ballet, tap, jazz, etc. An audition is required.
DANCE # 5552 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
Learn dance techniques, terminology, combinations, and routines for all styles of dance. The class will perform at the end of the semester. Students may take this course more than once.
THEATRE #9292 Grade levels: 9-12 Credit: 0.50
This course is offered every other year - It will be offered in spring 2012-2013
Theatre is an art form everyone can enjoy! This course will introduce students to the history and various elements of live theatre including, but not limited to, sections of performance, costuming, make-up, and critique. Students taking this course for Honors credit will sign a contract during the first week of class.