Our Arts Department offers a variety of opportunities for students. Art—musical, visual or dramatic—helps students to build their creativity and confidence, which will benefit them academically and in life in general. Students can also explore areas of interest that can lead to post-secondary or career options.

Ontario Music Educators Association
Ontario Curriculum, Arts

Arts Course Descriptions

Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12

Grade 9

Music

AMI1O1: Grade 9 Instrumental Music, Open
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of instrumental music at a level consistent with previous experience and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

AMV1O1: Grade 9 Vocal Music, Open
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of vocal music at a level consistent with previous experience and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

Visual Arts

AVI1O1: Grade 9 Visual Arts, Open
This course is exploratory in nature, offering an overview of visual arts as a foundation for further study. Students will become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials by using a range of media, processes, techniques, and styles. Students will use the creative and critical analysis processes and will interpret art within a personal, contemporary, and historical context.

Drama

ADA1O1: Dramatic Arts, Open
This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms and techniques, using material from a wide range of sources and cultures. Students will use the elements of drama to examine situations and issues that are relevant to their lives. Students will create, perform, discuss, and analyse drama, and then reflect on the experiences to develop an understanding of themselves, the art form, and the world around them.

ALC101: Integrated Arts, Open

This course integrates two or more of the arts (dance, drama, media arts, music, and visual arts), giving students the opportunity to produce and present integrated art works created individually or collaboratively. Students will demonstrate innovation as they learn and apply concepts, styles, and conventions unique to the various arts and acquire skills that are transferable beyond the classroom. Students will use the creative process and responsible practices to explore solutions to integrated arts challenges.

(This course is part of the grade 9 Gifted Cluster Program.)

NAC101: Expressions of First Nations, Metis & Inuit Cultures, Open

This course fulfills the requirement for an Arts credit for OSSD purposes. This course examines Aboriginal cultures in Canada through an exploration of art forms - painting, sculpture, storytelling, dance, and music - created by Aboriginal artists. Students will learn to identify Aboriginal art forms and describe relationships between the art forms and Aboriginal traditions, philosophy, and culture. Students will also create their own art forms to express their understanding of Aboriginal identify, relationships, and sovereignty.

Grade 10

Music

AMI2O1: Grade 10 Instrumental Music, Open
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of instrumental music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.

AMG2O1: Grade 10 Guitar Music, Open
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of guitar music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.

AMV2O1: Grade 10 Vocal Music, Open
This course emphasizes the creation and performance of vocal music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.

Visual Arts

AVI2O1: Grade 10 Visual Arts, Open
This course emphasizes learning through practice, building on what students know and introducing them to new ideas, materials and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design, incorporating the creative and design processes, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connections between works of art and their historical contexts.

ASM2O1: Grade 10 Media Arts, Open
This course enables students to create media art works by exploring new media, emerging technologies such as digital animation, and a variety of traditional art forms such as film, photography, video, and visual arts. Students will acquire communications skills that are transferable beyond the media arts classroom and develop an understanding of responsible practices related to the creative process. Students will develop the skills necessary to create and interpret media art works.

AWU201: Urban Arts & Social Change, Open

Students will examine the changing technological aspects of visual culture in a contemporary setting. They will study and create a variety of types of urban or street art and find ways to express their own view on a social justice theme. Designed to speak to the student's own interests, the course is constructed to marry things that appear hip and exciting with activities that are hands-on and tactile. Students will learn to expand their understandings of the purpose of making art by examining art produced by young artists throughout history, and find their own ways to create art with social responsibility. Prerequisite: None.

Drama

ADA2O1 Grade 10 Dramatic Arts, Open
This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms, conventions, and techniques. Students will explore a variety of dramatic sources from various cultures and representing a range of genres. Students will use the elements of drama in creating and communicating through dramatic works. Students will assume responsibility for decisions made in the creative and collaborative processes and will reflect on their experiences.

Grade 11

Music

AMI3M1: Grade 11 Instrumental Music, University/College
This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of instrumental music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.

AMU3O1: Grade 11 Music Production, Open

This course develops students' musical literacy through performance and the preparation and presentation of music productions. Students will perform, compose, arrange, and record works particularly in contemporary popular styles. Independently and in groups, they will also plan, produce, market, and present music productions, making use of appropriate and current technology and the creative and critical analysis processes. They will evaluate the results at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will respond to, reflect on, and analyse music from various genres and periods, and they will develop skills transferable to other aspects of their life and their careers. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements of music as they are used in contemporary popular styles, demonstrate an understanding of basic elements of arts project management, and identify technological tools that are necessary in organizing and presenting a music production, and explain their use. Prior music performance experience is an asset. Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10, Open

AMV301: Music- vocal, Open

Students will continue to develop their vocal skills acquired in Grade 10. Performance, listening, theory, ear training and creative compositions with the voice and the piano using the elements of music will be the focus of this course. Vocal repertoire for large choral ensembles, chamber groups and some solo work will be explored. This course will include comprehensive theory, written, analytic and vocal assignments. Prerequisite: Grade 9 or 10 Music.

AMG301: Music Intermediate Guitar, Open

As an extension of the beginning level guitar course students will perform appropriate works in contemporary popular styles as well as explore more complex chord structures in blues, jazz, and classical music. Students will also take advantage of appropriate technology for recording and producing. Prerequisite: AMG201

AMK3O1: Music Keyboarding, Open

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of keyboard music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures. This course is designed for students who want to receive basic musical instruction through the medium of the electronic piano keyboard. This is an introductory course for students with little or no background on the keyboard. Students are actively involved in learning to play the keyboard, using a series of graded instruction books and complemented by supplementary materials as required by individual students. The nature of the keyboard lab set-up allows a student to work individually, in duets and in groups. Students learn to read and write music through the study of music theory. Exposure to ear-training exercises, musical composition and music terminology provides students with a thorough understanding. Students are exposed to a variety of musical styles through performance and listening to music. Prerequisite: None

Visual Arts

AVI3O1: Grade 11 Visual Arts, Open
This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, collage, and/or multimedia art. Students will use the creative process to create art works that reflect a wide range of subjects and will evaluate works using the critical analysis process. Students will also explore works of art within a personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural context.

AVI3M1: Grade 11 Visual Arts, University/College
This course enables students to further develop their knowledge and skills in visual arts. Students will use the creative process to explore a wide range of themes through studio work that may include drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking, as well as the creation of collage, multimedia works, and works using emerging technologies. Students will use the critical analysis process when evaluating their own work and the work of others. The course may be delivered as a comprehensive program or through a program focused on a particular art form (e.g., photography, video, computer graphics, information design).

AWQ3O1: Grade 11 Photography, Open
This course focuses on studio activities in photography and/or new technologies in the visual arts. Students will use the creative process to create art works that reflect a wide range of subjects and will evaluate works using the critical analysis process. Students will also explore works of art within a personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural context.

Drama

ADA3O1 Grade 11 Dramatic Arts, Open
This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, collage, and/or multimedia art. Students will use the creative process to create art works that reflect a wide range of subjects and will evaluate works using the critical analysis process. Students will also explore works of art within a personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural context.

ADG301: Drama, Acting/Improvisation, Open

This course requires students to engage in dramatic processes and the presentation of dramatic works, and emphasizes the application of drama skills in other contexts and opportunities. Students will interpret and present works in a variety of dramatic forms, create and script original works, and critically analyze the processes involved in producing drama works. Students will develop a variety of skills related to collaboration and the presentation for drama works. This course provides an in-depth exploration of improvisation as a vehicle for drama development, theatrical presentation and actor training. Students apply their skills in the development of comic and serious improvised scenes. They analyze scene structures and the historical use of improvisation in the development of theatre for socio-political and entertainment purposes. Students experiment with long forms of improvisation to develop a final presentation. Prerequisite: None.

ADA3M1 Grade 11 Dramatic Arts, University/College
This course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations. Students will analyze, interpret, and perform dramatic works from various cultures and time periods. Students will research various acting styles and conventions that could be used in their presentations, and analyze the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences.

Grade 12

Music

AMI4M1 Grade 12 Instrumental Music, University/College
This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of instrumental music from the Romantic period and the Twentieth Century, including art music, jazz, popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability to work independently. They will complete complex creative projects. All students are encouraged to participate in a performing group.

Visual Arts

AVI4M1 Grade 12 Visual Arts, University/College
This course focuses on enabling students to refine their use of the creative process when creating and presenting two- and three-dimensional art works using a variety of traditional and emerging media and technologies. Students will use the critical analysis process to deconstruct art works and explore connections between art and society. The studio program enables students to explore a range of materials, processes, and techniques that can be applied in their own art production. Students will also make connections between various works of art in personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts.

AWM4M1 Grade 12 Visual Arts - Drawing and Painting, University/College
This course focuses on enabling students to refine their use of the creative process when creating and presenting two- and three-dimensional art works in various forms and approaches to drawing (e.g., charcoal, pencil, pastel, etc.), and painting (e.g., acrylics, watercolors, mixed pastels, etc.). Students will use the critical analysis process to deconstruct art works and explore connections between art and society. The studio program enables students to explore a range of materials, processes, and techniques that can be applied in their own art production. Students will also make connections between various works of art in personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts.

AMV4M1: Music vocal, University/college Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of vocal music from the romantic period and twentieth century, including art music, Jazz popular music, and Canadian and non-Western music. Students will concentrate on developing interpretive skills and the ability to work independently. they will also complete complex creative projects.

AWQ4M1 Grade 12 Photography, University/College
This course focuses on enabling students to refine their use of the creative process when creating and presenting art with a focus on photography. Students will use the critical analysis process to deconstruct art works and explore connections between art and society. The studio program enables students to explore a range of materials, processes, and techniques that can be applied in their own art production. Students will also make connections between various works of art in personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural contexts.

Drama

ADA4M1: Grade 12 Dramatic Arts, University/College
This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods. Students will interpret dramatic literature and other texts and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures, and will analyze how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.