Arts – Page 3 – Curriculum

Art and Architecture 1B

Art and Architecture 1B is a follow-up course to Art and Architecture 1A and is designed as a continuing study of the wealth of artistic expression manifested in the architecture, sculpture, painting and artifacts of traditional cultures and modern architectural expressions. An exploration of earth-friendly, sustainable and green architectural techniques will compliment the hands-on approach to building practices and inspire new thinking about shelter and cultural values. Studio assignments in architectural design, drawing and mixed-media architectural structures created from original student designs, will compliment our study of how particular architects and cultures have used architecture as an expression to image themselves, their culture, and their God.

Jazz Band C

Jazz Band prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1920s through the present, focusing primarily on large-ensemble jazz in the Big Band and swing tradition. This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program. Jazz Band will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several festivals or adjudicated performances.

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 2 afternoons per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.

*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA

Jazz Combo C

Jazz Combo prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1940s through the present, focusing primarily on small-ensemble jazz and solo improvisation. This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program. Jazz Combo will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several additional performances at SI and around the Bay Area.

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 afternoon per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.

*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA

Studio Art B/C: Sacred Symbols

Instructor: Katie Wolf

An experiential class focused on the exploration of the human desire to remember and recognize the Creator. Through our exploration of symbols used as visual expressions in art, architecture and religious imagery, we will study various faith traditions to gather an understanding of praise older than language and the written word; to “see God in all things.” In this integrated approach to learning about culture, religion and the arts, each student will create 15 major art pieces that represent the faith traditions studied and their own original works that express an understanding of aesthetics. Through research, studio work, field trips (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, S.F., First Church of Christ Scientist, Berkeley, St. Mary’s Cathedral, S.F.), written papers, prayer, and reflection, each student will gain an ability to understand the role of the Creative spark in our lives. An understanding of their own creative process will allow them to embrace the universal call of the Beloved to us, His instruments, and our response – an expression of praise.

Chamber Singers 1A

This course is a mixed singing ensemble intended for singers of advanced ability and specializes in performance of challenging literature of diverse genre. Students will read music notation in treble and bass clefs, demonstrate understanding of more complex notation, demonstrate knowledge of terminology pertinent to the performance of choral music, demonstrate and understand correct singing technique, and demonstrate appropriate rehearsal discipline and performance skills. Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals, performances and choral festivals. The class generally meets before school in the morning.

First Semester Taken: Chamber Singers A (6546)

Second Semester Taken: Chamber Singers B (6547)

Subsequent Semesters Taken: Chamber Singers C (9863)

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 2-3 mornings per week, plus performances.

Orchestra C

This is the symphonic orchestra for which an audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution and musicianship. Orchestra performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire from MENC grades 4-5, and will perform at the CMEA festival in the spring.

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances. (Fall: Mondays 2:45-5:00-pm/Spring: Mondays 6:00-8:30pm)

First Semester Taken: Orchestra A (6521)

Second Semester Taken: Orchestra B (6522)

Subsequent Semesters Taken: Orchestra C (9803)

Orchestra 1B

An audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution and musicianship. Orchestra performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire from MENC grades 4-5, and will perform at the CMEA festival in the spring.

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day, offered after school/evenings ONLY. Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances.

First Semester Taken: Orchestra A (6521)

Second Semester Taken: Orchestra B (6522)

Subsequent Semesters Taken: Orchestra C (9803)

Mixed Chorus C

This course is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors who have completed Mixed Chorus A/B. Students will be introduced to good practice procedures for choral rehearsal and to an awareness of different styles of choral music. Student achievement will involve study of sight-singing, notation, phrasing, rhythm, harmony and musical terminology. Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Ensembles will perform at concerts and choral festivals.

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances.

One Semester; offered after school/evenings ONLY

First Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus A (6551)

Second Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus B (6552)

Subsequent Semesters Taken: Mixed Chorus C (9853)

Mixed Chorus 1B

This course is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students will be introduced to good practice procedures for choral rehearsal and to an awareness of different styles of choral music. Student achievement will involve study of sight-singing, notation, phrasing, rhythm, harmony and musical terminology. Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time. Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Ensembles will perform at concerts and choral festivals.