Fine Arts

Ceramics & Sculpture introduces students to the basics of hand building methods with modeling, coil building, and slab construction. Students will gain a basic understanding of the nature of clay, clay-forming methods, paint/glaze application and the firing of a kiln. Students will learn about what it means to be an artist and how to express their own creativity in a variety of functional and sculptural projects. Students will also learn how to critique a piece of art as well as learn about historical and contemporary artists.  

Ceramics & Sculpture I

Ceramics & Sculpture II is a continuation of the handbuilding skills from Ceramics I which students take to a higher level and explore new surface design techniques. Students may develop their skill throwing on the potter’s wheel and will explore developing their own artistic voice. Students will dive deeper into what it means to be an artist and also learn about the business side of it. Successful completion of Ceramics & Sculpture I is a prerequisite for Ceramics & Sculpture II. 

Ceramics & Sculpture II

This class is meant to serve as a basic introduction to the elements of visual storytelling. Intro to Comics Art is an engaging studio class; its purpose is to educate not only cartoonists but anyone interested in visual narratives through the exploration of illustration and character design.

Comics and Illustration

Digital Photography I introduces students to the ideas, techniques, and processes of digital photography. Students will learn about the history of photography and early photographers. Creating digital photographs is the foremost learning activity. Students will learn basic camera operation, including downloading, storing, and printing procedures necessary to produce digital images. Emphasis is on developing and applying skills of composition as they learn to produce photographic images as a means of creative expression. Digital Photography I includes exciting image criticism along with the technical skills to increase the students' love of photography.

Digital Photography I

Digital Photography II is an advanced-level course that gives students the opportunity to continue working in digital photography with greater depth and competence. Students will refine their technical skills in image making and digital manipulation. This course emphasizes understanding of content, composition, and communication required to create effective photographic images. In Digital Photography II, students continue to explore and experiment with digital enhancement for more creative and expressive photographs. Students will expand an idea or theme to create a series of images throughout the semester. Digital Photography II includes the continuation of techniques, history, aesthetics, and criticism as a photographer.

Digital Photography II

Graphic Arts I is an introductory course that provides students with experiences in the practical application of imaginative ideas in the graphics field. The emphasis is on creative thinking, problem solving, and visual communication. Through a variety of explorative projects, students learn basic skills to produce a strong piece of design. This course offers students an opportunity to learn the methods and thinking processes of a graphic artist. Students work both traditionally and on the computer in creating their work. 

Graphic Arts I

This second-level course builds on the foundations established in Comics and Illustration, expanding the idea of storytelling and narrative. This class is meant to expand the elements of visual storytelling by exploring animation and animated stories through the 12 key elements of classic animation. 

Animation and Drawing

This course provides a background in understanding, evaluating, and producing motion pictures. Students work collaboratively to assess and use media platforms to effectively communicate stories and messages effectively. They will learn from a variety of movies of different formats, as well as readings, and will make many videos, including narrative scenes, short movies, public service announcements, music videos, and trailers.  

Introduction to Film & Video

Produce movies for a wide variety of school activities! Write your own scripts! Direct and edit your own video projects! Study innovative and interesting movies! In this class, students will develop their skills in various production aspects of digital motion pictures, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, VFX, and editing. They will use advanced editing and effects programs to develop critical skills for today’s media and professional needs. In addition, they will study the history, technical developments, and artistry of moving images, and they will heighten their collaborative and analytical abilities through both creative and critical means. 

Advanced Film & Video

Studio Art I is a foundation course that introduces students to the language of art and the creative process. Students will gain a basic understanding of art elements and learn to apply art principles using a variety of art media. Students will develop skills in observation, drawing, composition, use of color, and painting. Studio Art I includes the study of artists and their works, art history, aesthetics, and criticism. Studio Art I is a great way to engage in a creative outlet.

Studio Art I

Today’s media landscape provides a dazzling array of motion picture platforms to communicate to audiences. In this course, students develop skills in analyzing, investigating, and producing multimedia journalism, public service announcements, short documentaries, fiction stories, and portraits related to topics of community and personal interest. Students will explore television studio and streaming media standards along with types of motion picture development and content. Course themes include all phases of motion picture production and project management, different types of current media messages and streaming platforms, and other sources of topical importance and student interest. Students will learn advanced editing techniques, VFX applications, journalism standards, and related skills.

Video & TV Production

Concert Choir is a non-auditioned vocal ensemble open to all grades. Students will prepare repertoire for four (4) major performances throughout the year, as well as other performances within the community. Students will work to hone their vocal instrument and produce sound in a healthy, supported way. Students also sharpen their music literacy skills and have the opportunity to audition for regionals, all-state, and participate in the NCCC honors choir.

Concert Choir

AP Music Theory is a rigorous, fast-paced survey of the fundamentals of music theory, including both written and aural components. Students will engage in score study and begin to sharpen their composition skills. This course prepares students for continued music study at the undergraduate level. 

AP Music Theory

Percussion Ensemble is a performing ensemble designed for students who have previous experience in band and have an interest in further developing their skills in the percussive arts. Students will develop advanced technical skills and a heightened level of musical expression through the study of varied styles of music and develop skills on a wide variety of percussion instruments such as snare drum, timpani, mallet percussion, drum set, and more. Percussion Ensemble will perform as a stand-alone ensemble in addition to combining with the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble for performances. Students will have the opportunity to perform for the school, community, and travel to destinations across the United States for performance. 

Percussion Ensemble

Symphonic Band is a performing ensemble designed for students who have previous experience performing on a woodwind or brass instrument. Students will develop advanced technical skills on their instrument and a heightened level of musical expression through the study of varying styles of music. Students will have the opportunity to perform for the school, community, and travel to destinations across the United States for performance. Honors credit is available for students who elect to complete extended assignments and a special project approved by the band director.

Symphonic Band

Audio Production I is an introductory course that explores the basic functions of a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and MIDI keyboard. Students learn how to create music in GarageBand through projects that align with industry expectations. This course demands of students the willingness to take creative risks and explore musical ideas on their own. 

Audio Production I

Audio Production II is a continuation of content begun in Audio Production I. Audio Production II will focus on advanced composition techniques using digital audio workstations, live sound recording, music, and effects as an accompaniment to other forms of media, such as film and podcasting.

Audio Production II

Students enrolled in Guitar will learn the fundamentals of guitar technique, single-line playing, commonly used chords, songwriting skills, and how to play music from a variety of popular music genres. Students will also develop skills in learning new music from a variety of sources, including traditional notation, tablature, songsheets, and by ear. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the skills to continue pursuing guitar independently.

Guitar

This is a semester-long course that will provide the basic foundations for piano playing through the lens of popular music. 

Piano

This course is a rigorous survey of American popular music, focused on the contribution of marginalized identities. This is a discussion-based course, and students are expected to be engaged in nuanced and interdisciplinary thought. Students will also hone their college-level academic writing skills through research essays. This course demands openness to others’ ideas and lived experiences and a willingness to engage in a mature way with topics surrounding the experience of marginalized identities. 

UCONN ECE Popular Music and Diversity in American Society

This elective course provides a foundational understanding of acting and directing for stage. Students will engage in critical analysis, scene work, collaborative projects, and writing of their own original scenes. This course is open to anyone and everyone!

Principles of Acting

This course deals with set construction, lighting, and sound design for stage productions. Students will study the history of the theater, technical strategies for enhancing performances through design, and apply skills by assisting with fall and spring dramatic productions during the school day.

Technical Theater

Wind Ensemble is an advanced honors-level performing ensemble for woodwind and brass musicians who are motivated by performing challenging literature. Students will develop advanced technical skills and musicianship through preparation of grade 3, 4, and 5 literature (this system is out of 6 and is a nationally recognized classification system), select and apply rehearsal strategies to overcome individual and ensemble challenges, use research, social and historical context, and personal experiences to interpret music, and present music through performance in a meaningful way. 

Recommendation from the Band Director is required.