Academics
Courses | The Arts
The Arts Department provides students with a variety of ways to explore the visual and performing arts. In addition to our academic offerings, students can also participate in the performing arts at ANC by trying out for the Fall Play or the Spring Musical. Unless otherwise stated, all art courses meet four times per week for 4 points credit per term, and are Weight A.
Girls Arts Courses |
Boys Arts Courses |
| Foundations of Art – Grade 9† | Foundations of Art – Grade 9† |
| Fundamentals of Art 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. Required of all freshmen. | Fundamentals of Art 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. Required of all freshmen. |
Co-Ed Arts Courses |
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| Choral Music – All Grades |
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Choral Music is a twelve week elective that is available all three terms, and is open to any grade level in the school. Students will work with a wide variety of music ranging from classical choral pieces to New Church contemporary to Broadway classics. There are four concerts during the year, including a Christmas show, and many other performance opportunities.
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| Instrumental Ensemble – All Grades |
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| This class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, and culminates in the Performing Arts Night at the end of each term. 6th period; 2 credits per term. | |
| Dance Ensemble – All Grades |
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| Dance ensemble is open to all students regardless of previous training. The dance ensemble is set up in order to accommodate both advanced dancers as well as students who have never had the opportunity to try it. Dance training and choreography include a variety of styles, such as contemporary, jazz, tap, theater dance, hip hop, and ballet. Dancers perform multiple numbers each term at dance concerts and Performing Arts Nights, as well as participate in other performance opportunities at the school and in the community. The Dance Ensemble meets daily for two hours in the afternoon. Fulfills the P.E./Athletics requirement once per year for girls. 10 non-GPA credits; may be taken any or all terms. | |
| Costume Design – All Grades |
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| This course focuses on the main elements of costume/clothing design theory and history, and will teach the students basic cutting and sewing techniques. Students will undertake the study of color, line, function and character in the design and construction of costumes for ANC's yearly theatrical productions. Students will be taught to cut, interpret and read patterns, create patterns, choose fabric, and construct garments as well as do alterations on existing garments. 6th period; 2 credits per term; may be taken any or all terms. | |
| Drawing – Grade 10 |
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| An introductory studio course designed to teach the technical skills associated with drawing. Students learn through direct observation how to render shapes and forms using: line, value, and texture. Students will be taught how to use perspective, establish compositions and work with charcoal, pencil and other drawing mediums. Drawings will focus on: still-life, landscape, architecture, portrait and self-portrait. Discussions and examples will introduce students to historical artists, theories, and New Church ideas relating to art. Limited to 18 students per section, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| Ceramics – Grade 10 |
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| An introductory studio course designed to teach the technical skills and art associated with clay. Students will learn how to shape, carve, build with and glaze clay. Each project will have a New Church component and working with coils and slabs will help students come to better understand the concept of form. While discussions and examples will introduce students to historical artists, theories, and New Church ideas relating to art. Limited to 16 students per section, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| Photography 1 – Grades 10 and 12 |
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| 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 an SLR camera is highly recommended. Limited to 12 students. | |
| Printmaking – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| 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. Limited to 16 students per section. |
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| Stage Craft – Grades 11 and 12 |
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Stage craft is a twelve week junior and senior elective that begins with thorough analysis of the current musical being performed at the school.We then move through a design process much like what the students would encounter in a professional scene shop. They begin with basic sketches that are refined into scale elevations and plot plans, and finally scale models.The students then shift to the construction phase of the class, learning how to use a wide variety of power tools and how to read actual construction blueprints. The final product is the theatrical set that is used for the spring musical production. |
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| Painting – Grade 11 |
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| A studio course designed to teach the technical skills associated with painting. Students learn through direct observation how to render shapes and forms using: color, value and texture. Students will learn different color schemes and how to apply these color schemes in paintings. Students will be taught how to mix colors and apply paint to logically establish compositions. Paintings will focus on: still-life, and portraiture with the possibility of landscape. Discussions and examples will introduce students to historical artists, theories, and New Church ideas relating to art. Limited to 18 students per section, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| Pottery – Grade 11 |
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| A studio course designed to teach the technical skills and art associated with clay. Students will learn how to make functional ceramic pieces such as: mugs, bowls and pitchers using the potters wheel and other hand-building techniques. Students will also be taught how to decorate and glaze their work. Discussions and examples will focus on historical artists, theories of form and craftsmanship in connection with New Church ideas and teachings. Limited to 16 students, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| Performing Arts Portfolio – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| Students study vocal technique, dance technique, character development and are exposed to multiple shows throughout the year. The majority of class time is spent developing and rehearsing performance pieces from both past and current Broadway shows. Students are also required to be involved in some capacity in both theatrical productions at ANC, as well as write critiques, research theater history, stage their own performance pieces in student groups, and attend professional performances. Students participate in four concerts a year at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, as well as other performances throughout the year. | |
| Stained Glass – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| 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. Limited to 16 students. |
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| Visual Arts Portfolio – Grades 11 and 12 |
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| A year long course providing an opportunity for dedicated students to study fine arts more rigorously. Students studying the fine arts will spend the first term building a body of work in their chosen medium (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography). Then learning how to photograph, edit and assemble their work into a portfolio during the second term. And in third term students will spend time learning practical art skills such as: stretching and preparing canvases, matting and framing, making paint, etc. ultimately leading up to a grand student-run exhibition. Course is open to juniors and seniors, and may be taken twice. ($25 lab fee for fine art students.) |
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| Drawing & Painting – Grade 12 |
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| A culminating studio course that builds upon the skills taught in previous art electives. This course focuses on expression and communication using two-dimensional media. Through creation and discussion students will gain a better understanding of art, both historical and contemporary. Assignments will challenge students to find ways to visually express themselves and employ New Church teachings in their drawings and paintings. Limited to 18 students per section, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| Scuplture – Grade 12 |
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| A culminating studio course that builds upon the skills taught in previous art electives. This course focuses on expression and communication using the human form as a subject and clay as a primary medium. Through creation and discussion students will gain a better understanding of art, both historical and contemporary. Assignments will challenge students to find ways to express themselves and employ New Church teachings in their sculptures. Limited to 16 students per section, $10.00 Lab Fee. | |
| †Required. |
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