The Fine Arts Department provides students with the opportunity to experience, create, and critique a variety of arts.  The department recognizes that expressing oneself through the arts enables the student to develop emotionally as well as intellectually, thereby enriching the whole person.

Ensemble is a vocal performing group which presents a Christmas Concert annually and which works with the Theater Department to present a musical every other year.   Areas of study include vocal development, sight-singing, musicianship, and choreography, and the students are afforded opportunities to perform at the ISAS Fine Arts Festival and to compete at TPSMEA and TAPPS.

733 - Sacred Ensemble                                                                 1 year/.5 credit

Sacred Ensemble is an auditioned vocal group that sings at Liturgies, participates in other school events, performs at the ISAS Fine Arts Festival and competes at TAPPS.

This course is designed as an independent study.  Curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of individual voice students.  Solo vocal literature is studied to prepare for college auditions.   The curriculum builds on elements of vocal production, breath support, sight singing, and performance practice.  In addition, students are encouraged to assist with other musical performances on campus such as the fall musical.

702 - Orchestra

Independent arrangements can be made for students to rehearse and perform with the St. Thomas Orchestra.

710 - Band	1 year/.5 credit
Grades 9 - 12

Independent arrangements can be made for students to rehearse and perform with the St. Thomas or Strake/St. Agnes High School Band.

703 - Photography  I	1 year/.5 credit
Grades 11 - 12	.

This basic course in 35mm black and white photography includes a thorough use of the camera and related equipment, lab procedures, and visualization.  Students prepare a portfolio from a variety of assignments designed to master components of the 35 mm camera, and enhance visualization.  Lab work stresses proper film development and print making familiarity with lab chemicals, and use of filters.   Students provide their own 35 mm cameras, film, and paper.                                                 

717 - Photography II (Independent study)	1 year/.5 credit
Grades 11 - 12  (Prerequisite: Photography I)

Photography students continue to develop an eye for design and the skills of using aperture, shutter speed and light as they compile individual portfolios.  Students are required to hang works in all Duchesne shows, submit photos for TAPPS competitions, and enter photography shows / contests when available.  Seniors must complete a competitive portfolio of six photos.

This survey course combines public speaking and theatre activities to develop the student's confidence and skill in delivering oral presentations.  The student will have opportunities to explore and understand the communication process, communication in democratic group processes and in public speaking, including speech analysis, preparation, and presentation.  Theatre activities, including acting and oral interpretation, provide opportunities to improve and control the use of the voice, develop a characterization, and utilize "stage fright" management techniques. 

731 - Communication Arts:  Competitive Speech                                 1 year/.5 credit

The focus of this class will be finding and developing material for competition.  The students will look at types of public speaking formats, including informative, impromptu and persuasive speeches, poetry, storytelling, and oral interpretation.  One or more of these formats will be chosen to develop a contest entry.  The students will have the opportunity to compete in the TAPPS District Academic and Speech Tournament, ISAS Fine Arts Festival, and one or more local speech tournaments,

732 - Communication Arts:  Elements of Acting                                    1 year/.5 credit 

The focus of this class will be building the student's communication and acting skills.  The class will work on developing voice, physical movement and business for the stage, as well as developing imagination, concentration and observation skills.  Using scene work, the students will have an opportunity to practice their skills as they develop a character for a scene. The class meets three periods per week for a whole year.                                                                          

714 - Theater Production                                                                 1 year/.5 credit

This course is open to those students who have a strong interest in or have had some exposure to theater training.  Participation in a major production is part of the curriculum and is a central tool for exploring and building effective theater and communication skills.  In addition to after-school rehearsals, one practicum ("lab") is also required in a technical area of the student's choosing:  play development, costuming, stage management, lighting crew, backstage crew, sound crew, box office, or house mgt.  This course is designed with a professional approach to theater, and includes collaboration with working theater professionals and guest artists.  Students will increase their skill set in improvisation, staging,character development, play analysis, audition techniques, voice and body awareness in public settings and ensemble playing, along with a cross-curriculum introduction and appreciation for theatrical literature.  In addition, numerous opportunities are presented for students to work outside of class in school-related competitions, festivals and assemblies, where they can further enhance their self-confidence and skill set in theater.  Duchesne-related theater events and opportunities receive first priority before any other outside theater opportunities.

740  Advanced Theater Production II	1 year/1 or .5 credit
Grades 10-12

This course is open to students who have previously studied with the instructor, and/or by audition. Participation in a theater production designed around the talents and skill set of the students forms the basis of the curriculum, along with a focus on acting craft and the rehearsal process.  In addition to after-school rehearsals, one practicum (lab) is also required in a technical area of the student's choosing:  play development, costuming, stage management, lighting crew, backstage crew, sound crew, box office or house mgmt.  This course is designed with a professional approach to theater, and includes collaboration with working theater professionals and invited guest artists.  Students will increase their skill set in improvisation, staging character development, play analysis, audition techniques, voice and body awareness and ensemble playing, along with a cross-curriculum appreciation for theatrical literature.  In addition, numerous opportunities are presented for students to work outside of class in school-related competitions, festivals and assemblies, where they can further enhance their self-confidence and skill set in theater.

723 Theater Independent Study	1 year/1 or .5 credit
Grades 10-12

This independent study course builds on Adv. Theater Production  II, and is only open to those students who have completed Theater Production I or II, and/or by audition.  Students will build for University and emi-professional theater productions. They will be put in contact with local community theaters for production work or will work in Duchesne's After School Drama program in a directing project for children's theater.  An extra fee may be required for outside study.

706 -  Drawing I	1 year/.5 credit
Grades 9 - 12

This course introduces the student to basic drawing skills. No previous knowledge or experience is required.  Students learn to critique their own work and the work of other artists.  Various black and white media are used, such as pencil, charcoal, chalk, pen and ink, china marker, and paint.  There will be a student art show near the end of the semester.

707 -  Drawing II	1 year/.5 credit
Grades 9 - 12  (Prerequisite:  Drawing I or portfolio review)	.

Students will examine some of the theories and uses of color through a variety of projects.   Media used are all those in Drawing I, plus colored pencils, chalk, oil pastels, and paint.  There will be a student art show near the end of the course.

Students may elect to take this independent study for either full or half credit.  The drawing student will continue in her development of individual expression begun in the first two drawing courses.  Students are encouraged to work thematically and to create a body of work. The aim is to build a strong portfolio of related pieces.  Interested students can prepare a suitable portfolio to submit for possible AP credit.  There will be a student art show near the end of the semester.  This course may be repeated for credit.