Kennedy Catholic Arts

Nurturing Creativity to Expand Horizons

Art Department Courses Offerings

Offering classes in art, music and theater the Arts Department strives not only to introduce each student to the core principles of a fine arts education, but also to cultivate a love and appreciation for the arts during their time at Kennedy and beyond.

General Fine Art Courses

Art and Music Appreciation

Grade 9

The students will apply elements and principles of art and music to help formulate and understand their own artistic tastes. Development of a useful visual vocabulary and aural vocabulary will be addressed.

Extensive time will be invested in the critiquing and evaluating of major works, styles, forms, media and processes, while exploring a general overview of important art and music history

Music Theory-History

Grade 9

This full year course meets 4 days out of the 6-day cycle, and is open to students in grade 9 and 12. The course is a study of basic music theory and composition as well as the elements of music. A general overview of the history of music and an advanced appreciation. Extra help with material from performance groups will be offered. This course is intended as an extension course for freshmen students in Chorus, Band and String Ensemble. Seniors may be admitted with Instructor approval.

Performing Arts Courses

Chorus

Grades 9-12

Chorus meets daily and students are expected to practice at home completing graded assignments through Canvas and Smart Music. Grades are determined by participation, graded assignments and vocal mastery.

We supply most of the music needed for Masses, concerts and home assignments.

Placement auditions take place in the spring for incoming freshmen. Students are expected to sing two major scales (ascending and descending) followed by an aural recall exercise: the teacher will play a series of three note patterns to test pitch hearing and matching. Lastly, students will sing an a cappella piece of their choice of any style.

Musical ensembles such as Chorus reinforce student’s high school transcripts and demonstrate to most colleges a student's contribution to the school community, the ability to perform both individually (solo performances) and in an ensemble as well as a commitment to an extracurricular activity.

Concert Band

Grades 9-12

Band meets daily and students are expected to practice at home completing graded assignments. Grades are determined by participation, graded assignments and instrumental mastery.

Each student should have an instrument in good working order and we supply most of the music needed for concerts and home assignments.

Placement auditions take place in the spring for incoming freshmen. Students should demonstrate technique, rhythmic control and basic musical fundamentals on their instrument.

Musical ensembles such as band reinforce student’s high school transcripts and demonstrate to most colleges a student's contribution to the school community, the ability to perform both individually and in an ensemble as well as a commitment to an extracurricular activity.

String Ensemble

Grades 9-12

Our String Ensemble is full year course that develops ensemble skill, performance technique, music literacy, and cultural understanding in the arts.

Our course consists in daily homeroom instruction, open to grades 9-12.

Students will study and learn to read music of greater complexity to include common time, cut-time, compound meter, major and minor keys, chromaticism, dynamic contrast, shifting technique and quality tone production.

Students are expected to practice at home in order to perform to the maximum of their capabilities.

Each Spring we hold auditions for new members and freshmen who are interested.

Theater/Acting

Grade 9

Open to students in all grades, this course will cover the following components: Introduction to Theater, Character Development, Monologue, Improvisation, Scene Work, Movement, and Resume Design for summarizing theatrical experiences

Through theatrical games and improvisational exercises, students will develop skills in dramatic technique

Students will work individually and in groups as they rehearse and perform theatrical works in class

Students in this course are required to participate in some capacity in the spring musical

* Mrs. Boston’s signature is required on the registration form

Visual Arts

Studio Art

Grade 9

KCPS offers a 4-year program in the Visual Arts, beginning with Studio Art.

This course is an introduction to the Visual Arts at the high school level and is designed to acquaint the beginning student with a variety of drawing media and studio techniques. Studio Art students explore a range of 2-D and 3-D projects using historical and cultural references in accordance with NYS curriculum standards.

Grades are determined by participation, graded projects/quizzes, and supplemental homework. All necessary supplies are provided by KCPS.

Fine Arts Education gives young people an opportunity for positive self-expression and creates a pathway to acquire a solid foundation in critical thinking skills. There is no better way to learn how to collaborate with peers, accept feedback, and gain essential time-management skills than through the creative process.

Studio Art II

Grade 10

This elective course covers the basic design concepts and color theory through the creation of paintings and drawings using a variety of media. Oil painting techniques and theories are introduced through practice and demonstration. Emphasis is placed on choice of materials, depiction of light and shadow, painting techniques, basic color mixing and composition. The course provides students with a foundation for creative expression in oil painting.

Studio Art or Artwork submission required.

Advanced Visual Arts

Grades 11-12

This elective course is designed for the advanced student who wishes to further their studies in the field of Visual Arts. Students may elect to continue their studies of Painting and Drawing or broaden their knowledge of the Studio mainly through an understanding of the Applied Arts involving a variety of disciplines. These include but are not limited to Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Ceramics, Sculpture, Collage, Digital Media, Textile and Fiber Arts.

Minimum of 2 years studio experience at KCHS, or the permission of the instructor.