Arts

St. Andrew's-Sewanee has long enjoyed a strong reputation for its arts programs. All Upper School students must complete an arts course for graduation. Classes are demanding in scope and expectation. In addition to scheduled courses, students are able to pursue instrumental, vocal, and dance studies through private lessons. Students also may audition for the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, the Sewanee Jazz Ensemble, and Perpetual Motion dance productions at the University of the South.

All courses listed below are one semester courses and may be taken repeatedly for credit. In addition to these offerings, students may take private voice, instrumental and/or dance lessons for an additional fee. They may also participate in SAS, community, and University performances in theatre, orchestra and dance.

2024-2025 Arts Courses

Drawing & Painting (Fall or Spring)

Drawing & Painting introduces students to the fundamentals of visual self-expression. Students explore unity of form through line, shape, color, texture, and tonal value using a variety of drawing and painting media. Students begin to study the history of art through slide viewings, discussions, critiques, and research assignments. A prime objective of this class is to enhance students’ ability both to see and to articulate what they have seen in a way that is insightful and intelligent. Assignments become increasingly student-generated as the semester progresses and students pursue personal and independent themes. The semester evaluation is based on a final critique and presentation. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Functional Pottery (Fall and/or Spring)

Functional Pottery students learn the basic techniques of working with clay both on and off the wheel. Students explore the properties of clay – its possibilities, potential, and limitations – working with different forms and decorations to produce pieces, which can be used. As students develop stronger skills, more complex and multifaceted forms are explored. Work is fired in both reduction and soda-salt kilns. Assigned projects are changed regularly to reflect increasing skills. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Radio Broadcasting & Production (Fall and/or Spring)

This course introduces students to the real-world skills and tools needed for radio broadcast production. Students will learn and apply the basics of broadcasting: broadcasting news writing and reading copy, commercial broadcasting of advertisements, interviewing skills of announcers, making interesting and engaging podcasts, creating music segments. and sports broadcasting. Equipment instruction includes operating radio equipment, mixers and boards, microphones, music CDs, Vinyl, and MP3s. Students will become familiar with radio techniques and operations used in the industry, and specifically with our radio station WMTN, 103.1, “The Mountain.”

Vocal Ensemble (Fall and/or Spring)

Vocal Ensemble students develop performance techniques in a small ensemble setting through the study of a variety of musical genres appropriate to high school students. The ensemble focuses on accompanied and a cappella vocal music, with an emphasis on vocal independence, expressiveness, and stylistic authenticity. Students gain basic understanding of theory through weekly sight singing, dictation, and response to played musical examples. Singers who read music are a welcome addition, but it is not required for those who have good ears. The ensemble provides music or lead hymn singing in chapel with instruction regarding chapel process provided. Students perform on campus for assemblies, Creative Expression events, Christmas Revels, spring concerts, and end-of-year ceremonies. This class may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Photography (Fall)

Photography introduces students to the fundamentals of creative photographic expression. Students explore basic photographic techniques such as exposure, composition, lighting, focus, and movement along with digital file management and image manipulation. Project work is guided towards producing expressive and meaningful images that are technically sound. Class time is dedicated to in-depth discussions about the history of photography, demonstrations on technique, and class critiques. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Sculpture (Fall)

Sculpture students explore elements and principles of 3-D design to create expressive sculptural work. The sculptural processes of assemblage, reduction carving, and modeling are used to create artwork based on a theme or concept. The ability to generate original solutions to design problems requires basic drawing skills, creative thinking, and artistic exploration of possible approaches. Weekly sketchbook assignments that require drawing, reflection, and research are part of the curriculum. Various artists, styles, and genres throughout history are explored. Assignments become increasingly student-generated as the semester progresses and students pursue personal and independent themes. The semester evaluation is based on a final critique and presentation.

Technical Drawing and Design (Fall)

Technical Drawing and Design emphasizes the integration of form, space, function, and order into the development of products, imagery, and architectural works. Project work emphasizes community connections, blending technical instruction with studio assignments. Students design and create ideas by combining materials, process/storyboarding, computer-aided design, and human factors. Aesthetic sensitivity, technical skills, and analytical thought are developed and applied to meet the challenge of designing products for the local and global needs of our community-based clients. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Theatre Arts (Fall)

Filmmaking (Spring)

Filmmaking covers both the physical and artistic elements of filmmaking, while giving students hands-on practice in both filming and editing their work. Topics covered include the mechanics of filming, elements of cinematography and film design, and video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. Analysis of film is integrated so that students see how the mechanical elements of film are handled by professional filmmakers and directors. This course may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Music Production, Songwriting, and Recording (Spring)

Music Production, Songwriting, and Recording students learn to use Pro Tools to create an Extended Play (EP) recording of original music in the school’s recording studio. The course covers songwriting skills and recording tools, skills, and techniques. While no music theory, music note reading, or formal songwriting experience is required, students are expected to sing and/or play a musical instrument. This class may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Photography: Community Connections (Spring) 🌱

Photography: Community Connections is a digital photography course, emphasizing the use of photographic image to make considered, social, visual statements. Project work emphasizes community connections, with each student producing work that relates to or advocates for topics of concern to the local community. Methods for building visual narratives while making expressive, meaningful, and technically sound images are taught. Class time is also dedicated to in-depth discussions on the social impact of photography, building relationships with community partners, field methods, and class critiques. This class may be taken repeatedly for credit.

Printmaking (Spring)

Printmaking introduces students to various traditional printmaking processes such as relief printing and screen printing. Through these techniques, students will develop their technical and thematic abilities and sensibilities, printing editions of images and working in series. Students will gain technical proficiency as well as learn about the history of printmaking and the contemporary issues connected to the medium. Drawing will make up a significant part of the class as these skills are essential in developing ideas. Student-driven final projects will be evaluated by critique and presentation. Potential texts: Modern Printmaking: A Guide to Traditional and Digital Techniques by Sylvie Covey; Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials and Process by Bill Fick and Beth Grabowski.

🌱 fulfills a Cumberland Scholars requirement