The Fine Arts Department provides students opportunities to create, present, respond, and connect in authentic ways to promote critical thinking and collaboration for the modern global community. Students in the visual arts are encouraged to explore a variety of materials, tools, and techniques to produce artistic works that communicate ideas and deepen students’ understanding of themselves and the world around them. Media arts offer students an opportunity to explore film-making through independent and collaborative media projects. Music and theatre courses are designed to improve critical thinking and leadership skills, confidence, and self-discipline through skill acquisition and collaboration.

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MUSIC
AP Music Theory
Prerequisite: Music Theory
AP Music Theory is a course open to advanced music students in grades 10-12. AP Theory students must be able to read music notation at NYSSMA Level 5 and demonstrate an understanding of theory fundamentals (scales, chord structures, basic harmonic progressions) to enroll in this course. Students can demonstrate their mastery in these areas through an audition or interview with a member of the high school music faculty for admission into AP Music Theory. The study of AP Music Theory integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are an important part of the theory course. The ultimate goal of an AP Music Theory course is to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Students will learn fundamental aural, analytical, and compositional skills using both listening and written exercises, harmonize melody by selecting appropriate chords, compose a musical bass line to provide two-voice counterpoint, and perform the realization of figured-bass notation.

Concert Band
The Concert Band is open to all qualified wind, brass, and percussion students in Grades 9-10. The objective of the Concert Band is to continue the development of performance skills, technique, and musicianship fundamentals learned in the middle school band program. The ensemble will perform a variety of band literature for both concert and marching band. This is a performance-based class that requires many performances throughout the year, including home football games, concerts, and festivals. Participation in Concert Band is required for any student wishing to audition for select band ensembles including Jazz Band.

Concert Choir
The Concert Choir is open to all students in grades 9-12. This ensemble provides students an opportunity to sing all types of choral repertoire in a mixed ensemble. The class is designed to reinforce basic vocal skills and development and to cultivate musical understanding and appreciation. Students will learn and perform a variety of music from classical, popular, and holiday vocal repertoire (NYSSMA levels IV – VI). Participation in Concert Choir is required for any student wishing to audition for select choral ensembles including Jazz Choir.

Concert Orchestra
The Concert Orchestra is a performance class open to all qualified students in Grade 9 who play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The objective of the Concert Orchestra is to develop technical, performance, and musicianship skills learned in Middle School Orchestra. The ensemble is designed to create opportunities for orchestral musicians to study and perform a variety of repertoire composed for string ensembles. Concert Orchestra members are required to perform in all concerts throughout the year. Participation in Concert Orchestra or String Orchestra is required for any student wishing to audition for select string ensembles.

Guitar Workshop
Guitar Workshop is a one-semester course for beginning musicians. Students will learn to play basic guitar chords and chord progressions, read guitar tablature and traditional musical notation, and perform songs in a variety of styles. Class activities include group rehearsal and group performance. Students will also be introduced to master guitarists through recordings and video. Students will work on projects appropriate to their experience and performance goals. This course is open to all students in grades 10-12.

Music Exploration
Students develop an understanding of music and its importance in their lives. Learning experiences include guided listening, analysis, discussion, and hands-on experimentation – including informal performance, improvisation, or composition – focused on how various styles of music apply musical elements to create expressive or aesthetic impact. Students will explore musical expression through physical movement, vocal performance, playing Orff and percussion instruments, and composing and creating using music software.

Music Theory
Music Theory is a course open to all vocal and instrumental students in grades 10-12. Theory students must be able to read basic music notation to enroll in this course. Students will study the foundations of Music Theory: elements of musical form and structure, basic harmonic analysis, and composition. Music Theory is a prerequisite for the AP Music Course.

Private Music Instruction
Students who take weekly private instruction for an entire school year (from September through June) in voice, piano, or any instrument may receive a school unit for this study. This unit does not satisfy the graduation arts requirement; however, it will be noted on a student’s transcript. The student and private music teacher must fill out forms, which are available from their high school music teachers. Private Instruction is considered an activity for which the state grants one-half unit, but it is not considered a course.

String Orchestra
The String Orchestra is a performance-based class open to all qualified students in Grades 9-12 who play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The ensemble performs a variety of literature (NYSSMA Levels III-V), with an emphasis placed on the organic growth of advanced technical, performance, and musicianship skills learned in prior years of study. String Orchestra members are required to perform in all concerts throughout the year. Participation in String Orchestra is required for any student wishing to audition for select string ensembles.

Studio Music Production and Composition
Studio Music Production and Composition is open to all students in grades 9-12. Students will be introduced to the elements of music (form, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, history, and style) through electronic means. This course provides students with the experience of composing music using computers, microphones, and digital recording. The class is designed with a hands-on approach where students create their own original electronic music compositions.

Studio Music Production and Composition II
Prerequisite: Studio Music Production and Composition
Students will develop a music portfolio containing completely original works reflecting current trends in popular music. Using the Logic Pro software, they will design and construct all elements of their compositions (harmony, melody, rhythm, form) while recording live instrumental and vocal tracks. The students will be paired with performers from concurrent music courses or outside clubs in order to collaborate on various recording projects. In addition, students will analyze current styles of electronica and recreate selected styles using their own compositional voice. Each student will gain a fundamental understanding of Music Theory and keyboard skills that will further enhance his or her creative potential. This course will serve as a college preparatory course for students who are interested in further pursuing Studio Music Production.

Symphonic Winds
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Concert Band
Symphonic Winds is an advanced performing group designed for the experienced wind, brass, and percussion students in grades 9-12. The ensemble performs advanced high school and collegiate-level band literature covering a wide variety of musical styles (NYSSMA levels V and VI). Skill development will include individual musicianship and technical development particular to each student’s chosen instrument. This is a performance-based class that requires performances throughout the year, including community events, concerts, and festivals. Participation in Symphonic Winds is required for any student wishing to audition for select band ensembles including Jazz Band.

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THEATRE ARTS
Theatre Tech
(654 - 1 Unit)
Departmental approval required.
Theatre Tech is an advanced course open to students in grades 10-12. Students should have a
strong interest in the technical elements of theatre and must have completed a minimum of three
shows with BHHS Stage, the high school theatre company. The tech theatre students receive
instruction in lighting, sound and production and coordinate all the tech work for school assemblies
and evening student activities. Instructor approval is required.

Theatre Workshop
Theatre Workshop is a one-semester experiential course appropriate for both the veteran theatre
student and the absolute novice. Class activities might include improvisation, theatre games,
monologue performance, scene study, technical theatre and one act play production. Students will
work on projects and materials appropriate for their experience and performance goals. This course
is open to all students in grades 9-12.

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VISUAL & MEDIA ARTS

Studio Art
This course is a prerequisite for enrollment in all Visual and Media Art Department courses.
Studio Art is designed to introduce students to a variety of concepts, media, and methods used by visual artists. Art history is integrated as a creative motivation and catalyst for new ideas. The assigned projects may include drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, and sculpture.

Advanced Drawing and Painting
Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting
In this full-year course, a variety of drawing media (pencil, charcoal, marker, ink, etc.) and painting materials (watercolor, tempera, acrylic, mixed media, etc.) may be used to explore the figure, still-life, etc., as well as more experimental, less traditional approaches to art. Students will study major paintings by artists and movements in art. At the end of the course, students will be able to: demonstrate and apply their knowledge of color theory; show their understanding of the effects of light, contour line, proportion, value, linear and aerial perspective in creating an illusion of three-dimensional space; apply knowledge of composition through the use of positive and negative space; apply knowledge of facial proportion and means of expression through self-portraiture. This class is an elective for an Art or Fine Arts sequence and a requirement for application to the AP Studio Art Program.

Advanced Photography
Prerequisite: Photography
This course challenges the student with complex photographic problems and experimental projects. Advanced Photography emphasizes the student's personal photographic essay. Course emphasis is on unique personal solutions to problems, technical depth, high-quality craftsmanship, exhibition techniques, portfolio development, and the use of technology. Students will work with the darkroom and digital photography to create a body of work. This course is a prerequisite for AP Photography.

Ceramics II
Prerequisite: Sculpture and Ceramics
Ceramics II is a one-semester course for students interested in focusing on clay as a vehicle for expression. Students will learn to use a potter’s wheel and continue to develop skill using hand-building methods of construction. They will extend their understanding of the elements and principles of design to create 3-dimensional works emphasizing composition, form, texture, structure, and function. They will also expand their knowledge of glazing and surface decoration techniques. This class is an elective and a course option in the pathway for application to the AP 3-D Design Program.

Ceramics Workshop
Prerequisite: Ceramics II and permission of instructor
Ceramics Workshop is a course for students who want to continue to develop their skills in ceramics, either through wheel-throwing, hand-building, or a combination. Students must be capable of working independently to plan, execute, document, and reflect on their work. They will learn advanced construction and surface design techniques while creating a portfolio of pieces for exhibition. With permission from the instructor, Ceramics Workshop may be repeated for more than one semester.

Digital and Media Arts
This course introduces students to the creative and conceptual aspects of media arts production, including a range of techniques, genres and styles, mediums, and forms. Focus is on the development of ideas and the application of form and structure through the application of a variety of media, and the study of historical and contemporary art and artists from a worldwide perspective.

Digital Storytelling
Prerequisite: Movie Making and Media, Introduction to Film
3 college credits are available through the SUNY Early College Experience Program
This hands-on course centers on telling stories using video. While working individually and in small groups, students will create movies demonstrating an understanding of the primary language and filmmaking techniques. Students will work individually and in groups to produce, edit, and output several original short films using cameras and Adobe Premiere CC (an authentic professional-level editing software). Topics include storytelling, shot composition, storyboarding, audio recording, editing, and workflow.

Drawing and Painting
Prerequisite: Studio Art
In this half-year course, a variety of drawing media (pencil, charcoal, marker, ink, etc.) and painting materials (watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, etc.) may be used to explore the figure, still-life, etc., as well as more experimental, less traditional, approaches to art. At the end of the course, students will be able to: demonstrate and apply their knowledge of color theory; show their understanding of the effects of light, contour line, proportion, value, linear and aerial perspective in creating an illusion of three-dimensional space; apply knowledge of composition through the use of positive and negative space. Students will be encouraged to find a unique personal solution to each problem. This class is an elective for an Art or Fine Arts sequence.

Graphic Design I
Graphic Design I is a single-semester course that introduces students to photo manipulation and illustration software. Students will create photo-composites, original illustrations, logo designs, and graphic designs. As the course progresses, students will have the opportunity to create art for open-ended choice assignments.

Graphic Design II
Prerequisite: Graphic Design I
Graphic Design II is a single-semester course that advances students' skills in photo compositing, illustration, and graphic design. As the course progresses, students will have the opportunity to create art for open-ended choice assignments. Students will have the opportunity to build an AP Graphic Design Application Portfolio to be submitted at the end of this course.

Introduction to Film
Prerequisite: Movie Making and Media
3 college credits are available through the SUNY Early College Experience Program
An introduction to the “language” of film, this course familiarizes students with the key elements of cinema: narrative, cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, and sound. Focusing primarily on fictional narrative films, the course will explore how filmmakers employ the essential elements of cinema to reveal character, convey plot and theme, and create meaning. Both “classical” Hollywood style and alternative styles will be discussed. Students work individually and in groups to produce, edit, and output original short films using cameras and Adobe Premiere CC. Students will learn to critically analyze films and effectively communicate their ideas in writing and by creating short films. In addition to a mid-term and a final exam, there will be several scene analysis projects.

Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design
Prerequisite: Studio Art
This is a 3-dimensional design course that reinforces the students’ understanding of the art elements and principles of design. Students will create small-scale sculptural works of art in metal and mixed media. Students will learn metalsmithing techniques while examining the historical backgrounds of jewelry design from ancient to contemporary cultures. They will learn fabrication techniques, understand how to layout a design and create it in metal, and how to communicate their ideas through their works of art. Students will participate in both self and group assessments and evaluations. This class is an elective and a course option in the pathway for application to the AP 3-D Design Program.

Movie Making and Media
Contemporary culture is dominated by film, television, video, and related media that provide entertainment and convey information that may influence our beliefs and actions. The study of visual art that moves through time: That’s why “film arts” are sometimes referred to as Moving Pictures. In short, we call them movies. Students will learn practical ways to plan and complete productions through group and individual work. They will be introduced to cameras, sound equipment, and good, usable media techniques. In addition, they will learn post-production skills using professional editing software. Students will explore various moviemaking approaches through practical teacher-directed exercises and self-guided assignments. Online journaling and reflection will also help to document learning throughout the semester. This course encourages students to explore various available filmmaking materials and approaches independently. Students must create their original short movies through collaboration and independent work.

Photography
Prerequisite: Studio Art
This course is designed to introduce students to the technical and creative aspects of photography. At the end of this course, students will be able to operate (both) a 35mm manual camera as well as a DSLR, develop black and white film and use the darkroom to make enlargements. Students will also work with digital photography and will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop and other editing programs.

Sculpture and Ceramics
Prerequisite: Studio Art
This course is designed for the student to experience and develop ideas of expression while working with a variety of sculpture materials including clay, wire, paper, and cardboard. The student will explore the concepts of form in space, and compare characteristics of functional and nonfunctional form. Students will experience hand-building techniques and learn about glazes and surface decoration. Works of various sculptors, ancient and contemporary cultures, and ceramic artists will be examined.

Sculpture II
Prerequisite: Sculpture and Ceramics
In this semester-long course, students will explore a variety of non-clay materials, including stone, plaster, wood, fiber, wire, and found objects to express ideas in three-dimensions. Sculpture methods will include carving, casting, and assemblage. Students will demonstrate their understanding of how to activate space, use elements and principles of design, and communicate visually, including through the use of digital modeling and new technologies, such as 3-D printing and laser cutting. Students will also learn about leading sculptors, architects, and designers; look at three-dimensional art from different cultures and historical periods; and examine the role of sculpture and design in society. This class is an elective and a course option in the pathway for application to the AP 3-D Design Program.

Studio in Crafts
Crafts courses help students apply form and structure to the materials and accompanying aesthetics of crafts through a survey of a wide range of craft forms. The focus of this comprehensive course is on communication of ideas and application of form and structure through diverse media, and the study of historical and contemporary art and artists from a worldwide perspective.

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TA in Arts Leadership
Prerequisite:  The completion of two credits of Arts courses and a strong recommendation from previous art teachers.
The responsibilities of the students that take this course include being scheduled into the main class of a half-year HS Level I Fine Arts Course, developing lesson plans and supplemental materials; developing and explaining demonstrations; teaching lessons; assessing learning, leading group discussions and work sessions; and giving in-class support to students. This class was created to give high-achieving arts students the opportunity to continue their studies in art while exploring leadership opportunities and creating more support for beginning Arts students.