2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

Animation, Art1, Art 2, AP Art, Band, Computer Art, Digital Media Pathway, Drama, Film Studies, Piano, Orchestra, Vocal.

Below more information about each discipline in the arts.

Visual Arts:

Art 1: Introduction to the Arts is an investigation into artistic perception, creativity, aesthetics, criticism and meaning. We will focus on techniques and forms of visual art and the course includes individual creative projects and critical thinking. You will acquire knowledge of:

Elements and Principles of Art and Design; Color theory and shading values; 2D design in drawing and painting; Artists, Art movements and art history.

Art 2: An experimentation year with art. Art 2 is an investigation into artistic perception, creativity, aesthetics, criticism and meaning. We will focus on using a wide variety of mediums and learn new techniques. Most artwork projects will be individually driven; only the mediums of how they are created will be the same. You all will explore artwork by creating, making, viewing, and critiquing works.

AP Art: Students will create a 2D art & design portfolio of 15 works to show an exploration through art and design and development of skills with different materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. You will create your own original artwork that reflects your ideas and skills you’ve learned. All AP Art students are expected to have basic art skills prior to taking any AP art class. AP Art has 2 focuses - drawing and 2D those that wish to continue AP Art can take up for 2 years. 

Animation: Students will develop techniques on drawing animations & comic books, & 3D/stop motion animations. Students will use computers to transform their drawings and 3D clay into moving animations. The end goal for the year is for students to have one finished comic book, one finished animation, and one group Claymation movie.

Computer Art: Students are introduced to the principles of graphic design and color theory. Students will learn how to use Adobe programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Animate to create original works of art and to demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and to develop innovative products and processes using computer technologies. This is done to teach students how to visually communicate information and transform their ideas effectively through the use of different media programs.

Digital Media Pathway Year 1 & 2: Year 1 is focused on students building websites using Photoshop, CSS and Adobe Dreamweaver and using online web-construction sites and the advertising industry. Students will film videos, learn to edit, add media, sound, and graphics to videos. They will have access using state-of-the-art digital video camcorders, microphones and Adobe Premiere Pro software.

Then transition by April to take charge of G-House TV broadcasts and create videos for Galileo’s websites. Year 2 students work on film production and deepen their knowledge for film production and broadcasting. Students will learn digital storytelling, interview techniques, advanced editing skills, using state-of-the-art video camcorders, microphones, and Adobe Premiere Pro software. Students will create videos and commercials for Galileo’s website and G-House TV broadcasts. 

Film Studies: Interested in movies? Learn about the powerful rich 100+year history of this relatively new media. Explore how movies have changed over time as new technologies developed. In this yearlong course students will investigate how performances and storytelling changed with each generation; how movies reflected the times or helped shape their times; while focusing on movies that tell stories from or about teenage life. One goal for the course is to be able to answer these questions; How has Film influenced Society? How has Society influenced Film?

Photography: Learn about the world of photography (past and future), the parts of a camera, how to use lighting, studio portraits, artistic images of the world, photojournalism & more. What does it mean to be a photographer today when there is a camera in everyone’s pocket? This class will focus on aspects of photography through the eyes of an artist, learning how to use a camera, take photos, and transform an idea to a piece of art. All students will learn to edit photos, create a portfolio website, and art through photographs weekly.

Yearbook:Get your work published! Help create Galileo’s yearbook. Have fun learning to photograph and write like a pro. Learn to use programs like: Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator. Meets Graduation Requirement: Elective Course - not an art credit.

Performing Arts:

Band: Intermediate/Advanced students will continue to develop advanced skills with wind, brass, percussion in an ensemble setting. Musicians will learn a variety of band literature and are expected to participate in all scheduled performances. The prerequisite for this course is 1+ years of middle school band or consent of the instructor.

Drama: In this introduction to Drama course, students explore the world of theatre in all its various forms. Students study how storytelling has evolved throughout the centuries, and how actors, directors, designers, and technicians work together to produce live performances.

Guitar:Students will learn to play the acoustic guitar along with music reading, music theory, and selected historical and cultural contributions. Beginning guitar is open to all students. During this course, you will learn basic chords, scales and 32 songs. The final project for the class is learning and performing a song that you choose.

Piano: 3 levels available - Year 1-Students start with the basic elements of music, such as rhythm, notation, musical form and history, and develop basic performing skills on the piano. Students will play songs as well as chords and scales on the piano solo and a piano duet. Final performance exam will be a classroom concert in each semester. Year 2 & 3 students will continue to strengthen their piano skills and work on a solo performance. 

Orchestra: String musicians will continue to develop their music skills. Continuing instruction will be given in music reading, music theory, and selected historical and cultural contributions. Musicians will learn grade 2-3 music and are expected to participate in all scheduled performances. The prerequisite for this course is 1+ years of middle school orchestra or consent of the instructor.

Vocal: This class is designed for students looking to develop skills to help them succeed in the choral setting. Students receive beginning instruction and practice in voice development and ensemble based singing. Students will develop proper breathing, tone production, diction, sight reading, and elementary music theory. This exploration takes place on a solo, small group, and large group performance level, as well as lecture and extensive listening. Students will be expected to attend all scheduled performances. Year 2 available for those that want to continue their singing skills.