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!

Read the 2023 Issue!

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, 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 prior to 2024-25 school year or the completion of the Fundamentals of Art.

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 by the AP Instructor prior to 2024-25 school year.

Instrumental Music - which includes brass, strings, percussion, 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. An audition before the start of the 2024-25 school year required.

Percussion Ensemble is for students with prior knowledge of snare drum, keyboard fundamentals, and drum set and 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 needed. 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. This course is capped at 12 students. A brief meeting with the music teacher prior to the 2024-25 year 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. Students will prepare for outside auditions (Regional, All State Ensembles and College), and 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: An audition in the spring semester. Admittance based on content knowledge.

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.

Advanced Instrumental Ensemble builds on the concepts of Instrumental Ensemble while challenging students to further their musicianship skills through intensive technique building. Students will prepare for outside auditions (Regional, All State Ensembles, and College) and 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: An audition in spring semester. Admittance is based on audition scores and ensemble needs.

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

Fundamentals of Theater 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, improvisation, 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.