Fine Arts

Monsignor McCoy High School is proud to offer a Fine Arts Academy programming that is available to all of our students. It offers eight different fine arts courses that are available in each year of high school. 

All Monsignor McCoy students share similar academic classes, and Fine Arts Academy classes and auditions are open to any Monsignor McCoy student. Fine Arts Academy students must take at least one three-credit fine arts course, and one five-credit performance-based fine arts course (Band, Choral, Advanced Acting, or Production Arts) in each year of high school. For more information, go to the Monsignor McCoy High School webpage.

Fine Arts Academy students who complete the program are recognized as graduating from an intensive, competitive, pre-professional program. All students are able to choose from eight different skill-based fine arts courses each year, and are required to take part in an annual production-based course. Fine Arts Academy students have opportunities to participate in other activities associated with a pre-professional program. These opportunities may include receiving instruction from clinicians, working with community partners, and attending professional productions.

Instruction at the Monsignor McCoy Fine Arts Academy teaches students how to be critical thinkers. Students are challenged and taught to analyze, critique, and revise their work. The Fine Arts faculty holds students to a high standard and requires students to develop self-discipline and the motivation to do their best work. Our students learn to ask important questions and work hard to get the answers. The Monsignor McCoy Fine Arts Academy holds its students to the highest standards for their work which requires critical thinking, accepting constructive critique, and the willingness to analyze, practice, and revise.

Performing and visual arts students work as members of a team. This happens within each fine arts strand as well as across strands. There are many opportunities for students to work with students in other areas of the arts. Students collaborate with the broader arts community through in-school and outside-of-school partnerships. By encouraging our students to explore multiple art forms during their time at Monsignor McCoy, we cultivate future arts advocates who are able to speak firsthand about the value of the arts in education and in the fabric of society. 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 10 - 5 Credits - Prerequisite: Music 9 or special permission
The course consists of the study of scales, articulation patterns, exercises and their application to concert repertoire. Music theory
and history will also be studied. This is a performance course and the primary aim is to develop competent instrumentalists.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 20 - 5 Credits - Prerequisite: 50% in Music 10
A continuation of Music 10. Greater technical expertise and musical sensitivities developed.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 30 - 5 Credits - Prerequisite: 50% in Music 20
A continuation of Music 20. A high degree of competence in performing and discussing music of various styles is developed.

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CHORAL MUSIC 10, 20, 30 (5 credits)
Prerequisite: none
Choral will be offered as a full year option and will include students from Grade 10 - 12. This music program seeks to develop musical excellence in performance as a vocalist. This is accomplished in a choral setting although some small ensemble and solo experience may be provided. It will also include the study of music for singing performances.

This course will involve:
a) Musical Dictation
b) Reading music for singing
c) Participation/practice for singing

This course will also involve a component for students who wish to develop basic piano skills, or expanding on their existing skills. Time in class will be spent on and off the keyboards.

ART 10 - LEARN HOW TO DRAW AND PAINT -
3 credits
A step by step method to learn how to draw and paint. Examples of units: how to draw faces, printmaking, painting, clay, calligraphy, shading, watercolour techniques, composition and much more.
This is an introductory survey and development course. No previous experience with Art is necessary. Techniques and materials used are others than those taken in Art 9.

ART 10AP - 3 credits (Prerequisite: 80% in Art 9 or letter of permission from instructor)
Introductory to the advanced placement program for Art. This is
the prerequisite course for Art 20AP.

ART 20 - IMPROVE YOUR DRAWING AND PAINTING

- 3 or 5 credits - Prerequisite: 50% in Art 10
Learn how to use many new materials and techniques. Refine
and develop the skills taken in Art 10. Examples of units: oil
pastel, dry pastel, acrylic painting, pen and ink, clay and plaster
sculpture, watercolour techniques, silk screening and much more.

ART 20AP - 5 credits (Prerequisite: 80% in Art 10 or letter of permission from instructor)
Continuation to the advanced placement program for Art. This
is the prerequisite course for Art 30AP.

ART 30 - PERFECT YOUR DRAWING AND PAINTING

- 5 credits--Prerequisite: 50% in Art 20 or Art 20AP
Further develop your creative edge on the competition. Individualized instruction for students. Opportunity to study in-depth:
painting, drawing, pencil crayon techniques, collage, commercial
art skills, sculpture, woodcut prints, and other areas of your own
choice. (such as airbrush and computer graphics).

ART 30 AP

—5 credits—Prerequisite: 80% in Art 20AP or letter of permission from instructor)
This course involves a sophisticated approach to the generation
of artworks that would be suitable for an AP (Advanced Placement) portfolio. Students may also choose to submit their portfolio
to the College Board through this class. This way, in addition to
receiving Advanced Placement, they may also earn college and/
or university credit while in high school

3 credits
This course is for students interested in investigating the field of the commercial artist, specifically animation, graphic design and visual communications.

Design Studies is a CTS cluster course covering media, design and communication arts modules (MDC Pathway strand).

Description: Advanced Acting/Touring for Theatre is designed to develop an appreciation of
theatre as an innovative form of performance art and communication that reflects diverse social, cultural and global perspectives. Students will develop a deep understanding of acting for stage and the theatre community.

Rationale
Advanced Acting Touring Theatre offers students the opportunity to study acting as a theatre
performance based course. Performance acting allows students to develop their creative,
intuitive, spontaneous and imaginative potential. Through logical and literal dramaturgy combined with spontaneous and intuitive exploration, the student will be able to retain and transfer this theatrical knowledge into future endeavours.

Advanced Acting/Touring Theatre may act as a steppingstone for students wishing to consider a career in the theatre. Students are encouraged to explore various career possibilities and to
seek additional opportunities to participate in acting within their local communities.

DRAMA 10 & 20 - (3 or 5 Credits)

The emphasis in Drama 10 is to acquire knowledge of self and others through participation and reflection on the dramatic experience. To develop competency in communication skills through participation in movement, speech and improvisation. To develop an appreciation for theatre history, design, script, and live performance. To become aware and address social issues. The main focus is also to have fun working together to create through self expression. This is a hands on course that will contain positive attitude about life.

Drama 20 will continue to develop the skills acquired in Drama 10.

DRAMA 30 - (5 Credits)
Drama 30 program outcomes can be offered through Advanced Acting/Touring Theatre when possible upon request.