As you know, I LOVE music! But what makes music better is when music is done live! To me, no one does it better than NPR and the Tiny Desk series. For each session, we’ll get together, pick a Tiny Desk concert and vibe! Afterwards we’ll chat about the music, the artist(s) and whatever else comes to mind.
A continuation of the beginner band.
A continuation of the advanced band.
The culmination of the music theory class combined with both computer music classes. Students will use the knowledge gained from the previous theory classes to create original musical works. Students will demonstrate their ability to create rhythms, construct harmonic progressions, and articulate melodies, both on paper and on the computer. Students will be challenged to write and produce at least 4 songs with specific rules and restrictions per project to help narrow their options and coax out creativity.
Studio Ghibli holds a unique place in the world of animation. Founded in 1985 by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, the studio quickly became renowned for its visually stunning films, which often weave together intricate themes and grapple with profound philosophical questions. As anime continues to gain global recognition, understanding Studio Ghibli’s expansive and thoughtful filmography is essential for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
This class will serve as an exploration of Studio Ghibli’s cinematic landscape, offering insights into each film’s narrative structure, character development, key themes, and cultural significance. By examining their movies in the order of release, readers will not only understand the studio’s evolution but also appreciate how each film contributes to the broader tapestry of anime.
Each week in class, we will head out into the neighborhood to draw, plein air (i.e., in the open air)! Students will practice drawing in 2-and-3-point perspective while they engage deeply in the practice of noticing. Students will build artistic skill as well as appreciation for the vibrant and diverse neighborhood our school calls home. Students will also gain appreciation for art as practice that slows down the mind, builds the muscle of self-regulation, and cultivates a mindset grounded in gratitude, peace, and joy.
Required texts/materials:
Students are welcome to bring in art materials of their choice if their preferred medium is not available at the school.
The Final Frontier… No, wait, that’s “Star Trek”. Anyways, one of the longest running classes at PSCS comes to a bittersweet close with the spring “Twilight Zone” class. We will watch a wide selection of episodes from the 1960’s series as well as the reboots from the 1980’s, 2008, and 2019. We will discuss the underlying ideas of each episode and explore themes of justice/injustice, community, and speculative futures. Join me for one last journey into a dimension of imagination, sound, sight, and mind!