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AP Art History is a demanding course, equivalent to an introductory survey course in art history at the college level. The two primary educational objectives of AP Art History are to offer students enough understanding of art so that they will develop a knowledgeable affection for it and as well as to develop in students a visual literacy that will provide them with a way of analyzing what they see. Students will learn how to describe the formal elements of art, including subject matter, media, style, and composition. They will also learn how to place a piece of art in its cultural context and discuss how the various theories of art intersect with its practices.
The course surveys the history of world art, with an emphasis on the European tradition. It follows the curriculum necessary to prepare students for the AP Art History examination. Much of the basic content will be covered in class lecture. Once students have mastered the essential vocabulary for writing about art and have sufficient background in establishing cultural and aesthetic contexts, most of the assignments, which will involve a large amount of independent research and writing, will move away from the text so that students can work in depth on various topics. Student papers will be filed online as essential material for the course.
In addition to traditional classroom work, the course will require trips to various museums and galleries and will encourage independent viewing of art during vacations. Sharing these experiences, through written and oral reports, will also be part of our curriculum. |
In this course the students learn the material of a first year college music theory course. It is intended for instrumentalists, singers, and composers who want a solid foundation in their musical understanding. The objectives are to gain and increase audiating skills through sight singing, dictation and study of harmony, to develop writing skills through composition, and to acquire a broad perspective of music by the study of the literature. This course will also prepare the student to take the AP Music Theory exam.
Prerequisites: Previous study of an instrument, voice or previous theory study and consent of instructor. |
| This course is for students who wish to develop a portfolio of quality work for the Advanced Placement Examination. Students may prepare the Design portfolio or the Drawing portfolio. Students will work in a variety of media: drawing, painting, collage or photography depending on which portfolio they are completing. At all times students will be developing their own styles. Being able to work independently and meet weekly deadlines is very important for this course. Some projects are teacher assigned while some are works generated by the students’ own ideas. Students entering must have a solid foundation of fundamental instruction in the studio arts. It would be beneficial to enroll in this course spring of the junior year. Students must speak with instructor and have an artwork review prior to entering. |
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This
year-long course is an exploration of the methods and materials of the art of
ceramics. Students will learn a variety
of hand-forming techniques including pinch-, slab-, and coil-construction. Both utilitarian and sculptural form will be
produced. Intensive wheel-throwing
instruction is offered for those interested. Glazing methods, theory, and
techniques will be learned, along with kiln loading and firing processes.
Method of evaluation: Assessment of completed assignments,
classroom presentations and discussions of the work, exhibition of the
student’s portfolio.
Open to grades ten through twelve |
The Chamber Singers will be a group of 12 - 16 singers. This is
available by audition only. It is ayear-long course. The Chamber
Singers study a wide range of music from the Renaissance to the present
day and in several different languages. For the past four years they
have received gold medal (superior) ratings in festivals. If you have
spent a semester in Chorus you are eligible to audition for the group. |
| We will offer Chorus for the first semester, possibly for the second. The
Thacher Chorus is a long-standing tradition at the school and is
a non-auditioned choral group open to all students. Students
learn the fundamentals of group vocal technique and apply it to a variety
of music from different styles and periods. We will be doing a mix
of "serious" and "fun" pieces. If the Chorus continues during
the second semester, it will be considered for the New York Festival.
Signup! The more in the group, the better it feels and the better it
sounds! |
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We
will concentrate on developing the actors’ creative instincts through
exercises, improvisations, monologues, and scene-work. Students will
perform a contemporary, classic or class-generated play in addition to
learning about a diverse range of performing arts such as mask, mime,
radio, musical theater, film, and television. The essence of acting
leads always to performance, and performance lies at the center of this
course.
Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors as a year-long or a semester-long course |
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This course consists of three parts. First, the students are given an overview of the sometimes turbulent history of electronic or electro-acoustic music and its pioneers, including Theremin, Moog and others. Second, they learn the basics of synthesis through the study of the analogue model, learn the art of programming, study the creation of new sounds, and discuss MIDI and contemporary applications. Third, students apply what they have learned in compositions of their own. The course culminates in a concert or CD production of their work.
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In this course students learn ensemble playing techniques while studying chamber music by master composers. While the greatest importance is placed on the process involved in studying music, there will be performances for the school and the community. Students playing strings, winds, and brass are encouraged to enroll.
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Through this year-long program, students learn to communicate at a basic level in three-dimensional and two-dimensional art, in music, and in theatre. Through hands-on work and study they learn to develop and present basic analyses of works of art. Students gain an informed acquaintance with exemplary works of art from a variety of cultures and historical periods, and become able to relate various types of arts knowledge and skills within and across the arts disciplines.
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This course is a study of jazz performance, theory and
improvisation. Students will learn by
examining classic model recordings and through their own practice and
performances together. Students will
attend at least one off-campus jazz performance.
Audition
and instructor approval is required for enrollment.
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This
year-long course introduces the basic skills of black and white photography
with special emphasis on the expressive and creative possibilities inherent in
the medium. Darkroom procedures of
developing and printing are covered, as well as camera operation and
theory. Four periods per week will be
divided between work in the darkroom, lecture and critique. Critiquing and learning to talk about
composition and intent are an important part of this class.
During the second semester students will explore
photography as a tool and a medium of artistic expression. Students begin broadening the foundations
upon which they will continue to master technical skills and start to work more
conceptually. They will become more
familiar with black and white photographic tools and materials, and will learn
to manipulate, alter, and experiment with these materials and tools.
This class requires extensive time and
work outside of regular class time. A
35mm camera (SLR or Range finder) is required.
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This semester-long class provides instruction in the
ancient art of stonecarving. A model will be made in terra cotta from
which the student will work to produce a finished carving in alabaster
or another relatively soft stone.
Method of evaluation: Assessment of completed assignments, classroom
presentations and discussions of the work, exhibition of the student’s
portfolio.
(Note: Archeoceramics will be offered subsequently, during the spring
semester. Students may take both Stone Carving and Archeoceramics in
order to satisfy the University of California’s year-long course
requirement.) Semester-longcourse open to grades ten throughtwelve
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This course builds upon the work done during the
freshman year in the Introduction to the Arts course with an emphasis
on the further development of drawing and painting skills. Non-linear
tonal studies with charcoal and pencil form the basis for the work with
oil paints that follows. Students will work from live models, still
life and landscape. The effective use of the elements and principles of
design will be studied and put into practice. Students will be asked to
develop their own ides about an individual artistic interest by
producing a serial work over the span of the term. Students interested
in preparing a portfolio for the advanced placement examination should
take this course.
Method of evaluation: Assessment of completed assignments, classroom
presentations and discussions of the work, exhibition of the student’s
portfolio.
Open to grades ten through twelve
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| This is a full-year elective focusing on the production of several practical
pieces of furniture. By completing a series of projects, students will
learn to use hand and power tools accurately and safely, to choose
materials properly for various projects, to lay out and design through
the use of full-scale drawing, to mill lumber and construct appropriate
joints, and to use appropriate finishes and hardware. The final project
will be of the student’s design and will involve a wide variety of
woodworking skills. Emphasis is placed on creating beautiful and
functional pieces of furniture.
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“I come out of the music room every day after class wanting to sing
more. Mr Haggard knows exactly how to make singing educational and fun
at the same time. I expect to be in Chorus for the whole of my Thacher
career.”
- Lucy — Piedmont, California
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Visual Arts
Course Offerings
5025 Thacher Road