BALLET
There
is a $/semester accompanist fee assessed to each student for
participating in one or more after school ballet course (3:00 pm or
later).
|
Introduction to Ballet
| 0.5 Credit (Year) |
This course is an introduction to ballet training at the Barre. Students
learn the fundamental habits of movement coordination, especially in
reference to the Russian Classical Method (Vaganova). Ideal for the student with little or no training. Freshmen alternate with Health on B-days. Meets every other day all year during 6th or 7th hour on A-days.
|
Second Level Ballet
| 0.5 Credit (Year) |
This course provides students with the opportunity to progress technically with more complicated Barre work. Meets every other day all year during 6th or 7th hour on B-days.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of Introduction to Ballet or Instructor’s approval.
|
Introduction and Second Level Ballet With Center
| Tues only, AS 0.5 Credit (Year) |
This class is held from 3:00-4:45 on Tuesdays. It will include “Barre” and “Centre” practice. Those eligible will be serious in pursuing the more technical and artistic challenges of this art form.
|
Second and Third Level Ballet With Center
| Weds Only, AS 0.5 Credit (Year) |
This class is held from 3:00-4:45 on Wednesdays. It will include “Barre” and “Centre” practice. This class will introduce the basics of jumps and turns during the First Semester. Second Semester will increase the challenges of turning (“tours”) and allegro steps.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of classical ballet training.
|
Combined Tues & Weds
| AS 1 Credit (Year) |
See course descriptions above.
Prerequisite: Two semesters of classical ballet training.
|
Beginning “Pointe”
| Tues & Thurs, AS 1 Credit (Year) |
This class meets from 3:00-4:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The purchasing of “Demi-Pointe” or “Pointe” shoes will be necessary. Consult the instructor before purchasing “Pointe” shoes.
Requirement: Current enrollment in a 6th or 7th hour ballet course.
Prerequisite: Instructor’s approval and/or four semesters of classical ballet training. |
| Beginning “Pointe” | Combined Weds & Thurs, AS 1 Credit (Year) |
This class meets from 3:00-4:45 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The purchasing of “Demi-Pointe” or “Pointe” shoes will be necessary. Consult the instructor before purchasing the “Pointe” shoes.
Requirement: Current enrollment in a 6th or 7th hour ballet course.
Prerequisite: Instructor’s approval and/or four semester of classical ballet training.
|
| Beginning “Pointe" | Combined Tues, Weds & Thurs, AS 1 Credit (S1/S2) |
This class meet from 3:00-4:45 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The purchasing of “Demi-Pointe” or “Pointe” shoes will be necessary. Consult the instructor before purchasing the “Pointe” shoes.
Prerequisite: Instructor’s approval and/or four semesters of classical ballet training. |
Ballet courses may be taken for Fine Arts or Physical Education credit. Students must indicate FA or PE on the registration form to receive desired credit.
|
DRAMA
|
Theatre
| 0.5 Credit (S1) |
This
course is an exploration of the elements of theatre from the varied
perspectives of actor, scenic designer, technical director,
choreographer, producer and director. Students
receive an introduction to acting techniques using monologue and scene
work, a look at scenic design and how it affects a production, insight
into the job of the director, costume design as it defines the
character, and the technical aspects of a production. The theatre class also studies the roots of drama and the history of musical theatre.
Open to all students.
|
MUSIC
|
Bel Canto
| 1 Credit (Year) |
Bel Canto is an every day NON AUDITION performing ensemble. This ensemble introduces students to the basics of music reading and vocal performance. Students are required to participate in ALL concerts during the school year. Students interested in singing in Chamber Choir are strongly encouraged to join Bel Canto their freshmen year. Students who wish to continue performing with Bel Canto may also do so for as many years as their schedule allows.
Open to all students. |
Chamber Choir
| 1 Credit (Year) |
Chamber
Choir is an AUDITIONED performing ensemble open to students who have
previously participated in Chamber Choir OR Bel Canto. Chamber Choir provides a challenging choral experience for experienced singers. The
choir curriculum focuses on the further development of musical skills
including vocal technique, music reading, and the performance of a wide
variety of styles and languages. Numerous performances include Minnesota High School Music Competitions, choral festivals, and a performing tour every two years. Students who sign up for Chamber Choir commit for the entire year. Students are required to perform in ALL concerts during the school year.
Open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.
Prerequisite: Bel Canto or permission from the instructor to audition.
Requirement: Audition with Choir Director
|
VISTA String Orchestra
| 1 Credit (Year) |
The Vista String Orchestra includes players from Visitation School and Saint Thomas Academy. Musicians
interested in this class must play the violin, viola, cello, and bass,
and must have at least two years of playing experience. Orchestra meets daily as a regular class in the school schedule. The
Orchestra curriculum focuses not only on developing musical skills, but
also on developing an understanding and appreciation of music through
the study, rehearsal, and performance of concert repertoire. The orchestra participates in numerous concerts and special events throughout the school year. Please visit the class website for more information.
Open to all students with two years of playing experience.
|
VISTA Concert Band (STA)
| 1 Credit (Year) |
Vista
Band is open to students from Visitation School and Saint Thomas
Academy who have played a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument for
at least two years. VISTA Concert Band presents
three formal concerts, Pep Band performs at a variety of athletic
events, and Marching Band makes half time and parade appearances. Students
are encouraged to grow together as people, instrumentalists, musicians,
artists, and thinkers through the study of music in band. Select wind and percussion players join the VISTA String Ensemble in full orchestra concerts. Through private lessons, sectionals, and full ensemble playing, students enjoy musical growth within a unique social atmosphere. Students
who do not meet the prerequisite musical experience for this class
should contact the teacher to discuss options before registering.
Open to all students with two years of playing experience.
|
VISTA Jazz Band (STA)
| 1 Credit (Year) |
The VISTA Jazz Band meets twice weekly before school, with weekly sectionals after school. This course is open to students from both Visitation School and Saint Thomas Academy. Students prepare and perform music in a variety of jazz styles and learn about improvisation. VISTA Jazz Band performs in three formal concerts each year. Honors credit is available.
Open to all students.
Requirement: Audition with Band Director
|
VISUAL ARTS
Students must complete one semester of Drawing as a prerequisite for all other visual art courses. Course offerings will vary by semester based on student enrollment and scheduling needs.
|
Drawing
| 0.5 Credit (S1/S2) |
Drawing is all about training your eyes to see accurately and completely. That’s why it’s so important to learn some drawing skills before taking other art classes. Drawing students work with pencils, pens, charcoal, colored pencils, and pastels. Subject matter includes nature, objects, landscapes, people, and abstractions. Students learn about art masters’ use of drawing to create their masterpieces. They also learn about the elements and principles of design, so they can make good decisions in planning artworks.
Open to all students of all abilities.
Honors
credit available to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who have taken
two semesters of art including drawing with an A– or better in both
courses. A portfolio must be presented for evaluation to the department for approval.
|
Painting
| 0.5 Credit |
This class is a fun way to learn about artists, styles of art, and how ideas about art have changed over time. Students learn about artists, periods and styles of art from the 19th-20th centuries. Students
use the skills and techniques they learned in Drawing to create
paintings, using the studied artists as references for their own
original works.
Prerequisite: Drawing
Honors credit available to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who have taken two semesters of art including drawing and Painting with an A– or better in both courses. A portfolio must be p resented for evaluation to the department for approval.
|
Mixed Media
| 0.5 Credit |
If you like to make a mess with lots of different stuff, this is the class for you. A
variety of materials and processes is explored, including mixed media
paintings, pinhole photography, drawings, papermaking, collage, book
arts, and monoprints. The culminating project of the semester is an artist’s book combining these processes. Artist’s books are like sculptures that have a beginning, middle and end. The course is based on elements and principles of design.
Open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.
Prerequisite: Drawing
|
| Printmaking/Graphic Design | 0.5 Credit (S2) |
Printmaking is an art form that involves the transfer of ink from one surface to another and includes a wide range of methods, techniques, and graphics. The contributions of various artists and cultures will be included in this introduction to printmaking. Students will carve materials such as linoleum and rubber to create relief prints and will also create monotypes, screen prints and engravings. Development of drawing skills and color theory will be combined with personal expression and creativity in this studio course.
Open to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students.
Prerequisite: Drawing
Honors credit available to 12th grade students who have taken two semesters of art including drawing and printmaking/computer graphics with an A– or better in both courses. A portfolio
must be presented for evaluation to the department for approval.
|
Ceramics: Pottery
| 0.5 Credit |
Pots are useful containers made of clay. In this class students learn several ways to make pots, including hand building methods and pottery wheel methods. Students learn how to make objects like mugs, bowls, vases, jars, teapots, boxes, and plates. A
variety of surface designs and glazing methods are explored, and the
class studies the ways cultures have used clay throughout history.
In addition to firing our pieces in an electric kiln, we will spend one class period outdoors doing a raku firing.
Prerequisite: Drawing
Honors
credit available with permission of instructor for students who have
completed two semesters of art including Drawing and Pottery with an A- or higher.
|
Ceramics: Sculpture and Metals
| 0.5 Credit
|
Clay, wire, paper, and metal will be the main mediums for this study of three-dimensional art. This course will include time devoted to making environmental sculpture outdoors, time in the darkroom making photographic images that will then be turned into sculpture, in addition to time in the ceramic studio creating clay sculpture. This class will also introduce metals, with students making Calder-like mobiles and simple jewelry out of hand cut metals.
Prerequisite: Drawing |
