The Amaranth is the literary and artistic journal of St. Joseph High School, comprised of works submitted by students, faculty, and staff. All students are given the opportunity to have their artwork or creative writing included!

We were so proud to have Mr. Andy Kolar, Assistant Director of Bands at Sacred Heart University, as a guest speaker to our percussion students!

Among his other teaching responsibilities, Mr. Kolar is a percussion ensemble professor at SHU and was more than happy to teach our Cadets about drumstick grips and the four-mallet technique.

In 2020, we offered a series of lectures for our Fine Arts students (and the entire SJ Community). One of the lectures featured Dan Foster '14, who is currently employed in television commercials. Dan discussed the process of auditioning, the specifics of acting for a camera, and working with an agent. The lecture series continues in 2022 without the obsticles caused by COVID-19!

Our Sophomore Art students were tasked with visiting the Getty Museum website and choosing a painting to research. Students were then challenged with recreating that painting on their own!

This course provides a general overview of the visual arts with an emphasis on design, historical significance
and artistic intent. Students work with two and three-dimensional mediums creating realistic and abstract works
including: pencil, pastel, marker, and paint. The hands on work combines with text, multimedia presentations, and class discussions to help students gain an understanding of the societal importance of art.

This course provides the opportunity for students who have demonstrated talent and interest in art to expand on
the drawing and painting concepts introduced in Fundamentals of Art. Emphasis will be placed on more advanced experiences with design principles, drawing techniques and painting techniques. Coursework is designed to build mastery in technique, composition, design, and creative problem solving. Students will also experiment with various computer art programs such as procreate and sketchbook. Outside work will be required and an active journal/sketchbook is a critical course requirement. Prerequisite: Portfolio review or completed Art Fundamentals.

Students begin an exploration of the structural elements of art used when creating 3-D forms. Additive and subtractive processes are used to manipulate and construct sculptural or ceramic forms in media that may include but are not limited to: clay, wood, wire, plaster, found objects, and paper maché.

Students work at an advanced level using techniques used to create a variety of 2-D artworks through developing skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage. Students  manipulate the structural elements of art to promote
creative risk-taking in 2-D artwork. Student artists use art criticism to evaluate, explain, and measure artistic growth. Prerequisite: Portfolio review or completed Art Fundamentals.

Instrumental Music class, which includes brass, string, and woodwinds provides students the opportunity to develop
their musical potential with an emphasis on fulfilling musical objectives. Students engage in activities designed to
give them a thorough grounding in instrumental playing and musical literacy, instrumental technique, performance
practice and sight-reading. The ensemble performs at St. Joseph High School events. Instrumental Music class
requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances. Prerequisite: Students must have prior instrumental experience and an understanding of sheet music.

Advanced Instrumental Ensemble builds on the concepts of Instrumental Ensemble while challenging students to further their musicianship skills through intensive technique building. Advanced Instrumental Emsemble’s goal is to prepare students for outside auditions (Regional, All State Ensembles and College), and to develop an advanced repertoire. The ensemble performs at St. Joseph High School events. Advanced Instrumental Ensemble requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances. Prerequisite: Audition in spring semester; admittance based on audition scores and ensemble needs.

Percussion Ensemble is a course for students with prior knowledge of Snare Drum, Keyboard Fundamentals, and Drum Set. This course builds upon prior knowledge of the “family” of percussion instruments and treats it as its own ensemble. Students in this course will participate throughout the year, performing in Steel Pan Band, Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, and with school bands and choirs as appropriate. Additionally, students will work through a comprehensive series of textbooks specific to percussionists. Members of the class are highly encouraged to prepare an audition to participate in the Connecticut Western Regional Band, Orchestra, or Jazz Band. Class is capped at 10 students. A brief meeting with Mr. Miller to assess knowledge and skill is required.

Advanced Percussion Ensemble builds on the concepts of Percussion Ensemble while challenging students to further their musicianship skills through intensive technique building. Advanced Percussion Ensemble’s goal is to prepare students for outside auditions (Regional, All State Ensembles and College), and to develop an advanced repertoire. This ensemble performs at St. Joseph High School events. Advanced Percussion Ensemble requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances. Prerequisite: Audition in spring semester; admittance based on audition scores and ensemble needs.

The Concert Choir is for the student with a love of singing, no previous vocal training required. Students work on sacred and secular choral literature while studying music notation, sight singing, music vocabulary and vocal technique. In addition to ensemble rehearsal, students receive bi-weekly small group lessons for instruction designed to address individual student needs. Concert Choir requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances.

The Chamber Choir builds on the concepts of Concert Choir while challenging students to further their musicianship skills through intensive technique building. Chamber Choir’s goal is to prepare students for outside auditions (Regional, All State Ensembles and College), and to develop an advanced repertoire. Advanced Chamber Choir requires attendance at all after school rehearsals and performances. Prerequisite: Audition in spring semester; admittance based on audition scores and ensemble needs.

Public Speaking and Theater introduces students to a basic understanding of the life skills inherent in as well as the art of theater. The course focuses on public speaking, scene studies, improvisation, set design, costume design and performance techniques, as well as exploring how theater has shaped societies since ancient times. Students will learn basic stage combat, backstage skills, as well as directing and acting.

This course provides an in-depth study of the various skills an actor needs in order to be successful; including an awareness and appreciation of acting both as a participant and an observer. Emphasis is placed upon ensemble and scene work, as well as improvisation. Students study texts for clues to character behavior and motivation and are assigned classical and contemporary theater works. Students perform monologues, two-person scenes, improvised 20 scenarios, as well as learning how to audition for a college or professional environment.