Visual & Performing Arts

Students will gain skills in one or more of the following areas: page design, advanced publishing techniques, copy writing, editing and photography. Students will work together to produce a creative, innovative yearbook which records school memories and events. There is an emphasis on journalism skills in this class. Participants gain useful, real world skills in time management, organization, teamwork, and design principles.

Students will design and publish R-MA’s yearbook. The course is student led, but high quality work is expected and students will be given opportunities to redo work until it meets standards specified during instruction. Classroom activities will include reading, research, projects, interviewing, designing, editing and problem solving. Students will often work in teams, but will be expected to complete individual assignments in relation to the team’s work. Students will be assessed according to their area of work. Due to the nature of this course, we will have a number of tutorial and lunch meetings in order to be able to interview R-MA students, faculty and staff.

In this course, students will be given challenging real-world projects and assignments typical of the graphic design industry. Students learn the principles of great design and typography while using professional-grade Adobe design software to create digital drawings, logos, advertisements, magazine layouts, and more. This course emphasizes The principles of design and the integration of the elements of art. Graphic design is a form of visual communication using type, image, form, space and color.

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to work on time-based and digital media projects such as CAD, digital fabrication, video, audio, animation and stop motion animation projects. Students complete the course by creating a digital portfolio to showcase their work. No prior art or design experience is necessary for this course.

This course is for students who enjoy working and making 2D and 3D artwork from a variety of materials. Students will be introduced to the elements and principles of design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing both 2D and 3D artwork. With a focus on visual literacy, students analyze the cultural context of works and their place in art history, using judgment, criticism, and aesthetics in order to understand and appreciate the visual arts.

Processes covered include: drawing, painting, design, clay, wire, paper mȃché, 3D printing, laser cutting, engraving, and assemblage sculptures. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be done during class time, with a limited number of tests and quizzes throughout the year. Students maintain a portfolio documenting their accomplishments. The culminating portfolio will demonstrate quality, breadth of experience, technical skill, concentration, and growth over time, with an opportunity to present this work in an R-MA fine arts showcase.

The chorus, which has earned numerous awards in regional competitions, performs concerts and at chapel services on campus, in addition to competing in contests and festivals off-campus each year.  The chorus makes a spring tour, performing in such locales as Virginia Beach, Florida, and North Carolina.

In this class, students will learn to play the piano (or further their current piano skills) on full-size 88-key, weighted keyboards.  In addition, students will learn music theory, digital composition, and recording techniques using school and student computers.  We create electronic music, while remaining true to the timelessness of the piano.

Throughout the eastern United States, R-MA’s award-winning band has earned a reputation for excellence. The band performs several concerts each year and plays for sporting events and Air Force JROTC parades. The band travels throughout the region to perform in parades and takes at least one extended tour each year. Recent tours have included Orlando, Florida, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. Performance on a frequent basis is expected, which further develops the talent of individual players.