Fine arts
From music and illustration to digital photography and full motion graphics, students at Roman Catholic High School can explore their passions and talents across many arts.
Learning both practical application and theory, Cahillites can progress from beginners to advanced artists ready for higher education in arts-related fields. Tour our state-of-the-art Howard Center and see the facilities available to young artists.
Fine Arts Department Chair
Mrs. Shannon Gallagher
Fine arts teachers
Mr. Zachariah Demusz '18
Mrs. Shannon Gallagher
Dr. Kyle Krause
Mr. John Pensabene
Mr. Ian Taylor
Fine arts courses
Studio Art I
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This course is an introduction to Art. The basic fundamentals of the elements and principles of design are taught. Students will work with a variety of materials and subject matter. Emphasis is placed on studio production, supplemented with art history, aesthetics, and criticism. Class production and homework are required.
Studio Art II
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In this course, students are introduced to a more sophisticated approach to ideas and subject matter. The fundamentals taught in Art I are applied in a more creative and developed manner. Experimentation in new media and graphic design is taught.
Studio Art III
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In this course, students will continue the exploration of processes and techniques taught in Art I and II. Coursework combines the creative use of various media with student investigation of artistic styles and concepts. Students begin larger scale, sustained works. The design and development of individual projects is introduced and encouraged. Art careers and college applications are discussed.
Studio Art IV
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In this course, students will work toward building a cohesive portfolio. Projects highlight students' conceptual interests, technical development and quality, and exploration of personal style. Throughout the year, students evaluate the impact of different media and techniques on personal expression, while identifying the processes that best suit their own goals. Students engage in critique and peer-to-peer assessment, with emphasis on employing the vocabulary of formal analysis. Art careers and college applications are discussed.
PAFA Program
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Roman Catholic High School offers advanced art classes through a program at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). The John McShain Charities, Inc. and John H. Ball sponsor this program. Students in this program have the opportunity to earn college credits. The curriculum is based on the fundamentals of art accompanied by demonstrations, critiques, and visits to the museum. Students create drawings of natural objects from the Academy’s Nature Lab, as well as casts and live models.
Students attend this program’s classes after the regular school day for a period of 2.5 hours, once a week throughout the 15-week semester.
Students receive marks on their report cards at the end of each semester. The school may withhold marks if the student has been absent more than the allotted time according to PAFA regulations. Students will not be dropped from the program during any given term; failure to improve in attendance will result in prohibition from enrolling the following term.
Prerequisites: Good background in drawing; presentation of the student’s portfolio and approval of the department chair. Students in grades 9 through 12 may be eligible to participate.
Intro to Music
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This course is designed to give the beginning student a basic-level instrumental music education through participation in band. The daily objective of the course is to develop strong fundamental skills playing one of the band instruments and to learn and apply basic music theory such as pitch and rhythm notation, major and minor scales, expressive phrasing, and ensemble coordination.
Students in this class will participate in limited performance opportunities throughout the year. As a member of the band program, each student is expected to pursue individual growth as a musician, and to uphold their social responsibility as an integral member of the group.
Intermediate Music
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This course is designed to advance the skills and knowledge of students who already have some experience playing an instrument in band. This class facilitates progressive improvement to musicianship in a variety of musical styles. Daily objectives of the course include developing formal knowledge and understanding of music theory, technical skill development on an instrument, and performance of ensemble repertoire.
Students in this class will participate in limited performance opportunities throughout the year. As a member of the band program, each student is expected to pursue individual growth as a musician, and to uphold their social responsibility as an integral member of the group.
Advanced Music I, II, III & IV
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The Advanced Music courses are designed to facilitate an enriching and diverse music education for students who have substantial experience and demonstrable achievement playing instrumental music. The daily objective of the course is to foster and promote musical growth through the playing of an instrument in varied contexts and stylistic traditions.
This class provides a number of performance opportunities for the student in a variety of settings. As a member of the band program, each student is expected to pursue individual growth as a musician, and to uphold their social responsibility as an integral member of the group. Advanced Music students are divided into levels I, II, & III, with an increase in challenges at each tier.
Piano
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The Piano course provides students with individualized training in piano technique, music performance, and music literacy. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore repertoire from different cultures and historical periods, and to engage in piano music as it relates to their lives today. Students will learn to play music from written notation, as well as to transcribe music by ear and create new music through arrangement and composition.
The course is tailored to students with varying degrees of musical knowledge and ability, so no prior experience playing the piano is necessary, but students who can already play the piano will still be challenged to advance their skills.
Digital Photography
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This course introduces students to the specialized techniques used in digital photography at an advanced level. Students will learn and apply such concepts as depth of field, shutter speed, and use of light. In conjunction with digital photography, the students will be exposed to the digital darkroom. Through the use of Photoshop, students will learn how to improve their post-production photographs. Students will also learn how to manipulate pictures to create special photographic effects.
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This course introduces students to the specialized techniques used in digital photography at the fundamental level. Students will learn and apply such concepts as depth of field, shutter speed, and use of light. In conjunction with digital photography, the students will be exposed to the digital darkroom. Through the use of Photoshop, students will learn how to improve their post-production photographs. Students will also learn how to manipulate pictures to create special photographic effects.
Digital Video
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This course will focus on the basics of digital video production. Specific course topics include: basics of project management for digital video production; fundamentals of video composition; video production elements and terminology; preparation of video files for TV and web; and understanding the Adobe Premiere Pro interface and production process. Students will be expected to create video content for Roman’s weekly news program, website, and social media accounts. Students will be responsible to complete their assignments in a specific time period.
Note: Students will be required to produce content outside of scheduled class time as necessary and should be comfortable appearing in videos that will be shown to members of the Roman community.