Question 1

Why should I take a course in the Fine Arts Department?

Accepted Answer

Amazing things happen here! Warm and welcoming place – it something everyone can do. We take all students in our classes. Try a course and explore – you may discover a new passion. Non-threatening environment where everyone progresses from their own level and at their own rate Friendly place to learn and explore interests, passion, curiosity and creativity Bring in your own thoughts and ideas – there is no one way to do it Be part of the Fine Arts family and experience a great sense of community that supports everyone Seniors have taken a class for the fist time wished they had know about these courses sooner Students love Fine Arts classes, look forward to them and are happy to be involved Creates a well-rounded experience that colleges look for in their applicants. You do not have to major in the Fine Arts in college to take these courses at Newtown High School. Take a look at a sample of this year: Art Music Theater

Question 2

The Arts Teach . . .

Accepted Answer

What students learn in our classes will serve them well throughout their life. We all know that you can put a lot of effort into something but it only goes so far. It does not guarantee things will be done well.

We teach process and help our students develop, build, and improve their skills. They will use their creativity and strengthen their independence by working to achieve mastery of their art form. This is great preparation for career or college. Our students become the best version of themselves and really blossom over their four years with us.

Problem-solving skills will improve and students will learn to find more than one solution. They learn that making mistakes is a good thing to help them learn, grow, and thrive.

Developing one’s talents and how they become a form of self-expression can be very beneficial throughout one’s life.

Collaboration, teamwork, and communication skills improve – our students become leaders and a family that provide wonderful support to each other.

The Fine Arts help to improve health and well-being – creating and performing is extremely gratifying for self and others. The therapeutic effects create a source of release and relaxation - stress and anxiety is reduced, blood pressure lowered, and immune systems strengthened. It’s good for the brain overall and will provide a wonderful break in a very busy academic day.

Question 3

Fine Arts and Career . . .

Accepted Answer

The Fine Arts courses teach:
- Making mistakes is a good thing - resiliency, learn, grow, thrive
- Process
- How to see a problem from a variety of angles
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking (analyzing, evaluating)
- Collaboration
- Teamwork
- Communication skills
- Multiple perspectives
- Leadership skills

Question 4

Benefits of Taking a Fine Arts Course . . .

Accepted Answer

Be part of an award-winning team – NHS Fine Arts programs have earned state and national recognition
Continue to build artistic, musical, and theatrical skills
Try something new - discover new interests and talents
Opportunities to participate in regional and state art shows, music festivals and competitions, theater festivals
Opportunities to travel (i.e. visit museums, attend professional performances and musicals)
Develop creative thinking skills and self-expression
Students that take Fine Arts courses do better in school and develop stronger social skills
School work is more enjoyable with a creative outlet in the day
Enjoy time with students of like mind and interests

There are also College Credit Offerings in the Fine Arts:
UCONN-ECE Music Theory (Fundamentals/Ear Training 1)
SCSU Early College - Ceramics 1 (Ceramics 1 - Hand-building)
SCSU Early College - Drawing 1 (Introductory Drawing 1)

Question 5

Scheduling Fine Arts Courses . . .

Accepted Answer

Fine Arts courses count as Humanities credits, some toward STEM credits, and all toward Elective credits.
Fine Arts can be used as topics for Capstone projects.
Students with full schedules are very successful and structured and adapt well into the high school setting. Students are involved with students of all grade levels and walk into a huge family that embraces its new members. Students that join later regret having missed out earlier in their high school experience.
Most of the Fine Arts courses are semester classes and can be fit into open slots of a student’s schedule each semester.
Sign up for the course of your choice right away - do not wait for a later time. Never assume a class won’t run. We won’t have that answer until schedules are run.
Contact Fine Arts teachers immediately when conflicts occur so that we may facilitate a solution with parents/counselors.
Band, Chorus, and Orchestra students with Science Lab conflicts can be accommodated in scheduling. Do not make that a reason to avoid ensemble classes.
Music Technology – All students will begin with Music Technology 1 and then progress to levels 2 and 3. 
Pianists are accommodated wherever possible. Jazz Improvisation, Music Technology, and ensemble classes are a great place to start.

Question 6

Fine Arts and College . . .

Accepted Answer

“Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skill.”  (Why Arts Education is Crucial, and Who’s Doing it Best, Fran. Smith, Edutopia, Jan. 28, 2009)
The College Entrance Examination Board found that students involved in public school music programs scored 107 points higher on the SATs than students with no participation.  (Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers, The College Board, compiled by the Music Educators National Conference, 2002)
U.S. Department of Education data on more than 25,000 secondary school students found that students who report consistent high levels of involvement in instrumental music over the middle and high school years show “significantly higher levels of mathematics proficiency by grade 12.”  (U.S. Department of Education NELLS88 Database)
The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards’ document, A Conceptual Framework for Arts Learning, states that artistic literacy is critical to a child’s comprehensive education “in our increasingly multi-media age, where information is communicated less through numeracy and the written word.” (National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (2012). A Conceptual Framework (p.17)
“There’s lots of evidence that kids immersed in the arts do better on their academic tests.”  (Tom Horne, Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction)
College and university officers clearly state that students who participate in the arts continually through high school have an advantage over students who do not when applying for high-end schools.  They are looking for students who stand out and have something to offer to the campus (i.e. creating art, composing, participating in theatrical productions, consistently participating in their HS ensembles). “College Board recognizes as essential in order to thrive in college…Preparation in the arts will be valuable to college entrants whatever their intended field of study.”
                              Academic Preparation for College: What Students Need to Know and Be Able to Do, The College Board

There are scholarships available in the Fine Arts. Go to our Scholarship page to see what is available . . .

Question 7

Fine Arts and STEM . . .

Accepted Answer

The Fine Arts and Math and Science go hand in hand. Statistics show that 60% of music students that apply to medical programs are accepted. They will receive music and arts scholarships for those abilities and will continue in college music and arts programs. They need to continue Fine Arts courses in high school to be prepared. Fine Arts students are going into Art, Music, and Theater careers, engineering, and a variety of sciences and computer science college programs/careers.

Music Technology (all levels), Theater Design, Theater Production, and Theater Management can be taken as STEM credits toward graduation requirements.

Question 8

Visual Art, Architecture, Engineering, and Design . . .

Accepted Answer

You do not have to have to major in Visual Art to participate in Newtown High School Art  courses. All are welcome.

Should you have the interest in Architecture, Engineering and Design, Visual Art courses will be expected. Students will need art classes included in their high school program of study to prepare.

When a rep from RPI Architecture visited, he stressed the point that students going into Architecture need to present an art portfolio with their application. In doing further research, the top Architecture schools required the same.

Students pursuing degrees in Design will also be asked for an art portfolio as a component of their college admission process. A portfolio shows off your conceptual ideas and creativity, demonstrating the evolution of such to your finished product.

Visual Art courses satisfy Humanities and Elective credits toward graduation requirements.

Students have the added opportunity of participating in the National Art Honor Society.

We have several students that have gone on to art and art related fields, including Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Video Game Design, and author/illustrator.

Question 9

College Requirements for Music . . .

Accepted Answer

You do not have to have to major in music to participate in Newtown High School music courses and ensembles. All are welcome.

Should students have the desire to major in music at the college level, they will need to have Harmony and Composition and AP Music Theory on their transcript. Students will also need to maintain their ensembles (Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz Improvisation classes) to be admitted to their program.

It will be helpful to get as many music classes into your high school experience as possible. These courses count as Humanities and Elective credits toward the NHS graduation requirements.

Music Technology 1, 2, and 3 provide another avenue to creativity. These courses satisfy Humanities, Elective, and STEM credits.

Students have the added opportunity of participating in the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

We have several students that have gone on to music in college, including Music Education, Musical Theater, Music Therapy, Composition, Video Game Design, Performance, and Conducting.

Question 10

College Requirements for Theater . . .

Accepted Answer

You do not have to have to major in Theater to participate in Newtown High School Theater courses. All are welcome.

Students intending to be Theater majors in college need to be well versed in our courses as they apply to their college program. They will have to prepare for college auditions and present scripts.

Students should include Acting 1, Acting 2, Theater Design *, Theater Production*, Theater Management*, and Unified Theater courses. All of these courses satisfy Humanities and Elective credits. Those with an asterisk satisfy STEM credits.

Musical Theater students should find time for Chorus as well to continue their vocal training. Students have the added opportunity of joining the Auditorium Tech Crew and participating in the International Thespian Honor Society.

We have several students that have gone on to careers in Theater, including Acting, Musical Theater, Theater Design, and Theater Production.

Question 11

What Fine Arts Students are Saying . . .

Accepted Answer

Art
“It’s refreshing to take a class that focuses on art. There’s more room for creativity.”
“I found something I really enjoyed just from a random elective I needed. Also, I built a good friendship with the teacher and met people with the same hobbies and likes.”
“Because it allows you to be creative. It’s a lot of work but it’s also very stress free so you can have a lot of fun.”
“Don’t be discouraged by the thought of not being able to draw well.  Everyone makes improvement.”
“There is skill and purpose, as well as a hobby that will last for years.”
“This class has taught me things I never would have considered on my own time.”
“Take Drawing 1. It’s fun.”
“I definitely feel more comfortable with my skills as an artist, and learned more about my style while using correct technique.”

Music
“Take music! It’s the best part of the day and you should do anything in order to take all the music you want.”
“This class has always been my favorite. This is about setting a goal and actually enjoying the journey.”
“My skills as a musician have improved greatly and it has made learning music fun.”
“They have widened my horizons both educationally and socially. Some of my best moments were in music.
“I made my voice stronger as an artist.”
“Through music you find your family at the high school.”
“Being able to make more advanced music with an actual professional program that the pros use: it’s a lot fun!”
“I have learned to work with other students to overcome and play difficult music in a concert setting.”
“Gives you a chance to explore what you can and will do with your music.”
“Because it is the coolest experience ever!”

Theater
“I wish I knew not to judge a class by the name. I just joined because my friends were doing it, but now I’ really into acting.”
“I got a bunch of acting techniques to use in shows.”
“It gives you a family who you can turn to and be with at high school.”
“If you are thinking of doing anything within the theater business, this is the right class.”
“This is a very interactive, energetic course where you get to perform more in the middle of the school day. It’s imaginative, creative and all around awesome.”
“It’s a fun class and teaches you a lot about theater. If you enjoy acting or crew in the slightest bit, take this class.”
“You get to improve and learn with friends.”
“I’ve become more confident in my acting.”
“It’s a really good course for both beginning and experienced actors by informing you of techniques and building off those you already know.”

Take a glimpse through this short video:

Fine Arts

FAQ

Frequently asked questions