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Education in fine arts assists
us in perceiving, analyzing and interpreting our community, our environment,
our cultural heritage and ourselves. Study of the arts allows us to
experience the world through the eyes and ears of others. It adds new
dimensions both to our understanding of the world, and to our ability to
recognize problems in it and take action towards their solutions. The arts
both mirror and influence the human condition, reflecting our origins, our
history and our aspirations.
Education in the arts is an essential part of the development of every
child. The fine art disciplines of art, drama, film/video and music function
through a unique blending of craft and creativity, that stimulates creative
and intuitive thought while developing the intellect. Arts education assists
in perceiving and responding to the environment through the senses. It also
helps in achieving self-discipline, experiencing success and realizing
personal potential. Learning through the arts provides a fuller
understanding and enjoyment of life. It also provides opportunities for
students to explore careers in the fine arts.
In addition to a wide range of courses available at QEH in Fine Arts, it is
also possible to “Challenge for Credit” for many Fine Arts courses for which
previous study may have made you eligible. See the details on Challenge for
Credit in Fine Arts elsewhere in this document.
Art
Art 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
Art 10 is designed to familiarize students
with the central components of fine art through material and tool
manipulation, skill development, informal Art History and visualization
exercises. Drawing and use of color, through realistic forms, are two major
components of student work.
Art 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
Art 11 concentrates on refining skills and
further developing understanding of the central components of drawing,
painting, printmaking, sculpture and design. Specific focus will be through
selected media such as watercolor, acrylic, printmaking and sculpture.
Prerequisite: Art 10.
NOTE: Qualified second year students new to the program or school may be
accepted directly into Art 11 if they show maturity and a significant past
experience in art. These students will submit a portfolio to the Fine Arts
Department Head, demonstrating their level of accomplishment in art. Based
on assessment of this information, the student will be accepted at an
appropriate grade level.
Art 12 Academic 1.0 Credit
At the Art 12 level, students specialize,
working in depth through selected areas of the central program. Continued
emphasis is placed on the range of these central components. Art History is
a principal component at this level, and includes a focus on Canadian Art.
Prerequisite: Art 11.
Drama
Drama 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
Drama 10 is an introductory course focusing
on the personal, intellectual, and social growth of students as they explore
a variety of dramatic styles, techniques and forms. The course begins with
in-class exercises to develop concentration, self-confidence, imagination,
openness and sensitivity to movement and voice. It then focuses on
improvisation, work with scripted plays and some script writing. The first
half of the course concludes with formal work in character development and
role-play, including memorization and performance (typically in the form of
a monologue).
In the second half, the course extends the frame of reference to include the
areas of direction and production. More independent, holistic thinking is
expected in preparation of short pieces of theatre, including aspects
related to props, stage design, casting, etc. The course concludes with a
major focus on script work and play production.
Drama 10 is an activity-based class, requiring regular attendance,
punctuality, and a commitment to deadlines and collaborative participation.
Attendance at a number of performances outside the school is usually
required.
Drama 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
This course is a continuation of Drama 10.
Students will have further opportunities for personal development as they
discover and come to understand some important principles of drama and
theatre. Students will read and perform some scripted plays (or parts of
them), will devise some original scenes or plays of their own, and will deal
with many of the practical aspects of writing and staging plays – scene
blocking, set design, voice production and so on. Each student will lead the
class in both a warm-up game and a theatre game. Reflective writing on a
variety of topics will be required.
Students will be expected to attend a number of professional plays during
the course, to write reviews and discuss the productions. The research and
presentation of a topic connected with Theatre History is required. The
second part of the course will emphasize the collective style writing and
performing of a lengthy original script, to be performed publicly.
Prerequisite: Drama 10 or the approval of the Fine Arts Department Head.
Drama 12 Academic 1.0 Credit
The focus of Drama 12 will be on the theatre
component of drama. Emphasis will be placed on production work and
development of skills appropriate to work in the theatre. In Drama 12,
students will be required to participate in production work. This may
involve acting, directing, writing and/or technical work. In addition,
students will develop and execute a plan to provide some community groups
with drama workshops or performances. In short, students will be expected to
mirror the work of a production company.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drama 11 or permission of Fine Arts
Dept. Head.
Dance
Dance 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
Dance 11 is designed for all students, with
or without previous formal dance training, and builds on student’s
experiences in dance throughout the physical education curriculum, grade
primary to nine. It emphasizes creative movement as a form of communication
and self-expression, as a unique way of learning about oneself and others.
Learning experiences in this course offer students opportunities to explore
a range of dance styles with more focused work in a few genres; create and
present dance sequences; respond critically to their own dance works and
those of others; and make connections with dance in local and global
contexts, both past and present. Students also have opportunities to examine
the connections between dance and other arts disciplines. The course
comprises four components: elements of movement, creation and composition,
presentation and performance, and dance and society.
Music
Music at QEH is available in two
separate streams, or areas of focus:
Performance Music Stream –
Courses in the Performance Music Stream are also normally sequential.
This stream is designed for students who have been involved in Band or
orchestral/bowed strings (Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass only) at
earlier levels, and have graduated from a successful Junior High Music
program. Singers who may have come from a junior high school without a
choral/vocal program are able to take Music Vocal 10 without prerequisite.
These programs also require participation in all the performances of the
group involved each year.
Composition/History Stream – Courses in this stream are sequential, although
the entry-level course is open to all interested students.
This stream is designed for two groups of students:
-
Students who do not have the
performance background of Band or String Orchestra (often including
guitarists, pianists and other keyboard players, students interested in
sound recording, etc., who would not be eligible for the Band or String
Ensemble due to a lack of proficiency on an appropriate instrument); and
-
Students who are interested in
learning much more about all the aspects of music beyond performance,
including Aural Perception, more advanced Theory, Composition, Music
History and appreciation, including world music, etc.
Note that students in this stream are also expected to participate weekly
in the rehearsals of one of the of QEH’s major school-based ensembles.
QEH Performance Groups: QEH has four performance groups that meet
regularly: QEH concert Band, QEH String Ensemble, QEH Concert Choir and
Schola Cantorum of QEH. All QEH choirs and ensembles are open to any
interested, qualified students, whether enrolled in specific music courses
or on an extra-curricular basis, although some performance groups do
require auditions. Speak to any QEH music teacher for more information.
In addition to QEH’s school-based Music program, there are a number of
auditioned, all-city ensembles and classes, which are an after-school,
enrichment activity. They are available students who also participate in
the Concert Choir, Band or String Ensemble at QEH. See the end of this
section, or talk to any QEH music teacher for details.
Grade Ten Music Courses
Performance Music Stream
Music Instrumental Band 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
3 Band rehearsals per week, 1 instrumental
class per week (some outside the regular schedule).
Music theory, as required (within the regular schedule).
Music Instrumental Strings 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
3 String Ensemble rehearsals per week, 1
instrumental class per week (some outside the regular schedule).
Music theory, as required (within the regular schedule).
Music Vocal 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
2 Concert Choir rehearsals each week
required;
Voice and sight-singing classes weekly within the regular timetable; and
Music Theory classes – as required within the schedule.
Prerequisite: None.
Music Composition/ History Stream
Music 10 Academic 1.0 Credit
Performance - participation required in one
of Concert Choir, Band or String Ensemble is required.
Theory/Analysis - Introduction to rudiments: scales, metres, clefs, simple
forms and textures.
Music History: A survey of western music history emphasizing Baroque and
Classical periods.
Perceptual Skills - ear training.
Prerequisite: Interest and initiative.
Grade Eleven Music Courses
Performance Music Stream
Music Instrumental Band 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
3 Band rehearsals per week, 1 instrumental
class per week (some outside the regular schedule).
Music Theory, as required (within the regular schedule).
Prerequisite: MUINSB10, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department
Head.
Music Instrumental Strings 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
3 String Ensemble rehearsals per week; 1
instrumental class per week (some outside the regular schedule).
Music Theory, as required (within the regular schedule).
Prerequisite: MUINSS10, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department
Head.
Music Vocal 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
2 Concert Choir rehearsals each week
required;
Voice and sight-singing classes weekly within the regular timetable; and
Music Theory classes – as required within the schedule.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Vocal 10 or prior permission
of the Fine Arts Department Head.
Music Composition/History Stream
Music 11 Academic 1.0 Credit
Performance – as per MUSIC 10.
Theory/Analysis - a continuation of MUSIC 10: more scales, modes, triads,
composition, etc. Perceptual Skills - a continuation of MUSIC 10. Music
History - a survey of western music history focusing on the Romantic
period. Prerequisite: MUSIC 10 or prior permission of the Fine Arts
Department Head. Grade Twelve Music Courses Instrumental/Vocal Music
Stream Music Instrumental Band 12 Academic 1.0 Credit 3 Band rehearsals
per week; 1 instrumental class per week (some outside the regular
schedule). Music Theory, as required (within the regular schedule).
Prerequisite: MUINSB11, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department
Head. Music Instrumental Strings 12 Academic 1.0 Credit 3 String Ensemble
rehearsals per week, 1 instrumental class per week (some outside the
regular schedule). Music Theory as required (within the regular schedule).
Prerequisite: MUINSS11, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department
Head.
Grade Twelve Music Courses
Music Vocal 12 Academic 1.0 Credit
2 Concert Choir rehearsals each week
required;
Voice and sight-singing classes weekly within the regular timetable; and
Music Theory classes – as required within the schedule.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Music Vocal 11 or prior permission
of the Fine Arts Department Head.
Music Composition/History Stream
Music 12 Academic 1.0 Credit
Performance – as per MUSIC 10, MUSIC 11.
Theory/Analysis - a continuation of MUSIC 11: Harmony, compositions in
more than one part, etc.
Perceptual Skills - a continuation of MUSIC 11.
Music History - a survey of western music history focusing on music both
before 1600 and since 1900.
Prerequisite: MUSIC 11, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department
Head.
Music Activities in the After School Program
There are several after-school, all-city
ensembles for which students may audition. These are offered in the Fine
Arts wing of QEH. Students wishing to take part in any all-city choir or
ensemble must also belong to their school choir or ensemble. The following
ensembles are offered in this after-school program, subject to teacher
availability:
Soundtrax (SATB choir), Youth Honour Choir (SSA Choir), Halifax Schools’
Symphony Orchestra, Senior Jazz Band and Intermediate Jazz Band .
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