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The fine arts program is an integral part of the school’s educational process. We believe that the arts provide an opportunity to develop a student’s God-given artistic abilities. They also help students learn important skills such as teamwork, dedication, and perseverance. The focal point of the GCS fine arts department is Christ-centered promotion of the arts contributing to the overall development of our students.
The mission of the Gilbert Christian School Fine Arts Department is to develop a God-glorifying appreciation for and expression of the musical and visual arts by nurturing and training skillful excellence in each of these disciplines.
Our high school offers two courses that introduce students to all aspects of theatrical arts and drama. Theatre focuses on acting, movement, reading of plays, theatre design and tech (including set, prop, costume, and makeup design), and viewing theatre performances. Technical Theatre explores the backstage world of theatre. Students will investigate several areas of production and design from a practical base. Students will be given the opportunity to learn about set construction, scenic painting, and lighting.
Students in 4th-8th grade (Greenfield and Val Vista only) will have the opportunity to learn foundational skills and music reading on woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. Students in band have the option of playing flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, or percussion (mallets and drums). As a performance-oriented class, students will perform in multiple concerts and community events each year. At the high school, students will continue to develop advanced skills on woodwind, brass and percussion. They will learn proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality, expressive musicality and training in music literacy.
Concert Band provides a variety of performance opportunities including pep band at athletic events, community outreach, All-Regionals/All-State auditions, and the performing arts traveling tour.
The choir program strives to inspire students to excel in their musical abilities. As they become more capable and confident with their singing voices, students will be better equipped to bless their families, communities, and churches through music. Students in 7th-8th grade will have the opportunity to participate in a performing ensemble that focuses on music literacy, vocal technique and presentation skills. At the high school, students will have the opportunity to participate in a non-auditioned ensemble as well as a variety of audition-only ensembles.
Advanced Women’s Chorale is an auditioned, full-year women’s choral ensemble open to high school students with a limited musical or choral background. The course of study consists of advanced vocal production, fundamentals of music theory, music listening, historical knowledge, and fine ensemble singing. Advanced Women’s Choir will perform in concerts, festivals, domestic tours, and community events. With the approval of the director, students will have the opportunity to compete in events such as Solo-Ensemble Contest, Central Regional Choir, and Arizona All-State Choir.
Concert Choir is an auditioned, advanced mixed chorale ensemble open to high school students with a strong musical and choral background. The course of study consists of continuing to develop proper vocal technique, music theory, sight-reading, historical knowledge, and fine ensemble singing. Concert Choir performs in all festivals, concerts, domestic tours, and community events. Students are encouraged to compete in events such as Solo/Ensemble Contest, Central Regional Choir, and Arizona All-State Choir. Only Concert Choir members may audition for Bel Canto Singers.
Bel Canto is the top-tier vocal ensemble at GCS open to high school students with a strong musical and choral background. The course of study consists of developing proper vocal technique, a strong emphasis on sight-reading and ear training, historical knowledge, and ensemble singing in a small group. All music in Bel Canto is performed a cappella. Bel Canto has a greater number of performances, festivals and tours than any ensemble at the school. Students are highly encouraged to compete in events such as Solo/ Ensemble Contest, Central Regional Choir, and Arizona All-State Choir.
The primary goal of the worship team is to lead the student body by example in and outside of the worship experience. As Scripture states (Ps. 34:1, Ps. 113:3, Heb. 13:15, etc.), we are to worship God, giving thanks and praise to Him, continuously throughout each day. Students will learn instruction and practice in vocal and instrumental performance, selection and vetting of worship set lists, and best practices for leading others in worship.
Students in 4th-8th grade (Agritopia only) will have the opportunity to learn foundational skills in the study of violin, viola, cello, and bass. As a performance-oriented class, students will perform in multiple concerts and community events each year. At the high school, students will continue in advanced concepts of excellent string-playing technique with an emphasis on scales for intonation and hand formation, review of shifting, intermediate music theory, and independent ensemble playing.
This course advances concepts of excellent string-playing technique with an emphasis on scales for intonation and hand formation, review of shifting, intermediate music theory, and independent ensemble playing. Music history is incorporated through the repertoire selected to reflect each era of music development. As a performance focused course, consistent practice of the materials is expected. Attendance is required for at least four performances per year for course credit.
Students at the elementary and middle school will learn the fundamentals of drawing and design in various genres of art. At the high school, students will continue to build and explore different genres of art such as, graphic design, ceramics, printmaking, painting, and sculpture.
Based on the premise that everyone can learn to draw well in a very short time, this class introduces five basic perceptual skills necessary for drawing: the perception of edges and contours, space (positive & negative), relationships (perspective & proportion), light and shadows, and unified composition. This class is designed, by the end of the first semester, to enable the beginning drawing student to see and draw “realistically” as an artist naturally does. It includes the application of the fundamental design principles such as balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and unity by integrating the basic elements of visual art: light & dark, space, shape/form/mass, line, texture, and color. Once the core perceptual drawing skills are learned, the class begins to explore basic techniques & drawing media such as graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, mixed media collage, watercolor and acrylic painting. Various drawing techniques and other materials are introduced. This class ends with an introductory painting unit demonstrating basic color concepts.
Intro to Creative Design (Art 104)
This art class is a basic guide to visual fundamentals and introduces the students to two dimensional design and three dimensional creative design. It focuses on applied arts such as handmade Book Design, Ceramics, as well as fine arts such as Collage, Assemblage, Painting, and Sculpture. Students review six foundational design concepts and elements of visual art, found in the design of nature itself: light/darkness, space, shape/form/mass, line, pattern, and color, while applying five principles of design: balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, unity. First semester, students will apply the fundamental visual design elements and principles as they create multiple mixed media compositions–using such material as matte medium, torn and cut paper, collage elements and paint on wood panel and paper. Projects are often derived from the Genesis Creation account as a guide and inspiration to creating a series of compositions and design projects. Second semester projects emphasize the same fundamental design elements and principles applied to 3–D design, beginning with handmade book/box design, Ceramics, followed by Sculpture projects using Ceramics, wood, metal, paint, paper, pencil, and other materials. Some allusions to art history are incorporated into the class lessons.
Art 2- (ART 202)
This class expands the student’s drawing and painting skills. It is designed to enable the drawing student to continue to develop the ability to see and draw as an artist does, through engaging in more in-depth, prolonged, drawing, painting, and mixed media projects. It includes application of the fundamental design principles such as balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, and unity by integrating the basic elements of visual art: light & dark, space, shape/form/mass, line, texture, and color. Students explore drawing media including graphite, charcoal, pen & ink, and mixed media during the first semester; painting media such as watercolor and acrylic are introduced in the second semester. Various drawing and painting techniques are simultaneously introduced while learning the use of various media and material. As students develop artistically, students are also taught skills in sketching, preparing painting and drawing surfaces, and preparing their art for presentation. Some elements of art history are incorporated into the introduction of certain art projects.
Creative Design 2 (Art 204)
This art class further develops each student’s skills and understanding of visual fundamentals in two-dimensional design and three-dimensional creative design. It focuses on applied arts such as hand-made Book Design, Ceramics, as well as fine arts such as Collage, Assemblage, Painting, and Sculpture. 1st semester, students will apply the fundamental visual design elements and principles as they create themed, larger mixed-media compositions–using such material as matte medium, torn and cut paper, collage elements and paint on wood panel and paper. Projects are often derived from biblical passages as a guide and inspiration to creating a series of compositions and design projects. The 2nd semester emphasizes the same fundamental design elements and principles applied to 3–D design, beginning with handmade book/box design, Ceramics, followed by Sculpture projects using Ceramics, wood, metal, paint, paper, pencil, and other materials. Some allusions to art history are incorporated into the class lessons.
Every child is an artist in their own way. Art is a mix of storytelling and emotional expression. Creativity itself is from God but art comes from a person’s own heart and their personal experiences in life. In art class, students are challenged to tap into that creativity inside to see where their unique artistic talent lies.
Here at GCS, art classes begin in 2nd grade meeting once a week. This is the beginning of building a strong foundation of art using color, line, shape, form, all mixed with creativity. In 3rd grade, we add value, texture, space and perspective. These two grades cover the Elements of Art which are the tools used to create any artwork. Then 4th grades cover the Principles of Design: balance, movement, scale, emphasis, pattern, rhythm, proportion, and unity. These basic principles are utilized by an artist to arrange the elements in a project. This helps with compositional layout of their artwork and sets them up to see different possibilities in their artwork.
The next two years are about Art History. 5th grade looks at the early artists that used their art to tell a story. Then the art world shifts and in 6th grade, it is more about self and emotional expression. We study the artists that have mastered their craft, learn about how and why they created their artwork. Students are inspired by each artist to create their own unique drawings/projects each week.
Art is all around you…a person just has to take the time to learn how to be creative and once you “see it” you will never be the same.
Life is Art…paint yours colorfully!
