Fine Arts Courses

Band 9 is a performance based class where students playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments further their love of music through daily group activities and rehearsals that build their skills and expand their appreciation for many forms of music. Skills are built not only through daily class work, but also through public performances and festivals. Emphasis is placed on individual and group growth and development through work on the development of basic music skills, theory, music history, rhythm, sight reading and technique.

One of the goals of participating in Band is that a student's self image, confidence and level of responsibility will grow through the activities that take place. Another goal, is that each student will continue to grow in their musical abilities, allowing them to take on greater musical challenges and be exposed to a wider selection of musical repertoire. 

Instrumental Music 10, 20, 30 is a performance based class where students playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments further their love of music through daily group activities and rehearsals that build their skills and expand their appreciation for many forms of music. Skills are built not only through daily class work, but also through public performances and festivals. Emphasis is placed on individual and group growth and development through work on the development of basic music skills, theory, music history, rhythm, sight reading and technique.  

One of the goals of participating in Band is that a student's self image, confidence and level of responsibility will grow through the activities that take place. Another goal, is that each student will continue to grow in their musical abilities, allowing them to take on greater musical challenges and be exposed to a wider selection of musical repertoire.

Please contact Scott Davidson for more information

Choral Music 10/20/30

Students interested in being involved require no formal training, just a love of choral music and a willingness to contribute their voice to a collective sound. Those who wish to participate in this program should register for Choral Music 10/20/30. They will then be put into the appropriate ensemble for their skill level and timetable requirements.

The choral music program typically features three ensembles:

• Mixed Chorus (two flex blocks/week – 5 credits)
• Women’s Chorus (after school, two days/week – 5 credits)
• Chamber Choir (flex/after school – 5 credits)

Please contact Stephanie McFarlane for more information

Dance 9 is an introduction to the exciting world of dance. We will explore unit such as rhythm & music, ballet, hiphop, cultural dance, creative/modern dance, and jazz.  Each semester we hope to have a performance goal to demonstrate our growth.  

Dance 15 (5 credits) Prerequisite: None

Dance 15 provides opportunities to study various forms and aspects of dance. These may include Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Modern, Rhythm, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy and dance history. Classes are structured to focus on individual improvement in strength, technique, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. A performance opportunity during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence. 

Dance 25 (5 credits) Prerequisite: Dance 15

Dance 25 offers students the opportunity to further expand their dance skills and knowledge of dance. Genres of dance explored may include Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Rhythm, Modern, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy and dance history. Classes are designed to focus on strengthening previously developed skills in technique, strength, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to further develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. Performance opportunities during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence. 

Dance 35 (5 credits) Prerequisite: Dance 25

Dance 35 offers students with a strong interest in dance the opportunity to further expand their skills and knowledge. Genres of dance explored may include the study of Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Ballet, Rhythm, Modern, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy, and dance history. Classes are designed to focus on developing advanced skills in technique, strength, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to further develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. Performance opportunities during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence. 

Dance Composition 35 (5 credits) Prerequisite: General Dance 15

Dance Composition 35 provides an intensive study which enables students to investigate their personal choreographic voice. Students will have the opportunity to experience the role of choreographer – from concept/idea development, to audition, to the rehearsal process, to the production designs, and finally to the actual performance. Students will learn concepts and tools to generate creative movement and new and creative ways to incorporate this movement into a composition. 

Please contact Alisha Hornberger for more information

Digital Media 10, 20, 30 (Communication Technology Program of Studies)

This strand introduces (10 level), builds upon (20 level) and specializes (30 level) students skills in the Adobe 2019 software packages (ie Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects, InDesign, Dreamweaver (HTML), Audition, etc.).

The areas of study include graphic design, digital video production, animation, interactive presentation, digital photography, digital image manipulation, electronic layout and publishing, web design, audio mixing, and printing (large format and/or 3D).

Some of our project-based learning challenges activities include:  T-shirt print and design, producing a video, event poster, photo shoots and editing, page layouts for print and digital publishing.  Students are encouraged to create a portfolio of their work.  Career pathways and post-secondary opportunities are discussed at each level.

Please note:  5 30-Level credits in this strand is approved as a 5^th course requirement at The University of Lethbridge.

Please contact Amanda Sequeira for more information

Click here to check out projects from current and past Chinook students

Drama 9, 10, 20/30 

Chinook High School is home to a vibrant theatre community.  If you want to join the drama family, these courses are your entry point!  Drama 9 and 10 are open to everyone, no matter your experience level.  Drama is a great place to make friends, and to laugh so hard you cry…  It’s also a place where you will learn tremendous skills and an appreciation for drama as an art form.      

Drama develops the whole person — emotionally, physically, intellectually, imaginatively, aesthetically and socially.  Drama classes foster positive group interaction as students learn to make accommodations in order to pursue shared goals.  Dramatic growth parallels the natural development of the student and is encouraged in a non-competitive atmosphere that is cooperative, supportive, joyful yet challenging.

The overall goal of drama is to encourage positive self-concepts in students by allowing them to explore life through the assumption of roles and by the acquisition of dramatic skills. Various forms of reflection provide the knowledge essential for self-development. Throughout the semester, students study improvisation, movement, voice, storytelling, acting, monologue and scene work.

Technical Theatre 15/25/35

If you are interested in the tech side of drama, come join the tech family at Chinook!  Technical Theatre 15, 25, 35 offers students the chance to engage in non-acting roles that are required to realize complex theatrical performances. Students will need to think and react creatively and critically while collaborating with teams to support the production and performance aspects of theatre. Students will have the opportunity to explore multiple technical roles, including stage management, sound, lighting, projection mapping, set & props, as well as costumes and makeup. Students will also develop an appreciation for the role and impact of the technical aspects of theatre as a means of communicating with an audience.

Advanced Acting 15/25/35

Ready to take your acting to the next level?  Chinook Drama can give you that chance!  This dynamic and challenging course will empower young actors to create, write and produce a show about a topic they are interested in.  In addition, you will create and practice your own unique acting method based on an exploration of modern acting innovators.       

Auditions for this class are held every January, and students must come prepared with two contrasting monologues.  This course will include some rehearsals after school and evening/weekend performances.  Students will also have the chance to perform their devised show at various festivals in Lethbridge and beyond!  

Directing 25/35

Chinook is one of few schools in the province that offers a specialized, robust directing program!  Directing 25-35 is a course series developed to meet the unique needs of students in an advanced fine arts program. This course series provides opportunities for students to explore the role of the theatre director as the creative leader of a theatrical production from the inception of an idea, through the development process of rehearsal, to the culminating performance. This course series also provides opportunities for students to build skills, confidence and leadership as they work collaboratively with others to interpret, design and facilitate a theatrical production.   

Please contact Duane Piper for more information

Guitar 9 is a performance-based class where students learn how to play the guitar. Skill levels range from beginner to expert, and everyone is included. The purpose of the class is to expand everyone's love of music through small group activities, solo projects, and guitar orchestra performances. This will build their skills to expand their appreciation for music. Skills are built not only through daily class work, but through public performances and festivals. Emphasis is placed solo performance, group orchestra performances and Rock group performances. In guitar 9 students learn Classical Guitar and Popular Guitar and focus on reading music, soloing, improvising, and learning songs. 

Guitar Orchestra 10/20/30 is a performance-based class where students learn how to play the guitar. Skill levels range from beginner to expert, and everyone is included. The purpose is to expand their love of music through small group activities and guitar orchestra rehearsals. This will build their skills to expand their appreciation for music. Skills are built through daily class work, public performances, and festivals. Emphasis is placed solo performance, group orchestra performances and rock group performances. In guitar class students learn Classical Guitar, Popular Guitar, jazz guitar and learn how to read music, solo, improvise and, work as a team. 

Please contact Scott Davidson for more information

Musical Theatre Studies 15/25/35

The Musical Theatre course is designed for students with an interest in developing stage performance skills in the areas of singing, acting and dancing. This diverse and engaging program utilizes both individual and group performance work. Students are featured in a term end showcase as part of their final performance projects.

Musical Theatre is offered in the regular timetable as a one semester, 5-credit course.

Please contact Stephanie McFarlane for more information

Rock and Pop 9 is a performance-based class where students play guitars, drums, bass guitars, piano, and sing. The purpose is to expand their love of music through group activities and rehearsals that build their skills and expand their appreciation for music. Skills are built not only through daily class work, but through public performances and festivals. Emphasis is placed on individual and group work and development through working on the development of basic music skills and theory. Students also learn how to write music. One of the main goals of this class is participating in group work. Students start a Rock Band that learn a setlist of songs to perform. They perform their set at Chinook concerts, Chinook productions, and community performances. Student's self-image, confidence and level of responsibility will grow through the activities that take place. Another goal, is that each student will continue to grow in their musical abilities, allowing them to take on greater musical challenges and be exposed to a wider selection of musical repertoire.  

Rock and Pop 10/20/30 is a performance-based class where students play guitars, drums, bass guitars, piano, and sing. The purpose is to expand their love of music through group activities and rehearsals that build their skills and expand their appreciation for music. Skills are built not only through daily class work, but through public performances and festivals. Emphasis is placed on individual and group work and development through working on the development of basic music skills and theory. Students also learn how to write music. 

One of the main goals of this class is participating in group work. Students start a Rock Band and learn a set list of songs to perform. They perform their set at Chinook concerts, Chinook productions, and community performances. Student's self-image, confidence and level of responsibility will grow through the activities that take place. Another goal, is that each student will continue to grow in their musical abilities, allowing them to take on greater musical challenges and be exposed to a wider selection of musical repertoire. 

Please contact Scott Davidson for more information

The Art 9, 10, 20, and 30 sequence of courses allows students experimentation with the use of art materials, various art media and the elements of two and three-dimensional design. Students will create and explore art through: drawing, painting, print making, sculpture, and mixed media. As students progress through the courses art projects become increasingly more challenging.  Historical and contemporary art is incorporated into each project.  Students learn to effectively critique a piece of art.

Please contact Victoria Karmali for more information