Middle & Upper School Arts

A variety of courses are offered including:

The MS photography class gives students an understanding of the concepts of basic black and white photography. Students construct pinhole cameras and use their cameras outside to expose 8 x10 photographic paper producing a negative image. The students confront the issues of subject matter, depth of field, and exposure time. Once they master these technical aspects, they focus on the aesthetics of photography. There is an emphasis on darkroom techniques, working with chemicals, learning how the enlargers work and how to make positives from their paper negatives. The skills acquired in this class give each student a good foundation for future photography classes.

The MS digital photography class encourages students to explore a type of photographic process different from the existing middle school “wet lab” photographic offering. This class takes students out of the darkroom and places them in a situation where they are obligated to incorporate technology with image-making. There is an emphasis on aesthetics as well as computer skills. Students shoot Nikon digital cameras and alter their images using the most current Photoshop program.

US photography is geared toward teaching the student the techniques of standard black-and-white photography. Students are instructed in the fundamentals of camera operation, black-and-white film processing and black-and white enlarging. A portion of the semester is devoted to alternative processes. Students are encouraged to develop their own personal vision within the medium. Class time involves darkroom work, group and individual critiques, demonstrations of new techniques and discussions of prominent issues in the medium. Once the student completes two semesters of regular photography, there is an advanced photography option. The advanced US photography class is designed for students who have exhibited the need to be challenged intellectually and creatively by a more rigorous and demanding course. Students in this class are given much freer reign in terms of setting assignments, choosing what they photograph, and determining how they complete coursework. Students are compelled to take the initiative and the ensuing control of their work; and while there is an emphasis placed on manual camera techniques and darkroom proficiency, the greater goal is for students to see themselves as photographers. There are set projects that include some of the following processes: toning of black and white prints, solarizing, emulsion and image transfers, use of Kodalith film, negative sandwiching, distortion, and the use of liquid emulsion.

The digital photography class has a shared emphasis between creativity and computer expertise. Students use digital cameras to take photographs and use Photoshop to manipulate the images they have taken. The digital photography class teaches photographic concepts as they apply to digital technology and the use of and ethical considerations when using digital imaging software. After one semester of regular digital photography, students are able to take the skills they have mastered to a new level. The advanced US digital photography class expands to the creation of self-directed projects. Each semester a new syllabus is created by the students and the instructor and is predicated on the knowledge that the skills necessary to produce advanced work have been mastered. There is an expectation that students will draw upon both their creativity and their personal vision as they approach their work.

Repertoire for the different ensembles is chosen based on the instrumentation within the group, as well as to highlight individual strengths. These performance-based ensembles participate at scheduled concerts and MSBOA festivals throughout the year, as well as observe musical performances given by professional performers in the community.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES

Singers in choir learn to value the contributions of each voice as they create a rich, full group sound. Choirs sing a cappella, arrange, compose, collaborate and learn respected choral literature in many genres including pop, jazz, classical, world music and more.

VOCAL MUSIC ENSEMBLES