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EXPRESSIVE ARTS DEPARTMENT
FINE ARTS
Fenwick is concerned about the development of the entire student. This concern can be found in Fenwick's philosophy which stresses "a liberal arts curriculum" in which students are prepared "for a lifetime of aesthetic appreciation, assiduous study, and critical thinking". As a school, we strive to foster our students' ability to read, write, speak, and listen. Obviously, the Expressive Arts Department plays an important role within Fenwick's mission. See the Fenwick Art Gallery.

The Expressive Arts Department is the academic area of the school that deals with the way that humankind expresses itself through art, music, and speech. The following courses are offered in order to promote our students' awareness, abilities, and skills in these areas.
Class Project - Color enlarged reproduction
 

Class Project - Color Enlarged ReproductionThe Fine Arts Class

This one semester course is required of all Fenwick students (please refer to the sections on the Fenwick Choir and the Concert Band) and is taken during the freshman or sophomore year. This course introduces students to the elements, principles, and vocabulary of music and art while exposing them to major works of art and music within a historical context from prehistory to the twentieth century. This course includes a chronological study of the development of art and music in which students will analyze and explore the styles and concerns of established artists and musicians. Students will also produce their own works of art in studio projects. For additional information about this course, please contact Ms. Sue Senese at 708-386-0127 ext. 198, or Ms. Laura Wsol at ext. 191.

The Speech Class

This one semester course is required of all Fenwick students on the sophomore level. This course develops fundamental speech skills and related theory. Among the topic areas are: delivery techniques, content analysis, research skills, speech organization, visual aids, audience analysis, nonverbal communication, and listening skills. Students will select their topics, research the necessary materials, evaluate the information in relation to the listener's needs, and synthesize the message. The students will have ample opportunity to develop and improve these speech-related skills through a variety of presentations. For additional information about this course, please contact Mr. Andy Arellano at 708-386-0127 ext 202.

Choir Concert Choir

Concert Choir is an academically credited advanced vocal ensemble that is open to the Fenwick student who wants to pursue further study in vocal music. This course is open to students who have completed one year in the Mixed Chorus or have been approved for admittance by the Director by the audition process. This class meets daily as part of the student's schedule of classes.

All choir members are required to participate in all rehearsals and performances scheduled by the Director. Some performances are scheduled off-campus, and/or after school hours. These will include, but are not limited to: Christmas Concert, Spring Concert, Graduation, Liturgical Celebrations, Northwestern University Contest, any school sponsored activity that may require music services (such as Mothers' Club, Hall of Fame Assembly, etc.) Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the IMEA District/All-State, IHSA and/or Northwestern University Solo/Ensemble and Organization contests, as well as other choir festivals. Fenwick Choir

 

Mixed Choir NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR!
Mixed Chorus

Mixed Chorus is an academically credited class that meets daily during the regular school day schedule. This performance ensemble is open to all students who have the desire to sing. Emphasis is on singing, reading music, and building vocal skills through the choral music experience. Music is selected from, but not limited to, Renaissance through contemporary styles. Students perform in two concerts as well as other engagements in the Fenwick community. Students may take two consecutive semesters of choir instead of the Fine Arts class to fulfill their Fine Art requirement for graduation. Fenwick Choir
 
The Concert Band Fenwick Concert Band
This full-year elective class, which is open to all Fenwick students, is designed to give our students individual attention in small and large ensembles through standard and contemporary band music. Through this approach, music, music history, music theory, and musical techniques are learned. Among the basic performance skills included in the course are note recognition, rhythm recognition, key signatures, musical vocabulary, and fingering and sticking on specific instruments. Basic theory skills included in this course are knowledge of the circle of fourths, the different intervals, chord structures, and elementary compositional structure. Various historical periods, composers, and musical trends will also be covered. Band students are also required to perform at various concerts, parades, assemblies, contests, events, pep rallies, and games. This course may be taken instead of the Fine Arts class for those freshman and sophomores who need to complete their Fine Arts requirement. For all other students, this course may only be taken as a sixth subject (elective). For additional information about this course, please contact Ms. Laura Wsol at 708-386-0127 ext. 191.

Survey of Art Class

This elective course with a studio art focus is an extension of the Fine Arts course which is a prerequisite to this advanced area of study. Through an integrated, approach to the arts, students will understand how historical, political, geographical, social, and religious events shaped each culture's art and made it unique. The traditions of Western Europe, Mexico, China, Japan, India, Native America, Africa and others will be examined. Students will also be made aware of the interrelationships of aesthetics and art criticism through studio art experience. For additional information about this course, please contact Ms. Sue Senese at 708-386-0127 ext. 198.

The AP Art History ClassArt History Field Trip

This elective is an introductory college course that provides an understanding and enjoyment of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts. Students also learn to look at works of art critically, with intelligence and sensitivity, and to articulate what they see or experience. For additional information about this course, please contact Ms. Sue Senese at 708-386-0127 ext. 198 (Students in AP Art History Field Trip to the Chicago Art Institute in front of G. Caillebottes' Paris Rainy Day)

Survey of Music

This elective course is an extension of the Fine Arts course which is a prerequisite to this advanced area of study. Students will learn how history and geography have influenced music. Other influences that will be studied involve how society and religion played a role in the development of music. The main emphasis will be on the music of the Western World, but music of the Far East, Africa, and Latin American will also be included. For additional information about this course, please contact Ms. Laura Wsol at 708-386-0127 ext. 191
 

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE THE FINE ARTS

Besides course offerings that foster the Fine Arts, Fenwick sponsors numerous activities that allow students to develop such interests outside the structure of an organized class.

The Art Club
The Art Club is open to any student who is interested in drawing or painting. Students work on posters for various events such as Homecoming. The Art Club and Touchstone Magazine also present an Art Fair open to the entire student body and a Senior Art Gallery open to seniors. For additional information, please contact Ms. Martha Westergaard at 708-386-0127 ext. 255.

The Blackfriars Guild
The Blackfriars Guild is open to any student who is interested in theatrical performance. The Guild produces three major shows each year. For additional information, please contact Mr. Roger Finnell at 708-386-0127 ext. 217.
The Blackfriars Yearbook
The Blackfriars Yearbook records the Fenwick experience in academics, athletics, student service, social life, and faith formation. The staff consists of student editors and writers from all four years. The yearbook's cover design is awarded to the student whose art most exemplifies the year's designated theme. For additional information, please contact Ms. Mary Marcotte at 708-386-0127 ext. 233.
 

The Film Club
The Film Club provides students the opportunity to view and critique classic and contemporary films. Through the knowledge gained by examining the techniques used in various films, students will write, direct, and produce their own video project at the end of the school year. For additional information, please contact Mr. Ernesto Nieto at 708-386-0127 ext. 192.

The Guitar Club
The Guitar Club is open to any student who wishes to meet informally throughout the school year to discuss, play, and appreciate guitar music. For additional information, please contact Mr. Michael Slajchert at 708-386-0127 ext. 261.
The Photography Club
The Photography Club focuses on providing knowledgeable insight into photography and appreciation for this form of artistic expression. The club sponsors photo shoots and photo contests throughout the school year. For additional information, please contact Mr. Ron Stuart at 708-386-0127 ext. 271 .
The Literary Magazine -- Touchstone
The Touchstone showcases student talent in art, photography, prose, and poetry. Submissions are open to the entire student body. The Creative Writing Class designs, edits, and publishes the magazine in the spring. The cover design is annually awarded to a selected art entry. For additional information, please contact Mr. Jeff Verver at 708-386-0127 ext. 140.
The Speech and Debate Teams
This activity is open to all students who wish to compete in Speech (individual events), Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and/or Student Congress. Students compete in a wide range of competitions sponsored by various organizations. For additional information, please contact Ms. Mary Beth Logas at 708-386-0127 ext. 125.
Special Occasion Speaking
This activity is open to those students who wish to compete in speech contests sponsored by a variety of fraternal and civic organizations. Students have the opportunity of winning a variety of monetary awards, scholarships, and trips. For additional information, please contact Mr. Andy Arellano at 708~386-0127 ext. 202.
The Stage Crew
For all of those students who are interested in the technical aspects of the theater, there are the stage, lighting, and film crews. The stage crew maintains the backstage area, builds scenery, arranges props, controls sound effects, and runs the lighting board and spotlights for all shows, assemblies, and concerts. The film crew runs the projection equipment for any motion picture shown at Fenwick. No previous experience is necessary. For additional information, please contact Mr. Roger Finnell at 708-386-0127 ext. 217.

The Wick Review
The Wick Review is open to those students who wish to contribute their writing and artistic talents for publication in the school newspaper. Students are responsible for writing, organizing, and setting up the entire paper. For additional information, please contact Mr. Gerald Sullivan at 708-386-0127 ext. 251.