Arts Education Course Descriptions

Arts Education

Education in fine arts assists us in perceiving, analyzing and interpreting our community, our environment and our cultural heritage. Study of the arts allows us experience the world through the eyes and ears of others. It adds new dimensions both to our understanding of the world, and to our ability to recognize problems in it and take action towards their solutions. The arts both mirror and influence the human condition, reflecting our origins, our history and our aspirations.

Education in the arts is an essential part of the development of every child. The fine art disciplines of art, drama and music function through a unique blending of craft and creativity that stimulates creative and intuitive thought while developing the intellect.

Arts education assists in perceiving and responding to the environment through the senses. It also helps in achieving self-discipline, experiencing success and realizing personal potential. Learning through the arts provides a fuller understanding and enjoyment of life. It also provides opportunities for students to explore careers in the fine arts.

IB Music, IB Theatre and IB Visual Arts may be offered to non IB Diploma students as a certificate course. Completion of the course requires a grade 11 and 12 commitment that gives the student advanced university standing. Please see full courses description in the International Baccalaureate section of this guide.

In addition to a wide range of courses available at Citadel High School in Fine Arts, it is also possible to Challenge for Credit for many Fine Arts courses for which previous study may have made you eligible. See the details on Challenge for Credit in Fine Arts.

Music courses at Citadel High

There are a number of music courses offered at Citadel High School: Strings 10/11/12, Band 10/11/12, Voice 10/11/12 (Musical Theatre), EAL MUSIC 10, Music Songwriting 10/11/12, and International Baccalaureate Music Higher Level and International Baccalaureate Standard Level.

How are these classes scheduled?

The Band and Strings courses are scheduled throughout the year as opposed to semestered. The delivery of Band and Strings courses differs slightly. Students will have Band every other day for the full year as opposed to everyday for one semester. The Grade 10 Band course is backed with English 10 which runs throughout the whole year as well. Strings 10 is entirely outside of the school day schedule.

The semester system poses scheduling conflicts in the upper grades. In order to accommodate those students who would like to take Band and Strings in grades 11 and 12, the courses are offered outside the regular schedule in a block called 'X'.

The Voice 10/11/12 Musical Theatre course is scheduled outside of the regular school schedule. Folks should prepare to attend one lunch hour class and several evening rehearsals in preparation for Musical performances.

EAL Music and Songwriting last for one semester only.

IB MUSIC SL lasts for 1.5 semesters. This course is open to students entering grade 11 or grade 12. While a music background is not necessarily a prerequisite, it is strongly recommended that students wishing to take this course have some proficiency on a musical instrument. Please note, this course is offered through the Nova Scotia Virtual School. Recommended for students wishing to pursue Music after high school.

IB MUSIC HL lasts for approximately 2 semesters. Students enrolled in HL Music will complete the same 3 projects as students in SL Music students. There is an additional music collaboration project that distinguishes the HL Music course from the SL Music course. Please note, this course is offered through the Nova Scotia Virtual School. Recommended for students wishing to pursue Music after high school.

Are there other music making opportunities?

Students can choose to participate in musical production by either singing in the chorus or auditioning for a role. There are also opportunities to participate in the pit orchestra for the musical.

Students can also join the school choir, Pop Vox. These folks meet once a week over the lunch hour to sing and learn cool harmonies.

In addition, students are encouraged to audition the Halifax Regional Arts program ensembles. This program features many choirs, a concert band, an orchestra, and a jazz band, to name a few. Students who participate in HRA ensembles must participate in Citadel High music ensembles, if one is available. For more information, please consult: https://hra.hrce.ca/

Citadel High puts on Coffee Houses once a month throughout the school year. Coffee house are open to all Citadel High students.

At the end of each semester, Citadel High hosts a school talent show. Look for information about these exciting events and opportunities to perform.

Course Descriptions

Dance 11 — 1 credit

Completes the Physical Education requirement
or Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Dance 11 is designed for all students, with or without previous formal dance training, and builds on student's experiences in dance throughout the physical education curriculum, grade primary to nine. It emphasizes creative movement as a form of communication and self-expression, as a unique way of learning about oneself and others. In this course students explore a range of dance styles, create and present dance sequences, respond critically to their own dance works and those of others, and make connections with dance in local and global contexts, both past and present. Students also have opportunities to examine the connections between dance and other art disciplines. The course comprises four components: elements of movement, creation and composition, presentation and performance, and dance and society.

Drama 11 — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Drama 11 builds upon the components and dramatic forms introduced and developed in Drama 10. Students will have further opportunity to discover and come to understand important principles of drama and theatre. In Drama 11, the emphasis is on the creation of text and performance. Text creation in drama will take many forms, inspired by a number of stimuli including music, literature, improvisation, and existing script. A collective, a form theatre piece, or scripted plays are some of the possible forms of performance that may be pursued in Grade 11. The theater component within the Grade 11 program culminates in a public performance.

Recommended Prerequisite

Drama 10

IB Film — no credit

The IB Film course aims to develop students as proficient interpreters and makers of film texts. Through the study and analysis of film texts, and practical exercises in film production, students develop critical abilities and appreciation of artistic, cultural, historical and global perspectives in film. They examine concepts, theories, practices and ideas from multiple perspectives, challenging their own views to understand and value those of others. Students are challenged to acquire and develop critical thinking, reflective analysis and the imaginative synthesis through practical engagement in the art, craft and study of film. Students experiment with film and multimedia technology, acquiring the skills and creative competencies required to successfully communicate through the language of the medium. They develop an artistic voice and learn how to express personal perspectives through film. The course emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively, international and intercultural dynamics, and an appreciation of the development of film across time and culture.

IB Music — no credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Are you planning on studying music after high school? Are you looking to take a deep dive into music theory and composition to brush up on your songwriting skills? Are you interested in learning about types of music from around the world? Are you just plain interested in anything having to do with music? Consider taking the IB Music SL course for next year. With a newly updated curriculum focusing the complete musician, this course offers students opportunities to explore music that is meaningful to them as a researcher, performer, and composer. You do not have to be in the IB program to take this course. While there is no prerequisite for IB Music, prior experience in music is recommended.

Students wishing to take the SL IB Music course in Grade 11 will test out in May of their Grade 11 year. Similarly, students taking SL IB music in Grade 12 will test out in May of their Grade 12 year.

Ms. Farrell has made a presentation about IB Music. For more information, please contact Ms. Farrell ffarrell@gnspes.ca or contact your guidance counsellor.

If this course does not have enough students to run in-person, it will run as part of the Nova Scotia Virtual School.

Recommended Prerequisite

One of the Grade 10 Music courses.

IB Theatre Arts — no credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

IB Theatre is a Higher Level course designed to encourage students to examine theatre in its diversity of forms around the world. This will be achieved through a critical study of the theory, history and culture of theatre, and will find expression through work-shops, devised work or scripted performance. Students will come to understand that the act of imagining, creating, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre in its past and present contexts embodies the individual and social need to investigate and find explanations for the world around us. The course emphasizes the importance of working individually and as a member of an ensemble. Students are encouraged to develop the organizational and technical skills needed to express themselves creatively in theatre. This course will challenge students to become aware of their own perspectives and biases and to learn to respect and appreciate cultural diversity. At the core of the theatre course lies a concern with clarity of understanding, critical thinking, reflective analysis, effective involvement and imaginative synthesis - all of which should be achieved through practical engagement in theatre.

Recommended Prerequisite

Drama 10 or Arts dramatique 10F

IB Visual Arts — no credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Visual Art will be offered at the Higher Level and this course will be completed over grade 11 and 12. It is an excellent preparatory course for students planning on studying Art in university. Emphasis is placed on independent research, persistence, creativity and originality. The approaches include experiments with process and materials, developing technical ability by producing work and exploring the principles and elements of design, critiquing art and evaluating responses to one's own images, investigating the interaction of art culture and history, and analyzing art concepts and philosophies. Assessment in the course focuses on Studio Work and on Investigation Workbooks. The student will prepare a selection of his or her work in the form of an exhibition and will prepare a video interview as part of his or her final examination.

Recommended Prerequisite

Visual Arts 10

Music 11B (Instrumental Band) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Band 11 course is designed for students who play a concert band instrument. Students will be expected to attend 3 band classes per week and participate in full concert band. Please note that some of these classes may occur outside of the school schedule. In this course, students will create and perform a variety of genres of music to expand their technical skills on their respective instrument, and increase their understanding of musical components including theory, music history, composition, improvisation, and self-evaluation. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the year.

Recommended Prerequisite

Music Instrumental Band 10, or prior permission of the Music Teacher & Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 11P (Songwriting) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

This course is a continuation of the skills developed in Music Songwriting 10. Do you write your own songs? Perform your original music at coffee houses? Want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of songwriting? In this course, students will develop and refine their songwriting skills. Topics include: music theory, aural skills, composition, setting lyrics to music, exploring music technology, the history of popular music, and of course opportunities for creating and performing in both solo songs and group settings. An ideal course for aspiring song-writers!

Music 11S (Strings) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Strings 11 course is designed for students who have been playing a stringed instrument for several years. Students will be expected to attend 2 hours of ensemble rehearsals per week, and 1 techniques class, on their respective instrument, per week. Please note that ALL of These rehearsals occur outside the school schedule. They are scheduled at lunch hour, before and after school times. In this class, students will explore the techniques of ensemble performance, music theory, and music history through a variety of musical styles. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the year. Please note: This course is offered as a component of the Halifax Regional Arts Music Program. Various HRA Ensembles are available to students who are registered in this course, such as Honor Violin and HSSO.

Recommended Prerequisite

Instrumental Strings 10, or have prior permission of the Music Teacher & Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 11V (Vocals - Musical Theatre) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

This course builds on the skills developed in Music Vocals 10 (Musical Theatre).Do you love musicals? To be on stage? To act, sing, and dance? Looking to prepare for the school musical audition? Looking to develop vocal and performance skills? Or just looking to do a bit more singing? We will spend time on theatre games, and physical and vocal warm-ups in order to free the singing voice and to feel more comfortable with movement on the stage. The majority of time will be spent in rehearsals for the school musical. In this course we also aim to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment where students feel comfortable to express their inner Broadway star. This course takes place outside of the regular school schedule. It's tailor made for folks who are already planning on being on stage in the annual musical production and who would like to earn a Fine Arts credit in the process!

Recommended Prerequisite

Music 10 Voice

Visual Arts 11 — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Visual Arts 11 concentrates on refining skills and further developing understanding of the central components of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and design. Specific focus will be through selected media such as watercolour, acrylic, printmaking and sculpture.

Recommended Prerequisite

Visual Arts 10. Qualified second year students new to the program or school may be accepted directly into Visual Arts 11 if they are approved based on portfolio submission to the Arts Education Department Head.

Dance 12 — 1 credit

Completes the Physical Education requirement
or Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Dance 12 is designed for all students, with or without previous formal dance training, and builds on student's experiences in dance throughout the physical education curriculum, grade primary to nine. It emphasizes creative movement as a form of communication and self-expression, as a unique way of learning about oneself and others. In this course students explore a range of dance styles, create and present dance sequences, respond critically to their own dance works and those of others, and make connections with dance in local and global contexts, both past and present. Students also have opportunities to examine the connections between dance and other art disciplines. The course comprises four components: elements of movement, creation and composition, presentation and performance, and dance and society.

Recommended Prerequisite

Dance 11 is encouraged but not required.

Drama 12 Theatre Arts — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The focus of Drama 12 will be on the theatre component of drama. Emphasis will be placed on production work and development of skills appropriate to work in theatre. In Drama 12, students will be required to participate in a theatrical production work and its many facets. This may involve acting, directing, writing, producing and/or technical work. In addition, students will develop and execute a plan to provide drama workshops and/or performances to a public audience. In short, students will be expected to mirror the work of a production company.

Recommended Prerequisite

Drama 11

IB Film HL — 2½ credits

The IB Film course aims to develop students as proficient interpreters and makers of film texts. Through the study and analysis of film texts, and practical exercises in film production, students develop critical abilities and appreciation of artistic, cultural, historical and global perspectives in film. They examine concepts, theories, practices and ideas from multiple perspectives, challenging their own views to understand and value those of others. Students are challenged to acquire and develop critical thinking, reflective analysis and the imaginative synthesis through practical engagement in the art, craft and study of film. Students experiment with film and multimedia technology, acquiring the skills and creative competencies required to successfully communicate through the language of the medium. They develop an artistic voice and learn how to express personal perspectives through film. The course emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively, international and intercultural dynamics, and an appreciation of the development of film across time and culture.?

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Film

IB Music SL — 1½ credits

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Are you planning on studying music after high school? Are you looking to take a deep dive into music theory and composition to brush up on your songwriting skills? Are you interested in learning about types of music from around the world? Are you just plain interested in anything having to do with music? Consider taking the IB Music SL course for next year. With a newly updated curriculum focusing the complete musician, this course offers students opportunities to explore music that is meaningful to them as a researcher, performer, and composer. You do not have to be in the IB program to take this course. While there is no prerequisite for IB Music, prior experience in music is recommended.

Students wishing to take the SL IB Music course in Grade 11 will test out in May of their Grade 11 year. Similarly, students taking SL IB music in Grade 12 will test out in May of their Grade 12 year.

Ms. Farrell has made a presentation about IB Music. For more information, please contact Ms. Farrell ffarrell@gnspes.ca or contact your guidance counsellor.

If this course does not have enough students to run in-person, it will run as part of the Nova Scotia Virtual School.

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Music

IB Theatre Arts HL — 2½ credits

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

IB Theatre is a Higher Level course designed to encourage students to examine theatre in its diversity of forms around the world. This will be achieved through a critical study of the theory, history and culture of theatre, and will find expression through work-shops, devised work or scripted performance. Students will come to understand that the act of imagining, creating, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre in its past and present contexts embodies the individual and social need to investigate and find explanations for the world around us. The course emphasizes the importance of working individually and as a member of an ensemble. Students are encouraged to develop the organizational and technical skills needed to express themselves creatively in theatre. This course will challenge students to become aware of their own perspectives and biases and to learn to respect and appreciate cultural diversity. At the core of the theatre course lies a concern with clarity of understanding, critical thinking, reflective analysis, effective involvement and imaginative synthesis - all of which should be achieved through practical engagement in theatre.

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Theatre

IB Visual Arts HL — 2½ credits

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Visual Arts (Higher Level) is offered over Grades 11 and 12 and provides an excellent foundation for students planning to study art or creative fields at the university level. The course is a creative, practice-based program that places art-making as inquiry at its core. Emphasis is placed on independent artistic investigation, persistence, creativity and originality. Students develop their skills through experimenting with materials and processes, refining technical abilities, and exploring the elements and principles of design. Through making art, students learn to think critically, communicate ideas, and reflect on the relationship between artist, artwork, context and audience. Learning is organized through the integrated core areas of create, connect and communicate, encouraging students to work both independently and collaboratively in a studio-based environment. Students investigate art across cultures and contexts, analyze artistic concepts, and develop a personal visual language informed by research and reflection.

Recommended Prerequisite

IB Visual Arts

Music 12B (Instrumental Band) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Band 12 course is designed for students who play a concert band instrument. Students will be expected to attend 3 Band classes per week and participate in full concert band. Please note that some of these classes may occur outside of the school schedule. In this course, students will create and perform a variety of genres of music to expand their technical skills, on their respective instrument, and increase their understanding of musical components including theory, music history, composition, improvisation, and self-evaluation. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the year. Please note that some of these classes may occur outside the school schedule.

Recommended Prerequisite

Music Instrumental Band 11, or prior permission of the Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 12P (Songwriting) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

This course is a continuation of the skills developed in Music Songwriting 11. Do you write your own songs? Perform your original music at coffee houses? Want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of songwriting? In this course, students will develop and refine their songwriting skills. Topics include: music theory, aural skills, composition, setting lyrics to music, exploring music technology, the history of popular music, and of course opportunities for creating and performing in both solo and group settings. An ideal course for aspiring song-writers!

Music 12S (Strings) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Strings 12 course is designed for students who have been playing a stringed instrument for several years. Students will be expected to attend 2 hours of ensemble rehearsals per week and 1 techniques class, on their respective instrument, per week. Please note that ALL of these rehearsals occur outside the school schedule. They are scheduled at lunch hour, before and after school times. In this class, students will explore the techniques of ensemble performance, music theory, and music history through a variety of musical styles. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the school year. Please note: This course is offered as a component of the Halifax Regional Arts Music Program. Various HRA Ensembles are available to students who are registered in this course such as Honor Violin and HSSO.

Recommended Prerequisite

Instrumental Strings 11, or prior permission of the Music Teacher & Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 12V (Vocals - Musical Theatre) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

This course builds on the skills developed in Music Vocals 11 (Musical Theatre). Do you love musicals? To be on stage? To act, sing, and dance? Looking to prepare for the school musical audition? Looking to develop vocal and performance skills? Or just looking to do a bit more singing? We will spend time on theatre games, and physical and vocal warm-ups in order to free the singing voice and to feel more comfortable with movement on the stage. The majority of time will be spent in rehearsals for the school musical. In this course we also aim to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment where students feel comfortable to express their inner Broadway star. This course takes place outside of the regular school schedule. It's tailor made for folks who are already planning on being on stage in the annual musical production and who would like to earn a Fine Arts credit in the process!

Recommended Prerequisite

Music Vocal 11

Visual Arts 12 — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

At the Visual Arts 12 level students specialize working in depth through selected areas of the central program. Continued emphasis is placed on the range of these central components.

Recommended Prerequisite

Visual Arts 11

Grade 10 Arts Courses

Arts dramatiques 10F — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Arts Dramatiques 10 is an introductory course designed for students who would like to learn more about drama and theatre arts. The focus of this course is the personal, intellectual, and social growth of students as they explore a variety of dramatic styles, techniques and forms. The course entails in-class exercises to develop concentration, self-confidence, imagination, openness and sensitivity. Students will experience improvisation, work with scripted plays and some script writing, character development and role-playing as well as various technical aspects of the theatre. This is an activity-based class, requiring collaborative participation. Attention is paid to French language development which serves the objectives of the course.

Drama 10 — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Drama 10 is an introductory course designed for students who would like to learn more about drama and theatre arts. The focus of this course is the personal, intellectual, and social growth of students as they explore a variety of dramatic styles, techniques and forms. The course entails in-class exercises to develop concentration, self-confidence, imagination, openness and sensitivity. Students will experience improvisation, work with scripted plays and some script writing, character development and role-playing as well as various technical aspects of the theatre. This is an activity-based class, requiring collaborative participation.

Music 10 (EAL Music) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

This music course is designed for EAL students who love music! Using tools including ukulele, steel drums, bucket drumming, improvisation, bandlab/chrome music lab, and music notation, students will explore a variety of styles and approaches to music and music-making, as well as their own relationship to music. This is a hands-on course where students work together not only to create music, but a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment.

Music 10 (Instrumental Band) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Band 10 course is designed for students who play a concert band instrument. Students enrolled in this course typically start learning a band instrument in either grade six or seven and have continued to play in a concert band throughout their junior high years. Students will be expected to attend 3 Band classes per week and participate in full concert band. Please note that some of these classes may occur outside of the school schedule. In this course, students will create and perform a variety of genres of music to expand their technical skills (on their respective instrument), and increase their understanding of musical components including theory, music history, composition, improvisation, and self-evaluation. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the year.

Recommended Prerequisite

Students must have performed in their Jr. High School band, or prior permission of the Music Teacher & Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 10 (Songwriting) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Do you write your own songs? Perform your original music at coffee houses? Want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of songwriting? In this course, students will develop and refine their songwriting skills. Topics include: music theory, aural skills, composition, setting lyrics to music, exploring music technology, the history of popular music, and of course opportunities for solo and group song-writing collaboration. An ideal course for aspiring song-writers!

Music 10 (Strings) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

The Strings 10 course is designed for students who have been playing a stringed instrument for several years. Students will be expected to attend 2 hours of ensemble rehearsals per week and 1 techniques class per week, on their respective instrument. Please note that ALL of these rehearsals occur outside of the school schedule. They are scheduled at lunch hour, before and after school times. In this class, students will explore the techniques of ensemble performance, music theory, and music history through a variety of musical styles. Students will be expected to participate in a number of performances throughout the year. Please note-this course is offered as a component of the All-City Music Program. Various All-City ensembles are available to students who are registered in this course, such as Honour Violin and HSSO.

Recommended Prerequisite

Students must have performed in their Jr. High School Orchestra, or have prior permission of the Music Teacher & Fine Arts Department Head.

Music 10 (Vocals - Musical Theatre) — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Do you love musicals? To be on stage? To act, sing, and dance? Looking to prepare for the school musical audition? Looking to develop vocal and performance skills? Or just looking to do a bit more singing? This is the course for you: We will spend a good deal of time on team-building activities, theatre games, and physical and vocal warm-ups in order to free the singing voice and to feel more comfortable with movement on the stage. In this course we also aim to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment where students feel comfortable to express their inner Broadway star. While Broadway is the main genre we will study, there will be opportunities for students to explore other genres of vocal music as well.

Recommended Prerequisite

Prior singing and or choral experience is recommended.

Visual Arts 10 — 1 credit

Completes the Fine Arts requirement

Visual Arts 10 is designed to familiarize beginner students with the central components of fine art. Students will learn the basics of how to draw realistically, how to paint, and how to work with clay. They will also learn about how to develop an idea creatively and how to "read" great works of art. The course is project-based, with skill-building exercises before each major project. For the exam project, students will choose their best skills to create an artwork of their own design.