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The Arts

Abbey Park High School offers a wide range of Arts courses from Grades 9 to 12, including drama, music, media arts and visual arts. Whether you're new or experienced, these courses foster creativity, collaboration and critical thinking while preparing students for future pathways.

The Arts Course Descriptions

Grades 9-12

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.


Prerequisite: None

9th Credit - Full Year Course done on student’s lunch hour

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of 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.

Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of 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.

Prerequisite: None

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.

Prerequisite: None

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.

Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of 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.


Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of 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.


Prerequisite: None

This course enables students to develop their skills in producing and presenting art by introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic exploration and experimentation. Students will apply the elements and principles of design when exploring the creative process. Students will use the critical analysis process to reflect on and interpret art within a personal, contemporary, and historical context.


Prerequisite: None

This course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations.

Students will analyse, 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 analyse the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences.


Prerequisites: Drama, Grade 9 or 10, 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 analyse the processes involved in producing drama works. Students will develop a variety of skills related to collaboration and the presentation of drama works.


Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of 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.


Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10 Open

ONLINE: This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of 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. This course focuses on Music and Computers.

Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10 Open

This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of 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.


Prerequisite: AMS2O, Grade 10, Open

This course focuses on the development of media arts skills through the production of art works involving traditional and emerging technologies, tools, and techniques such as new media, computer animation, and web environments.

Students will explore the evolution of media arts as an extension of traditional art forms, use the creative process to produce effective media art works, and critically analyse the unique characteristics of this art form. Students will examine the role of media artists in shaping audience perceptions of identity, culture, and values.


Prerequisite: Media Arts, Grade 10, Open

This course enables students to create media art works using available and emerging technologies such as computer animation, digital imaging, and video, and a variety of media.

Students will explore the elements and principles of media arts, the connections between contemporary media art works and traditional art forms, and the importance of using responsible practices when engaged in the creative process. Students will develop the skills necessary to create and interpret media art works.


Prerequisite: None

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).


Prerequisite: Visual Arts, Grade 9 or 10, 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.

Prerequisite: None

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 analyse how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.

Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 11, University/College preparation

This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances.

Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.


Prerequisite: Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the appreciation, analysis, and performance of 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 also complete complex creative projects.


Prerequisite: AMS3M, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

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 analyse how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.

Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 11, University/College preparation

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.


Prerequisite: Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

The Arts at Abbey Park

Dramatic Arts

Drama is offered from Grades 9 to 12, helping students build confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills. Opportunities include theatre field trips, class performances, the Fall Production, and the Arts Gala. Many graduates stay connected, returning to share their experience in the arts and beyond.

Music

Our strings program supports all experience levels, with a focus on performance, theory, and ensemble skills. Students can join groups like Jazz Band and Advanced Strings, and perform at concerts and events. Music at Abbey Park fosters growth, creativity, and connection.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts courses explore techniques like drawing, painting, and mixed media while developing creative thinking and personal style. Students can join Art Club, showcase work in the Arts Gala, and build portfolios for post-secondary pathways.

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