View Fine Arts Department Directory

Music

Beginning Band

The first year of instrumental music instruction is designed to firmly establish the fundamentals of good performance and a general knowledge of music as an art form. This group is divided into brass/woodwind class and percussion class to give the student a more individual approach to learning.

Advanced Band

After admission into this course of study, a student is eligible to join other groups within the band’s family. It is understood at the outset that a student must become an active member in the Marching Band to be afforded opportunities to move into the other band-related activities and/or course sub-groups.

Marching Band

The official marching unit is probably best noted for its elaborate routines, unique shows, intricate maneuvers, and the “Blue Jay Sound.” This group performs at football games, pep rallies, home basketball games, and in Mardi Gras parades. The band is invited bi-annually to march in the Magic Kingdom’s parade at Disney World in Orlando.

Concert Band

This organization offers technical training as it performs literature designed for the wind band. This group performs concerts several times during the year at festivals, fairs, and school-related assemblies. Individually, members perform at solo and / or ensemble festivals.

Jazz Band

The repertory contains jazz music ranging from New Orleans Jazz to contemporary popular tunes. Students in this group are exposed to a rich variety of styles ranging from our American past to the trends of jazz today. Known as Jesuit Jazz, this group has performed at Jazz Fest and has traveled to play at the Big Band Festival in Bamberg, Germany.

Play Band

This co-curricular band is associated with the Philelectic Society of Jesuit and focuses on training in basic techniques for performance with the production workshop orchestra.

MCJROTC Band

This group works in association with the MCJROTC program at Jesuit. It comprises 20 cadets with musical expertise in support of the ROTC unit and its activities, including Mardi Gras parades, the annual Parade and Review, and the Change of Command Parade.

Communications

Speech I

Speech I is designed to acquaint pre-freshmen with the fundamental techniques and basic principles essential to effective communication in most types of public speaking, and to give the student an opportunity to develop skills in speaking through frequent practice and helpful criticism. The course is divided into six units, each emphasizing a different aspect of speech-making. Each unit consists of readings to acquaint the student with important principles of speech, speaking performances to give him practice in mastering the techniques studied, and written and oral reports and exercises to aid in developing a better understanding of the fundamental processes of speech. In addition to these assignments, the instructor will announce periodic examinations.

Public Speaking

This course for seniors emphasizes communicating the meaning from the printed page. Much emphasis is devoted to vocal expression—a main factor of the communication of this meaning. This course includes the study, understanding, and appreciation of the thoughts, ideas, and purposes of others.

Publications and Multi-Media Productions

This hands-on, workshop-style course is designed to introduce students to the basics of print journalism, photography, and graphic design. The course is centered on the production of The Blue Jay annual, Jesuit High School’s yearbook. Students write feature articles, conduct interviews, take photographs, and design yearbook pages. Students have opportunities to contribute to other Jesuit publications and to the school’s web site. Seniors interested in shaping their own class yearbook are especially encouraged to enroll.

Fine Arts

Fine Arts I

Fine Arts I is a practical, concise course of music history and appreciation. The course is nontechnical and may be readily understood by a student with no previous knowledge of, or experience with, music. Social, political, and cultural influences are mentioned for each historic period; however, the main focus of the course is music itself.

Fine Arts II

Fine Arts II is a practical, concise course of art history and appreciation. This course provides an overview of many introductory art themes: the cultural purpose of art, the visual elements of art, the principles of design, and two- and three-dimensional media and techniques. This course encourages students to gain an understanding and appreciation of art in their everyday lives. Some emphasis is directed to providing the student with the opportunity to express his individual talents in an art medium.

Art I

This is an introductory course in Studio Art. Students will master the elements of art and principles of design through design-based projects. All Students will explore a variety of art processes and materials such as drawing, painting, printmaking, two & three-dimensional design, etc. Student artwork will reflect aesthetics and cultural and historical contexts. Students will be required to maintain a portfolio of finished artwork for peer and instructor evaluation. This course is intended for students who have a serious interest in art and in developing their artistic skills.

Art II

This course is an extension of Art I. Students will work on more self-directed design projects, exploring areas of interest and developing more personal forms of expression.  Students will be required to maintain a portfolio of finished artwork for peer and instructor evaluation. As these students continue to develop their artistic skills, a high degree of commitment and development of skills is expected.

Film Studies

This course consists of a history of film from its earliest inception to the present-day development. The student, through examining lighting, camera angles, scripting, shooting, and studying different film genres, will gain a better understanding of the importance of film as a medium of communication and expression in our society.

Stagecraft

Stagecraft is a class designed to introduce the student to the process of theatrical production with emphasis on specific technical aspects. By the completion of the course, the student will understand the structure of play production, the phases that structure takes, and the area tasks included in each phase. Specifically, the student will have a basic understanding of the physical theatre, audience/stage relationship, theatre vocabulary, set construction, tools and materials, props, the handling of scenery, and much more. Also, the student will receive a wealth of hands-on practical stagecraft experiences.

The stagecraft experience is intended to introduce and involve the student in the process of mounting live theatre. It is essential to the student’s understanding of the total art of theatre and provides the student with the foundation of exploration in a variety of technology-based occupations.