Drawing allows students to 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. The work expectations are significant in this advanced class, and the bulk of each project is expected to be completed outside of class.

An Exploration of Theatre, Musical Theatre & the Ukulele
Arts 8 is an exploration of finding confidence in your own voice. We build that confidence through the mediums of theatre, musical theatre and music. We start the year with learning about how the theatre works, how to use correct theatrical vocabulary, and feeling comfortable in the physical space. Then we move into communication styles: pantomime, non-verbal, improvisation, monologues and scene work. Then we will work on taking those skills into collaborative presentations about the history of musical theatre. The class will have the opportunity to see a live mainstage professional production, and get an overview of how musical theatre has shaped American society. Finally, we take the opportunity to learn a new instrument: the ukulele. This allows students to find their musical voice, by learning the technique to play and sing their own song by the end of the year. We finish off the year with an end-of-the-year vocal/ukulele performance at their 8th Grade Celebration Ceremony.

Chamber Choir is designed to give students an opportunity to sing advanced and varied choral literature from a range of styles that could include: traditional, sacred, popular, jazz and musical theatre. It is an auditioned ensemble for students who have completed one year of Choir. Students will learn about good vocal health, technique and pedagogy. They will have the opportunity to perform as a group in the Winter Concert and Spring ‘Festival of the Arts’, but also in solo/duet/trio/quartets. There will also be a touring opportunity. New students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades with choral experience should talk to Mr. Williams as soon as possible if they wish to audition for Chamber Choir.

York’s new Digital Media course is designed to educate students on the ever-changing digital world, as well as to provide hands-on experience with industry standard software. Working in York’s Media Lab, with its Mac Mini desktops, using the Adobe Creative Suite of media and design apps, students practice and learn many ways to explore the power of image making, storytelling, and conveying messages through digital art and video. The class will be project-based, sometimes assisting with the creation of digital media that may be used by various school groups.

This class will not only give students the basic technical tools they need to take better photographs but also give them the ability to become a more observant person and to see the visual world in a fresh new way. The journey begins with learning to get the most out of the camera students usually have with them - the one built into phones. Students will tackle the basics of Adobe Photoshop to help refine the photographs they take so that they can reach their fullest potential. Students also learn about the work of a diverse group of photographers from around the globe and how to look at and discuss their work in order for it to inspire their own.

Jazz Band serves as an introduction to the rich history and style of jazz music. Through ensemble rehearsal, individual practice, and a variety of performance opportunities, the student will gain an understanding and appreciation for this unique and exciting art form. Emphasis will be placed on rudimentary improvisational skills, phrasing in a swing feel, and performance techniques. By the end of this course, students will have a basic understanding of jazz and the beginning level forms associated with it. Students will be able to perform a variety of standard jazz/popular music repertoire. Students will also have an elementary knowledge of the 12 bar blues form and how to improvise over that form using fundamental chords. Performance opportunities will include winter and spring concerts and various York events. All instruments are welcome, not just the traditional “jazz” instruments, and Jazz Band makes every attempt to accommodate students at their present level of ability. The horn positions are open to all students with basic knowledge of their instruments, and it is important that those who play piano, guitar, bass, and drums have some experience on their instrument.

This course gives students the opportunity to perform music in a variety of musicals. Students will work to create a “rep book” that will consist of Broadway songs that they will be able to use for future auditions, and performances. They will work at building their repertoire with musical theatre songs pre-1965 and post-1965, and pop/rock songs – similar to what college MT auditions require. We will present a recital of these songs in November 2024. Concurrent enrollment in Choir or Chamber Choir is suggested. We will also have an optional opportunity to see a professional regional/Broadway performance. Open to all students of abilities/ranges.

Strings Ensemble is open to all string players with previous knowledge of their instrument. Educational emphasis is placed on collaborative experience, independent musicianship, style, and a deeper understanding of small group ensemble music. Literature will consist of various genres of music. Students will perform in person or virtually at Fall Fair, Winter Concert, Festival of the Arts, and Commencement. Seating will be determined after informal placement auditions at the beginning of each school year.

String Ensemble is open to all string players with previous knowledge of their instrument; Educational emphasis is placed on collaborative experience, independent musicianship, style, and a deeper understanding of small group ensemble music, and orchestral literature. Literature will consist of various genres of music. Students will perform in person or virtually at Fall Fair, Winter Concert, Festival of the Arts and Commencement. Seating will be determined after informal placement auditions at the beginning of each school year.

This is an introduction to art with no experience necessary. The class is focused on drawing fundamentals for the first 6 weeks; covering contour, texture, line gesture, value, and perspective while emphasizing the need to observe and develop coordination between the eyes and hands. Students will research and write about periods in art history that appeal to them, developing personal tastes and preferences and defending those positions to their peers and teacher. In the second quarter, we will introduce the modalities of color, printmaking, painting, and sculpture. Finished work will be posted on Google Drive and displayed on-campus or digitally online.

In Studio Art II: Drawing, students will have the opportunity to further their exploration of drawing mediums. This is the core experience of any artist. The semester will include reductive drawing (using an eraser and graphite powder layers), dry-point etching, the use of charcoal on different surfaces, reductive linoleum prints using three colors, textured drawings using India ink, and more. Exercises will be aided by examples, demos, videos, and guest artists. Research and writing exercises will also be employed as well as weekly critiques. Finished work will be posted on Google Drive and displayed on-campus and/or digitally online.

In Studio Art II: Painting, students will have small canvases to create each exercise dealing with a specific design element. Value, pattern, balance, color, emphasis, texture, and more will be covered in these small works of art. The idea is to encourage more starts, turnover and a robust environment to experiment, make mistakes, and develop painting skills. We will start in acrylic and with still life and explore animals, abstraction, portraiture, the human form, and landscape. These exercises will be interspersed with demos, artist of the week talks, and writing exercises. Finished work will be posted on Google Drive and displayed on-campus and/or digitally online.

Studio Art III allows students to build a portfolio throughout the course of a year. Highlighting this process is a concentration or “sustained investigation” of a particular theme chosen by the student. In this way each portfolio is meant to be personal and evolving with new experiences. Studio Art lll students will develop familiarity with many styles and means of artistic expression that will help encourage original designs. Students will be encouraged to use multiple mediums and a variety of subjects. This is a full-year course that requires a high level of autonomy, motivation, and love for the visual arts. Students are exposed to the art world through field trips to galleries and museums, visiting artists, research, and critiques. This course is recommended to be taken in the junior year in preparation for AP Studio Art in the senior year.