Classes Offered

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: open to all students

Description: Taking this class means being on your feet. You will perform improvisational games, give a monologue, work as a team to build a scene, draw basic stage design, and learn how to direct. The class aims to give the student a broad introduction to what is a very diverse art form. In each new unit, we will also examine historical antecedents and give a basic review of relevant theory.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Junior or Senior status.

Description: Everyone is invited to consider this course, not just students who are actors. Indeed, one of the first lessons of this course is that acting and directing are two very different skills. We will start by covering the basic theory of performance and direction, and then move into a workshop setting in which students apply their skills. The class then allows students to demonstrate their learning in a real-world environment, with a real cast, a real show, and a real audience.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Open to Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors

Description: Everyone has a unique story to tell. And having it not just read, but seen, is even more unique. This is your NEW opportunity to express yourself in a personal and modern way through the art of screenwriting (film) and playwriting (theater), and a chance of seeing your story come alive! A goal of this class is to bring to the Jesuit Theater One-Acts and Short Films Festivals original student written works. In this course you will have the freedom to create using your imagination, observation and experience while learning techniques, genres and styles, examine historical and relevant theory.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Description: Power tools, construction, and design are at the heart of this course. Students will construct the stage for Jesuit Theater’s extracurricular play. However, no extracurricular commitment is required, and no theater experience is necessary. All construction will be done in class. During the course of study, students will learn the skills needed to construct scenery, hang and focus lighting instruments, implement a sound system for effects, and scenic artistry, all in a variety of techniques. Additionally, students will be introduced to basic design theory, and will be given an opportunity to draft their own designs for a theatrical production.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Description: Photography is a one-semester course for students interested in developing their art through the medium of digital photography. Students will learn the fundamentals of using DSLR cameras while exploring the concepts of the visual elements. In addition to learning about apertures, shutter speeds, ISOs, color correction, airbrushing, and other photography concepts, students will discover how the underlying concepts of traditional art media (like drawing) can be applied in order to create photographs of a higher quality. This class is open to all grade levels, and requires instructor approval for enrollment (please contact Mr. Howard if you are interested in taking this class).

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Description: Movies. Television. YouTube. Take this class and learn the basics of telling stories through digital video, which includes cinematography, directing, sound design, lighting, and editing. The course will explore the tools of filmmaking in depth and culminate in a short film that will debut for audiences in the spring. Students will work with partners on the film and should be prepared to spend time outside of class to shoot, edit, and polish productions. To register for the course, first gain permission from Mr. Montgomery or Mr. Acevedo via email or an appointment during office hours.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Description: This course focuses on pottery making by mainly use of the potter’s wheel.

Potters, sculptors, hand builders and all handmade ceramic artisans learn these basic techniques to work with clay. It includes pinch, coil, slab, extrusions, sculptural as well as wheel throwing and trimming methods to working with clay. Basic surface decoration, glazing and firing techniques and kiln operation are covered. Focus is to experience different techniques and to become competent and knowledgeable of different ways to work with clay; competence comes with practice.

Credit: 0.50

Description: This course focuses on pottery making by mainly using Hand-building, and not working on the potter’s wheel.

Potters, sculptors, hand builders and all handmade ceramic artisans learn these basic techniques to work with clay. It includes pinch, coil, slab, extrusions, and sculptural methods to work with clay. Basic surface decoration, glazing and firing techniques and kiln operation are covered. Focus is to experience different techniques and to become competent Hand-built clay objects; competence comes with practice.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Ceramics – (Throwing or Hand-Building).

Description: This course focuses on pottery making by Throwing or Hand-building technique.

The focus will be determined by the student’s interest and agreement with the instructor.

Potters, sculptors, hand builders and all handmade ceramic artisans build upon throwing or hand-building techniques to work with clay; by expanding competency and studying the important elements of designing and producing utilitarian and contemporary pottery,

Including wall thickness, balance and proportion, surface decoration and glazing and firing techniques. Competence comes with practice.

Credit: 0.50

Description: Students in this summer-only course will discover the visual elements of art through in-class exercises and field trips to local professional arts establishments. The course culminates in a comprehensive project in which students imitate the artistic exercises of advertising, architecture, theater, or gallery management.

Credit: 0.50

Description: A one semester course for students with previous art/drawing experience and/or a serious interest in developing their art through focused drawing instruction.

This class meets 4 days a week

Credit: 0.50

Description: A one-semester course for students interested in developing their art through traditional media: illustration, printmaking and painting. This class is open to all grade levels.

  This class will meet 4 days per week.

Credit: 0.50

Description: A one-semester course for students interested in developing their art through new media: digital imagery and the Adobe Creative Suite. This class is open to all grade levels.

This class will meet 4 days per week.

Credit: 1.00

Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

Description: A one-semester course designed to assist in the development of a serious portfolio of work for art-focused students. Students will work with a variety of media to develop projects, which will culminate in a comprehensive portfolio to be submitted for review by the College Board in May.

This class meets 4 days a week

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: None

Students will learn the fundamentals of music composition and film scoring. Using Logic Pro software on the iMacs, students will learn basic rhythm, melody, harmony, form and sound manipulation. This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Status. 

Description: This is a basic survey of music including listening skills and history. Styles of music to be covered include Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Post-Romantic.

This class meets four days a week. 

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading music and playing an instrument

Description: An in-depth study of music theory, ear training, counterpoint, keyboard harmony, and analysis of both classical and contemporary musical forms.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: This class is a precursor to Jazz Improvisation 956 and requires minimal proficiency on a musical instrument. Audition required.

Description: A class which explores the basic techniques used in improvising and performing jazz music. Chord structure, scales, and melodic construction are covered. Students will focus on learning to read music, jazz history, music theory, and ultimately playing improvised music.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Completion of Introduction to Jazz History and Improvisation I. Must be able to read music and demonstrate proficiency on an instrument. Audition required.

Description: This class continues to explore intermediate to advanced techniques used in improvising and performing jazz music. Further examination of jazz history including famous musical performances and theory will also be covered.

This class meets four days a week.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Junior high string orchestra or audition.

Description: Class is the traditional string orchestra (violin, viola, cello, bass and piano). Music ranging from Baroque Era to the 20th century is covered. This 2 semester class meets twice a week at Ursuline Academy.

Exempt from Credit Maximum

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Must be interested in learning to sing music of all styles.

Description: Students will learn to sing and harmonize music from traditional genres as well as pop, rock and jazz. Students will have opportunities to develop their musical potential through learning techniques such as reading music, harmonizing, and group and solo performance skills.

Exempt from Credit Maximum

This class meets four days a week.
Additional rehearsals outside of school will be scheduled for concerts and school masses.

Credit: 0.50

Prerequisites: Must be interested in learning to sing music of all styles.

Description: Students will learn to sing and harmonize music from traditional genres as well as pop, rock and jazz. Students will have opportunities to develop their musical potential through learning techniques such as reading music, harmonizing, and group and solo performance skills.

Exempt from Credit Maximum

This class meets three days per week during first half of Freshman Lunch.

Freshman Students will rehearse in the choir hall during the first half of lunch and eat in the cafeteria during the second half.
Additional rehearsals outside of school will be scheduled for concerts and school masses.

Credit: 1.00

Prerequisites: Must either play an instrument or be willing to learn.

Description: Class composed of wind and percussion musicians. The organization performs as a marching band August through mid-November. It is a Concert band for the rest of the year, which includes percussion ensemble, jazz band, and chamber music. Students without an instrument will be provided with a school-owned instrument.