Academics

Art 1 – #A10A                                                                                            0.5 Credit              Level *  

An entry level course that helps students learn basic art skills. Students will be able to create artworks in a variety of media while learning about the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Projects are based on a semester theme of symbolism in art.

Art II – #A20A                                                                                            0.5 Credit              Level *  

Students will build on basic art skills learned in Art 1 (drawing, painting and sculpture). The goal is to improve art abilities while creating still life, landscape, portrait, and 3-D works. Content will include familiarization of art styles and periods.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 1.

Art III – #A32A                                                                                           0.5 Credit             Level *  

Students will draw on previous experience while building their repertoire of art skills. Students will be able to build a portfolio to photograph and submit with their college admissions materials. Projects are individualized to meet the needs and interests of the student. Media and techniques can be traditional or digital.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 2.

Art IV – #A42A                                                                                           0.5 Credit             Level *  

Students This advanced course focuses on solving college-level problems in Art. Students will be able to create artworks that are sophisticated and student centered, while working on an elite level. Content can be realistic or abstract. Expression and communication of creative ideas in a variety of media is stressed.

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art 3.

World Art – #A50A                                                                                    0.5 Credit              Level*

This is a hands-on course that explores Art History, world cultures and religions, and their connections to Art. Students will be able to imagine, research, plan, and create artworks from various countries and time periods. Projects can include Asian scroll painting, Aboriginal dot painting, Mexican mask-making and other interesting forms. 

Requirements for placement: Completion of Art I or Junior or senior status.

(Performanced-based courses with mandatory concerts serving as assessments)

Concert Chorus – #C10A/B                                                                        1 Credit Level*

The primary purposes of this course are the development of student musicianship and vocal technique, as well as the study and performance of a variety of musical styles through the medium of choral ensemble. The chorus will perform at two concerts a year, a Christmas concert and a spring pops concert. In addition, the chorus performs at all school liturgies, as well as additional performance opportunities throughout the year. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department.  Requirements for placement: Signature of the music teacher.

Drumline – #B34A/B                                                                                  1 Credit Level* 

Percussion students in grades 9-12 will work on drumline cadences, as well as additional percussion instruments.   Students will have many performance opportunities throughout the year, including athletic and admissions events. Students will also have the opportunity to perform with the school concert. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department. Requirements for placement:  Signature of the music teacher.

Concert Band – #B30A/B                                                                          1 Credit Level *

Students will perform advanced concert band repertoire of the highest quality. The band will perform at two concerts a year, a Christmas concert and a spring pops concert. In addition, the band will provide pep band music at sporting events and pep rallies, as well as additional performance opportunities throughout the year. This is a full year course, but semesters are negotiable pending approval from the music department.  Requirements for placement: Signature of the music teacher.

(Nonperformance-based courses utilizing in-class projects for assessments)

Creative Music    – #BB2A                                                                         0.5 Credit              Level*                                

This is an exploratory course that encourages students to develop their understanding of music composition and creation through multiple avenues, including learning how to use a DAW, creating music for a film score, basic music fundamentals, and creative decision making.  No performing is required.  Requirements for placement: Sophomore, junior, or senior status.

IB Music (SL/HL) 1

IB Music (SL/HL) 1 is the first year of a two-year course in which students will build their musical understanding of theory, form, dynamics, and rhythm, as well as learning how these different concepts interact and relate in a musical context. Students will learn about elements of music from many diverse cultures and explore differences and similarities of the stylistic aspects of these cultures. These elements will be discussed broadly as well as specific to the student’s instrument of expertise.   The IB concepts of musical contexts and area of inquiry will also be introduced, as well as the roles of researcher, creator, and performer in the IB context. By the end of year one the students should have completed the “Exploring Music in Context” portfolio for internal assessment.  Requirements for placement:  Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student. 

IB Music (SL/HL) II                            1 Credit Level* 

IB Music (SL/HL) II is a continuation of IB Music I, with deeper exploration of the concepts introduced in IB Music I. Students will explore selecting music for different contexts, and how to make and justify musical decisions, as well as gain confidence in the essential processes of music making. Students will also focus on connecting theoretical studies to practical work and gain a deeper understanding of the music they engage with. Students will also explore music making in the 21st century by engaging with various forms of music technology. Much of the work in this class will be geared towards completing the “Experimenting with Music” and “Presenting Music” portfolios.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

IB Visual Art (SL) 1

IB Visual Art for the Diploma Programme (SL) is the first year of a two-year course in which students will build skills in drawing, painting, sculpting and critiquing art forms. The goal is to provide them with a variety of art experiences that prepare them for 2nd year assessments. Students will experiment with media and techniques, analyze, compare, and write about artworks from different cultures and time periods, document their individual interests and media explorations, critique and reflect on their own work, skillfully present those works, and ultimately allow these activities to direct their visual art journey.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an Must be enrolled as an IB student.  

IB Visual Art (SL) II 

IB Visual Art for the Diploma Programme (SL) 1I is a continuation of IB Visual Art 1. The goal in the second year is to build on and refine art and writing skills learned in year 1 of the course. Students will prepare for the three assessed portions of the course, which include The Comparative Study, The Process Portfolio and The Exhibit. Students will be coached and provided with individual assistance in completing and submitting these final components to IB examiners.  Requirements for placement: Two-year course. Must be enrolled as an IB student.

The Heavy Metal Music Club is a group that meets to listen to and discuss the genre of music and introduce each other to new songs and artists.

Do you want to take your musical ability to the next level as part of a band? The ND Rockband Club seeks to find musicians that enjoy learning, writing, and performing music. The band will feature instruments such as guitar, bass, keyboard, percussion, and vocals to create set lists of songs for performance. Rock on!

The Notre Dame Stage Crew is a branch of the award winning ND Theater whose main activities include: building sets and props, acting as a run crew during a show to move set pieces, and also running the technical aspects of the auditorium (lights and sound) for the Theater productions and also school events.

Notre Dame Theater is a student-driven extracurricular club and theater program designed to give those students interested in theater the opportunity to produce and perform for the public. This student-driven program is made up of highly dedicated student actors and a crew who build the sets and run the tech. The mission of ND Theater is to create a family atmosphere that educates students not only on the technical aspects of theater, but also on what it means to be Notre Dame men and women in their actions onstage and off. Whether you are interested in basking in the spotlight, running the spotlight, or want to stay backstage and hide from the spotlight, there is a spot for everyone in ND Theater.