High School Fine Arts Courses
ART
ART 10
Art 10 is an introduction to all aspects of the visual arts with a strong emphasis on the study of design. This includes in-depth studies of the essence of design, the process, the elements and principles of design, symbolism and applications. Studio concepts include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and collage. Art history and theory centers on "the Canadian look". Equipment/materials required for this course include drawing pencils, and a white or kneadable art eraser, blending stick.
*This course has an additional fee. Please refer to our school website for the current “School Fees” found under the “Resources” tab.
ART 20/30
This combined course involving two programs over a two-year period, which emphasizes exploration on a more personal basis. Units of study include design, drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, art history and aesthetics on an international basis. Students require a basic art kit consisting of drawing pencils, art eraser and blending sticks. Equipment/materials required for this course include drawing pencils, and a white or kneadable art eraser, blending stick.
*This course has an additional fee. Please refer to our school website for the current “School Fees” found under the “Resources” tab.
BONUS: Medicine Hat College agrees to award advanced credit for ARFN 232 – Visual Studies (4 Credits) to Crescent Heights High School students who have successfully completed Art 30 plus any 3 single credit modules in Digital Arts and Media. This agreement could save our students one class in their timetable and roughly $500 in registration fees upon entering Visual Studies at MHC.
ART 31
Art 31 is a continuation of Art 30 for those students interested in furthering their fascination with the arts, or pursuing post-secondary opportunities in the visual arts or design field. Students will enjoy a primarily self-directed course of study and further opportunity to refine and develop personal style, while working to complete a portfolio for post-secondary submission. This course examines the impact of international influences and modern technology on modern art and its impact on society. The student needs to complete Art 30 with an 80% or higher to take Art 31. Equipment/materials required for this course include drawing pencils, and a white or kneadable art eraser, blending stick.
*This course has an additional fee. Please refer to our school website for the current “School Fees” found under the “Resources” tab.
DRAMA 10/20/30
High School Drama is a fun introduction into the exploration of theatre, involving movement, speech, improvisation/acting, stagecraft, theatre tech and theatre studies. All beginners are welcome for all grade levels. Participation includes a variety of learning situations with both individual and small group work. Most of the content and skills are explored while participating in drama games as a group. Students practice and improve their skills for performances. Drama is also a course which can be taken all the way through to high school graduation.
Possible areas to be explored include planned and spontaneous improvisation, theatre sports, scripted work, film/video performance art, tableau, creative movement, mime, stage fighting, dance drama, storytelling, special effects stage makeup, set design as well as some technical theatre components to be taught on site in our theatre.
Drama facilitates an environment where students will: develop self -confidence, self-discipline, and a positive self-image. Explore and develop physical and speaking capabilities. Extend the ability to think creatively, and develop a sense for expression, extend the ability to explore, develop the ability to initiate, organize, and present a project within a given set of guidelines. This Drama course is very inclusive and provides many opportunities for students to act and to perform in a state-of-the-art profession quality theatre.
Theatre Arts Program at CHHS
Theatre Arts is a High School program for students enrolled in the Sr. Drama, Choral Music and Musical Theatre class who are in the Musical which is performed in February. Every student who enrolls in Drama has an opportunity to meet with the Director and Musical Director for the production and have a singing consultation for the Musical. This occurs in the late Spring. Goals include students becoming knowledgeable in all aspects of production for a musical while also being a performer in a major production. The Theatre Arts program aims to give students an amazing learning experience which is unmatched by any other programs in our city by performing in major productions.
Theatre Arts students accomplish impressive tasks through being in the musical:
*Complete Drama 10/20/30 & Choral Music 10/20/30 & Musical Theatre 15/25/35 to earn 5 credits per course – 15 total credits in a year (based on prior course enrollment).
*Credits will only be earned after the successful completion of the musical when the course ends in the 2024. These courses are considered longer than a report card in duration and meet many objectives outside of school hours.
Students in the Theatre Arts program must understand how they are receiving credit for course work which extends beyond the regular school day. Cast member should expect to attend classes and rehearsals and complete projects assigned for the class. Commit to afterschool rehearsals: Monday or Tuesday after school and Sunday afternoon rehearsals. Leading members have some additional acting rehearsals. Students will perform in all performances outside of regular class time for the Musical for 2 weeks in February. Cast members attend major rehearsals and dress rehearsals prior to the Musical. All students also work together to complete production responsibilities outside of class time such as for set build, prop creation, and set panting etc. There are many opportunities for students to meet the learning objectives for all 3 courses while preparing and staging the musical in February.
GUITAR
Guitar (General Music 10/20/30) is available to any Sr. High student regardless of musical ability. Whether you have taken lessons before or never done anything with music this course will be right for you. The course spends time on chords, note reading, and TAB reading. The Guitar 10 course is an intro to these skills, Guitar 20 is a more expanded view on the three main skills, and Guitar 30 will be a more individually driven course for students to focus on what they want to develop as musicians.
A $50 rental fee will be added to your school account should you wish to use of the school instruments. If you wish to provide your own acoustic guitar, this fee will not be charged.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 10, 20 & 30
The opportunities provided for each student in the Senior Band program are directed at offering creatively positive musical experiences. Students can gain 5 credits for each complete year of enrolment to a maximum of 15.
If instrument rental is necessary, it is charged out at a cost of $50 per semester. These fees are added directly to the school fee account.
In Band, classics, orchestral transcriptions, original compositions, and arrangements of contemporary and popular music are studied with the intent of performance at the highest level possible. Aspects of music composition and theory are an important part of the course.
Students must purchase a white Band dress shirt for all performances. The cost varies each year but is usually around $45.00. Students are also required to provide basic wearing apparel for uniform purposes: black slacks/skirt, black tights/socks, and black shoes.
The Band travels and performs as much as time and funding permits. Travel is structured around a three-year cycle: close to home, provincial / interprovincial, and international. Fundraising opportunities are provided to students which will help them raise money toward band expenses. All Senior Band parents are invited and encouraged to become involved in the Band Parents Association.
MUSIC—PRIVATE STUDY
A school may grant 5 credits for each of Choral Music 10, 20 or 30 for voice; or Instrumental Music 10, 20 or 30 for an instrument private study. Students are not to receive credits for both school music and music by private study when those programs are either instrumental or both choral (voice). Official documentation is required and must include theory study too. Go to www.education.gov.ab.ca and follow the links to Guide to Education (K-12, Legislation, Regulations and Policies) or speak to a counsellor.