Fine Arts
Because art provides the experiential basis for the individual to develop an appreciation of the intimate connections among the physical, practical, social, and aesthetic quality of God’s world, art education must be meaningful in the whole context of life and in the conceptual development of the individual. Education through art is therefore more than education in visual self-expression. In attempting to understand ourselves, we must evaluate life experience. Reflection upon the life experiences of others, as evidenced in their art, enables us to expand this understanding.
Music
The music program offers both vocal and instrumental performing ensembles that compliment our required music appreciation courses. Currently, Catholic Memorial boasts of the Choirmen, the choral ensemble open to all young men in grades 7 to 12 who are interested in singing. The Pep Band is an instrumental ensemble created specifically to support athletic events at CM. It performs at home games for the football, basketball and hockey teams. The Jazz Men cut their second album last year (it's available on CD at the CM bookstore). Now in its third year, the band has received rave reviews and performs throughout the area. The Music Ministers are a group of CM musicians who perform at all student religious services conducted on campus.
Art
The art courses at Catholic Memorial are elective and studio based. They are designed to meet the needs of all students whether they are serious students who intend to major in art in college or students who enjoy art as an avocation. The courses are based on four primary tenets of art education: art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetics.
An essential factor in the artist's and the viewer's understanding of an art object is an awareness of the artifact as an embodiment of ideas. This brings not only the quality of the work, but the quality of the experience into consideration. Art education must have meaning in the whole context of a lived experience as well as a conceptual experience. Art studio work can provide an experiential basis for the individual to develop an appreciation of the intimate connections among the physical, social, aesthetic, and practical qualities of God's creation as reflected in the artist's struggle to create. Education in the arts becomes more than an education in visual self-expression. It becomes a developmental experience in self-understanding. Students today need to know how others express themselves, to investigate social and historical influences to help in understanding others, and to value their own expressions as a contributing part of human expression.
Courses
Art 7 (680)
This seventh grade course focuses on the basics of art at the beginner level. Students are educated in the elements of art and the principles of design, and learn how to use them in creating artwork. Drawing is emphasized in order to provide as solid a foundation as possible for future art courses. Throughout the year, students complete several major drawing, mixed media, painting, and printmaking projects. This course helps students integrate their knowledge of art into their other school subjects as well.
Music 8 (690)
This eighth grade course provides a foundation in the fundamentals of basic music theory, choral singing, and an overall understanding of general music and music principles. Students become adept at speaking about the "language" of music and learn how music can assist in learning about different cultures and traditions throughout the world. Students also participate in a public performance.
Art Appreciation (959)
This required ninth grade course links the ancient world to the present through the evolution of art. Using a comprehensive art history survey, it focuses on significant contributions from cultures around the globe.
Music and Art (800)
A unique combination of music and art appreciation, this course will meet alternately during the week in the Music Room and Art Room for a lively exploration of visual art and its musical counterparts. Consideration will be given to the historical circumstances which foster artistic expression through various visual and auditory media.
Music in Theory and Practice (810)
This course will include the following topics: notation, scales, intervals, rhythm, harmony, melody, and composition. This course will also include listening and analyzing various musical genres.
Jazz Ensemble (820)
This full-year, performance-based course is open to students who play an instrument and who wish to further their skills through the study and performance of various genres of music. The course covers Rock, Pop, Blues, Swing, Broadway, 50’s Rock and Roll, Contemporary, Latin Music, and film scores. This course is open to students who demonstrate musical skill and comprehension of their selected instrument.
Choir (825)
A performance-based class that performs at school celebrations and liturgies, this elective class helps advance Fine Arts at Catholic Memorial. The class performs at the annual holiday concert and various school functions, events, and community center performances. In addition to being musical representatives for our school, the class seeks to expand its repertoire with ever more challenging pieces. The culmination of this class is the recording and production of a CD.
Introduction to Acting and Improvisation (830)
The techniques of improvisation and acting venture further than the walls of a theater. Not only are such techniques sought after in the working world, but they are necessary skills. The ability to improvise during a question and answer session at a corporate business function; the ability to “become” the “character” during an advertising commercial sales pitch; the ability to communicate and be confidant during a job interview or marketing sales pitch... are skills which will resurrect themselves time and time again. Through the introduction to acting and improvisation, we will study techniques which date back to the comedia dell’arte. From ancient to modern, from The Old Globe Theatre to ABC’s “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?”, this elective will challenge the student and the instructor to be creative within an ever-changing world.
Studio Art I (843)
This course is designed for those students interested in developing their own creative expression, seeking further courses in art, or desiring new ways to express their creativity. The course seeks to develop an understanding of artistic media and the methods for those media. Emphasis is placed on realistic representation which entails knowledge of line, value, texture, composition, and perspective. Students will be expected to develop and maintain a portfolio as an evaluative tool for this class. Lecture, research writing, studio experience, and individual instruction will be used.
Studio Art II (844)
This advanced art course may be taken by students who have completed Studio Art I and/or are recommended by the teacher. The
first semester will seek to achieve mastery of realistic drawing and drawing materials. The second semester will explore oil, watercolor, and acrylic painting techniques--concentrating effort on one of these media. The class will include historical research, as well as classroom and individual instruction. A significant amount of work must be done outside of regular class time.
Studio Art III (890)
Designed for the serious art student, this course will explain the procedures and formats necessary to develop a comprehensive Studio Art portfolio. Students will then produce artwork using rubrics and parameters established by the College Board. Student work must demonstrate breadth, originality, and creativity through various mediums. Independent work outside of school is required in order to meet the rigorous demands of this course which include various projects that meet nationally normed criteria, independent projects, and museum gallery work.
Advanced Placement Studio Art (888)
This course is designed for the art student who wishes to pursue a more intensified study of art. The requirements of the course are supplied by the Advanced Placement Committee and have evolved at this time into the presentation of an extensive portfolio in three areas: quality, concentration, and breadth. Since the student will be required to do a large amount of work on his own, there should be consultation with and permission from the teacher before this course is scheduled. The student will be responsible for a six-hour time commitment per week as well as an out-of-school commitment to museum and gallery study. Homework activities will include maintaining a sketch journal.
Cartooning (850)
This course emphasizes drawing skills as well as elements of imagination and creativity necessary to produce two-dimensional comics and animated pieces. Subject themes reflect social issues, ethnic diversity, historical events, fantasy, sports, and science fiction. Production includes caricatures, various forms of cartoons, flipbooks, and computer animation.
Digital Art (870)
This course is an introduction to image generation and manipulation using current industry-standards and illustration/design computer software programs (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fractal Design Painter). Students will scan, import, generate, process, and combine images and type using desktop publication software. Emphasis will be placed on image making. Output possibilities will be demonstrated and differences between computer techniques and traditional techniques will be discussed when critiquing student work.
Computer Graphics (872)
This course is designed to introduce the use of the computer as a creative tool to express visual images. Adobe Photoshop and presentation applications, as well as scanning and the digital camera, will be taught. Students will learn how to effectively use photo editing and page layout programs as graphic arts tools. The course will provide the students the understanding of how to design elements and principles when creating their computer-generated art.
Design and Drawing for Production (880)
This course is designed to introduce students to a universal graphic language through which creative ideas may be expounded with clarity and exactness. The majority of class time will be spent learning the fundamental methods of this expression while developing a degree of proficiency in sketching and in the use of draftsman instruments and equipment. The latter part of the year will be spent designing and developing projects and architectural models.