Experiences in Art and Music
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
This year-long course is designed to expose students to
creative experiences in both art and music. While the course is a full
year, it will be divided into half-year instruction in both visual and
performing arts. During the art semester, students will experience art
as an introduction to future art courses or simply as a creative
outlet. This course component is designed to broaden students’
appreciation and understanding of art within an environment that is
conducive to self-expression and creative problem solving. Topics to be
addressed will include: the elements of art (line, form, space,
texture, and color theory), drawing (one and two-point perspective,
shading, contour, and figure drawing) and commercial art (animation,
poster, package, and logo design). During the music semester, students
will be exposed to the evolution of music and its development within
society. This course component will focus on the development of musical
styles, the careers of recognized, accomplished musicians, and the
impact that music has had on culture. Students will be engaged in
learning activities that will expose them to the theories and examples
of music that range from the middle ages through contemporary music.
This course is only offered as a full-year option and will fulfill the
state graduation requirement for visual and performing arts.
Art I
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Art I is an introductory level course and is a
prerequisite for all other classes in the Visual Arts, except
Experiences in Art. This course will cover a variety of art-related
topics, which include technical drawing skills, design elements and
principles, color theory, two and three-dimensional design, aesthetics,
and art history. The students will also be introduced to a variety of
different approaches to art-making. These might include printmaking,
sculpture, painting, collage, drawing and illustration. Instructional
emphasis will rely heavily on the foundation areas of drawing using the
“ten basic drawing criteria.” Above all, students will be provided
assignments that allow them to make decisions and solve problems while
still developing important technical skills. The skills acquired this
year should enable students to continue to create art independently and
prepare them for advanced art courses taught at Clearview Regional High
School. All courses are aligned to the New Jersey Core Curriculum
Content Standards.
Art II
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Art I
Art II is a year-long course, designed to advance skills
and concepts studied in Art I. Students will be given opportunities to
expand their knowledge and talents by incorporating drawing skills with
newly learned techniques and applications. Furthermore, students will
be able to identify, discuss, and create projects which incorporate
color theory, painting, printmaking, and art history. Emphasis will be
placed upon creative problem solving, development of effective
communication skills (both verbal and nonverbal), and application of the
elements and principles of design. Skills acquired in this course
should assist students in making art independently as well as preparing
them for advanced art courses at Clearview.
Art III
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Art II
Art III is a year-long course, designed to advance
skills and concepts studied in Art II. Students will be given
opportunities to expand their knowledge and talents by incorporating
drawing, painting, and color skills with newly learned techniques and
applications. Furthermore, students will be able to identify, discuss,
and create projects which incorporate three-dimensional design,
sculpture, and ceramics. Emphasis will be placed upon creative problem
solving, development of effective communication skills (both verbal and
nonverbal), and application of the elements and principles of design.
Skills acquired in this course should assist students in making art
independently as well as preparing them for advanced art courses at
Clearview.
Honors Art III
Length: Year
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 5
Prerequisite: Art II and teacher recommendation
In addition to the description covered in Art III, Art
III Honors is the required preparatory course for students wishing to
continue into Advanced Placement Art IV in their senior year. The goal
of the course is to complete a series of art projects that will serve as
the initial portion of a college portfolio. This course is an
essential component for a student to have enough completed art works to
apply to AP Art IV.
Honors Art IV
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Art III
This is an advanced Art course for students who want to
complete the four-year art sequence. Students will pursue art concepts
and techniques in depth. After choosing areas of particular interest,
students will develop and pursue independent study plans with clear
goals, objectives, and timelines. The instructor must approve all plans
and will monitor their progress and completion. A major goal of this
course is to develop the ability to successfully demonstrate
self-discipline in meeting goals in a timely and scheduled manner.
Advanced Placement Studio Art IV
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Art III, teacher recommendation and portfolio review
Advanced Placement Studio Art IV is a course designed
for the artistically talented student who is seriously interested in the
practical experience of art. The student should have successfully
completed Art III with demonstrated academic success. This course will
prepare students for the AP assessment in Art, and all students are
encouraged to participate in this assessment process in May. Assessment
for AP Studio Art is based upon submission and evaluation of the
student’s portfolio work, which consists of three sections: quality,
breadth and concentration. A written Statement of Purpose must also
accompany the portfolio. Students will be expected to work extensively
outside of the classroom in order to complete the portfolio. Summer
assignments will be required in this course.
Commercial Art and Photography
Length: Semester Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Art II, teacher recommendation
This year-long course is designed to introduce students
to the techniques, materials and processes involved in both commercial
art and photography. During the Commercial Art component, students will
use a variety of creative techniques to generate and utilize artistic
images in a commercially-oriented context. Students will gain insight
into various print-media reproduction techniques with an emphasis on the
selection and creation of images for the mass media. Students will
gain experience in techniques, which may include: typography, type
design, manipulation of letter forms, graphic design, computer graphics,
digital photography, manipulation of digitized images, and
illustration. The Photography component of this course is designed to
broaden students’ visual and technical skills in both digital
photography as well as 35mm SLR photography. Students will learn the
functions and various uses for both cameras as they explore composition
and content to produce aesthetically appealing photographs. Through the
use of digital photography, students will master the basic skills of
reading histograms, applying artistic tools and techniques, photograph
reconstruction, and photograph editing in PhotoShop. While using the
35mm camera, students will cover basic camera functions, exposure
control, film development, enlarging and printing techniques, and print
presentation. While this course is a full year, it will be divided into
half-year instruction in both commercial art and photography. This
course is only offered as a full-year option and will fulfill the state
graduation requirement for visual and performing arts.
Choir
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
All 9th grade students and any student enrolling in
Choir in the High School for the first time in high school will be in
this class. This course provides students with the opportunity for
vocal development, ear training, and sight reading through a study of
various choral works. Attitude, participation, and improvement will be
the major determinants for the student’s grade. All students are
required to participate in the scheduled concerts throughout the school
year. Students will have the opportunity to audition for the Concert
Choir and Vocale Ensemble for the following year.
Concert Choir
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: High School Choir or permission of instructor for new students.
This course will continue to provide students with the
opportunity for vocal development, ear training, and sight- reading
through a study of various choral works. All students are required to
participate in the scheduled concerts throughout the school year.
Students will be selected for this class based on an audition that will
take place during the previous school year. Any student not selected
for this course may take the Choir class. Opportunity will be provided
for interested students to audition for the Vocale Ensemble for the
following school year.
Honors Vocale Ensemble
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
This honors-level course is for the advanced and
exceptionally gifted choral student. Students will be expected to
function at a high level of musicianship. Entrance to this ensemble is
through audition that will occur in the spring of the prior school
year. Students will be expected to perform at a variety of functions
throughout the year. Additionally, students will be expected to attend
evening practices.
Band
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of two years of playing Middle School Band music or audition with the instructor
The Band program will provide experiences for the wind
and percussion instrumentalist. Various techniques, inter-pretation,
intonation, and general musicianship will be developed through the use
of appropriate band repertoire. Participation in all school
performances is required.
Honors Wind Ensemble
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
This honors-level course is for the advanced and
exceptionally trained instrumental student. Students will be expected
to function at a high level of musicianship. Entrance to this ensemble
is through audition that will occur in the spring of the prior school
year. Students will be expected to perform at a variety of functions
throughout the year. Additionally, students will be expected to attend
evening practices.
Brass Techniques
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Band
The Brass Techniques class is designed for the
instrumental music student who desires advanced instruction on a brass
instrument. This class will focus on playing techniques, skill
development, solo performance, and small ensemble performance.
Percussion Techniques
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Band
This course will help students further their knowledge
of the percussion instrument family. With these skills, students will
perform percussion ensemble music in various styles, such as Classical,
Jazz, Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian. Students should have a basic
concept of percussion before enrollment in the course.
Woodwind Techniques
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in Band
The Woodwind Techniques class is designed for the
instrumental music student who desires advanced instruction on a
woodwind instrument. This class will focus on playing techniques, skill
development, solo performance, and small ensemble performance.
Piano Techniques
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
The Piano Techniques class is designed for the music
student who desires instruction on the piano. Piano keyboard skills
will be taught in a group instructional setting. Students will acquire a
core of basic playing and reading skills; more advanced students will
be able to progress according to their abilities. To achieve this,
students should expect to participate in independent practice,
self-directed activities and performance-based evaluations. This class
is intended for students who have previously demonstrated strong
interest or talent in music.
Advanced Piano Techniques
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Piano Techniques or permission of Instructor
Advanced Piano Techniques will provide experienced
pianists the opportunity to improve their technical and artistic
skills. Students will explore repertoire of the Baroque, Classical,
Romantic and Modern eras. Activities will include individual practice,
ensemble playing, written and aural theory drills and a performance
project. This class is intended for self-motivated music students who
can successfully participate in a self-directed activity.
Music Theory
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Wind Ensemble or Vocale Ensemble or permission of instructor.
This course is designed for the musically talented
student who wishes to improve written and aural musical skills. It is
expected that the entering student is already able to read music. The
course will include the study of all aspects of music theory, including
notation, analysis, sight-singing, composition, and harmony. Students
will utilize the Music Theory Lab and its MIDI/Computer stations
complete with piano keyboards, notation software and instructional
programs. This class will prepare music students for AP Music Theory or
college level musical study.
Advanced Placement Music Theory
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Music Theory I, teacher recommendation
Advanced Placement Music Theory is a course designed for
the musically talented student who has previously demonstrated academic
excellence in Music Theory I. This course will prepare students to
take the AP Music Theory exam. Students enrolled in this course are
encouraged to take the exam, which is administered in May of each school
year. The material covered in this course is equivalent to a
first-year college music theory course. The course will address musical
notation, terminology, compositional skills, analysis, aural skills,
and sight-singing. The development of listening skills, especially
those involving recognition and comprehension of melodic and rhythmic
patterns, harmonic function, small forms, and compositional techniques
will be emphasized. Musical examples studied will be selected from a
standard repertoire with some exposure to contemporary, jazz,
vernacular, and non-Western music. Students will be encouraged to take
the Advanced Placement Exam in the spring.