Visual Arts
Drawing (first semester)
This course will guide students in their increased response to and coherent translation to paper of the visual qualities of the perceived world. Students will learn and practice the basic elements of visual experience, including light, edge, mass, texture, and space.We will draw from a variety of sources, including the figure, head, still life, landscape, and interior, and with a variety of wet and dry media.We will also work on the direct development of the expressive and structural elements of drawings in their own right. The course will further assist students in discovering and exploring themes and images of personal significance with command and clarity. Each student will keep a personal sketchbook to record observations from his/her own daily life, and will submit weekly assignments that follow from class discussions.We will study the work of notable artists through slides and reproductions of their work and through a visit to the collection of drawings at a major museum.The class will engage in frequent discussions about the work of all participants (critiques), with an aim to share experiences, define successful elements of a drawing, and encourage individual efforts.
Advanced Drawing (first semester)
This course will guide students in the interpretative and expressive development of the student's own approach and vision in drawing.The course will assist students in discovering and exploring themes and images of personal significance and in responding to the visible world with greater command and clarity. Students are encouraged to explore new areas of interest, new media and new approaches, and to extend basic skills already gained in prior study.A major objective is to encourage interpretation and discussion of one's own work, the work of other students, and the work of the many artists we study. Prerequisite: Drawing or permission of the instructor.
Painting (second semester)
This course will focus on the understanding and control of color and on the expressive application of acrylic, oil, and watercolor paint from observed and invented sources.The class will guide students in responding to and translating visual qualities and color contrasts, and in using color to suggest light, edge, mass,texture,and space.We will paint from a variety of sources, including the figure, head, still life, landscape, and interior, and with a variety of color media. We will also develop expressive and structural elements of painting and explore themes and images of personal significance.We will study many relevant precedents for student work through the paintings of acknowledged masters through slides and reproductions of their work, and through a visit to a museum collection.The class will engage in frequent discussions aiming to share experiences, define successful elements of design, composition, materials and color and encourage individual efforts. Students will be expected to create a cohesive body of work related to a specific theme by the end of the semester. Prerequisite: Drawing.
Advanced Painting (second semester)
This course, intended for students with a strong foundation in drawing, allows them to pursue ideas of color and painted form with emphasis on the head, figure, and landscape. Fundamentals of painting are stressed and students are encouraged, through specific projects, to develop a “painterly vocabulary” of color, light, and form. Concepts of abstraction and representation are addressed as students increase their visual awareness and understanding in relation to their own painting.The course culminates in large-scale paintings and projects of deep personal interest. Students learn to articulate their ideas through frequent presentations, group discussions and critiques.Prerequisite: Advanced Drawing, Painting, or permission of the instructor.
Printmaking (second semester)
This course will guide the creation of interpretative and expressive artwork in major forms of printmaking incorporating a student’s own approach and vision with power and presence. Students will explore intaglio (etching, dry point, aquatint, and mezzotint), relief (wood and linoleum cut, letterpress), and planographic (monotype, lithography) printmaking techniques.The course will assist students in discovering, exploring and developing themes and images of personal significance through prints, and to delve into personal, unorthodox, and idiosyncratic approaches to established techniques (perhaps involving combinations of technique, photographic or transfer processes, color printing).They will examine the various ways a matrix (block, plate) can be printed, changed, and developed. Emphasis in the class will be on exploring printmaking as a varied and potent medium, on the unique power of the multiple states in the conscious development of an image, and the achievement of technical skill in the service of expressive ends. Students will look extensively at the history of printmaking as both fine art and as social vector. Students will keep a sketchbook for notes, observations, and imaginings. Further emphasis in the class will be on safe and orderly studio practices, on the variety and options for presentation, and the continuity of imagery and unique forms of expression that printmaking offers. Students in Advanced Printmaking will further explore techniques and approaches in intaglio and relief printmaking through sustained individual projects. Prerequisite for Printmaking: Drawing or Advanced Drawing at Putney or two semesters of Printmaking evening activity. Prerequisite for Advanced Printmaking: Printmaking academic class.
Sculpture (either or both semesters)
This course guides students in exploring the skills and techniques of sculpture using various materials and approaches. Students will learn the processes of modeling, carving, and welding using clay, wax, plaster, wood, stone and metal. Drawings and three-dimensional models will be used to create designs for sculpture. Students will be expected to complete sculptures in various media. Understanding the history and integrity of the material are emphasized as students create their work. One of the exercises of this class is sculpting the figure from a model. Realism, abstraction, and symbolism are explored as ways of translating ideas into sculptural form. Reading and written work, slide presentations, discussions, field trips, and critiques integrate the work of other sculptors with the student’s studio work. Prerequisite: none.
Advanced Sculpture (either or both semesters)
This course, intended for students with previous sculpting experience, allows them to delve into sculptural materials of their preference to create a cohesive series of sculptures or one or two larger single works. Students will be encouraged to experiment, but also to develop mastery of their chosen sculptural techniques. Students learn to articulate thoughts and goals for their own work through reading and written reflection, presentations, discussions, and critiques. The class will study the work of past and contemporary sculptors. Prerequisite: Sculpture or permission of the instructor.
Ceramics (either or both semesters)
The Ceramics class is designed to expose students at all levels of experience to the wide array of techniques that are possible for the means of expression with clay. Students are expected to develop good craftsmanship and pay attention to detail. Innovation and experimentation are highly encouraged. Students move through increasingly complex techniques in both hand building and wheel work. Along with different construction methods, students are introduced to a variety of surface decoration possibilities such as texturing, carving, painting with slips and stains and colored clay. Form, design and proportion are explored as well as function. Students fire their work in a gas reduction kiln and in the spring have the opportunity to do raku and pit firings. Studio work is augmented with relevant books, magazines, videos, field trips to local studios and galleries. Advanced Ceramics is offered to students who have completed two semesters of the Ceramics academic course and want to deepen their exploration of clay with greater challenges.
Fiber Arts (either or both semesters)
This is a studio art course, using textiles to explore structure, function, color and design. In group and individual projects, students will learn about a wide range of techniques, leading to the development of an idea into a finished product. The primary focus is on weaving, but felting, basketry, fabric dyeing, sewing and quilting may be covered. Advanced Fiber Arts is offered to students with previous experience working with textiles.The focus of the course will be independent projects in the students' areas of interest including weaving on four- and eight-harness floor looms, exploring color through dyeing cellulose and animal fibers, paper making, knitting by hand and machine and clothing design and construction. Prerequisite for Advanced Fiber Arts: two semesters of Fiber Arts or permission of the instructor.
Photography (either or both semesters)
This course examines photography as a
visual language. Students are guided
through assignments that will broaden
their perception of the visual world and
help them to acquire new vocabulary in
design. Students will explore basic elements
of the camera, composition, light,
narrative, series building and editing.
They will learn how to process their
own negatives and print traditional
black and white photographs.
Assignments are given with presentations
that introduce students to the history
of photography. Alternative printing
processes will also be covered, including
collage printing,multi-media, toning
and hand coloring.The students will use
manual 35 mm cameras.The school has
cameras to lend but it is always helpful if
a student has their own. Students will
need to purchase their own paper and
film, (available at the school bookstore).
Advanced Photography (either or both semesters)
This course builds upon the foundations provided in our basic photography class. Students in this class create portfolios of images. Each portfolio has its own concrete focus and offers the student the opportunity to do in depth exploration of a genre or alternative photographic technique. Examples of genres include portraiture, still life, existing light and documentary photography.Alternative techniques include infrared film, large format cameras, pinhole photography, and digital. Emphasis is put on building a strong group of images through thoughtful editing of work and careful consideration of compositional features. Students Prerequisite for Advanced Photography: One semester of Photography or permission of the instructor. Students will need to purchase their own paper and film, (available at the school bookstore).
Digital Filmmaking (second semester)
This course examines the use of digital video as a narrative medium. Students are guided through short film assignments which will broaden their perception of the visual world and which will help them to acquire new vocabulary in visual storytelling. Students will explore elements of design, story structure, character development, screenwriting, camera, film
acting, sound and digital editing.The course will also examine works by historical and contemporary artists. Prerequisites: photography, video making evening activity or permission of the instructor.
History and Language of Art (second semester)
We will look at painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture in Europe and the United States (with tangents to the art of other cultures) from the Early Renaissance to the present.The course will take a thematic rather than chronological approach, examining how a single subject or idea has been approached by a variety of artists, revealing the fundamental stylistic differences, characteristics, and attitudes of each period.We will learn to read the language of art to see how its elements combine to speak eloquently and clearly over time and beyond nationality (as well as offering insight into a particular time and place). Students in the class will discuss and write extensively about the art they see, will visit museums and artists’ studios, and will explore vast web-based and CD-ROM collections of images.The course will include a studio component to complement our investigations into the history and language of art.This course meets the requirement for a senior humanities credit. It does not fulfill the arts requirement.
Visual Arts in the Evening Arts Program include: Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Comics and Graphic Novels, Painting, Figure Drawing, Jewelry, Knitting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Sewing, Spinning, Stained Glass,Weaving and Woodworking.
Music
Music of World Cultures (first semester)
Music is a remarkable art form: it has developed differently in every culture on earth.There is a tremendously rich variety of musical styles, theoretical systems and musical instruments that is often unknown to the casual musician in any particular culture.This course will expose students to music of different world cultures and eras through readings, recordings and participation in labs with visiting musicians. No prerequisite, though some previous musical experience will be helpful.
Introduction to Music Theory and Composition (first semester)
This course serves as an introduction to
the theoretical understanding and artistic
creation of music.We will cover the
basics of musical notation and analysis
within the Western tradition, focusing
on the written and aural comprehension
of pitch and rhythm.Additional areas of
study will include phrase structure,
melody and basic harmony. Students
will demonstrate their grasp of theoretical
concepts through the creation of
simple musical compositions throughout
the semester.The course is mostly technology-
based, with theoretical rudiments
introduced through the program
Practica Musica. Musical notation is
learned both in manuscript form and
electronically through the computer
notation program Sibelius. No prerequisite,
though some musical background is
very helpful.
Music Composition (second semester)
This course explores the creation and notation of musical ideas for acoustic and/or electronic media.The course is designed to be a natural progression from Music Theory and continues the process of learning to create and notate musical gestures and ideas.The structure of the course will be flexible to suit the strengths and desires of the individual student, but will always include at least one composition for acoustic instruments and one for electronic media one for electronic media. Prerequisite for Music Composition is Introduction to Music Theory and Composition or equivalent with permission of the instructor.
Music Intensive (either or both semesters)
This course is designed for advanced musicians who would benefit from a focused and individualized setting in which to develop their skills.The program and emphasis of the course will be determined by the student with the guidance of the instructor, but is subject to approval by the private lesson instructor where appropriate. Students must establish and adhere to a weekly schedule of at least three hours per week of practice time (in addition to class time and private lessons).Three short performances (such as performance of a song in school assembly) and a longer final performance are required. Admission to the class is by permission of the instructor.
Jazz Combo (full year)
The Jazz Combo is intended for advanced jazz instrumentalists who want to focus on the intricacies of jazz improvisation and ensemble techniques in a select small group setting.The Jazz Combo performs for the Putney community regularly throughout the academic year, as well as performances off campus when appropriate. Prerequisite is permission of jazz instructor.
Chamber Music (either or both semesters)
This academic class is open to advanced instrumentalists, primarily string,woodwind and keyboard players.The course has two primary aims: first, to provide intensive coached rehearsal of chamber music leading to improved individual and collaborative playing skills, as demonstrated in performances; and second, to become familiar with the forms, historical periods and genres of western chamber music through readings and listening to representative examples.Time will also be dedicated to formation of strategies to manage performance anxiety or “stage fright”.When students in this class are also working on college audition repertoire, class time may be used to work on this music through group coaching and mock auditions. Prerequisite for pianists is informal audition; for non-pianists, an informal audition and participation in Chamber Orchestra evening activity are required.
Blanche Moyse Chorale (full year)
Putney students have the opportunity to sing with the Blanche Moyse Chorale, a chorus of approximately 35 voices associated with the Brattleboro Music Center.This is a fine ensemble that performs major works at a very high standard. The class consists entirely of choral rehearsals and performances. Members will have sectionals and full group rehearsals with Putney's music director during regular class periods each week. These rehearsals may also be attended by other members of the Chorale who are not Putney students. Instead of nightly homework, the group will have an evening rehearsal. In September the class will meet with the Sing! activity (group voice lesson). Beginning in October the class will rehearse with the Blanche Moyse Chorale under the direction of its conductor, Mary Westbrook-Geha, here at Putney on Sunday evening.The group will perform major works with the Windham Orchestra in May, both at Putney and out in the community. Formal concert dress is required; scholarship money may be available to help with the purchase of the requisite long black dresses/tuxedos. Full year participation required.
Music in the Evening Arts Program includes: African Drumming, Bluegrass, Band Jam, Music Practice, Songwriting, as well as the Music Ensembles: Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Sing!, and for advanced music students, Madrigals.
Support for Music Program
Although these next two entries do not receive academic credit, they are listed here to note support that students have in pursuing their musical lives here at The Putney School.
Afternoon Practice
With the permission of the music faculty and the director of afternoon activities, students may sign up for Afternoon Practice during afternoon activity time in up to two of the three trimesters in Putney's schedule.
Private Music Lessons
Private music lessons in a wide variety of instruments are offered on campus. Payment for lessons is normally made through the students' bookstore accounts. Scholarships are available to students receiving financial aid for tuition. In order for lessons to be scheduled, students and parents must sign the Music Lesson Agreement form, which explains the financial and scheduling terms of music lessons at The Putney School. Music lessons may be taken for academic credit. (See Music Intensive course above).
Drama
Elements of Theater (full year)
All aspects of drama are studied in this class. Students present work for review, discussions, and critique. In the first semester, students work on monologues and improvisations and then move on to scene study.They explore a range of acting styles and performance skills while preparing their work. In the second semester students write scenes and short plays that are presented and critiqued during class meetings.They finish the semester by directing each other in scenes from plays they have selected. Outside rehearsals, readings, and written papers are required for this course.
History of Theatrical Performance (full year)
This class concentrates on the history of acting from the Greeks through Shakespeare, Molière, Ibsen, Chekhov, Pinter, Mamet, and other writers from the twentieth century.Through scene study and play analysis students will develop and apply the necessary skills to perform a particular style or period of drama, and will do research on the historical, cultural, and political background of a particular play in order to understand and perform the play within a larger context.Written assignments are required as well as extensive scene study. Performances for the wider school community are encouraged.This course meets the requirement for a Senior Humanities credit as well as an Arts credit. Prerequisite: Elements of Theater or permission from the drama director.
Theater Intensive (either or both semesters)
This course is designed for advanced students interested in pursuing an aspect of theater. Students may choose to direct,perform or write a play.The emphasis is determined by the student before enrollment and approved by the drama director.A presentation of the work is required at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: History of Theatrical Performance and/or permission from the drama director
Drama in the Evening Arts Program. Two plays in the fall and a musical in the spring are produced as part of the evening program.
Dance
Modern Dance (full year)
Through the study of technique, choreography and improvisation, this course will provide students with the opportunity to further define the ever-evolving art form known as modern dance.The first semester will highlight experiential anatomy as it relates to dance and the human body as an articulate moving system capable of powerful creative expression.While learning to “listen” to the innate intelligence of our bodies, align our structures, see and feel our wholeness and simultaneously tend to our various parts, we strengthen our capacity to move and be moved, as dancers, tuned and ready to receive the moment. During the second semester we will focus on the history of modern
dance, drawing from the various techniques and styles of the generations before us, as we continue to delve more deeply into our own creative compositional process through choreography and improvisation, culminating in performance.To further enhance students’ understanding of modern dance, studio class time is supported by journaling, reading, viewing videos and live performances. Students who want to take more than one year may register for Modern Dance II, III, etc. For these returning students, an independent path of study that relates to the overall focus of the semester will be followed.
The Dance Program offersboth Dunham-Style Jazz and Contemporary Ballet during Afternoon Activities (see page 24 for full descriptions) and Dance Ensemble, Hip Hop, Latin Dance,Tai Chi, and World Traditions as part of the Evening Arts Program.
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