Fine Arts

Art History (9th grade)

Our Art History course gives students the opportunity to experience and understand the history of Western Civilization through the lens of artistic expression from artists as diverse as Raphael to Van Gogh, Bernini to Brancusi and Palladio to Frank Lloyd Wright. Dividing the survey year into segments of painting, sculpture and architecture, the goal of this course is to give students a sense for the true scope of art from ancient to modern, while expanding on their skills of observation, interpretation and deep understanding.

Students will learn both how to analyze and interpret works of art through essay, linking key works of art to the historical time periods. Importantly, all students will learn the art of artistic presentation through numerous oral presentations and criticisms. We will expand our classroom experience through visits to numerous museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Frick Collection, throughout the year.

Music History (10th grade)

Music is a universal language that has existed since God’s creation of mankind. Although there are many styles of music, they all communicate ideas and feelings. This course will explore the development of music in Western Civilization in the folk, classical, and modern musical genres. This course will begin with the study of music of the ancient Mediterranean world, particularly Greece, Rome, and Israel. This geographic location was pivotal to music history as well as to the history of Western civilization in general. Modern examples of folk music from the Mediterranean world will be examined. The course will then focus upon the sacred Gregorian chant of the Catholic Church, as this was informed by the folk music of the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East. This course will then explore Early (Medieval) Music, Renaissance Music, Baroque Music, Classical Music, Romantic Music, and Modern Orchestral Music. Biographies of the leading exponents of these styles (such as J.S. Bach, Palestrina, Haydn, Beethoven, Aaron Copland, etc.) will be part of the course content. As well, basic musical terms and the structure of the orchestra and its instruments will be covered. Styles such as Country, Blues, Jazz, Opera, Broadway, Rock and Roll, Folk Music etc. will also be studied.