Rosati-Kain High School
4389 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 533-8513
Fax: (314) 533-1618
Fine Arts
Faculty: Mrs. Sarah Cannon, Ms. Elaine Fassi, Mr. Bryan Kasten, Mrs. Luanne Murphy, Ms. Patricia Spellman
The Fine Arts Department offers over twenty courses in visual arts, music, and drama. These courses afford students the opportunity to work creatively as individuals and with others, developing their God-given talents to enrich their lives and serve the community. One credit is required for graduation. All students earn 1/2 credit during the freshman year by enrolling in either Freshman Chorus, Instrumental 1, Instrumental 2, or Performing Ensemble. In the music and drama department, both performing and non-performing drama and music courses are offered. Some courses have prerequisites/auditions.
511 Freshman Chorus
- required for all freshmen
- ½ credit (full year)
- Prerequisites: none
Freshman Chorus is a combination of a choral performing arts class and an introduction to music class. Students will develop the ability to sing various choral music styles. Proper breathing techniques, diction, blend, tone quality, and music reading skills are emphasized. Basic theory and a study of various composers are explored. This is a performing ensemble; students are required to sing in the Christmas and Spring concerts.
521 Drawing Skills
- elective for sophomores, juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: none
This class will focus on improving the drawing skills and visual perception of the student. The class will study various drawing techniques. This class will be a prerequisite for all other art classes except for The Art Class (522), and Clay and Crafts (526). Students will be expected to purchase some art materials.
522 The Art Class
This class will focus on experiences of visual art. The class will work on projects using both 2-D and 3-D design. This class is recommended to sophomores wishing to take higher level art classes in junior and senior years. It should be taken in connection with Drawing Skills Class. Students will be expected to purchase some art materials.
523 Graphics and Print-Making
- elective for sophomores in second semester (only with art teacher approval), juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: Drawing or Drawing Skills and teacher signature
Students will study various forms of the Graphic arts such as: Linocut, Monoprint, Silk Screen, Computer Generated Design, and Lettering. In addition, students will continue to build drawing skills, work with Design Elements and Principles and study related artists and art movements. Students will need to purchase some supplies.
524 Painting 1
- elective for juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: Drawing and/or Drawing Skills and teacher signature
Students will study painting techniques in water based media. Some of the materials used will be acrylic paint, watercolor paint and watercolor pencils. Students will study artists and styles in both the historic and contemporary art world. Students will need to purchase some supplies.
525 Painting 2
- elective for juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: Drawing and/or Drawing Skills and teacher signature
The student will continue to study painting using various water media as in Painting 1, but the content of the work will emphasize problem solving and the development of the individual’s style. Students will be expected to keep a sketchbook/journal/notebook and produce research. Students will need to purchase some supplies.
526 Clay and Crafts
This class is open to any junior or senior who has not taken Ceramics class. The student will spend one quarter creating hand built ceramic pieces and the other quarter will be dedicated to a variety of other crafts. This class does not require any previous art training, only the desire to experience a variety of crafts produced by artisans around the world. The student will be expected to keep a notebook, produce research and attend at least one art show. Students will be required to purchase some craft supplies for projects.
527 Advanced Drawing and Design
In this class students will begin creating personal portfolio that emphasizes their individual style and creativity. The work will be of a quality appropriate for college admission. Students do not need to be interested in a career in art but should have the desire to develop their creativity. Students will be expected to keep a sketchbook/journal/notebook, produce research and develop a portfolio of at least eight pieces. Students will need to purchase some supplies.
528 Portfolio Preparation
The purpose of this class is to help the student complete a portfolio by January of senior year. The class is offered in the first semester. Students not interested in pursuing an art career but wanting to develop their talent may also be admitted to the class. In this class, students will complete a portfolio of at least twelve works, research the admission requirements for various colleges, produce research, and participate in weekly critique sessions. Students will need to purchase some supplies.
529 Independent Studio
This class is for the serious art student who needs to create a portfolio for college but cannot fit any other art class in her schedule. Students must develop a personal plan for time management, complete at least twelve works of portfolio quality by the end of the semester, meet weekly with the art teacher for personal critique, and produce research. Students will need to purchase some supplies. Every effort should be made by the student to fit a scheduled art class into her schedule.
532 Theatre Arts: Performance
This semester course will focus on audition, warm-up, acting, dialect, and stage combat techniques. There will also be a section of the course dedicated to a brief survey of theatre history.
533 Theatre Arts: Design and Playwriting
This semester course will focus on the art of costume and set design during the first quarter. The focus during the second quarter will be on the analysis of existing plays and the study of how to create original theatrical works.
535 American Film Study
This semester course will focus on the study of American films made before 1980. The class will handle such subject matters as: film making, acting, lighting, directing, screenplay, and many other filming techniques. There will be ten films shown during class and several others assigned independently.
551 Advanced Chorus
- elective for sophomores, juniors & seniors
- 1 credit
- Prerequisites: acceptance by audition. Students may enroll in the course for more than one year.
Students will be introduced to choral music of various styles and from various historical periods. Music reading skills, choral blend, diction, and tone quality will be emphasized, as well as working as part of a cooperative group. This is a performing ensemble; students will sing at various times throughout the year, primarily in the Christmas and Spring concerts.
552 R-K Voices
- elective for juniors & seniors
- ½ credit (full year)
- Prerequisites: acceptance by audition, and recommendations by three teachers. Note: Students in the R-K Voices must also enroll in Advanced Chorus. Students may enroll in the course for more than one year.
This is a small, select ensemble with an emphasis on performance. A variety of musical styles from various historical periods will be explored. Students will advance their music reading and choral singing skills and work closely with those in the ensemble. Students must be willing to perform frequently, often outside of school time. Performances will include but not be limited to the Christmas and Spring concerts.
553 Music Theory
- elective for juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: Freshman Chorus or Instrumental 1, 2, or Performing Ensemble. Offered Semester 1.
This course will explore the structure of music. Students will work with rhythms and scales, build chord progressions, and compose original music, while improving their skills in ear-training, music dictation, and music reading.
554 Music History
- elective for juniors & seniors
- ½ credit
- Prerequisites: Freshman Chorus or Instrumental 1, 2, or Performing Ensemble. Offered Semester 2.
This course will explore the history of the music of Western (European/American) civilization, from the Middle Ages through the 20th Century, including its relationship to world history.
555 Instrumental 1
Students will be provided both small and large group orchestral experiences following basic instruction on a particular instrument. Practice and instruction are the basis of this class.
556 Instrumental 2
Students will be provided both small and large group orchestral experiences for those who are sufficiently beyond the beginner level.
557 Performing Ensemble
Students will be provided both small and large group experiences. Independent musicianship and working cooperatively in an ensemble are emphasized. This is a performing ensemble; students are required to perform in the Christmas and Spring concerts.
558 Guitar 1
Beginning Guitar is a non-performing class in which students will learn to play guitar in a group setting. Students will learn to read and play notation on the treble clef and play chords from chord symbols. Each student must provide an acoustic (not electric) guitar. Instruments may be rented from Nottelmann Music. Students will be expected to take their instruments between school and home to practice.
559 Guitar 2
This is a non-performing class in which students will continue study of the guitar. Topics will include barre chords, transposition, improvisation, arranging, and many types of intermediate strumming and picking patterns. The basic music theory needed to continue progress will be studied. Each student must provide an acoustic (not electric) guitar. Instruments may be rented from Nottelmann Music. Students will be expected to take their instruments between school and home to practice.