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Fine Arts
Mission Statement
The mission of the Mount Carmel Academy Fine Arts Department is to foster creative expression and appreciation through the performing and visual arts.
The Fine Arts Department of Mount Carmel Academy is comprised of eight teachers. We offer the following courses: Art I, II, III and IV, Beginning Choir, Advanced Choir, TV Production, Acting I & II, Tap Dancing, 8th Grade Fine Arts Survey, Fine Art Survey I & II and Speech.
While we recognize that each student is blessed with different creative talents, we also recognize that their levels of creativity can vary greatly. It is the duty of the Fine Arts Department to encourage each student to reach her creative potential, while inspiring the gifted students to pursue studies in their creative fields beyond high school. We strive to instill in all Fine Arts students a sincere appreciation for the arts regardless of their talent level. We understand that the development of creativity, whether visual, musical or theatrical, will aid in our students' quest to be free and independent thinkers.
We believe it is each teacher's responsibility in the Fine Arts Department to take a vested interest in the creative talents of our students. We must be ambassadors of our creative fields and be a positive influence on our students' impulse to be artistic. Because the course offerings in our department are so diverse, a brief explanation of each follows.
Visual Arts
In the Visual Arts Department, we believe it is most important to teach our students how to see, because creating visual art requires an acute ability to study the visual qualities of objects as they appear in different environments. Four different levels of art are offered, allowing students to advance if they so desire.
In an art course we encourage creative thinking and risk taking, in an environment that promotes artistic expression. We incorporate art history into the lessons so that students may understand the significance of their methods. Each project is graded using rubrics that focus on skills and techniques learned by the student. Students are required to keep a portfolio and exhibit works of art in the fall and spring art shows.
Basic artistic forms and techniques are taught in beginning art classes through teacher demonstration and examples. Each level builds on developed skills as students experiment with personal style and emulate the classical styles. In the upper level art classes, students are taught to develop their own artistic style.
Fine Arts Survey I&II is designed to give an overall appreciation for visual, theatrical and musical arts. The keystone of this course is the ongoing investigation of what it means to be human, including the realization of self-potential, the assumption of sound responsibilities, and the capability to make reasonable choices. To these ends, Fine Arts Survey strives to provide students with the opportunity to cultivate those skills and points of view essential to a liberal arts education. Emphasis on the visual arts from the pre-historic era to the present allows students to see interrelationships between culture and creativity. Instruction in historical aspects of music, drama and visual arts affords the opportunity for students to see how creative thought and vision can enhance the ability to learn.
The Fine Arts Survey 8 course, required for all eighth graders, exposes our young students to the world of fine arts with a nine weeks focus on music performance and a nine weeks focus on visual arts (2 Teachers). We encourage and, in some cases, require students to view and attend opera, operetta, ballets, concerts, musical productions, dramas, art showings/galleries, museums, etc. in order for them to further explore various forms of artistic expression. Through encouraging student exploration in the various arts we attempt to inspire creativity within them as well as develop an appreciation for contemporary and classic works of art and music. Our goal in this course is to inspire our young 8th graders to enroll in more classes within the Fine Arts Department and develop a love and appreciation for the world of fine arts.
TV Production
Students in TV production explore all aspects of television production. The underlying principle of taking creative risk is ever present throughout the curriculum. A wide array of opportunities exists both "in front of" and "behind" the camera, including: videography, producing, reporting and anchoring. A major benefit to this instruction is the in-house television broadcast of WMCA, whereby our students experience the challenges of television broadcasting first hand.
Choir
Students in Beginning Choir are exposed to the elements of music theory and a brief overview of musical periods, with an emphasis on the major composers of each era. The primary focus of the course, however, is performance. We teach basic vocal technique and give students the opportunity to perform musical selections of varying styles. Although the majority of the students who take the course will not become professional musicians, it is our hope that they will understand and appreciate excellence in performance and develop a love for music. Advanced Chorus students continue their study of music theory and history as well as more advanced vocal technique.
Students take great pride in participating in the culminating concert each semester. Many students participate in volunteer or auditioned choral groups that take part in District and State Honor Chorus auditions and Festivals.
Speech
Speech I introduces the student to the communication process with an emphasis on public speaking as a tool for learning and communicating. The demonstrations of techniques help the student to recognize the cues of verbal and non-verbal communication. The student learns to develop skills of voice production, pronunciation, and articulation. Understanding the communication process helps the students to apply their skills to different audiences, purposes, and contexts, enabling them to effectively communicate in real-life situations.
Theatre and Dance
In Acting I & II students are taught basic theatre terms and etiquette. The class is primarily experiential in design, whereby students primarily learn by doing. Through games, monologues, scene work, and watching professionals, students gain an appreciation and working knowledge of stagecraft. They also learn about the earliest forms of theatre, vaudeville theatre, and Broadway musicals. Performing arts event attendance and critique is required of students in these courses.
Beginning Tap introduces students to basic tap dancing steps, dancing in a group, and the historical context and evolution of this dance form. Students in Advanced tap continue their study of this genre and increase their level of skill and difficulty in performed numbers.
Extra Curricular Activities & Clubs
A large percentage of student interaction with the Fine Arts Department takes place within our area-specific after school activities. Often, students that have discovered an interest or talent in a class will then continue to develop it and interact with other students that are similarly talented in an extra curricular activity.
Music
The music section of the fine arts department has five (5) opportunities outside of course offerings for students to participate in music activities. Through these four groups, all students, regardless of age, grade, or ability can participate in some music if they wish throughout their time at our school.
Chorale is an audition-only competitive treble ensemble. It is open to grades 9-12 and participates in various LMEA events, invitation-only festivals, and competitions throughout the year.
Chamber Singers is a collaborative ensemble with a nearby all-male high school. The top singers from Chorale are selected to combine with the top singers at Brother Martin High School to offer an opportunity to sing very challenging music in a mixed-voice ensemble. This collaboration between the two schools enables the students to have an opportunity that would otherwise not be possible at an all-girls school.
Encore is a select group of primarily 8th-9th grade singers that sings concert repertoire. They also participate in LMEA events. It is the hope of the department that many of our younger students begin in this group, and though their participation in this group they may grow in skill, maturity, and ability to eventually transition to Chorale.
Celebration is an ensemble open to any student in any grade. Celebration rehearses and performs liturgical music. They sing at various celebrations and events throughout the school year. Occasionally, Celebration receives invitations to minister to the community at events off-campus as well.
Tri-M is the National Music Honor Society. This organization is open to any student that has demonstrated musical ability, academic excellence, and character. Students may be inducted at the end of their sophomore year. This club provides an opportunity for instrumentalists to be involved with the school's music program. They frequently provide instrumental music at choir concerts and other events throughout the year.
TV Production
WMCA is the school's closed-circuit television station. Students in this organization plan, tape, edit, and broadcast a weekly news show for the student body. Students have the opportunity to learn various skills and to try various roles both on-camera and behind the scenes.
Theatre and Dance
STK, Shinto Tori Kabuki, is the school's drama club. They produce two main stage shows per year and also help host the annual talent show. In STK, students may audition for and receive roles in productions, as well as work on sets, technical elements, costuming, and managerial aspects of shows. At least one show per year is a musical, requiring students to combine acting, dancing, and singing skills.
Speech
The Speech and Debate Team has regular practices. They compete in tournaments throughout the metro area in various categories. The speech and Debate Team is open to any interested students.
Visual Arts
National Art Honor Society is a group recognizing excellence in the visual arts. Students may join this society through portfolio review after taking Art I. They must also demonstrate academic excellence and strength in character. They participate in many service projects within the school, creating artwork for various events. Through membership students also have the opportunity to participate in various art contests throughout the year.
National Junior Art Honor Society provides many of the same opportunities as National Art Honor Society for our younger students. These students also assist the school with artwork for events and projects throughout the year.
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