Fine Arts

Offers a fundamental approach to perceptive listening based on a detailed study of several masterpieces representing different periods and forms. The pieces will be studied from aesthetic and historical perspectives.

Examines the history of three of America’s great musical contributions to world culture via detailed study of several masterpieces in each genre. Students will explore the fundamental musical elements, the historical roots, and the development of musical traditions of each style. Various listening and vocal music guides will facilitate the student’s knowledge and awareness.

Through the exploration of soundscapes, or music within a cultural setting, students will learn sound characteristics and instrument classification that can be used for any type of music. Students will come to understand the significance of world music and music within a culture. Students will develop critical listening skills and the vocabulary necessary to understand and evaluate music. No musical background is necessary.

Offers a fundamental approach to learning the guitar for beginning students with varied levels of experience. Students will be involved with and exposed to performance situations, some practical applications of music theory, and different playing styles and techniques. Students must provide their own acoustic instruments.

Offers an opportunity to study various aspects of vocal production and performance, which will include vocal process from theory to application. The vocal process will focus on optimizing one’s vocal understanding through performance techniques and musicianship.

Introduces drama as a performing art, with emphasis on physical movement and the use of voice in the development of characterization. Students will learn to use improvisation and theatre games to make feelings accessible to the student actor for the purpose of performance. The class will take a functional approach to the basic techniques of acting with an in-class performance final. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of acting that include action, relaxation, objective, spontaneity, emotion, monologues, texts, projection, presence, substitution, referential movement, character analyses, and heightened diction. It will include ideas about the rehearsal process, play scripts, scenes, staging, and performance.