Saint John's Curriculum

MS Fine Arts

Students in the Middle School Division at Saint John’s explore all areas of the Fine Arts during the academic year. Students encounter principles of Music, Theater, and Studio Art.

The purpose of the course is to provide students with the appropriate academic background in each of these disciplines as a basis for practical application of the skills learned. Assessment for the course is based on a combination of mastery of the content knowledge provided and participation in the practical aspects of each discipline. Performance opportunities are provided throughout the year. In particular, during the fourth quarter of study, students bring their experience of these three disciplines together in preparation for Middle School Arts Night, where students perform and display their work.

 

Below are the freshmen level Fine Arts offerings:

  • Chorus

    The Saint John's Chorus rehearses daily and performs music from the classical, contemporary and liturgical repertoires. Particular focus is placed on a cappella singing. Students who are members of this class participate in vocal training and learn basic elements of music theory. Grading is based on class and concert participation aural assessments and occasional written evaluations. A schedule of performances is available at the beginning of each semester. An audition in the Spring is required.

  • Concert Band (Intermediate)

    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.

  • Guitar Ensemble I

    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.

  • Intro to Theater Arts (Theater Arts I)

    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.

  • String/Chamber Orchestra

    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.

  • Studio Art I

    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.

  • Symphonic Band (H)

    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.

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Saint John's High School

378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545    (508) 842-8934
Saint John’s High School has educated young men under the sponsorship of the Xaverian Brothers since 1898. Through the Saint John’s strong college preparatory curriculum, over 900 students in grades seven through twelve pursue personal and intellectual growth in an environment that is committed to the development of the whole person and recognizes a moral dimension of life through service to God and to others.