The purpose of this course will be to introduce various media and their proper use to students interested in advancing studies in visual arts. Exercises will be designed to increase awareness and understanding of materials including charcoal, chalk, watercolor and acrylic paint. Emphasis will be placed on color theory and composition and the development of a willingness to experiment with new techniques while implementing them in finished works. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the methods, materials, and techniques presented in the course and create works that show knowledge of unique characteristics of particular media. Students will be expected to make reasonable choices of media in order to achieve desired effects in specific projects. This course serves as a prerequisite for AP Studio Art. Prerequisite: Studio Art 2 or instructor permission

The AP Art and Design program consists of three different courses and AP Portfolio Exams—AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing—corresponding to college and university foundations courses. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams.

Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions. Students may choose to submit any or all of the AP Portfolio Exams.

The Advanced Placement offering in the History of Art is designed to provide the same benefits to secondary school students as those provided by an introductory college course in art history: an understanding and appreciation of architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms within
historical and cultural contexts. Students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past as well as the present and from a variety of cultures. They learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see and experience. Students take the A.P. examination at the conclusion of the course and may earn college placement and/or credit.

For Students who have already participated in one year of Chrous at Saint John's High School.

The Saint John’s Concert Band studies and performs music of various styles. Instrumentalists with intermediate proficiency are placed in Concert Band. The topics of basic musicianship, music theory and history, and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. An audition in the Spring is required.

A full year performance ensemble opportunity for guitar students who have completed Guitar I and II - or with the permission of the instructor.  An audition in the Spring is required.   

The Guitar Class accommodates beginner to intermediate level guitar players. The emphasis is on playing the guitar with others in a guitar ensemble. The fundamentals of the guitar will be covered – manual technique of the right and the left hand; playing with a pick and the use of the fingers; the positions of the fret board; reading music in standard notation and tablature; music theory in relation to the guitar. A student’s grade will be earned primarily from progress in performing on the guitar, along with written and listening tests.

The goal of this class is to provide students with a broad knowledge, understanding and appreciation of theatre. Students will learn their way around various types of theatres, performance material and basic theatre history. This class introduces the framework of acting.  Performance topics include vocal technique, physicality, characterization, improvisation and acting through a monologue.  Audition technique and an introduction to the business of theatre will also be explored.  We will look at the basics of scenery through set design.  The importance of props, costumes, lights and sound will also be discussed.  Students will learn basic makeup technique and explore some special effects makeup applications.  Collaboration will be an underlying theme through the exploration of these topics and many more in this fast-paced class.

The Saint John's Jazz Ensemble studies and performs music of various styles within the jazz tradition. The topics of basic musicianship, music theory, jazz history and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance.
Prerequisite: An audition in the Spring

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of music. Topics include notation, music theory, style analysis, music in foreign cultures, instruments, the keyboard, and composition.

This elective will explore fundamental music theory including harmony and basic ear training. This full year course is the appropriate course for students who wish to prepare for the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam.

The Saint John’s String Ensemble studies and performs music of various styles primarily within the classical tradition, from the Baroque to the Modern. Selected wind and brass players join the ensemble for larger works. The topics of basic musicianship, music theory and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. An audition in the Spring is required.

An introductory studio art course that combines Art History and hands-on art projects. Students learn new techniques, skills, and the basic elements of art and principles of design. Students utilize their knowledge to create works of art in a variety of media that correspond to the time periods and cultures they are studying.

A continuation of the introductory course in Studio Art
offered to the Freshman class.
Prerequisite: Studio Art I: lntroduction to Visual Design

This course is for serious art students. Techniques and methods of master artists will be incorporated into this class. Students will write research papers on artists and movements that correspond to the work they are producing. Students will be required to keep detailed "art journals" of their ideas and sketches.
Prerequisites: Studio Art I, Studio Art II, and permission from Art lnstructor

The Saint John’s Symphonic Band studies and performs music of various styles including music from standard concert band repertoire. The topics of musicianship, music theory, music history, and performance practice are integrated into the discipline of rehearsal and performance. Typically students who have first participated in Concert Band advance to Symphonic Band as upperclassmen, but exceptions may be made for proficient underclassmen. Small combos are often created from members of Symphonic Band. An audition in the Spring is required.

This one semester course develops artistic perception, creative expression, and aesthetic valuing; that is developing the ability to connect and apply what is learned in drama to other art forms, subjects, and careers. In this course, students will learn theatre terminology for the stage, acting, directing, and technical aspects of production. Much of the course content will be studied through active, hands-on projects. Students will continue to do acting warm-ups, improvisations, monologues, and two, three, and four person scenes. Performances and some selected in-class work may be video-recorded for analysis and evaluation. Students will read and analyze scenes and plays. They will write brief scenes based on and/or their own inspiration. Students will research, attend and review at least one live performance and one movie per semester. Students will also participate in model, design, create, and construct of theatre pieces (i.e. make-up, costume, prop, set)

This production-based class will explore all aspects of theatrical design from initial concept through completed design. Students will work in the four primary technical areas of theatre including, lighting, sound, costumes, and scenery as they prepare a final design presentation for a production of their choosing.