Visual Arts

Art and music are vital factors in the development of the whole child; not only are they stimulating and fulfilling disciplines, but research confirms that performing, creating, and responding to both visual art and music strengthen students’ problem-solving and critical thinking skills, thereby enhancing academic achievement and cultural literacy.

Using pen and ink, charcoal, pencil, wax and paint, students are taught the fundamentals of visual arts principles, including proportion, shading, perspective and design. Lectures and audiovisual presentations on art appreciation and history complement the classroom projects.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 8-9
Prerequisite: None

An introductory course focused on music reading skills and technique. The goal of this class is to introduce students to basic music theory and transfer that to band playing. Focus will be on the classical style, but will also go into rock/pop chords.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 8-12
Prerequisite: None, however knowledge of reading music will be helpful

Designed for the student who has basic art skills and aptitude, Art I is a first year painting and drawing course. The first half of the course refines students’ drawing skills in pencil, charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, and design; during the second half, students analyze the use of color and learn basic techniques in acrylic and water-based painting. Lessons in art history and appreciation complement classroom projects.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Previous art experience and permission of the instructor.

A practical course in choral singing, Mixed Chorus welcomes students who are unsure of their vocal abilities but willing to try. The primary aim is developing the student’s voice as naturally and artistically as possible. Students will not only learn good vocal techniques (posture, breath control, diction), but also how to read choral music and appreciate its history and quality. Chorus members will participate in many of the school activities, such as liturgies, concerts, and school assemblies.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 8-12
Prerequisite: None

The Concert Band is a curricular, performance-based class open to all grade levels. The musical repertoire for this class includes standard and contemporary literature as well as transcriptions and arrangements. Students will learn the specifics of a quality warm-up, rehearsal etiquette, ensemble skills, and individual musicality. In addition to daily ensemble performance, students will receive individualized instruction. The Concert Band performs at various concerts, contests and festivals annually.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 8-12
Prerequisite: None

This course is designed for both instrumentalists and vocalists who are interested in pursuing music as a career. Topics include basic tonality, music theory, ear training, music history, composition, identification of intervals and chords by sound, rhythmic and melodic dictation, sight-reading, in-depth musical analysis, and important musicians.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: Substantial background in music performance at the individual or ensemble level.

Art II is designed as a second year drawing and painting course. The first semester is devoted to drawing skills and the second semester to painting. The course aims to refine the student's skills and encourage the development of his/her personal style in drawing (pastels, pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, colored pencil) and in painting (oils, watercolors, and acrylics). In the painting component of the course, students learn canvas stretching and investigate color and composition theory, modeling form, and use of light. Only original works are accepted: the emphasis is on "performance." Audio-visual presentations, lectures, and field trips on art history and appreciation complement classroom projects.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Completion of previous course in Art sequence or demonstration of competency.

Concert Chorus is a vocal performance class designed for those with a serious interest in singing various choral genres. Students are instructed in performance techniques and will sing for liturgies, school concerts, and assemblies. This course is open to all students in grades 9-12, but admission to this class requires an audition.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition required and permission of the instructor.

The Honors Jazz Ensemble is the premier instrumental performing ensemble at Pope John. Students are selected by audition only and must possess a high musical intellect and technical facility. The Jazz Ensemble introduces students to the many styles of jazz music as well as to the rich history of jazz as a cultural phenomenon in this country. The course includes studies in sight-reading, improvisation technique, and jazz theory. The ensemble studies a wide range of popular music genres, from Big Band and Swing to Latin, Rock, and Funk, and also performs for annual concerts and at various contests and festivals.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition Required

Women's Choir is a select, auditioned choir that requires advanced performances for treble voices. These young women are expected to perform four part treble harmonies, such as SSAA music, and to lead the liturgical music for the Pope John monthly Masses. The women's choir will also perform for community service events and for the Pope John winter and spring concerts.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition required and permission of the instructor.

The student in Honors Art concentrates on building a portfolio and exploring career opportunities in art. Honors Art is a performance course that helps the student refine his/her skills in the areas of design, composition, drawing, painting, sculpture, and computer graphics. Only original works that complete the student's portfolio over the course of the year are accepted. Audio-visual presentations and lectures on art history and appreciation complement studio projects. The Art and Guidance departments cooperate to ensure that each student is informed of career and educational opportunities in the art field. Student activities include attending open houses and other art events at colleges and universities, visiting museums and craft shows, and presenting their works in exhibitions and arts festivals.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of previous course in Art sequence or demonstration of competency and instructor permission.

This course is recommended for those students considering a career in music and/or those interested in singing at the university level. Students will perform college level music based on the madrigal choir curriculum of both Westminster Choir College and St. Olaf’s College. With an emphasis on proper vocal technique and production, the course provides an in depth study of various musical styles from the Renaissance through contemporary musical theatre. As musical ambassadors, the Select Chorus will perform for school concerts, liturgies, assemblies and many community venues.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition required and permission of the instructor

Graphic Design is an introductory course for students interested in exploring visual arts on the computer. The course focuses on learning basic design theories while creating several "real world" projects, including business cards, logos, promotional and marketing materials, as well as original digital illustrations using Illustrator. Students use Photoshop software to digitally manipulate photographs and images, and they design, build, furnish, and landscape a house for the architectural segment. All work is created on a MAC computer.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: None

Theatre Arts is a yearlong survey course that examines the history and artistic development of American theatre. With a focus on Broadway success stories, the students will perform quality plays and musicals as well as monologues and group dialogues; they will also enter competitions, write their own scripts, and view regional and Broadway Theatre productions. This course will not only enhance a student’s understanding and enjoyment of theatre but will also provide instruction in technical theatre, including set, sound, and lighting design, costuming and makeup, as well as the progression of diction, tone and other public speaking skills.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None

In Graphic Design II students will learn to be productive, solve problems, develop original ideas, organize thoughts, budget time, and be successful. Each student will learn about digital media literacy and become effective producers of digital media. Students will implement twenty-first century skills and practices required for using technology and creating digital media. In this course students will combine concepts from Graphic Design 1 including typographic, compositional and digital imaging skills with new concepts including color psychology, to create effective visual branding. Students will apply their design skills with intention to create brand recognition, generate leads, motivate for action and drive sales. Students will continue to work with the latest industry standard software (Adobe CC 2018 Photoshop and Illustrator) to solve a variety of sophisticated graphic design problems. Projects will range from digital and social media marketing campaigns, 2D posters and prints to 3D package design and culminate with a capstone project in the fourth quarter.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: I
Open to Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Graphic Design I

A progressive course in art sequence. Building on the techniques learned in the previous courses, students will create two and three dimensional art incorporating the elements and principles of art and design. Individuality of creativity and expression will be stressed. Emphasis is on developing skills and artistic growth.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 12
Prerequisite: Honors Art, permission of the instructor

This course introduces students to digital non-linear filmmaking and to the basics of film analysis. We will explore the building blocks of cinematic production, including mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound, and editing. In addition, the class will examine formal cinematic techniques in conjunction with genre, narrative structure, storytelling, and performance.

Students will develop the skills to write analytically about film as an art form while continuing to enjoy it as an entertainment medium. In digital non-linear filmmaking, students will use supplied equipment as well as their personal cameras (iPhones, iPads, or DSLR’s) to create strong, visually driven short films and video exercises with an emphasis on the foundations of narrative storytelling. Using Apple’s Final Cut Pro, students begin by learning the elements of digital filmmaking with video exercises that start off simply , and, with each new assignment, add a new element of filmmaking until they advance to final film projects.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 12