Arts Education

Art 8 provides students with an introduction to Visual Arts at a secondary level.  In Art 8, students will use a variety of art media, which include graphite, ink, charcoal, pencil crayon, collage material and water colour paint. Students will complete sketchbook activities and drawing tutorials that reinforce the skills and techniques learned in the classroom and modeled in the studio.  The students will engage in an extensive study of the visual Elements of Art and Design. These elements are line, colour, form, space, shape, texture, value and tone. The focus on Art 8 is to have fun and learn about Visual Art.

Arts Education: BC Curriculum Document
ADST 8: BC Curriculum Document

Art 9 allows students to expand upon the visual art styles and methods studied and work towards mastering the art media they were introduced to in Art 8.  Students will complete sketchbook activities and drawing tutorials that reinforce the skills and techniques learned in the classroom and modeled in the studio. Students engage in an intensive study of the visual Principles of Art and Design: balance, movement, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, pattern & unity.  The focus of Art 9 is to have fun and develop confidence using various art media.

ADST 9: BC Curriculum Document
Arts Education 9: BC Curriculum Document

In Art 10, students experiment with a wide range of processes, materials, and technologies, both individually and collaboratively to explore their identity and sense of belonging. They develop skills and techniques in a range of styles and movements, comment on social and environmental issues and explore traditions, perspectives, and worldviews through visual arts.

In Art 11, students reflect on the interconnectedness of the individual, community, history, and society. Working individually and collaboratively, students use imagination, observation, and inquiry to create meaningful artistic expression to represent personal identity and cultural expression. Engaging in risk taking, and problem solving, they develop artworks with a specific audience in mind, using visual arts to communicate and respond to social and environmental issues and connect to their personal values.

Prerequisite: Art Studio 10

In Art 12, students refine artistic skills, and make purposeful artistic choices to enhance the depth and passion of their message. Students create works to reflect their own personal voice, story, and values in connection with a specific place, time, and context. Working individually and collaboratively, they combine various materials and processes, demonstrate creative thinking and innovation to communicate ideas and express emotions.

Prerequisite: Art Studio 11

Graphic Arts 11 is an introductory studio-based program emphasizing a variety of skills, media techniques and art appreciation. Students will have the opportunity to build their skills and generate ideas for their own projects, solving problems, taking risks, and creating meaningful artworks. 

In this advanced studio-based program, students build on the knowledge, skills and techniques developed in Graphic Arts 11 to create more complex and thought-provoking artworks, express their perspectives, and develop their own personal style. Students will work on building a portfolio of work that can be used for post-secondary applications.

Prerequisite: Graphic Arts 11

Media Arts is an Applied Fine Arts class that will introduce the role graphic and digital design play in everyday life and business. The primary focus will be developing students’ skills using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Premiere while also exploring the interplay between art, design, digital photography, and videography. This is not strictly a software class: Students will develop design solutions to projects that Media Arts designers commonly tackle. Students will strengthen their ability to invent, develop, communicate, and execute creative solutions within the restrictions of real-world scenarios. While students will be introduced to the Adobe Creative Suite, this is not strictly a software class: Students will be tasked with employing what they learn in readings, lectures, demonstrations, online research, etc. into the professional execution of their projects.

Media Arts 12 is a course that builds upon the foundation developed in Media Arts 11 where students are tasked with professional projects in graphic and interactive design, print production, advertising, and media coverage using the software and hardware available to the school.  The course will introduce students to the professional realities graphic designers may encounter when working for a client.

Each project will add more challenging skills to the foundation built in Media Arts 11. Students will explore graphic design, photography, print and layout design, interactive design, and production with the purpose of presentation and promotion. To simulate a professional work environment, students will be required to work both individually as well as in groups to complete projects presented to them.  Students will also be given the opportunity to create their own “inspiration” projects to broaden their skills. The hands-on “creation” of finished projects will be supplemented by lectures, demonstrations, field trips, online research, and group critiques.

Prerequisite: Media Arts 11

This full year course is designed for Grade 8’s who are interested in playing in a concert band setting.  This on the timetable course allows students the opportunity to learn basic music theory, history, and performance skills on an approved concert band instrument.  During the course of the year students will rehearse, perform, and take part in clinics and workshops. Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course.  

Prior musical training is not required for this class.

This on the time table, full year course is designed to further the musical development within a concert band setting for students in Grade 9 and 10.  Students will be instructed in areas of music theory, listening, music history, and musical performance in various musical styles. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at our annual Christmas and Spring music nights as well as various festival performances around the lower mainland. Ensembles will receive professional feedback through adjudications and clinics over the course of the year to aid in the musical development. Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course.  Students must either have completed Grade 8 band or have permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course. 

This course is a co-requisite for Jazz Band.

This on timetable full year course is open to students from grades 11 to 12 and is designed to further develop students’ musical skills to a higher degree within a concert band setting. Students will be further instructed in areas of music, theory, listening, music history, composition, and musical performance in various musical styles. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at our annual Christmas and Spring music nights as well as various festival performances around the lower mainland. Ensembles will receive professional feedback through adjudications and clinics over the course of the year to aid in the musical development. Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course. Students must either have completed Junior Band 9-10 or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course.”

This on the timetable, a full year course is designed to further the musical development within a concert band setting for students in Grade 9 and 10.  Students will be instructed in areas of music theory, listening, music history, and musical performance in various musical styles. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at our annual Christmas and spring music nights as well as various festival performances around the lower mainland. Ensembles will receive professional feedback through adjudications and clinics over the course of the year to aid in musical development.

Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course. Students must either have completed Grade 8 band or have permission from the Band Director to be eligible to take this course. This course is a co-requisite for Jazz Band.

This on timetable full year course is open to students from grades 11 to 12 and is designed to further develop students’ musical skills to a higher degree within a concert band setting. Students will be further instructed in areas of music, theory, listening, music history, composition, and musical performance in various musical styles. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at our annual Christmas and spring music nights as well as various festival performances around the lower mainland. Ensembles will receive professional feedback through adjudications and clinics over the course of the year to aid in musical development. Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course.

Students must either have completed Junior Band 9-10 or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course.

This on timetable full year course is open to students from grades 11 to 12 and is designed to further develop students’ musical skills to a higher degree within a concert band setting. Students will be further instructed in areas of music, theory, listening, music history, composition, and musical performance in various musical styles. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at our annual Christmas and spring music nights as well as various festival performances around the lower mainland. Ensembles will receive professional feedback through adjudications and clinics over the course of the year to aid in musical development. Students are required to rent their own instrument for this course.

Students must either have completed Junior Band 9-10 or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course.

This full year course will meet regularly off the timetable. This group is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a concert band program. Students will be instructed in basic areas of Jazz theory, listening, Jazz history, composition, Jazz improvisation, and performance in the Jazz style.  Students must either be enrolled in a concert band program or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course.  All students must audition to be eligible for this class. They will be placed in either Jazz Band A or B dependent on their audition.

This full year course will meet regularly off the timetable every Monday and Friday morning, as well as Wednesday at lunch.  This group is open to all students who are currently enrolled in a concert band program. Students will be instructed in basic areas of Jazz theory, listening, Jazz history, composition, Jazz improvisation, and performance in the Jazz style.  Students must either be enrolled in a concert band program or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course.  All students must audition to be eligible for this class. They will be placed in either Jazz Band A or B dependent on their audition.

This full year course meets regularly off the timetable. This auditioned group is open to students from Grades 8 to 12 who are selected based on their audition. Students will be instructed in advanced areas of jazz theory, listening, jazz history, composition, jazz improvisation, and performance in the jazz style.  Students are required to provide their own instrument for this course.  Students must either be enrolled in a concert band program or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course. All students must audition to be eligible for this class. They will be placed in either Jazz Band A or B depending on their audition.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Band

This full year course meets regularly off the timetable. This auditioned group is open to students from Grades 8 to 12 who are selected based on their audition. Students will be instructed in advanced areas of jazz theory, listening, jazz history, composition, jazz improvisation, and performance in the jazz style.  Students are required to provide their own instrument for this course.  Students must either be enrolled in a concert band program or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course. All students must audition to be eligible for this class. They will be placed in either Jazz Band A or B depending on their audition.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Band

This full year course meets regularly off the timetable. This auditioned group is open to students from Grades 10 to 12 who are selected based on their audition. Students will be instructed in advanced areas of jazz theory, listening, jazz history, composition, jazz improvisation, and performance in the jazz style. Students are required to provide their own instrument for this course. Students must either be enrolled in a concert band program or have the permission of the Band Director to be eligible to take this course. All students must audition to be eligible for this class. They will be placed in either Jazz Band A or B depending on their audition.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Band

This year-long course explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods through study and performance.  Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through instruction on basic vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and introductory music theory.  In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, all choir students will have the opportunity to perform at music festivals, school masses and services, and are eligible to go on the STMC music trips.

This yearlong course explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods through study and performance.  Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through instruction on basic vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and music theory.  In addition to our Christmas and Spring music nights, all choir students will have the opportunity to perform at music festivals, school masses and services, and are eligible to go on the STMC music trips.

This yearlong course explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods through study and performance.  Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through instruction on basic vocal technique, sight-reading sills, and music theory.  In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, all choir students will have the opportunity to perform at music festivals, school masses and services, and are eligible to go on the STMC music trips.

This yearlong course explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods through study and performance. Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through instruction on basic vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and advanced level music theory. In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, all choir students will have the opportunity to perform at music festivals, school masses and services, and are eligible to go on the STMC music trips. 

This yearlong course explores choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods through study and performance. Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through instruction on basic vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and advanced level music theory. In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, all choir students will have the opportunity to perform at music festivals, school masses and services, and are eligible to go on the STMC music trips. 

This is an auditioned choir.  Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course.  Emphasis will be placed on performing challenging choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods.  In addition to our Christmas and Spring music nights, the chamber singers will perform at various festivals throughout the lower mainland. Opening and remembrance mass, the STMC open house, the elementary recruitment tour, as well as a number of different performance engagements that come up throughout the course of the year.

This is an auditioned choir.  Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course.  Emphasis will be placed on performing challenging choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods.  In addition to our Christmas and Spring music nights, the chamber singers will perform at various festivals throughout the lower mainland. Opening and remembrance mass, the STMC open house, the elementary recruitment tour, as well as a number of different performance engagements that come up throughout the course of the year.

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 9 to 12.  Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course.  Emphasis will be placed on performing challenging choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods.  In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, the chamber singers will perform at various festivals throughout the lower mainland. Opening and remembrance mass, the STMC open house, the elementary recruitment tour, as well as a number of different performance engagements that come up throughout the course of the year.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 9 to 12. Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course. Emphasis will be placed on performing challenging choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods. In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, the chamber singers will perform at various festivals throughout the lower mainland. Opening and remembrance mass, the STMC open house, the elementary recruitment tour, as well as several different performance engagements that come up throughout the course of the year.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 9 to 12. Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course. Emphasis will be placed on performing challenging choral music from a wide variety of cultures, genres, and periods. In addition to our Christmas and spring music nights, the chamber singers will perform at various festivals throughout the lower mainland. Opening and remembrance mass, the STMC open house, the elementary recruitment tour, as well as several different performance engagements that come up throughout the course of the year.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This is an auditioned ensemble open to all students in grades 9 to 12 with previous singing experience.  Incoming Grade 8 students may audition on elementary choir director’s recommendation. Students must also be in the Concert Choir program in order to register for this course.  Students will study and perform a variety of vocal jazz music in many different styles at an advanced level.  Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through performance.  All students will learn advanced healthy vocal production techniques appropriate for choral and solo singing.

This is an auditioned ensemble open to all students in grades 9 to 12 with previous singing experience.  Incoming Grade 8 students may audition on elementary choir director’s recommendation. Students must also be in the Concert Choir program in order to register for this course.  Students will study and perform a variety of vocal jazz music in many different styles at an advanced level.  Emphasis will be placed on developing the complete musicianship of each student through performance.  All students will learn advanced healthy vocal production techniques appropriate for choral and solo singing.

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 10 to 12.  Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course.  Emphasis will be placed on performing a wide variety of vocal jazz repertoire as well as study of history and jazz theory.  In addition to our Christmas and Jazz music nights, the Jazz Singers also perform at various competitive festivals throughout the lower mainland and at occasional school functions.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 10 to 12. Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course. Emphasis will be placed on performing a wide variety of vocal jazz repertoire as well as study of history and jazz theory. In addition to our Christmas and Jazz music nights, the Jazz Singers also perform at various competitive festivals throughout the lower mainland and at occasional school functions.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This is an auditioned choir open to students in grades 10 to 12. Students must be registered in the concert choir program to be eligible for this course.  Emphasis will be placed on performing a wide variety of vocal jazz repertoire as well as study of history and jazz theory. In addition to our Christmas and Jazz music nights, the Jazz Singers also perform at various competitive festivals throughout the lower mainland and at occasional school functions.

Co-requisite: equivalent grade level Concert Choir

This course allows students to learn and develop communication skills and gain speaking and performing confidence.  Students partake in improvisation activities, learn about theatre history and vocabulary and work collaboratively with their peers to create and perform scenes based on a variety of concepts.

This class builds upon the skills explored in Drama 8.  Students participate in various activities, which help them develop their creativity and concentration skills.  Students are also introduced to basic theater terminology. The skills that are learned in this class can also be used in other classes.

In Drama 10-12, we continue working on some of the advanced skills necessary to play for truth on stage. Building on scene work and improvisational skills, students focus primarily on the elements of effective dramaturgy and storytelling, with an eye to creating and performing in front of an audience. To that end, we write and perform short pieces based on personal experience, create outlines based on a hero’s journey, and stage and perform scenes around dramatic moments. As well, students work on short one-act plays with the emphasis placed on staging, production values, and playing honestly and simply.

In Drama 10-12, we continue working on some of the advanced skills necessary to play for truth on stage. Building on scene work and improvisational skills, students focus primarily on the elements of effective dramaturgy and storytelling, with an eye to creating and performing in front of an audience. To that end, we write and perform short pieces based on personal experience, create outlines based on a hero’s journey, and stage and perform scenes around dramatic moments. As well, students work on short one-act plays with the emphasis placed on staging, production values, and playing honestly and simply.

In Drama 10-12, we continue working on some of the advanced skills necessary to play for truth on stage. Building on scene work and improvisational skills, students focus primarily on the elements of effective dramaturgy and storytelling, with an eye to creating and performing in front of an audience. To that end, we write and perform short pieces based on personal experience, create outlines based on a hero’s journey, and stage and perform scenes around dramatic moments. As well, students work on short one-act plays with the emphasis placed on staging, production values, and playing honestly and simply. 

In Composition and Production students learn the fundamentals of live sound engineering, live sound recording, Foley arts, sound design, podcasting, and music/beat creation. Students utilize hands-on equipment for live sound recording, live sound setups for assemblies, concerts, and masses, while also utilizing industry standard hardware and software for music and beat creation. No previous music experience required. This program allows for creative development while introducing and preparing students for potential studies and work in the audio field tied to music production, live sound mixing, and film & broadcasting sound engineering.

Prerequisite: Tech Explorations 10 or with Instructor’s permission (for 2022-2023 academic year)

In Composition and Production students learn the fundamentals of live sound engineering, live sound recording, Foley arts, sound design, podcasting, and music/beat creation. Students utilize hands-on equipment for live sound recording, live sound setups for assemblies, concerts, and masses, while also utilizing industry standard hardware and software for music and beat creation. No previous music experience required. This program allows for creative development while introducing and preparing students for potential studies and work in the audio field tied to music production, live sound mixing, and film & broadcasting sound engineering.

Prerequisite: Composition and Production 11