Ingenuity, creative thinking, imagination, and personal expression: these are the cornerstones to the Fine Arts program, and are skills that students will learn here, and carry forward throughout their lives.
In the Fine Arts Program, students are involved in a variety of presentations: school and community displays of their art work, a major theatre production in the spring, and performances by various music groups at events and schools. Art instruction provides the student with the opportunity to experience varied mediums in a classroom climate that promotes creative thinking and personal style development. Portfolio development is a consideration at all levels, progressing in importance as the student continues through the program. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the school music program through a variety of available courses. The main emphasis will be the development of musical skills which are then demonstrated in ensemble performances. These usually include Christmas and spring concerts, festivals and community events.
The Fine Arts program at Bellerose will give students the insight to live as an artist does: with passion!
Courses
5 credits per course
Fee: $50 per level
This course introduces the student to all forms of art, linking modern day visual art to art history. Basic drawing, painting and sculpture skills will be developed and then used in larger scale and fully-developed projects. Levels 20 and 30 take art skills learned in Art 10 and expand the scope of the student's experience. Opportunities for in-school and out-of-school installations are available. In-class and home projects are required with emphasis on original work. Specialization of skills with emphasis on portfolio production geared to post-secondary education and employment in the arts. Art 31 is evaluated through projects and presentation of works. The student is required to fully develop their own creative style of art based on mediums of their choice.
Prerequisite: None for Art 10, then 50% or higher in previous Art courses.
5 credits
Independent study and portfolio development are the keys to success in this course. The student is required to choose and develop a full-scale themed set of projects with the intent of an independent art show that will be presented at the end of the school year with all of the Art 31 students.
Recommended Prerequisite: 65% in Art 30
5 credits per course
This music program is for students interested in making their own music using guitar, piano or voice. Course work will involve song writing, recording and performance, as well as a look at western music history and music theory. Students will work in groups and individually to create their own music and share it with an audience through opportunities to perform live and to record in our studio. Levels 25 and 35 will continue to build on the skills in the previous levels.
Prerequisite: student must provide a guitar
5 credits per course
Drama 10 is an interactive class with a focus on improvisation. Other areas of exploration are: theatre-sports, readers’ theatre, movement, and speech. This fun, but structured, course builds the basic skills of each of these sections. Drama 20 incorporates all the skill areas of Drama 10 and moves into the art of playwriting. Students will write a short one-act play and move through the production process. Technical theatre is also explored at this intermediate level. In Drama 30, students will master all aspects of improvisational theatre, have a sound technical background, and will be creating original scripts. The directing aspect of theatre is a major focus at this level; students will direct a full-length play and perform it in front of an audience.
Prerequisite: None for Drama 10; Drama 10 for Drama 20; Drama 20 for Drama 30.
5 credits per course
Instrument rental fee: $55 (available on first-come-first-served)
All students who have had previous experience in trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, bass, drums or guitar--or choral students looking for a challenge--are encouraged to enroll in Instrumental + Vocal Jazz 15 (Instrumental Jazz 15/25/35 is held in conjunction with Vocal Jazz 15/25/35). Prior choral experience or an ability to read music is expected. Course work will involve the performance of jazz literature and the study of jazz history, theory and improvisation. Levels 25 and 35 will continue to build on the skills developed in the previous course levels.
Prerequisite: Grade 9 Band or written consent from the music department
5 credits per course
Instrument rental fee: $55 (available on first-come-first-served)
All students who have previous experience on brass, wind and percussion instruments are encouraged to enroll in Instrumental Music 10. Instruments are available from the school on a rental basis. Course work will involve theory, composition, technical studies and performance of wind ensemble literature. Levels 20 and 30 will continue to build on the skills developed in the previous levels of Instrumental Music.
Prerequisite: Grade 9 Band or written consent from the music department
This is a course within the IB programme
5 credits per course
Visual Art HL is a course in which students develop problem-solving skills while working towards technical proficiency in all forms of the visual arts. Students are required to explore all forms of contemporary art practices and build their own practice with the goal of a body of artwork that is displayed at the end of the year two. Students explore all forms of art with a deeper exploration of art history.
Prerequisite: Art 10 for Visual Art HL Year 1, Visual Art HL Year 1 for Visual Art HL Year 2