STUDIO ART

The Visual Arts department is rooted in the school’s vision that the discovery of personal meaning and the growth of individual identity can emerge from the rigors of study, of student centered inquiry and the development of a sensitive eye, a discerning mind and skillful hand. We start with the notion that learning to work whether in 2-D, 3-D, traditional or new media, is really a matter of learning to see analytically, deeply, and to value the possibilities and nuances that can be gained through honed observation. This awareness is nurtured through our studio art classes where students acquire a strong and broad foundation in visual concepts through drawing, painting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, ceramics, printmaking, illustration, sculpture, graphic design, digital media and digital photography. In each of the disciplines students are asked to respond to exploration or concept based assignments in individual ways, arrived at through critical thinking, problem solving, artistic risk-taking and experimentation, but foremost through creating. Artists’ work and periods in art history are often referenced in relation to the lessons.

MUSIC

The goal of the Music Department is to make music an accessible, enjoyable and expressive outlet for our students. We aim for our students to become knowledgeable and thoughtful musicians who can both listen critically and feel confident playing and/or singing music on their own. The focus of instruction is on Western music, both classical and popular, with a heavy emphasis on theory and composition. We strive for students to gain the confidence to produce their own music and student compositions and arrangements are regularly performed by the bands or choral ensemble. The Garageband program on the students’ Mac computers is a central tool used in class. Classroom activities include live music making, careful ear training, experimentation with musical technology, score analysis and philosophical discussions. The department is also dedicated to connecting our students to their heritage and community through the arts. Every course exposes students to Israeli and Jewish music, as part of performance repertoire or as resources when learning theory.Our education is based on the belief that artistic expression is essential to our students’ social, emotional, intellectual and religious development. We aim to teach our students how to create art with care, intention and love so that they can apply these skills elsewhere and, as Rabbi Heschel challenged the young people of the world, to build their lives as a work of art. Our classroom is equipped with: full size piano, three performance keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, drum set and many hand percussion instruments, violins, clarinet, trumpet, professional sound board, full recording studio, several microphones, cables, stands, headphones, DA converters, Finale Notation program for computerized MIDI composition, MIDI keyboards--one per student. In addition to our formal classes our musical extra curricular activities include: The Heschel Harmonizers, Jazz Band, Electronic Music Club and our yearly Musical Theater production. All students are required to fulfill two years of Arts study, in any combination of Art and Music. Every 9th grade student is required to take one semester of Music, choosing from three Music elective options.Students can elect to take Music classes during all four years of high school.