Fine Arts

Classes I-IV

Studio Art
In the Lower School, students are exposed to a wide variety of media and techniques including drawing, work in color, printmaking, sculpture and clay. Girls work on large and small scale projects in small groups and individually. They create art for themselves and the community, and also work two- and three-dimensionally. At many levels, the art curriculum is coordinated with the study of different cultures in history.

Music
Students sing, play instruments and compose. Music theory is introduced in relation to these activities. Melodic and rhythmic skills are developed and refined, and musical perception is heightened through structured listening to music of various styles and origins. Three groups offer additional opportunities:

The Lower School Chorus is open to girls in classes I - IV. They perform a number of times throughout the year. The girls sing unison and two-part music from all genres of music.

Descants
This is a select vocal ensemble of girls chosen from Classes III and IV. Students sing two- to four-part choral literature and perform at Winsor and community service venues.

Lower School Orchestra
This instrumental ensemble of musicians from Classes I-IV plays music at the beginning level of standard orchestral classical literature, film music, and folk songs. Students who play flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, bass or piano are encouraged to join this group, which performs at Winsor and community service venues.

Drama
Relaxation and vocal techniques, basic stage direction, plot development, and character-building are presented through theater games and activities. Team-building, imaginative exploration and ensemble exercises build a solid foundation for all subsequent theater work. The focus is on having students become confident and comfortable on stage.

Students continue to deepen their practice of the specific tasks required of actors bringing scenes to life on stage.Lower School drama culminates in the Class IV Shakespeare Project.

Classes V and VI

Drawing, Painting and Sculpture
This course will engage in a number of different techniques and media including drawing, painting, sculpture and bookmaking to explore the theme of identity in art (figure, object, self-portrait, etc), with the intent of building a portfolio of work.

Photography and Digital Imaging
As the students learn the basics of traditional and digital photography, they will explore the many fundamental techniques and approaches to mechanical image making in the 21st century.With critical and conceptual skill development the students will learn to distinguish between “making” a photograph vs. “taking” a photograph.They will regard the act of creating an image as one that is essential to their personal development and self-expression. Assignments will consist of still images and video art.

Foundations of Theatre I: Acting and Technical Theatre
This course will engage students in the practice of comedic short term and dramatic long term improvisation, scene-building, and character development. Students will learn audition techniques and fully produce a classic monologue and selected scenes from a contemporary play. The students will also be introduced to theatre design principles through an exploration of lighting, set, and sound.

Camerata
Class Guitar
Percussion Ensemble
(These three Music courses are open to students in Classes V-VIII. See the descriptions on the next tab under Music division listings for Classes VI-VIII courses.)

Classes VI - VIII

Art

Ceramics
This course will engage students in a number of different hand-building techniques with clay including slab, coil and paddling, as well as teaching the basics of wheel throwing. The focus will be on technique and form, but an exploration of surface treatment and glazing will be included.

Architecture
Through a variety of different projects and media, this course will provide students with the fundamentals of architectural design. Sketches, scaled drawings and models will be made to explore the issues involved in designing a well-thought-out structure.

Painting
This course is for students interested in learning the techniques of oil and watercolor painting, and for those with experience who would like to continue to develop their skills, this course will focus primarily on painting from observation. The first part of the semester will focus on still life and the later part will be spent painting Winsor and its surroundings.

The Figure
This course is designed to teach the concepts of gesture, structure and proportion. Working from models, students will draw, paint and sculpt the figure to learn the body’s structures, basic anatomy and proportions. Students will explore form, space and composition through the complexity of human anatomy.

Sculpture
This course is designed to teach the concepts of gesture, structure and proportion. Working from models, students will draw, paint and sculpt the figure to learn the body’s structures, basic anatomy and proportions. Students will explore form, space and composition through the complexity of human anatomy.

Advanced Photo
Students will continue shooting with a 35mm camera and printing in the darkroom and/or with Photoshop, as well as learn new techniques and ways of thinking about photography.Processes explored include working with multiple imagery, color collage and cyanotype.Second semester students will concentrate on developing an independent project of their choice, utilizing traditional, alternative or digital processes.Students will also participate in class critiques as well as view work from past students and well-known photographers.

Black and White Photo
Students will use 35mm cameras and learn the techniques of camera operation, exposure, film development and darkroom printing. Emphasis will also be placed on developing skills working with lighting, composition and creative expression. Assignments will be given throughout the year exploring the main genres of photography including still life, portrait, and landscape. At the end of the year students will have an opportunity to work on an independent project of their choice. Students will also participate in class critiques as well as view work from past students and well-known photographers. Students need a 35 mm camera; a limited number of cameras will be available on request.

Digital Photo
Students will be lent a 35mm SLR camera and learn the techniques of camera operation, exposure, file management and working in Photoshop. Assignments will give students the opportunity to explore all that the digital camera and computer imaging has to offer. Students will also participate in class critiques as well as view work from past students and well-known photographers.

Art History
Art history and teaches the scholarly methods associated with the study of the history of art. Art history may be taken for one or two semesters and is considered a full academic course, meeting 4 periods per week. Fall and/or spring semester. Open to Classes VII and VIII.

Offered in Fall 2011:

Monuments and Ideas in Western Art
This course is an introduction to the study of Western art history through an investigation of selected art works, considered individually and in broader contexts. The course chronicles the evolution of painting, sculpture, and architecture in the western world. It is designed for those who wish to build a broad acquaintance with the major works and ideas of Western art in their historical settings and to develop tools for understanding these works of art.

Offered in 2012-2013:

Modern Art
This course will survey the major movements and artists in the history of modern art in Europe and the United States, from Impressionism to the present day. Topics will include individual artists, such as Picasso and Rodin, as well as the development of styles, such as Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.

Portfolio Class
Portfolio Class is for advanced students who already have familiarity with the techniques, processes and ideas that they intend to use, who have taken a number of Upper School art electives, and who are prepared to work intensively to prepare a portfolio either for art school, as a supplement to their college application, or for the AP Studio Art Portfolio.

AP Studio Art
Advanced Placement Studio Art is a full-year and full-credit course intended for advanced and motivated students who have already shown a serious commitment in art, already have familiarity with the techniques, processes and ideas that they intend to use, have taken a number of Upper School art electives and who are prepared to work intensively to prepare a portfolio to submit for the AP Studio Art Exam. There are three different focuses for the exam including: AP Studio Art Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D, and AP Studio Art 3D; each exam encompasses three different categories: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth.

Drama

Acting and Directing
Students will explore drama, scene work, and plays from the perspective of both the actor and director.They will be introduced to all aspects of directing as well as well-known methods of acting technique. The purpose of this course is to study the principles, procedures, and practices of stage direction. The course will culminate in the direction and performance of a ten-minute play. Students interested in directing for Winsor's Page to Stage Festival are strongly encouraged to take this course.

Playwriting
Students will look at a brief history of playwriting to gather background knowledge that will help inform their choices as playwrights.Workshop based classes will revolve around the students own writing focusing on character development, the arc of a scene and plot construction. Students will explore script analysis in published plays as well as their own work. By the end of the semester, students will have a polished short play to add to their writing portfolio. This course will help guide playwrights who are interested in writing for Winsor's Page to Stage Festival.

Independent Study in Drama
A student wishing to direct a piece either for credit (Independent Learning Experience) or non-credit (extra-curricular) will need to submit her chosen script to the Drama Division six weeks before her projected audition date for approval. Projects can be done in the spring or fall. Rehearsals will take place at the Winsor School while technical rehearsals and performances will take place at either Roxbury Latin or Belmont Hill School. This option is available to seniors only, fall or spring semester; no more than two students per semester.

Music

Winsor Small Chorus
This is a select vocal ensemble of approximately 20 voices that performs a wide and varied repertoire of music from Gregorian chant to 21st century literature in 10 to 15 concerts annually. The group sings at Winsor and beyond and has performed at the Gardner Museum, at Symphony and Carnegie Halls, at other schools, hospitals and nursing homes and in conjunction with the Boston Ballet. The group has participated in music festivals and competitions in the U.S. and abroad, and has done concert tours to twelve countries. Students are required to be in one period of Winsor Chorale per week, and two periods when close to concert time, in addition to their regular rehearsals.

Class Guitar
In Class Guitar students will learn beginning guitar technique and basic music theory. Students will master chords and several strumming and picking patterns, putting fingers on the strings, reading chord charts, switching chords, and singing and playing simultaneously. Students will also learn to read and play treble clef melodies. Guitars are available for in-school use. A guitar at home for practicing is encouraged but not required.

Instrumental Ensemble
This course is designed for instrumental musicians who enjoy playing classical music with other people in quintets, quartets, trios, and other combinations. The level of the course will be for those who have intermediate to advanced proficiency on their instrument. Music will be selected from the standard chamber music repertoire and geared specifically toward the instrument combination and level of the students enrolled. Students who would like to join the class are required to complete a separate enrollment form and have a Winsor music teacher sign it. Forms may be obtained from a music teacher or the Registrar. A brief audition will be scheduled in the spring of the year prior to determine level of proficiency and potential instruments.

Percussion Ensemble
This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn basic drumming techniques and literature that utilize a variety of percussion instruments from the World Drumming package to snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, tambourine, and other non-pitched as well as pitched instruments. Reading, notating and playing a wide range of rhythms, composing original pieces, as well as improvisatory work will be explored. Notating original compositions on the computer with “Sibelius” will be encouraged. Students will learn to play selections from the standard percussion ensemble music, songs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as ensemble pieces with singing and movement. Students will work towards a final performance at the end of the semester.

Independent Project in Music
Students may elect study in a particular area of interest not offered by the music curriculum by submitting a written proposal one semester in advance. Advanced musicians may choose to do work in the following areas: preparing music for a final recital, doing research for a project in music history or theory, writing an original composition and/or learning and applying new music software programs to their own work. A final public recital or presentation is required for all IP music students.

Classes V-VIII

Winsor Chorale
This is a large choral group which sings a broad range of female choral literature in two and three parts, concentrating on developing the singing voice and basic choral skills. Repertoire selections will include folk songs, world music, spirituals, gospel, pop, a cappella and excerpts from choral masterworks. The group performs several times each year at Winsor and in coordination with other schools. Chorale will rehearse on Monday afternoons with everyone participating and Wednesday afternoons for those not participating in sports. Open to classes V-VIII. Singers who are interested in being part of this group will need to schedule a brief audition for placement as soprano 1, 2 or alto. All are welcome! Please note: this group does not fulfill the fine arts requirement.