Academics

All 9th-grade students are required to take Art Survey, an integrated program in the visual and performing arts. During this course, they are presented with the opportunity to briefly explore many of the art disciplines offered by the CRMS Fine Arts Department. Coordinated by a team of teachers, core units in visual and performing arts introduce students to the elements of art vocabulary, techniques, and theories. Most importantly, students are encouraged to experience the creative process by challenging themselves through a wide range of opportunities. Students are encouraged to explore art disciplines that are entirely new to them or may choose to work on previously-learned art skills. Students may choose from the following options.

• Art Survey 2-Dimensional Visual Art: Observational drawing skills, color theory, painting techniques
• Art Survey 3-Dimensional Visual Art: Exploration of ceramic media and stop-motion animation
• Drama and Performance: Acting techniques, staging, and theatrical performance
• Music: Independent instrument study, music theory, songwriting, music performance

This course is an introduction to the art and craft of ceramics. Students learn hand-building and wheel-throwing skills with an emphasis on the artist’s voice and communication through ceramic arts. While engaged in studio projects, students explore the expressive potential of clay while developing artistic and technical solutions in both form and surface. The importance of developing excellent technical skills and craftsmanship are emphasized. We will also consider the historical context, materials, technology, and social aspects of ceramic arts. Toward the end of this course, structured projects give way to independent study as students develop their artistic vision through a unique body of work.

Drawing and Painting students begin by learning the fundamentals of observation and basic skills of drawing then progress through perspective, rendering three-dimensional forms in space, and the elements of composition and design. In the second semester, students are introduced to color mediums with an emphasis on colored pencil and acrylic painting. This course will begin with more structured assignments and will then transition into more conceptual themes, giving students the opportunity to communicate a personal artistic style through their work. 

In Drawing and Painting II/III, students identify as artists, collaborators, and researchers. They foster their curiosities and follow an arts-based inquiry process based on interdisciplinary connections, studio exploration, and ongoing critique and refinement. Students become the authentic owners of their work and develop the skills and language to support it.  They will complete an artist portfolio and learn to present it in a professional manner.

Music - Beginning

This course is for students with little or no music experience. Each week will be spent studying the fundamentals of music theory, music appreciation, and various instruments. We practice and rehearse songs selected by the students. Our goal is to teach students the skills and techniques necessary to organize and rehearse music in preparation for live performance. As part of the course students will be given the opportunity to participate in extracurricular opportunities including the Aspen Choral Society, Coffee House, independent instrument study with a mentor, songwriting workshops/ talent shows with Jazz Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School. 

Music - Intermediate

For those who have successfully completed Beginning Music or its equivalent. We study music appreciation, review the fundamentals of music theory, and will begin the study of intermediate music theory. We practice and rehearse songs selected by the students. Our goal is to teach the skills and techniques necessary to organize and rehearse music in preparation for live performance. As part of the course students will be given the opportunity to participate in extracurricular opportunities including the Aspen Choral Society, Coffee House, independent instrument study with a mentor, songwriting workshops/ talent shows with Jazz Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Music - Advanced

For those who have successfully completed Intermediate Music or its equivalent. The goal of this music course is to study challenging music, selected by the students, in preparation for live performance. We study music theory, analysis, improvisation, and composition. We practice and rehearse songs selected by the students. Our goal is to teach the skills and techniques necessary to organize and rehearse music in preparation for live performances. Students also study songwriting. They also gain the skills necessary to produce a professional recording utilizing “Logic” (a software program for recording) and the advanced skills needed for mixing and mastering the final product. As part of the course students will be given the opportunity to participate in extracurricular opportunities including the Aspen Choral Society, Coffee House, independent instrument study with a mentor, songwriting workshops/ talent shows with Jazz Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

This hands-on course will instruct students in the basic operations of a digital SLR camera which includes exposure control, depth of field, lenses, and how digital capture works. Students will learn how to manage digital files. Adobe Photoshop will be used as the digital darkroom and for basic image correction as well as creative assignments. We will discuss the impact of photography on society, its history, and significant photographers and current issues. 

Students continue to advance their knowledge of techniques and skills in digital photography. Technical skills coupled with personal aesthetic expression are emphasized along with a study of photographic theory, significant photographers, and trends in contemporary and historical photography. This course will also open a window into digital art. An emphasis will be placed on creativity as students gain expertise with Photoshop and dive deeper into the world of editing and manipulating their images. Students will work to create their own unique portfolio and produce a website for promoting their artistic practice.

Students benefit from having their own digital SLR camera for photography classes, but may borrow a school-owned camera if needed.

Silver plus: small metal smithing. This is a skills-based class in which progression of skills is followed and continually built upon. With an emphasis on craftsmanship, students will produce parts by practicing skills such as cutting, soldering, riveting and filing and stone setting that can be used to create finished jewelry or sculpture projects of the student’s choice. Materials are issued as kits, and distributed quarterly. Students will also learn to manage and track their materials use, helping them to predict what they will need and understand the costs and important considerations associated with working in precious materials.  Exploration of design will also be emphasized by considering the work of masters from the past and present, near and far. A fee for materials may be charged.

This course is all about making movies. This is a project-based class where students learn skills in the classroom and then go out and practice through fun and engaging videography projects. This class will teach students a basic but complete toolkit for telling stories through the medium of film: scripting, storyboarding, camera work, lighting, editing, special effects, sound and dialogue, and much more. Students will also learn stop motion and digital animation techniques that they will use to create animation projects and incorporate animation into other video projects. Knowing how to use all of these tools will allow students to engage with movies, television, and the rest of the digital media that surrounds us in a whole new way. Understanding the strategies that video creators are using allows us to become more critical observers of the modern world, rather than just passively watching. This class builds on material from Photo 1, meaning it is recommended to take Photo 1 before taking Videography.