Arts

Fall Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades.

This course introduces and explores theater from page to stage as a live performing art. It combines an overview of the art with as much creative and practical experience as possible. Areas of study include theater history, dramatic action, comedy improv, acting, directing, and playwriting. Members of the class will help select and direct areas of focus. Students in this course support the fall One Act plays. 

Spring Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades.

In this class, students will hone their acting skills and learn how to make an audience laugh and cry on purpose. Using scenes and monologues from both classical and contemporary playwrights, students will rehearse and perform with the aim of expanding their acting portfolio. This course is highly recommended for students eager to be cast in competitive roles in school productions. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades.

Everyone has music inside of them! In this course, students will create their own music on modern sequencing platforms such as Garage Band, Finale, and Apple Pro Logic. Through our City as Our Campus Program, students will then take their creations to Mr. Small’s Professional Recording Studio to add additional live recordings of musicians and singers and professional mix and master using Protools, the recording industry standard. This class is for new or experienced Singer-Songwriters or DJs who want to compose their own songs and have them professionally rendered in the studio. This is a “do it” course! 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all students

In this course, students will learn to listen actively to the music that envelopes and inspires us daily with “new ears.” We will uncover the journey of past influences that bring us to today’s musical expressions, focusing on significant movements and moments that are still important and relevant today. Students will come to understand how much of the music we hear and love grows from music and cultures, both ancient and modern.  Analysis, history, understanding, and the exhilarating joy of music – jazz, rock, classical, world, Beatles. This is an “experience the music” course! 

Year - 2 credits

Open to all students

Prerequisite: Ability to read music on guitar, at beginning level (basic position)

The members of the Guitar Ensemble play as a group and perform different styles of music, such as contemporary rock, classical melodies, and light jazz compositions. Performances include a winter performance in December, a spring performance in April or May, and occasional outside performances. All dress rehearsals and performances are required and are an important part of the players’ musical development. Though our main purpose is to prepare for concerts, students will also learn skills such as note-reading, sight-reading, the art of ensemble playing, elements of “time,” phrasing for the style of music being played, “guitar-centric” chords and rhythms, and scales for improvisation. 

Year - 2 credits

Open to all students

Prerequisites: Ability to play brass, woodwind, percussion, or keyboard instruments at the advanced beginner level or higher; ability to read music.

The members of the Jazz Band play as a group and perform various styles of music, such as traditional and contemporary jazz, big band swing, and pop and rock classics. Performances include a winter performance in December, a spring performance in May, and occasional outside performances. Ensemble members perform at daytime assemblies and some evening performances. All dress rehearsals and performances are required and are an important part of the players’ musical development. Though our main purpose is to prepare for concerts, students will also learn skills such as sight-reading, the art of ensemble playing, elements of “time,” how to “swing,” appropriate phrasing for the style of music being played, and scales for improvisation. 

Year - 2 credits

Open to all students

Prerequisites: Open to students who play string, wind, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments at the level of advanced-beginner or higher.

The WT Orchestra performs various repertoire from concert bands, wind ensembles, and symphony orchestras. Performances include a winter performance in December, a performance in March, and occasional outside performances, such as in the Carnegie Music hall foyer prior to Chamber Music Pittsburgh concerts. Some members may be invited to play for the Upper School musical. All dress rehearsals and performances are required and are an important part of the players’ musical development. Though our main purpose is to prepare for concerts, students will also learn skills such as sight-reading, the art of ensemble playing, elements of “time,” and appropriate phrasing for the style of music being played. The orchestra performs pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods, as well as the best in pop music and movie and television themes.    

Year - 2 credits

Open to all students

This course is designed for students interested in performing as a member of a vocal ensemble. Students will learn music of various styles, languages, and time periods as they prepare for on and off-campus performances. Students will strengthen individual vocal technique and enhance music listening and reading skills. This course requires some evening and weekend commitments. All dress rehearsals and performances are required and are an important part of the vocalists’ musical development.  

Year - 2 credits

Open to all students

Upper School Dance Ensemble encourages students to develop their technical, creative and performance skills. While improving and strengthening their knowledge of basic dance techniques, students will be exposed to a variety of dance forms and choreographers. This performance-level course is open to dancers of all levels (beginners through advanced). 

Semester – 3 credits

Open to all grades.

This course introduces students to the use of glass as an artistic medium. Students will create a variety of colorful, imaginative projects using the techniques of decorative mosaic and stained glass. For decorative mosaics, students will explore the use of color, pattern, and texture to make visually appealing mosaic art forms. Each student uses materials such as glass, beads, pebbles, shells, china, and ceramic tiles to create a variety of projects, including mirror/picture frames, pots, coasters, wall plaques, or paving stones. For stained glass projects, students will use the copper foil technique of stained glass artistry used to produce the famous Tiffany windows. Each student will draw patterns, cut and foil the glass pieces, solder the pieces together, and apply patina finishes. This process results in a variety of original projects, such as unique sun-catcher window hangings, stained glass panels, or picture and mirror frames. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades.

This course introduces students to the use of cameras and computers as tools to capture and create creative, artistic, and personal images. They will learn to take and store images using digital cameras and phones. Then, they will manipulate and enhance these images using Adobe Creative Cloud software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. In addition to generating original photographic work, students will design print materials and webpages, and alter existing images or photographs artistically. This course will also provide opportunities for students to use graphic design to produce projects such as logos, posters, brochures, and presentations. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades.

This course teaches students to plan, shoot, and edit a variety of creative projects. They will explore the aesthetic and technical aspects of writing scripts, drawing storyboards, capturing images with still and video cameras, and editing content properly and creatively. Students will have opportunities to concentrate on a subject matter of personal interest while producing documentary and narrative media projects. A major group project will culminate in shooting footage off-campus, and students may visit institutions such as Pittsburgh Filmmakers for inspiration. They may also use their filmmaking skills to create personal projects such as vlogs and content for YouTube channels. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all students

This ceramics course introduces students to a variety of fundamental techniques for creating functional pottery. We will explore both hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Emphasis will be placed heavily on the function, form, and surface treatment of the pieces we create. Students will learn to construct tableware items such as bowls, teapots, cups,  platters, and vases. Decorative techniques explored include underglazing and overglazing, incision, and sgraffito. Students will also view contemporary clay works in local galleries or museums, screen clay demonstration videos on YouTube, and interact with a local guest artist in the studio. The semester will conclude with an opportunity to taste test culinary delights while using our handmade, functional pieces.  

Semester – 3 credits

Open to all students

Students in this course will explore a variety of introductory metalsmithing techniques. Students will use their skills to create original jewelry designs for bracelets, earrings, necklaces, key chains, and rings made using brass, copper, nickel, and silver metals. Students will experiment with the process of enameling with powdered glass and may also solder three-dimensional wire sculptures. If time permits, the students may explore the lost wax techniques for creating three-dimensional metal objects. Through this course, students will gain knowledge of how to successfully manipulate metal using a variety of specialized equipment and power tools. Visiting with guest artists, metals shops, and local jewelry stores will also inspire class assignments, independent research, and collaborative explorations. 

Semester – 3 credits

Open to all students

This is both a practical and theoretical course that introduces students to the art of taking, developing, printing, and evaluating black-and-white photographs. Students will learn to use 35mm SLR film cameras (the traditional manual cameras with a full range of aperture settings and shutter speeds). They will learn the hands-on techniques of developing film and making prints from their negatives in the darkroom. Shooting and printing assignments teach students the basic principles of design including visualization, composition, and perspective. Subject matter will include texture/line/pattern, nature, architecture, and 45 portraiture. Students will also use digital photography to explore colorful imagery. The semester will culminate with the students producing final projects centered on themes or topics of personal interest. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all grades

This course will explore the history of architecture, urbanism, and public art in Pittsburgh and its impact on our daily lives. This course offers a brief overview of the stylistic qualities and major art and architecture movements of the works we discuss.  Buildings and works of art will be examined with a particular emphasis placed on understanding their visual characteristics and relevant structural and design principles. We engage in course content through various creative design projects such as redesigning a public space in Pittsburgh and creating public art for that space. We will frequently visit significant buildings,  public spaces, and public art in the Pittsburgh area, and meet with individuals and artists responsible for creating and choosing public works of art. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all students 

Discover the fun and mindful qualities of drawing. This course is suitable for both beginning artists and more advanced drawing students. It is an essential class for any student hoping to submit a portfolio for college admission or who is interested in continuing their art studies at a more advanced level. We will explore various projects intended to enhance our observational skills and drawing abilities.  Projects covered in this course will include gesture and contour drawings, negative and positive space, shading and tonal studies, and perspective drawings. Students will use a variety of drawing media such as ink, charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, and pen. Additionally, many projects will involve using an art journal creatively, allowing students to develop their own expressive style while mastering the fundamentals of drawing. Artistic experiences such as outside workshops, museum excursions, and artists’ visits are an essential part of this course. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all students 

Discover the powerfully expressive power of color in art through the techniques of acrylic painting, watercolor, printmaking, colored ink, collage, and mixed media. Students will learn about color theories, color mixing, blending, and the individual properties and qualities of the techniques covered. They will expand their observational skills, master a variety of two-dimensional art media, and develop a personal, expressive style while creating frame-worthy works of art to hang on the walls. Provisions are made for more advanced students to explore more creative, personal innovations and more advanced artistic expressions in their works of art. Artistic experiences such as outside workshops, museum excursions, and visiting artists are an essential part of this course. 

Semester - 3 credits 

Open to all students 

This ceramics course introduces students to various hand-building techniques for constructing creative ceramic and sculptural clay forms. We will master the pinch, coil, and slab building methods and learn to glaze, sculpt, carve, and apply texture to our projects. The class will study and discuss the history of techniques used to create both ancient and contemporary ceramic masterpieces. Student projects will include explorations of abstract forms, figurative sculpture, functional pottery, and decorative tiles. Artistic experiences such as outside workshops, museum excursions, and artists’ visits are an essential part of this course. 

Semester - 3 credits

Open to all students 

This course will introduce students to basic woodworking skills. Students will gain knowledge of how to manipulate wood using hand tools, power tools, and woodworking machinery. An emphasis will be placed 46 on woodcarving techniques. Students will create a variety of projects, including pictorial woodcuts, high reliefs, and fully three-dimensional sculptures. They will explore various types of wood and finishing techniques to enhance their work. Color, texture, and shape will figure into their work, as well as form and function. The use of the 3D modeling program Google SketchUp may be used during the design process, and the resulting projects will exhibit fine craftsmanship. 

Fall Semester - 3 credits

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors 

This course provides students with a comprehensive yet critical understanding of European, American, and Non-Western Modern and Contemporary Art (from 1800-2025 CE). We will study the successive avant-garde movements beginning with Realism and Impressionism through the most recent movements in art and architecture. We will consider each movement in its specific conceptual framework and larger historical context. In addition to building knowledge and understanding of Modern and Contemporary Art, students will also develop analytical skills through textual studies of primary and secondary sources. Writing exercises, in-class presentations, debates, and creative responses to works of art will be the major types of assessment. This course will include experiences at local museums and galleries. 

Spring Semester - 3 credits

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors

This course provides students with a comprehensive yet critical understanding of Greek and Roman art and architecture and the monumental influence of the classical tradition on subsequent historical periods. From democracy and republicanism to literature, philosophy, art, and architecture, the contributions of these two cultures serve as the foundation for much of what has been described as "Western" culture. We will examine the art and architecture of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque,  Classical, and Neoclassical periods up to the modern day with an emphasis on understanding the Greco-Roman legacy influencing these periods. This course will include experiences at the Carnegie Museum of Art and other sites.