Academics

Fine Arts

Central Catholic High School’s Fine Arts Department is focused on exploring, developing and nurturing the artistic gifts of each student in the disciplines of theater, music, and visual arts.
 

Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students begin to learn the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, motivated movement, character development, and scene work. Students will use the playwright’s text, along with the social and political context in which they were writing, to explore how to activate the dialogue to create truthful human moments that form the spine of the story. Students will explore script analysis and character development, theater history, and production, and will actively participate in front of the class in group and individual exercises, building confidence and concentration. The final project is the presentation of a monologue

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 11-12 | 1 Credit
This is the highest level visual arts course offered and is designed to prepare the most serious art students by helping them develop an in-depth portfolio showcasing the breadth and depth of knowledge in their self-selected are of interest. Students are encouraged to explore their own area of proficiency in 2-D media, including (but not limited to): graphic design, photography, drawing/painting, collage, fashion design, printmaking, etc. There is no preferred or unacceptable style or content. The 2-D Design course is portfolio based and addresses two-dimensional design issues and involves decision making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. Students' portfolios will demonstrate skills and ideas developed, refined, and applied throughout the course to produce compelling visual compositions. Students may choose to submit any or all of their portfolios. Portfolios are evaluated based on standardized scoring descriptors aligned with skills and understanding developed in college foundation courses.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Art I, Art II, Digital Photography I, Digital Photography II
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
This foundation course is an overview of basic art principles, methods and media. Basic techniques of drawing, painting, design and mixed media are areas of exploration. Course content covers a survey of the elements and principles of art as well as art techniques, art historical context and art related concepts. The projects will incorporate activities and assignments that will allow students to explore a variety of concepts to inform their own work. Projects emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, mindful observation and reflection.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
This course focuses on creative problem solving utilizing art principles, methods and media. Projects focus on visual communication and further skill development in sketching, drawing, painting and mixed media techniques. Process and experimentation will be encouraged. Art history, critique, reflection and discussion are integrated into the curriculum and expose students to a range of art concepts and processes. Student projects focus on practicing art as the expressive communication of experience and ideas, with increasing attention on the conceptual rather than the perceptual.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Art I
Grade Level: 10-12 | 1 Credit
Students in this course will engage with a deeper exploration of their personal voice and visual style by engaging with more alternative techniques and contemporary art concepts. Students will be instructed in a variety of unconventional techniques and approaches to traditional themes, while entering into a regular discussion about art theory and criticism. Projects will encourage in depth exploration of concepts often stemming from art history, contemporary art practices and other creative disciplines such as dance, architecture and music.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Art II
Grade Level: 11-12 | 1 Credit
Students in this course will contract with the instructor to produce more extensive and varied projects in each grading period. As in Art III, students work independently and are subject to direct instruction, supervision, and constructive criticism. There will also be an emphasis on aesthetics, art history, art career potentials, public displays of their work and portfolio development. Projects will encourage in depth exploration of concepts often stemming from art history, contemporary art practices and other creative disciplines such as dance, architecture and music. Emphasis on in-depth analysis, revision, persistence, craftsmanship, writing and self critique will serve to prepare students to develop work for public display, portfolio work and college applications.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Art III
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
This class is for students continuing to play a band instrument (woodwind, brass, percussion) and want to explore contemporary wind ensemble music, including jazz, concert band literature, and 20 th century music. This course will be rooted in the techniques of wind ensemble performance and rehearsal, but will expose students to a wide range of musical styles and genres. Practice and participation in performances, including pep band are required. Instruments are provided if the school has them available. This class is only offered during zero period.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
This course introduces the student to ceramic techniques and materials. Throwing on the potter’s wheel, hand building in clay, and introduction to sculpture are explored. Basic surface decoration and glazing techniques are covered. Students participate in stacking, firing, and the understanding of how a kiln operates.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
In this course serious ceramic students will get the opportunity to expand their knowledge in three major areas: throwing on the wheel, hand building and sculpture. The student will pick approximately three themes to explore and expand in conjunction with the teacher. Public exhibition of work is recommended.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Ceramics I
Grade Level: 10-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students in this course will engage with a deeper exploration of their personal voice and visual style by engaging with more advanced ceramic construction techniques and contemporary art concepts. Students will be instructed in a variety of advanced techniques and approaches to traditional themes, while entering into a regular discussion about ceramic art theory and criticism. Projects will encourage in depth exploration of concepts often stemming from a variety of creative disciplines.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Ceramics II
Grade Level: 11-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students in this course will contract with the instructor to produce more extensive and varied projects in each grading period. As in Ceramics III, students work independently and are subject to direct instruction, supervision, and constructive criticism. There will also be an emphasis on aesthetics, art history, art career potentials, public displays of their work and portfolio development. Projects will encourage in depth exploration of concepts often stemming personal creative influences. Emphasis on in-depth analysis, revision, persistence, craftsmanship, writing and self critique will serve to prepare students to develop work for public display, portfolio work and college applications.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Ceramics III
Grade Level: 10-12 | 0.5 Credit
This basic photography class will teach students about the creation and practice of fine art photography. Throughout the course students will receive detailed instruction on the manual functions of digital, single-lens reflex cameras. Along with camera control, students will gain extensive experience using Adobe Photoshop CC to correct, enhance and construct unique photographic images. In addition to technical instruction, there will be an emphasis on art history and theory providing a strong basis for students’ creative exploration and growth.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 10-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students will continue to build on techniques covered in the introductory course, but will drastically expand their creative horizons by digging deeper into experimental image making and contemporary art. Technical foundations will be revisited both in-camera and in Adobe Photoshop CC, but the emphasis on this course will be questioning the norms for what makes “good” art, in an effort to achieve a more compelling form of expression. Extensive time will be given allowing students to practice new editing techniques and begin the development of a personalized artistic vision and voice.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Digital Photography I
Grade Level: 10-12 | 0.5 Credit
In this advanced course, students will be given more freedom to develop unique projects that are even more in line with their personal interests than previous classes. Direct instruction with more complex technical and conceptual prompts will continue, but extra emphasis will be placed on the development of long term, cohesive projects that are student-led. Furthermore, student involvement in the process of printing and preparing work for public exhibition will also be emphasized, as students are prepared to take steps in advocating for themselves as visual artists and communicators in the community at-large.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Digital Photography II
Grade Level: 10-12 | 0.5 Credit
As in Digital photography III, students will be given more freedom to develop unique projects that are even more in line with their personal interests than previous classes. Emphasis will be placed on developing a portfolio and artistic vision to carry the student beyond high school and into college.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Digital Photography III
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students are introduced to electronic music, MIDI, and composing. In this project-based class, students will work to produce a selection of original musical compositions using the computer programs Reason and Sony Acid Pro

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students continue the course sequence begun in Electronic Music Lab I, learning live and recorded sound production, mixing, recording studio techniques, and sequencing. Students will use digital audio workstations on a variety of projects including CD production, audio editing, soundtrack preparation, and music notation with such programs as Reason, Sibelius, and Sony Acid Pro.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Electronic Music I
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Covers the basic concepts of music: pitch, rhythm, meter, intervals, scales, harmony, and music notation. Introduces the science of sound and music theory terminology. Begins development of musical performance skills through singing, rhythm instruments, and performance on the piano keyboard and ukulele or guitar. Also includes basic aural skills.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
This class is designed for experienced performers of Brass, Saxophone, or Rhythm Section (piano, bass, guitar and drum) instruments. Musical emphasis is jazz and related musical styles in both "Big Band" and ensemble formats. Special technical emphasis is given to sight-reading and improvisation skills. This group performs challenging material at concerts and festivals/competitions. Practice and participation in performances, including pep band, outside of the school day are required. Students will have opportunities to participate in Mt. Hood League, OMEA, and OSAA events.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Band
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Designed for the singer/songwriter or music performer outside of a traditional wind ensemble or choir (rock/folk guitar, contemporary solo piano, hip-hop/rap, electronic/DJ) – this course surveys the process of modern music marketing and production, including the use of internet, live recording, and stage performance. Students enrolled in this class learn stage presence, live sound setup, techniques of songwriting, and performance technique. Students are required to perform from their set for Open Mic Night and for a special evening of musical acts showcasing the students in this course. Students will have time in class to work in small groups (ensembles) and alone (solo) to develop their musical material and receive one-on-one training with the instructor.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
The focus of this course is on developing the student’s music, dance, and acting technique with an emphasis on improving individual student needs. The course will follow a general instruction, lecture, and master class/workshop format where students will participate in staging, choreographing, rehearsing, and performing musical works for the stage. Students will learn, through authentic experience, vocal method, choreography, diction, blocking , and the art of the audition. Basic musical theatre dance styles and combinations will be introduced and practiced. Students will synthesize learned skills through solo duet, and ensemble musical theatre performances that will take place during class. Course content will also include the development of Musical Theatre; its history, playwrights, styles, genres, eras, and notable composers, including Porter Kern, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bernstein, Lerner & Loewe, Sondheim, Webber, Rice, and Hart. This course will culminate in an end-of-semester public showcase.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites: Musical Theatre I
Grade Level: 9-12 | 0.5 Credit
Students will build upon their theatre experience and skills to
tackle more complex theatrical texts, analyze a text actively
in order to activate a character, and unleash their artistic
voice. Students will strengthen their instrument for acting by
practicing and performing assigned scenes, working through
those scenes in class, and making real-time improvements.
Students will explore self-direction, the creation of blocking,
and will learn to maximize the potential of their acting
instrument. Special emphasis will be placed on living truthfully
under imaginary circumstances, acting moment to moment,
and using actions to infuse a character and a scene with life.

Credit Status: Elective | Prerequisites:

Fine Arts Faculty

Michelle Burch
Michelle Burch
EMAIL | BIO
Avery Heater
Avery Heater
EMAIL | BIO
  • ACTING I
  • MUSICAL THEATRE I
  • SCENE STUDY
Jared Jaffe
Jared Jaffe
EMAIL | BIO
  • ART I
  • CERAMICS I
  • CERAMICS II
  • CERAMICS III
  • CERAMICS IV
Bryan Lafaye
Bryan Lafaye
EMAIL | BIO
  • AP 2D ART AND DESIGN
  • ART I
  • ART II
  • ART III
  • ART IV
Chris McLean
Chris McLean '94
EMAIL | BIO
  • BAND
  • ELECTRONIC MUSIC I
  • ELECTRONIC MUSIC II
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF MAKING MUSIC
  • HONORS JAZZ BAND
  • MUSIC PRODUCTION
Jeanette Pelster
Jeanette Pelster
EMAIL | BIO
  • AP 2D ART AND DESIGN
  • DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I
  • DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY II
  • DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY III