This course prepares students for the newly designed Advanced Placement exam. It emphasizes understanding works in their cultural context and making thematic connections across cultures. The thematic approach to the study of art provides fresh ways of looking at art and often inspires class discussion. When analyzing works of art, students think critically about form, content, context, and function. 

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The serious art student at an advanced level may choose to undertake an individual art project under the direction of a member of the art faculty. Project content, meeting times, and deadlines will be established on an individual basis to best accommodate and support the learning process. This course provides a suitable working environment for the highly motivated student.

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This course is designed for the serious art student who has mastered basic art skills and is interested in producing a substantial body of work. Emphasis is placed on developing a portfolio, which may be used for college admission or to support an application. Students will work both independently and collaboratively employing the different disciplines and the multitude of intersections of various media in contemporary art.

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Independent thinking and thoughtfully considered self-expression are emphasized in this course. Students will return to the touchstone of drawing, with regular drawing assignments scheduled throughout the year. Watercolor, mixed media, and collage are examples of methods and media that will be introduced and explored in depth. Working with multiple images, digital technology, and various other nontraditional media will give students more resources and more freedom to create work that meets a high standard of original and critical expression.

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This year-long Environmental Art course introduces students to art that first gained international attention in the 1960s and has since become a significant art practice. Students will explore the possibilities for using natural and recycled materials found on campus to make art with an emphasis on site-specific sculpture. Pingry has almost two hundred acres that provide easily harvested clay, wood, and stone with which to build sculptures. Interdisciplinary projects with Environmental Science, Environmental History, and Creative Writing classes will be emphasized.

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Students will study photography as an art form and learn to incorporate individuality and the principles of design into their work. Students learn to use a 35mm camera and gain the necessary technical skills for developing and printing. The history of photography is introduced and students are exposed to the rich, innovative uses of photography in contemporary global discourse.

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This introduction to the principles of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design enables students to develop a critical visual vocabulary, and this course encourages them to begin to develop their own artistic voice.

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Art forms which may be executed in clay may range from two-dimensional, through reliefs and murals, to the full three-dimensional forms of sculpture and art pottery. Wheel-throwing and hand-building are taught, using stoneware and porcelain clays and glazes fired in both oxidation and reduction.

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Introduction to Acting is a course that uses character/scene improvisation, as well as the exercises and techniques of Sanford Meisner to develop the actor’s basic resources: imagination, listening, concentration, and “truthfulness.” 

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Creative Dramatics is a workshop course that uses drama as a means of developing creativity and other personal resources. A problem is posed or an “inspiration” is given to the students, which must ultimately result in them developing a short play. 

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The Theatrical Design & Technology course is a year-long, studio experience that explores the methodology and practice of contemporary scenic, costume, and lighting design. This comprehensive introduction covers the skills and techniques needed to conduct research, design space, serve character, and express nuance found in dramatic literature through personal point-of-view, response, and script analysis. The course will also serve as an introduction to the various techniques and workflows available for supporting the design process including: drafting, rendering, fabrication, and scale model making.

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Advanced Acting is a course in scene study. Students will research a topic, create a script, and memorize and rehearse the play, making adjustments using the criticism of the class. Finally, the original play will be taken “on the road” to local elementary or middle schools in the surrounding area for performances.

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This course is open to anyone who loves to move. Whether you are a trained dancer, an athlete, or someone who locks the door and poses in front of the mirror, this course will develop the dancer in you. They explore dance in terms of body parts and shape, energies, actions, space, and relationships. They incorporate these values into choreographed warm-ups, guided movement explorations, and group improvisations. The year culminates in a formal dance showing by student choreographers with costume, music, and movement all selected by the students.

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Technical Theatre will provide a look into the backstage workings of theatre by exploring lights, sound, and set design. Students can expect to leave the class with a firm grasp of analyzing a script for author intention, setting, and tone, as well as, a practical understanding of how to design and implement technical theatre elements.

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Play Production is a course/production gives students a chance to explore a character from beginning (development) to end (performance), develop a logical storyline through scene work, watch it unfold, and give meaning to the process. It is a highly charged class that demands energy, intellectual effort, and culmination of years of effort and skills.

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Wind Orchestra is comprised of all woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon, etc.), brass (trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba, etc.), and percussion (timpani, bass drum, mallets, etc.) instrumentalists. The Wind Orchestra performs works from various musical periods while focusing on the vast repertoire for symphonic bands.

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The String Orchestra is comprised of all string players. Musical skills are refined by the preparation and performance of challenging repertoire ranging from Baroque through Romantic. The String Orchestra and the Wind Orchestra both perform at all major concerts during the year.

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A class for moderate to advanced players comprising a band of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, bass, drums, and guitar. The main emphasis in Jazz Ensemble is on ensemble interpretation and performance. Through rehearsal, performance, and study of various arrangements from the jazz repertoire, the student will learn the musical vocabulary necessary to play swing and to improvise. 

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In this ensemble, students work with equally motivated peers to achieve excellence in the performance of choral music. A wide variety of literature is studied with the aim of learning many styles of music: classical, traditional, folk, world, jazz, musical theater, and popular a cappella music. Through intensive rehearsals and performances, students develop and refine their vocal abilities, sight-singing skills and sense of ensemble. 

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