Fine Arts

Servite High School boasts a robust fine arts program with a varied curriculum. Classes offered include subjects such as Classical Guitar, Concert Choir, Piano, Drawing, Film, and Art History. Many students involved in the fine arts also participate in tandem with the Trinitas Arts Conservatory.

The purpose of the fine arts curriculum is to develop students into lifelong learners with an understanding of how the arts shape culture, reflect historical movements over several centuries, and provide students with the opportunity to showcase their work as they advance in both skill and knowledge.

For those students who have an interest in studying the arts at the university level, Servite has a long history of placing students at top programs throughout the United States. Recent graduates have received scholarships to attend such programs as New York University, Cleveland Institute of Music, Pepperdine University, the University of Texas at Austin, among many others.

Courses

Electives

Electives

7590 CP Film Aesthetics & Production
Year course –Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
This course will examine the way filmmakers create meaning. Students, through the analysis of popular films, will study the various stages of filmmaking to better understand and appreciate them. They will learn the history of filmmaking and the technological advances that have come about in the art form. Appropriate aesthetic and technical vocabulary will be learned and utilized. Students will learn about the filmmaking process, beginning with screenwriting and concluding with the final sound mix. Projects will be assigned to apply knowledge of
skills utilized by those in the filmmaking industry. Students will study the impact of film and television on society from a social, economic, and political viewpoint. Film will be studied as an art form and as a means of communication. A variety of films will be previewed, and students will analyze and respond to these films, and make critical assessments.

7591 Film Video Production
Year course – Senior Elective
Prerequisites: Completion of 7590 and Teacher approval
The second-year film course is designed to allow students to apply the knowledge they obtained in the Intro to Film Aesthetics and Production course. Second-year production students will work collaboratively with classmates to produce short conceptual video projects while continuing to study the craft of numerous professionals in the industry.
This course is not UC/CSU-approved.

2528 CP Yearbook
Year Course – Sophomore/ Junior/Senior Elective
The objective of this course is to have a fun and informative elective that annually produces the Yearbook for the school. Students learn the basics of photography and are responsible for taking candids, as well as photos of sports, classes, clubs, and campus life to represent every student at Servite. Students learn the basics of graphic design, creating layouts for pages and sections. Students also focus on journalism skills, interviewing students, coaches, teachers, and parents, as well as writing captions and articles to accompany their photos. The Yearbook class works as a team to create a well-designed product for the Servite community.

7509 CP Classical Guitar 1
Year course – All Grade Levels Elective
This course is for newcomers to the classical guitar. Anyone, regardless of talent or previous musical experience, can learn to play and find success if the homework is done regularly and on time. While the focus is classical guitar the skills gained in this class create and improve abilities to play other styles of music on other kinds of guitars. An applied music theory component also grounds students in knowledge of the process of composing which is also applicable to any other style of music. A student should plan for 15-30 minutes of deliberate practice time, three to four nights per week. No previous music experience is necessary. This course is modeled on a copyrighted college-prep guitar course taught at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

7529   CP Classical Guitar 2
Year course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
7532   CP Classical Guitar 3
Year course – Junior/Senior Elective
7533         Classical Guitar 4
Year course – Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisites: Must possess a specific set of classical guitar skills and receive instructor approval
These courses provide independent study direction to nurture students toward more advanced repertoire and understanding of music. Guitar ensemble (small group) participation is a central part of the class. Besides that, performing aspect students will develop technical and reading skills appropriate to their level. A minimum of 30 minutes of outside practice five days per week is required. Many performing opportunities outside of the class will be presented and students will be prepared to give excellent performances. Students who begin these classes (level II) should have at least the following skills: the ability to play a variety of right-hand arpeggio patterns through a chord progression, command of rest and free stroke, ability to read through the ninth position (and an understanding of what is beyond that), two and three-octave diatonic scales, and some solo repertoire. Instructor approval is required.
Participation in After-school performances is required.

7515 CP Men’s Chorus
Year Course - All Grade Levels Elective
Men’s Choir 1 is offered to students with limited vocal/choral experience. Students will learn how to match pitch, expand their vocal range, and learn the basic techniques of vocal production including proper breathing and vowel production. Students will learn some music theory as it relates to singing. Several concerts will be performed each year. Students are assessed a $50.00 fee for materials and accompanists.

7520 Advanced Choir
Year Course – Sophomore/Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisites: Audition required
Must attend a meeting/audition and get teacher approval and must have achieved fundamental singing techniques. The advanced choir provides an opportunity to sing difficult music from various genres and musical periods. The student who completes this course will become an independent singer who performs vocal music with proper technique. Training in theory and sight-singing will continue as in Choir I and ear-training will be added. Musicality is assessed through phrasing, dynamics, tone color, tempo, balance, and blend. This group will perform more often and may participate in festivals and contests.
Students are assessed a $50.00 fee for sheet music. The music will remain in their possession at the end of the year (or they could donate it to the school to build the choir library).
This course is not UC/CSU-approved.

7526 CP Beginning Piano
Year Course – All Grade Levels Elective
This class will provide students with instruction in learning to play the piano. Class will be held in a keyboard/music lab where players practice and hear their work through headphones. Focus will be placed on beginning piano technique by playing major scales, finger exercises, and beginning-level piano music while learning the fundamentals of music reading, music structure, melodic playing, and chording. This class also explores the fundamentals of music theory through activities related to assigned music. Students are exposed to music history such as musical eras related to assigned pieces and the history of piano and keyboard development. A semester research/analysis project is required as well as a recital performance in which the student will perform for their peers.

7511 CP Music Theory 1
Year Course – Sophomore/ Junior/Senior Elective
Prerequisites: Students entering this course should possess basic music reading skills
This class is designed with the potential music major in mind, or a student who has an interest in how music is composed. Topics covered include major and minor keys, triads, basic voice leading, harmonic structure, and ear training, among others.