Fine Arts

Department Philosophy

The Fine Arts/Performing Arts Department encourages students to develop a positive, creative insight into themselves and the world around them. It also encourages, on an academic level, creative and critical thinking. By experiencing the technical and aesthetic skills of all the arts, young women, whatever their future professions, learn to appreciate and become enthusiastic supporters of the arts. All fine arts courses are elective; however, a requirement of one credit in this area is necessary for graduation from Fontbonne Academy. All of the following courses will fulfill this requirement.

Faculty

ART

Each year, the Fine Arts Department displays their student talent through visual art and a live vocal and instrumental performance.
Click here to see an example of the "Evening of Arts" event.

MUSIC

Curriculum

Music

Chorus I, II, III

The aim of Fontbonne Chorus is to unite a group of students coming from many grade levels into a performing ensemble which will focus their creative energy into singing together for their own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others. The Christmas and Spring concerts serve as two primary focus points for repertoire, with school liturgy, church and community opportunities also available. The chorus repertoire may be drawn from many musical periods, including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary, and may also utilize folk music, popular songs, and music from American musicals as well as multicultural music. Singing skills such as posture, tone quality, intonation, breathing, rhythm, articulation, balance and blending, stage presence, as well as expressive musical interpretation are developed in rehearsal. Music theory and sight-reading are introduced in Chorus 1 and will continue at the intermediate level for Chorus 2 & 3. There are opportunities for the solo voice as well as for one who would be encouraged to be a member of a large performance group. Students have an opportunity to participate in the Milton Young Musicians Festival and audition for the Massachusetts Southeast District Music Festival.

Select Chorus I, II, III, IV

Select Chorus is an audition only choral group of 25-30 young women. This course meets after school and evenings. Music theory and sight reading are introduced in Select Chorus 1 and will continue at the intermediate level for Select Chorus 2, 3 & 4. Select Chorus performs throughout the year for all school functions and liturgies, as well as private weddings and social functions. Select Chorus members are eligible to participate in the Milton Young Musicians Festival and to audition for the Massachusetts Southeast District Music Festival.

Jazz Choir I, II, III [Honors]

Jazz Choir, an audition only choir, is a very select group of 12 young women. Rehearsals are held after school and evenings following Select Chorus Rehearsals. Music theory and sight reading are introduced in Jazz Choir 1 and will continue at the intermediate level for Jazz Choir 2 & 3. The concentration is on the jazz style and close four part harmonies. At least half the repertoire is acapella. Jazz Choir performs throughout the year for all school functions as well as private weddings and social functions. Jazz Choir members are eligible to participate in the Milton Young Musicians Festival and to audition for the Massachusetts Southeast District Music Festival.

Instrumental Music Ensemble I, II, III, IV

String, brass, woodwind, guitar, piano, and percussion instrumentalists are encouraged to enroll in this full credit course. Music theory and sight reading are introduced in Instrumental Music Ensemble 1 and continue through the sequential levels of the Instrumental Music Ensemble. Instrument rental and/or private lessons can be arranged for those wishing to achieve additional expertise.

Students have an opportunity to audition for the Young Musicians Festival, the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Southeast District Music Festival, and the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association.

Music Composition and Technology

The objective of Music Composition and Technology is to compose, arrange, and produce original musical works using the keyboard and computer. No previous musical experience is necessary for this course. Starting with the basics of 20th century composition, students will be able to create and develop their own music. This process will include the use of sequencing and notational software. In this environment students will develop their creative and compositional skills.

Music Theory I

The Music Theory 1 course is designed to give students a working knowledge of the principles of Music Theory. The course will start with musical notation, including staffs, note pitches and note duration values. Additional topics included are the major scale formula, solfege, key signatures, intervals, and rhythmic dictation. Formal analysis, major/minor tonalities, and basic conducting patterns will also be covered. The course will be computer integrated, using notational software as a basic tool throughout the school year.

Music Theory II

The Music Theory 2 course is designed to expand the student’s knowledge of both Traditional, and non-Traditional Music Theory. The Traditional Theory concentrates on Cycle Five (Schillinger Method), Figured Bass, and Four-Voice Harmony. The non-Traditional Theory concentrates on Chord Progressions, Minor Scales, and Modes. Additional topics include Sight Reading, Sight Singing, Ear Training, Formal Analysis, and Conducting Patterns. The course will be computer integrated, using notational software as a basic tool throughout the school year.

Theater Production

This course is for students who wish to experience a hands on approach to all aspects of theater production. Students have several disciplines to choose from and can be responsible for one or more of the following: acting, singing, choreography, set design, lighting, sound, publicity, programs, directing, and casting. Students will improve their memorization skills as well as enhance a positive self-image. There are two performances a year.

Visual Art Program

Art I

Art 1 is the foundation course, which is a prerequisite for all other art courses. In the first semester of this course, students will explore a wide range of media and techniques, including drawing, painting, and printmaking. Individualized instruction in a studio atmosphere allows students to explore their own artistic creativity while learning the fundamental concepts, methods, and skills of the visual arts. In the second semester students are placed in one of the following courses:

ADVERTISING AND ILLUSTRATION: This course includes basic concepts of graphic design and illustration. Students will learn basic concepts of type design, page layout, book design, editorial illustration, and costume design. Students will work with traditional drawing and painting media. The focus of this course will be on creating pictures, which are connected with a message or idea.

COLLAGE/SCULPTURE: If you enjoy art but are not comfortable with the traditional style of drawing and painting, this course is for you. This class focuses on 3D sculpture and collage styles. Students will develop a collage/sculpture based on a specific theme or idea. They will learn to express themselves through 3D media.

Art II

Students in the advanced arts will work toward completion of a portfolio. They will choose a particular concentration on which they will work to gain a higher level of achievement. Students in the advanced arts will learn to shoot their own slides, write a resume, and put together a finished portfolio. Students signing for these classes should have a serious interest in art.

Advanced Art [Honors]

Students in Advanced Art Honors will develop a thesis project. They will spend the year working on their concentration, developing 12-20 pieces based around a topic. They will work to put the body of work together into a show to be seen during Evening of the Arts. Students will work in a variety of media and will do some writing and independent work as well.

A.P. Art

Students will create a 24 piece portfolio to be sent in at the end of the year for Advanced Placement credit consideration by the College Board. Students will create three sections of work. A breadth section will show their range and skill, a concentration section will focus on a specific subject or theme, and a quality section will show off their strongest pieces. This class is very involved and requires summer homework as well as a large time commitment.

Music and Art through the Ages

This course is designed for students to receive a fine arts credit in a non-performance venue. Students will look at and listen to many representations of art (paintings, sculpture, architecture) and music (choral, instrumental), primarily trhough the Internet. They will discover how the various forms evolved throughout the ages: cave art to pop art, plainchant to hip hop. This class will give students the tools to recognize and evaluate well-known artists and musicians and to discover not only how their culture and society influenced their works, but how their works often times "pushed the envelope" towards a new art/music form.