Category Archives: Arts

Mixing and Mastering (Brandon)

This is a class focused on digital music production. Students will learn how to mix and master music using professionally recorded tracks. Students will learn the fundamentals of audio production, how to use EQ and compression effectively, how to produce music in several genres, and how to critically listen to and determine what a song mix needs. Students will develop a portfolio of songs that they’ve mixed to be shared with the community. Students from Computer Synth class of Fall Term are encouraged to participate in this class.

Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
Mature themes: Modern music sometimes has adult themes.i

Analog Radio (Arts) (sam)

This is a class to listen to music the old school way, on vinyl records!

Some of my fondest memories of listening to music this way, was on the weekends with my grandma and having the day to hangout. She would tell me to grab some records to play and I would dj for her. I would sit on the floor as the tunes played and imagined what it was like to be there and watch music excellence LIVE!

We will listen to a wide range of music and then share about how we feel about each project!

Outside work: No outside work
Mature themes: Some of the lyrics could contain explict language.
Minimum students: 2

Industrial Design & Woodworking (Christy)

What better way to learn survival skills – Ala: Octavia Butler – than through hands-on woodworking projects! In this class, we will design and build functional garden beds just like they did in Lauren Olamina’s neighborhood. Students will practice basic shop safety while learning how to design, plan, and make a functional object intended for a specific purpose. Students will learn basic joinery, cutting, and finishing techniques, and will walk away from class confident in their ability to design, plan, and execute simple woodworking projects.

Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
Minimum students: 2
Sponsor: This class will be taught in collaboration with Liv, closely aligning with Science this term!

Graphic Design (Christy)

Learn how to generate more visual ideas than you ever thought possible! In Graphic Design this term, we will practice making informed choices about color, composition, and typography as we explore the design language of the Harlem Renaissance. Bold colors, angular shapes, high contrast, and plenty of movement define the art of this exciting era, leaving lots of room for exploration and visual play! Students will build skills in visual communication, iteration, presentation, and critique… but most importantly, we will have lots of fun!

About the instructor: This class will be in collaboration with Sam's winter term history class, Black History, where students will be steeped in the literature and music of the Harlem Renaissance. There will be overlap in assignments and materials for these classes!

Outside work: Occasional throughout the term
Minimum students: 3

HiFi Harmonies and Mellifluous Melodies (Brandon)

This class is for students looking to further explore the interactions between and nuances of harmony and melody. Students will learn how to identify intervals, construct chords, develop melodies, create and reharmonize chord progressions, read notes on a staff, and further develop their understanding of intermediate music theory. The class will focus on triads, 7th and extended harmony chords, non-chord tones, leading tones and chromaticism, modes and atypical scales, intermodal exchange/borrowed chords, ear training, and expression. This class will require note taking and focused independent study. Students must have taken Rhythm Nation in Fall Term in order to register for this class.

Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
Mature themes: Modern music sometimes has adult themes.
Minimum students: 2

Demon-Haunted World (Band) (Brandon)

The jazz/improv band. Students will continue to develop their individual instrument skills and further integrate themselves into a music performance environment. Students will be challenged to create and improvise original music and stylistically-adjacent renditions of popular music.

Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
Mature themes: Modern music sometimes has adult themes

Come Back to Me (Band) (Brandon)

The intermediate/advanced band. Students will continue to develop their individual instrument skills and further integrate themselves into a music performance environment. Students will be encouraged to undertake more challenging songs and focus more on critically listening to their bandmates to create a unified sound.

Outside work: A moderate amount (e.g., 30-60 min) for each session
Mature themes: Modern music sometimes has adult themes.