VISUAL ARTS

VISUAL ARTS I
A general course designed for all interested students as an introduction to secondary instruction. It is open to students at any level 9-12 and is a prerequisite for Visual Arts II, III and IV. This course can satisfy both the Metro Schools Scholars program and State college entrance requirements. "Course content leads students to challenging learning experiences in art production, art history, art criticism, and aesthetic awareness. Emphasis is on developing visual problem solving and critical thinking skills."

VISUAL ARTS II
An elective course designed for those students who have satisfactorily completed Visual arts I and who see art as an interesting and challenging subject. Learning experiences become more personalized in that students have the opportunity to concentrate in any one of the four components of art education while continuing the study of four.

VISUAL ARTS III
An elective general art course for students who have successfully completed Visual Arts II. Students may explore the many occupational opportunities available such as: art teaching, museum education, art therapy, art criticism, connoisseurship, art administration, and art or crafts production. Continued study of the components of art can also meet the needs of those who wish to be well informed citizens or who see art as a possible avocation.

VISUAL ARTS IV
A course for the highly motivated student with above average abilities and skills in any of the four components of art education who have satisfactorily completed Visual Arts III. The student and teacher will fashion a program of study that will challenge the student to meet personal goals and sharpen recognized abilities. Special attention is given to post-secondary aspirations.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART STUDIO/PRODUCTION
GENERAL PORTFOLIO OR DRAWING PORTFOLIO
A serious in-depth hands-on study of major art forms and processes that defines how the visual artist responds to the world, solves visual problems, undertakes critical and creative thinking to produce expressive personal statements.

YEARBOOK/GRAPHIC DESIGN
This elective course is offered to all students 9-12, after an interview and evaluation process, who meet the teachers' criteria. The course involves all phases of yearbook production, including computer layout and design, journalistic writing, information gathering, and photography. This course is designed for highly motivated students who wish to make a lasting contribution to the school community.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART HISTORY
This advanced placement course 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 enjoyment of painting, sculpture, architecture, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. It also provides an opportunity for schools to provide course work in an area neglected in most curricula. In the course, students examine major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. They learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to analyze what they see. Many colleges and universities offer advance placement and/or credit to students who have performed successfully on the AP Art History examination.


MUSIC

MUSIC HISTORY
This course explores the foundations, history, and importance of music in our lives. By studying European, American, and world musical styles, the student is exposed to the many ways music functions in culture and the fundamental role it plays. The fall semester begins by focusing on music in the non-Western world and then traces the rich history of European music to 1900. In spring, the course presents a look at the development of music in the twentieth century, specifically investigating the music of America and its emerging worldwide appeal.

Vocal Music 

CONCERT CHOIR
Concert Choir is an audition group open to students of all grade levels. A wide repertoire of music is performed from the Baroque style to 20th century . Mandatory Concerts are held throughout the year as well as outside musical performances. Vocal technique, theory and sightreading are emphasized. Chamber Singers and Carillon are selected from Concert Choir.

Chamber Singers

An audition group of sixteen singers selected through an extra audition of Concert Choir Singers. This group meets once a week and must accept responsibility outside of class to learn the music. Performances are held throughout the school year. This group is a traveling competition ensemble and open to upper classmen only.

 

Carillon

A women's audition group of sixteen singers selected through and audition process of Concert Choir Singers. This group meets once a week and must accept responsibility outside of class to learn the music. This group performs several times during the year and is a competition group and is open to students of all grade levels.

THE BLUE NOTES

Hume-Fogg’s audition show choir. This choir consists of eighteen singers and dancers who perform contemporary, pop, and broadway style music. It is open to upper classmen only. This is a traveling competition group. Auditions are held in May.

Instrumental Music

All instrumental music classes provide an emphasis on individual and small ensemble playing experiences.

CONCERT BAND I-IV

The HFA Concert Band offers the student an opportunity to experience the joy of making music in a traditional band setting. The ensemble is open to all interested students who desire to become proficient on an instrument, and who are willing to put in the effort required to be part of a musical organization. The HFA Concert Band offers at least two concerts per year on campus. The group typically performs music in the grade III-IV range (medium difficulty). Membership in the Concert Band is an important step for the student who eventually wishes to earn a seat in the HFA Wind Ensemble and/or the HFA Jazz Band. Students enroll in Concert Band I, II, III, or IV depending on their grade level, 9-12. Private lessons are strongly urged for all members.

 

WIND ENSEMBLE I-IV

The Wind Ensemble is the flagship band performance group at HFA. The Wind Ensemble is a smaller and more select version of the Concert Band and typically has only one or two musicians per part. The HFA Wind Ensemble consists of 40-50 members, selected by audition, and performs works written at grades V-VI for bands (medium-advanced to advanced difficulty). The ensemble offers at least two concerts per school year on campus and performs in the spring at the MTSBOA Concert Festival. Students enroll in Wind Ensemble I, II, III, or IV depending on their grade level, 9-12. Private lessons are very strongly urged for all members. Enrollment requires instructor permission and audition.

 

JAZZ BAND I-IV

The HFA Silver Jazz Band is the top jazz big band at HFA. Seats are earned by audition, and practice and dedication are expected of all members. This 25-piece group (approx.) plays numerous concerts on and off campus each year. The group consists of 6 saxes/woodwinds, 5 trumpets, 4-5 trombones, 2 guitars, 2 keyboards, 2 basses, 3 drums/aux percussion, 1 vibraphone, 1 utility musician, and 1-3 vocalists. Students enroll in Jazz Band I, II, III, or IV depending on their grade level, 9-12. Private lessons are very strongly urged for all members. Enrollment requires instructor permission and audition.

 

 

STUDIO TECHNOLOGY (formerly “POP ENSEMBLE”)

Studio Technology is designed for the student who wishes to learn how to record music using professional-level, digital-recording studio equipment. The software used for this course is Apple Logic Pro, a state-of-the-art application that is used by many top recording studios. Topics covered are: (1) the history and development of electronic music, (2) principles of live audio applications, (3) basic audio equipment use, (4) studio recording techniques, (5) MIDI applications, (6) mixing and mastering, and (7) songwriting. Some knowledge of physics, electronics, and computer technology is required. Enrollment requires instructor permission.

THEATRE

THEATRE ARTS
A study of the elements that comprise the total "theatre experience", including: pantomime, improvisation, theatre history, acting, and scene study.

THEATRE PRODUCTION
This course is designed to provide experience in directing, play writing, set design, make-up, lighting, children's theatre, play production, as well as acting. Theatre Arts is a pre-requisite for this course as well as instructor approval.

ADVANCED THEATRE/ACTING
This course is designed for the serious acting and directing student. Students produce scenes and one-act plays during class time. Workshops, field trips, and quest artists will also be included. Instructor approval and an interview are required for admission to this course.