The Arts

Bay offers a rich range of arts classes including drawing, painting, sculpture, music, drama, dance, and digital arts. Introductory and advanced courses in each field challenge the students to value the aesthetic nature of all art forms and to become life-long learners of the skills unique to creating art. Through the process of understanding and appreciating a wide range of historical and contemporary works of art, students expand their own creative repertoire and gain confidence in their ability to express themselves beyond the studio or stage. As part of the graduation requirements, students are required to take a minimum of two terms of the same art sequence.

Visual Arts

3-Dimensional Foundations 1A and 1B
This two-trimester course sequence is designed to give students the chance to explore art in three dimensions. Students experiment with and create sculptures in different media including wire, clay, plaster, and found objects. We learn fundamental techniques associated with both additive and subtractive forms of sculpture, study the roles of line and space as they relate to the 3-dimensional forms that we create in class, and explore the work of artistic masters of the past and present. The second term is a continuation of first, emphasizing larger and more time-intensive pieces.

Drawing 1A and 1B
Bay's drawing courses are designed to build observational skills and to experiment with different drawing and sketching techniques. Drawing 1A provides a basic understanding of the elements and principles of art as emphasized through the production of art, the study of art history, the principles of design, aesthetics, and art criticism. Journal entries, critiques, and observation are key components of the course. Students in Drawing 1B expand upon their fundamental drawing skills to produce classical and conceptual drawings that integrate form and composition. Students choose their subject matter, whether real or abstract, to compose work that expands their artistic abilities. All assignments emphasize the development of craftsmanship, technique, creativity, composition, and proportion.

Painting 1A and 1B
Studio and landscape painting is open to all students with an interest in learning how to develop a sense of composition by building multiple layers of paint that interconnect the natural world and the human mind. Painting 1A students begin by developing fundamental skills with acrylic paint, understanding and illustrating effective composition, and creating relationships in size, scale, proportion, and value. Students then advance into thinking in color and learn how to mix color using the primary colors, white and black. From still-lifes, students move into nature and compose life studies from the lush landscape of the Presidio. Advanced painting students are able to choose their subject matter, whether real or abstract, to compose work that expands their artistic abilities. Developing a sense of composition, rhythm, and texture is essential for this course so that students can study and learn from the works of classical and modern artists.

Digital Imaging 1A and 1B
Through a series of demonstrations and student-centered projects, Digital Imaging 1A teaches students how to operate the Nikon P50 digital camera, manipulate images in Photoshop CS3 using a variety of techniques, and organize and display their images using a variety of outputs. Assignments incorporate a variety of technical approaches and artistic themes including documentary, portraiture, studio photography, landscape panorama, and time-lapse. The 1B course extends the skills developed in 1A with an emphasis on digital SLR photography and Adobe Camera Raw digital darkroom processing. A fundamental introduction to composition using the Elements & Principles of Design helps students create photo-based images that appear harmonious and unified. The course culminates in the production of a digital portfolio.

Publication Arts: Yearbook
This course takes place during the spring trimester, and its main objective is to produce the Bay School yearbook. Students focus on desktop publishing and 2D design fundamentals, aesthetics and typography. They learn to work skillfully with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, the companion programs that are commonly used by the printing industry today.

Video Production 1A and 1B
This series of courses is designed as an introduction to all phases of video production. The courses teach the skills necessary to accomplish the basic pre-production, production and post-production processes. Students engage in mini-production planning, shooting, and editing both group and individual projects. Each student will be a valued member of a crew and will cycle through a variety of responsibilities throughout the course, including director, camera operator, lighting, sound, and production assistant. Advanced students engage in more extensive and lengthy projects for presentation to the school community.

Performing Arts

Drama 1A and 1B
This course sequence introduces the forms and elements of drama and addresses two principal questions: How does theater represent an effective expression of culture and history? And how can I communicate authentically through this medium? Students in Drama 1A begin by exploring the structure and functions of drama across early civilizations (Mayan, Aztec, Hindu, Buddhist, Greek, Roman) and the Middle Ages. Drama 1B includes exploration of Renaissance theater, Commedia del Arte, 19th-century Romanticism and Realism, and 20th-century movements. Students learn to compare and contrast a diversity of theories of movement (LaBan, Alexander, Grotowski, and Suzuki) and vocal training, and they incorporate these into their daily practice. Improvisational skills are cultivated throughout each term and will become both an outlet for creative energies and a forum for experimentation in character and scene development. Participation in scenes, preparation of monologues, and attendance at (and critique of) one or more professional theatrical performance per term are all required.

Intensive Performance Workshop
This advanced performance course begins with intensive scene study and directing theory. Delving, in turn, into Stanislavski, Meisner, and Viewpoints theory, students develop and perform three assigned scenes. Focus then turns to improvisational work in acting, dance, and music as students begin to study the origins and mechanics of entertainment. Through these explorations, students develop a program of original material. They will then integrate their knowledge and collaborate in the writing, editing, design, and production of their own culminating Cabaret. Texts: The Physical Comedy Handbook, David Rider Robinson; Impro, Keith Johnstone; various scripts and excerpts.

Jazz Ensemble 1A and 1B
The Jazz Ensemble sequence of courses seeks to develop students' instrumental skills and music appreciation as reflected in a popular jazz repertoire. No prior instrumental experience is necessary. Students will learn the harmonic and melodic devices used in all of Western music, and explore the vocabulary that musicians use to communicate with one another. The class will hear and analyze a selection of jazz masterpieces. An evening field trip to a jazz club each term is a highlight of the course. As an ensemble class, participation in a final music performance is required.

Jazz 2
This is a performing ensemble class for students who have mastered an instrument and are familiar with the basics of jazz improvisation. Students will increase their repertoire of standards, hone their rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary, improve their performance skills, and enrich their knowledge of jazz history. Students will also hear live music at a jazz club at least once in the trimester. As with the Jazz 1 sequence, participation in a final music performance is required.

Music Composition
Music Composition is for students who are interested in writing songs, scoring instrumental pieces, and learning the fundamentals of music theory. The class will practice composing melodies, putting melodies to harmony, and putting words to music. Students will learn strategies for notating their compositions and also study some of the software that is available to composers. Finally, students will examine the theory behind their songs and some of the great pieces of music from Gregorian Chants to the Beatles. No experience necessary.

Electronic Music Studio 1 and 2
Bay's Electronic Music Studio courses represent a comprehensive introduction to the production of hip hop music, specifically using Reason and Pro Tools software packages. Though this course focuses specifically on hip hop, techniques learned with Reason can be applied to the creation of pieces in a variety of musical genres. The class will explore the fundamentals of Digital Audio Workstation software; experiment with advanced sampling; work with reverbs, delays, compressors, and equalizers; use Mastering Plug-Ins on mixes; and practice recording and editing vocals. Throughout the production process, students will learn about a variety of styles of hip hop music spanning both time periods and regions of the U.S. Guest lecturers will include local hip hop producers, offering their time and expertise to further our collective knowledge of hip hop production. As members of the class complete songs, they will be aired for the school community through podcasts.

Dance in a Cultural Context 1A: Hip Hop
Dance 1A is a lecture and movement course designed for students who are interested in learning the fundamental elements that define hip hop culture. Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of hip hop culture by examining four major elements that encompass this art form: movement style (dancing), creative verbal expression (lyrics), sound composition (mixing and sampling sound, dj-ing), and composition of music videos and graffiti art (visual). In lectures and discussions, students will critically examine and question hip hop culture in terms of its historical evolution and its direct effect on American society. Students will participate by learning hip hop dance technique and will be introduced to diverse regional styles including break dancing, East Coast wave and slide, West Coast popping and locking, improvisation and choreography. Students will participate in an end-of-term production that culminates in a final dance performance, spoken word performance, and a group music video production.

Dance in a Cultural Context 1B: Black Dance in America
In Dance 1B, students explore historical connections as to discover how African Culture significantly impacted the art and popularity of dance in America. Students will practice and learn new techniques and develop a working vocabulary in Tap, Jazz, and African Haitian dance, as they deepen their locomotor and coordination skills. Students will develop an understanding that most popular American dances were direct descendants of traditional and ritual dances brought over by slaves of Africa. Students will also be introduced to pivotal African artists, performers, and choreographers who made a great impact on dance despite the challenges of poverty and racism. The class will attend live performances of African-related dance ensembles and have guest artists lecture on related topics. The course culminates in a public dance performance.