Visual and Performing Art (VPA)

The Fine Arts Department at the Army and Navy Academy is committed to inspiring students to greater levels of artistic expression and achievement and applying rigorous academic and performance standards in all disciplines.

Cadet Ang Li ’18 took first place in the Carlsbad Rotary Club Instrumental Music Competition. He performed Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune.

Academic Approach

Fine Arts classes follow the same academic standards as other courses at the Academy.  They promote personal initiative, organization, time management, effective communication, and positive interpersonal relationships, and creativity.

Curriculum

Art

Art – 9th through 12th grade – UC Approved Visual and Performing Art Course – Full Year

Art will have the Cadet develop creative artistic work through a variety of materials and techniques. Cadets will be introduced to the artistic concepts of line, color, space, form, shape, and texture. There will be a range of 2-D and 3-D work taught including painting, drawing, collage, and sculpture. The Cadet will have written and oral critiques of artwork.

 

Middle School Art – Middle School Art is an elective class that introduces students to a variety of art media with the intent to support expression and inspire creativity. Students are given art history background to their daily activity in order to promote an interest in Art. The topics explored include Surrealism, Pop Art, Cubism, Abstract Art, Optical Art, and Contemporary Art, as well an assortment of creative projects, such as marbling paper and creating reliefs. 

Band

Band – 9th through 12th grades – UC Approved Course – Full Year

The band class will provide a foundation for musical literacy and instrumental proficiency. Cadets will be given a thorough grounding in pitch, scales, melody, harmony, meter and rhythm, texture, dynamics, articulation, and form as they learn to play a band instrument. This will be accomplished through research, written and oral presentations, and performances. Music theory will also be introduced to further enhance student musicianship. Cadets will thoroughly understand the cultural and artistic relevance of band throughout history and the role of band in today’s culture.

Drama

Drama- 9th through 12th grades – UC-Approved Visual and Performing Art Course – Full Year

Students who are enrolled in Drama class will develop an appreciation of dramatic literature through application of dramatic activities, such as improvisation and performance, and develop and refine acting skills. The ultimate goal of the class is a stage production in the spring. Select students will learn how to use the lighting and sound systems.

Guitar

Guitar – 9th through 12th grades – UC-Approved Visual and Performing Art Course – Full Year

Pre-requisite: Instructor approval.
The objective of Guitar is for the cadet to acquire basic performance skills on the guitar. In the process he will learn the fundamentals of music theory and musical literacy; he will become familiar with different musical styles and techniques. His success in the course will give him a firm grounding for further musical study.

Intermediate Art

Intermediate Art – 10th through 12th grade – UC Approved Visual and Performing Art Course- Full Year

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Beginning Art or instructor approval.
Intermediate Art will explore further the skills developed in Beginning Art. In particular, line and gesture drawing, shading, shape, value, space, texture, the color spectrum, and perspective are among the topics explored. The course is divided into one unit that examines art analysis and three units that combine the study of the above topics with the study of notable artists. Cadets are prepared for continued art study in either AP Art or Art History and in their post-secondary studies, if they desire.

Music Technology

Music Technology – 10th through 12th grades – UC Approved Visual and Performing Art Course – Full Year

Music Technology will provide the cadet with an understanding of music fundamentals and computer software that facilitates music making. Cadets will learn basic piano skills and apply computer technology to the creation of musical arrangements.

Photography

Photography – 9th through 12th grade – UC Approved Visual and Performing Art Course-Full Year

Students will learn basic concepts and techniques of black and white photography, with fundamental instruction in different camera types and usage, film processing, printing, design elements and principles, and the historical and sociological significance of the art. In the second semester, they will learn the basics of digital photography and photo editing, leading to better practices and a higher appreciation of the photographic arts.

Video Production

Video Production – 9th through 12th grades – UC Approved Course – Full Year

Video production is a course designed for students to learn the elements and techniques to produce news-style packages, multi-camera broadcasts, short films, highlight films, cover events, and produce a DVD yearbook,. Students will use contemporary vocabulary, protocol and skills. Students will learn to write scripts, storyboard, schedule, communicate with talent and production, use appropriate sound and lighting, camera techniques and editing. A variety of news broadcasts, film and readings will be evaluated for use in student productions. Students will learn to critique their own work, and that of peers and professionals. Emphasis will be placed on the ways in which news broadcasts and films are connected to history as well as to other art forms, subject areas, and careers.

AP Curriculum

Advanced Marching Band

Advanced Marching Band – 9th through 12th grades – UC-Approved Visual and Performing Art Course – Full Year

Pre-requisite: Instructor approval.
The Advanced Band class will provide a foundation in musical literacy and instrumental proficiency. Course topics include pitch, melody, harmony, meter and rhythm, texture, dynamics, articulation, form, music vocabulary, and performance. The principles with each topic can be applied to the variety of musical pieces that the cadets learn to play. The difference between the two high school levels of Band is the cadet’s level of instrumental proficiency. Moreover, all cadets in this class will be required to participate in the Academy’s parades as part of the marching band, in the two concerts performed each year, and in other performances on and off the Academy campus.

AP Studio Art

AP Art – 10th through 12th grade – UC Approved Honors Course- Full Year

Pre-requisite: Successful completion of Intermediate Art and instructor approval
AP Art is oriented toward cadets who excel in art and want to develop a body of work in a single area of concentration. Cadets are expected to develop that concentration to a depth and breadth sufficient to submit an AP Art portfolio in May.

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