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Arts
"The...use of the arts is to stimulate not action but contemplation, an appreciation for human states and interpretations as captured in the forms of paint, or music, or words..."
(E. Bruce Glenn)
All classes meet five times a week for five points, weight A, unless otherwise noted. One from the Visual Arts course and one from the Performing Arts course is required of all students (Fundamentals of Art 1 and 2 fulfill this requirement.)
Visual Arts
Fundamentals of Art 1 (required of all Freshmen): Fundamentals of Art 1 is the foundation upon which all other departmental courses are based. Students will demonstrate through performance, creation, and analysis that they have learned the basic terms and concepts which are essential to a real understanding of the fine arts. The course will cover music, drama, and visual arts.
Fundamentals of Art 2 (required of all Sophomores): Fundamentals of Art 2 advances basic concepts of music, drama and visual arts to the intermediate level.
Planet Art: Fasten your seat belts and get ready for a trip through one of the most fascinating, exciting, dangerous, beautiful, provocative, fulfilling areas of human creation. Welcome to the World of Art. Using the Glencairn Museum as our laboratory, students will investigate the meaning of Art doing hands-on projects, performances, observation and discussion based upon works in the collection. (Not offered in 2006-2007).
Drawing and Painting 1: A studio course designed to teach the technical skills associated with drawing and painting, while fostering a love and understanding of art, both historical and contemporary. Students learn by direct observation how to render, as well as how to effectively communicate, their ideas and emotions through the mediums of drawing and painting. Limited to 18 students per section. A $10.00 lab fee is due the first day of class.
Drawing and Painting 2: A rigorous studio course for more developed students, which challenges their abilities and ideas. Through various assignments, students will learn advanced concepts and techniques which further their understanding of art and elevate their thinking. Limited to 18 students per section. A $10.00 lab fee is due the first day of class.
Art 1: Art 1 is the foundation upon which all other departmental courses are based. Students will demonstrate through performance, creation, and analysis that they have learned the basic terms and concepts which are essential to a real understanding of the fine arts. The course will cover music, drama, and visual arts.
Printmaking: Limited to 16 students per section. Two-dimensional exploration of printmaking techniques (intaglio, relief, stencil and silk-screen printing) with an emphasis on woodblock and linoleum prints. The course will include a series of small projects which will range from a stress on the quality of an edition of prints (registration, consistency of image and tone) to one-of-a-kind prints or monotypes. Final projects will involve the printing of an edition, the production of a small book, or similar projects. Students will be encouraged to use ideas from other classes (Creative Writing, Drawing and Painting) and will have an opportunity to examine various actual prints and learn about printmaking history. (Not offered 2006-2007).
Sculpture: Limited to 16 students per section. Three-dimensional exploration of a variety of media. Each quarter emphasis will be given to a different topic. These topics include: Basic Sculpture, Wood Carving, Stone Carving, The Human Form. Students with no experience in Sculpture are strongly encouraged to take the Basic Sculpture quarter first.
Ceramics 1: Limited to 16 students per section. Learn the art of clay. This course allows the student to experiment in wheel throwing, hand building and sculpting. Students will be able to create pots, bowls, cups, and other functional pieces and decorate them with paint, texture and glaze.
Ceramics 2: Limited to 16 students. Students will expand the techniques learned in Ceramics 1 to create more complicated forms. New techniques will include tile making and wax resist decoration. Emphasis will be placed upon refining techniques and aesthetics. Students will explore types of tiring and glazing. (Prerequisite: Ceramics 1.)
Stained Glass: Limited to 16 students. An exploration of a centuries old art form. Students will explore two-dimensional design with an emphasis on the foil method of construction. The course will examine some of the history of stained glass design as well as the history of glass making in Bryn Athyn. The course will use Glencairn and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral as a visual laboratory and students will design and produce their own pieces in the school's own facilities. Techniques in glass painting will also be introduced.
Photography 1: Limited to 12 students. This course is designed as an introduction to the art of black and white photography. The student will learn how to creatively use the darkroom and the camera as well as develop their own film. Prior photographic experience is not necessary for this course. (Access to a camera is highly recommended).
Photography 2: Limited to 12 students. Students will expand the techniques learned in Photography 1 to create more complicated photographs. New techniques will include digital work using PhotoShop. Emphasis will be placed on refining techniques and aesthetics. (Prerequisite: Photography 1).
Performance Arts
Stage Crafting: The course will expose students to the many facets of creating a stage set. Students will read and analyze the script for the Secondary Schools stage production and will then create a set which expresses the essential elements of the piece. Research, discussion, design, model making, construction methods, painting and lighting will be essential features of the course Involvement in a prior theatrical production is some from is a pre-requisite. Please direct questions to the instructor. Limited to 16 students.
Improvisation and Drama: Life is an improv. This course offers dramatic technique for life and for theater. Students will develop "performance readiness" and confidence through an emphasis on improvisation. (Not offered 2007-2008).
Application Software 1: Students will be introduced to basic computer terminology and concepts. The basic skills of typing and formatting documents will also be taught. Students will be introduced to word processing (MSWord) and encouraged to use the skills learned in this course to prepare papers for other courses. (Not offered 2006-2007).
Application Software 2: Advanced skills using MSWord will be covered in detail. Desktop publishing using Adobe InDesign will be taught. Students will also be instructed how to use electronic spreadsheets (Excel) and database management systems (Access). Projects involving the application of the software will be required. An introduction to programming may also be included, depending on the interest and ability of the students. Application Software 1 (or equivalent) is a prerequisite. (Not offered 2007-2008).
Technical Drawing 1: Limited to 12 students per section. A course in elementary technical drawing emphasizing the essential qualities of good drafting; accuracy, neatness and speed. The goals are the mastery of drawing techniques and the ability to think in three dimensions. The study includes lettering, freehand sketching, geometric construction, orthographic projection, isometric drawing, and dimensioning. Requires purchase of drawing instruments and paper.
Computer Aided Design: This course will use CAD software to create geometric constructions, and orthographic, isometric and architectural drawings. Group and independent projects will be assigned. Students must have passed Technical Drawing 1 (or equivalent) as a prerequisite.
Pascal Programming: An introductory course in computer programming using the PASCAL language, with minimal focus on mathematics. Emphasis will be placed on structured programming concepts through a combination of lectures and lab experiences. (Not offered 2007-2008).
Web Design: This course is designed as an introduction to some of the technologies, theories and methods used in designing effective websites. Emphasis will be placed on fact finding, User Experience, Information Architecture organization, navigation, team-based project structure, user interfaces, principles of design and the Systems Development Life Cycles.
Web Development: This course is designed as an introduction to some of the technologies that are utilized in website development. Students will be introduced to Cascading Style Sheets, JavaScript, VBScript, HTML, and Active Server Page technologies. Emphasis will be placed on algorithm design, coding techniques, and how different technologies are used to create functional web interfaces. (Prerequisite: Web Design. Students who have not taken Web Design may be admitted at the discretion of the instructor).
Volunteer Work at Glencairn: There are many opportunities for students to do volunteer work in a variety of areas. Participation in this program may lead to acceptance in the summer assistantship program. No credit offered.
Music
All courses are five periods a week for five points. Weight A. Click here to listen to the choir
Chamber Choir: A study of vocal music from the baroque through 20th Century Broadway. Studies will also include music in common use in the General Church. Attention will be given to vocal production, part singing, and general music understanding through listening, participation, and concert performance. (For Seniors, Quarter 2, by permission of the instructor).
Music and Culture: Discover some of the roots of rock music, listen to some jazz and experience multicultural sounds. A “hands-on” course involving listening, discovering, creating and experiencing a variety of musical styles and their meaning in different cultures. (Not offered in 2007-2008.)
Musicianship: The course consists of basic theory, ear training, sight singing, and knowledge of musical styles and is designed to provide the necessary skills for students who are interested in improving their musical ability. (Not offered 2007-2008).
Performance Music Electives
Instrumental Ensemble: Twice weekly for 66 minutes minimum during 6th period.
Members receive un-graded credit on their activity sheet for participation and perform for regular school functions, local facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, and for community worship services.
Bryn Athyn Orchestra. Students are welcome to join the Bryn Athyn Community Orchestra. Participation will be noted on the student's Activity Sheet.