Arts at ArtsWest

ArtsWest offers courses in Performing and Visual Arts, including Music, Dance, Theatre, Drawing, Painting, and Sculpture, as well as Media Arts such as Videography and Broadcast Journalism, and Creative Writing courses such as Poetry, Playwriting, and Writing Non-Fiction.

Why Study the Arts?

• The arts optimize brain neuron development and circuitry.
• Learning through the arts often results in greater academic achievement and higher test scores.
• The arts have both intrinsic and instrumental value; that is, they have worth in and of themselves and can also be used to achieve a multitude of purposes (e.g. to present issues and ideas, to teach or persuade, to entertain, to design, plan, and beautify).
• The arts assist motor development especially coordination of hands, eyes and body.
• The arts provide forms of nonverbal communication that can strengthen the presentation of ideas and emotions.
• The arts help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior.
• Attributes such as self-discipline and perseverance, which are so necessary to the arts, can transfer to many future endeavors, academic or otherwise.
• Studying the arts decreases performance anxiety and teaches kids how to handle and manage stress.
• Lifelong participation in the arts is a valuable part of a life fully lived.

Creativity is innate in every human being. Being able to use that creativity is essential for a successful, happy life. Creative passion empowers human beings to accomplish anything they imagine or dream. To lose this passion is to suffer one of life's personal defeats.

The highest goal of education, then, is lighting the fire of creative passion. Lives change when students learn how to reach into their creative possibilities and realize that, in whatever path they choose, those possibilities can go with them. Education in the arts shows students that the highest form of art is the creation of one's own life.

Studies show that only one variable determines the amount of creativity an individual has, and that is the belief in his own creativity. At Arts West, we encourage individual creativity in every facet of our students' education, thus providing a "believing mirror" for the child's own self-image

Class Supplies List

Students seeking the Young Artist's diploma in classical music will be required to declare an emphasis, ie: piano, instrumental, vocal, etc. The following will be required of students who are working toward the diploma:

• Develop and maintain a repertoire to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
• Be able to play the scales and arpeggios in all keys at tempos that are acceptable for their chosen disciplines.
• Must be proficient in 2 different technical regimens to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
• Must be proficient sightreaders.
• Listen to classical music for at least 5 hours per week.
• Must always be prepared to perform at the weekly performance classes and monthly master classes. There will also be a requirement to perform monthly.
• Participate in school ensembles and music festivals.
• Do a final recording project.
• Prepare full recital programs in the junior and senior years.
• Practice at least 10 hours per week.

Classical Music Studies Courses:

Performance Class

This class is essentially one hour each day of supervised practice. Students will learn good practice habits, improving efficiency, and thereby increasing the rate of progression. Instructors will give students specific tasks to complete each day and follow up on their progress. In this intensive, focused practice setting students will learn how much more they can accomplish when they practice efficiently. Classical repertoire, some small ensemble work, accompanying, sight reading and performance etiquette will be covered in this course. There will be weekly playing classes where the students will perform for each other and monthly master classes where students will be instructed by guest artists and clinicians.

Core Musicianship

This class will have a performance driven curriculum. Emphasis in each of the 3 areas of study in this course will be placed on practical application as it applies to enhancing the student's abilities as a performer and increasing their proficiency on their chosen instruments.

• Ear Training
• Music Theory
• History of Music

Sight-Reading Ensembles

Students will be assigned to a small ensemble that will sight read daily for at least 15 minutes.

Listening Lab

Class Supplies List

Students seeking the Young Artist's diploma in classical music will be required to declare an emphasis, ie: piano, instrumental, vocal, etc. The following will be required of students who are working toward the diploma:

• Develop and maintain a repertoire to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
• Be able to play the scales and arpeggios in all keys at tempos that are acceptable for their chosen disciplines.
• Must be proficient in 2 different technical regimens to be determined by the student, mentor and private teacher.
• Must be proficient sightreaders.
• Listen to classical music for at least 5 hours per week.
• Must always be prepared to perform at the weekly performance classes and monthly master classes. There will also be a requirement to perform monthly.
• Participate in school ensembles and music festivals.
• Do a final recording project.
• Prepare full recital programs in the junior and senior years.
• Practice at least 10 hours per week.

Classical Music Studies Courses:

Performance Class

This class is essentially one hour each day of supervised practice. Students will learn good practice habits, improving efficiency, and thereby increasing the rate of progression. Instructors will give students specific tasks to complete each day and follow up on their progress. In this intensive, focused practice setting students will learn how much more they can accomplish when they practice efficiently. Classical repertoire, some small ensemble work, accompanying, sight reading and performance etiquette will be covered in this course. There will be weekly playing classes where the students will perform for each other and monthly master classes where students will be instructed by guest artists and clinicians.

Core Musicianship

This class will have a performance driven curriculum. Emphasis in each of the 3 areas of study in this course will be placed on practical application as it applies to enhancing the student's abilities as a performer and increasing their proficiency on their chosen instruments.

• Ear Training
• Music Theory
• History of Music

Sight-Reading Ensembles

Students will be assigned to a small ensemble that will sight read daily for at least 15 minutes.

Listening Lab

We are currently in the process of updating our Creative Writing Curriculum.

Class Supplies List

The world of 20th and 21st Century music is so diverse; so full of numberless possibilities. The ArtsWest composition program is built upon the idea that creativity and devotion to the music will yield the best results. For this reason, the entire Composition Curriculum will be discovery based. Students will select several composers who seem to embody the type of sounds they would like to create. Students will then be guided by their instructors in the study of the principles of harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, theoretical concepts, personal and musical philosophies, etc., that will best help them to create those sounds and expand upon them.

Students who receive a Young Artists Diploma will:

• Compose a short prelude in the 24 major and minor keys for each instrument in a standard orchestra. This is to help the student learn about the ranges and limitations of each instrument.
• Compose Art Song for each voice type. (Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass.) This is to help the student learn about the ranges and limitations of each type.
• Compose a large scale work for Choir and piano.
• Compose a large scale work for full orchestra.
• Develop a portfolio of their work to help promote their music to college programs and arts organizations.
• Complete a senior recording project of their work to help promote their music to college programs and arts organizations.
• Spend at least 5 hours per week listening to new music and classical music.
• Spend a minimum of 7 hours per week composing.
• Spend a minimum of 3 hours per week practicing an instrument of their choice. (Piano is encouraged.)
• Become conversant with current music technologies that make the notation and presentation of musical ideas easier.

Courses:

Composition Class

This is basically time set aside for the student to work independently on their composing, whether in studying the works of a master or in composing their own works. Faculty will be available and regularly checking on students as they work. Included with the class will be a weekly workshop where students come together to discuss what they have learned and what they are working on.

Core Musicianship

This class will be divided into 3 sections:

• Ear Training
• Music Theory
• Music History

Class Supplies List

Students in grades 7-12 will develop artistry in dance through the study of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, ethnic dance, choreography, dance history and anatomy. Master classes by visiting guest artists and artists in residence will be scheduled throughout the year. Students will learn original choreographic works as well as develop their own creativity through improvisation and the creation of their own original choreographic works.

Introduction to Dance

This is a semester class offered to all students interested in learning basic dance movement and gain kinesthetic body awareness. This course includes basic jazz, ballet and movement for actors. Students will need jazz shoes and comfortable clothing to move in.

Dance for the Major

Students with a dance focus will study the following areas during the course of the school year:

• Ballet
• Modern
• Jazz
• Tap
• Hip Hop
• Ethnic Dance

Students will study and practice various dance techniques to develop coordination, control, balance, extension, flexibility and strength. Through the study of these various dance disciplines, students will enhance and broaden their dance and movement vocabulary.

Pilates and Yoga

Students will study and practice pilates and yoga to gain more flexibility and strength. They will also gain a stronger body core and develop stress reducing and relaxation techniques.

Dance History

Students will study and research dancers and choreographers such as Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, George Balanchine and Bob Fosse to name a few.

Anatomy for the Dancer

Students will focus on the study of the human skeletal system, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Injury prevention and how to manage injuries will also be studied.

Choreography and Dance Production

Students will study and practice choreography, using improvisation, practical elements and forms of dance and risk taking. Students will create their own original choreographic works, design and create their own costumes and learn the technical aspects of the theatre for dance.

Class Supplies List

Students who earn the Jazz Studies young artist's diploma will:

• Be able to play and improvise over 100 tunes by memory
• Be able to improvise over rhythm changes in all 12 keys
• Be able to improvise over blues changes in all 12 keys
• Be proficient sightreaders, both of written music and chord changes
• Listen to jazz for at least 5 hours per week
• Perform at least monthly
• Participate in school jazz ensembles and perform at jazz festivals
• Do a final recording project to help them promote their playing to colleges and businesses
• Learn to play, note for note, improvised solos of the masters.
• Practice 10 hours per week.

Performance Class

This class is essentially one hour each day of supervised practice. Instructors will give students specific tasks to complete each day and follow up on their progress. In this intensive, focused practiced setting students will learn how much more they can accomplish when they practice efficiently. Jazz Repertoire, Rhythm and Blues changes, sight reading, and artist transcription will be covered in this setting.

Textbooks: The Jazz Piano Book - Mark Levine (for pianists) or The Jazz Theory Book - Mark Levine (for non- pianists).

Core Musicianship

This class will be divided into 3 sections:

1. Ear Training
2. Jazz Theory
3. Jazz History

Emphasis in each of these areas will be placed on practical application as it applies to enhancing the student's abilities as a performer.

Sight-Reading Ensembles

Students will be assigned to a small ensemble that will sight read daily for at least 15 minutes.

Listening Lab

Students will be required to listen to at least 5 hours per week of jazz. Once per week students will get together with an instructor to share their favorite track from that week with the rest of the class and discuss what they are hearing.

Weekly Gig

ArtsWest will work to establish a weekly jazz night at a local venue. Students will be expected to perform in this setting at least monthly, and will be encouraged to perform weekly. In this setting, students will also have the opportunity to perform with faculty members, professionals from the Boise area, and special guests from out of town.

Ensembles:

The following Jazz ensembles will be offered at ArtsWest:

Jazz Combos

Small groups (7 or less) - may include instrumentalists and one vocalist. Combos meet once per week. Participation in a combo each semester will be required for all students seeking an Artist's Diploma. However, all music students who are interested are invited to audition.

Jazz Band

Instrumental big band of 15 to 20 students. Vocalists from the vocal jazz program will be invited to perform with the band regularly. Jazz Band will meet 3 times per week. Students will also be expected to rehearse in sectionals weekly. Participation in Jazz Band is required of all instrumentalists seeking the Young Artist's Diploma. However, all music students who are interested are invited to audition.

Jazz Choir

Elite vocal jazz ensemble of 5 to 12 vocalists and a rhythm section. Jazz Choir will meet 3 times per week. Students will also be expected to rehearse in sectionals weekly. Participation in Jazz Choir is required of all vocalists seeking the Young Artist's Diploma.All ArtsWest Jazz ensembles will perform at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival (Moscow, ID), the Gene Harris Jazz Festival, and the BYU - I Jazz Festival (Rexburg, ID)

Senior Recording Project

Students will record a full album to help them promote their playing to colleges, businesses, and festivals.

Additional Jazz Studies Classes

Not required for Young Artist's diploma:

Survey of Jazz

Designed both for jazz aficionados' and neophytes, this class will help students increase enthusiasm for Jazz. Students will spend time listening to jazz recordings, watching film footage of great musician's performances, reading about the lives and personal histories of musicians, discussing the music in class, etc. The class will also take field trips to live Jazz events, learn to swing dance, and participate in group activities with the history department.

Beginning Jazz Piano

This class is designed for non-pianists or classical pianists who are interested in learning the basics of jazz piano.

Class Supplies List

We are currently in the process of updating our Media Arts Curriculum.

Class Supplies List

We are currently in the process of updating our Theatre Curriculum.

Class Supplies List

Introduction to Visual Art

This semester class is offered to students who have an interest in learning the basic foundation of all visual art: Drawing.

Students will fulfill a basic list of supplies, which will need to be replenished from month to month. As children do now grow at the same rate, art students do not develop or work at the same pace. Some exceed others in their ability to accomoplish projects faster. These students will need to purchase more supplies than others.

The primary emphasis of this class will be broken down into seveal categories from an Academic Introductionn through a Synthesis in Drawing. The following is an overview of the class subject matter. It is not necessarily an exact reproduction but a framework of information to assist me in developing a thorough curriculum adaptive to the students of ArtsWest.

Class objective

Provide students with the basic knowledge of drawing that sould be elemental in developing a segue for artistic expression, not necessarily a personal style but possibly a basic skill for effective visual communication in their future.

Introduction

• Nature of drawing-definition
• types
• purpose

Role

• Individual
• Society
• Presently/Historically

Initial Applications & Experiences

Beginners media. Learning to see, symbolize, and visualize.

Basic Elements

• Line
• value
• perspective
• texture
• grounds
• color

Traditional Subject Matter

• Still life
• Landscape
• Portrait
• Figure

Synthesis in Drawing

• Imaginative
• emotional
• experimental applications

This introduction to the visual arts will be sprinkled with a backdrop of art history, specifically pertaining to the introduction of drawing in the life experience and the effectual use of drawing to teach, inform, enlighten, and advance individual expression. In addition we will have classes of open studio allowing for personal and self-expression in addition to assigned class projects.

Class Supplies List