Fine Arts Academic Courses

Education in the arts is a necessary vocation of all Christians because the arts served as one of the primary means of expressing worship to Christ throughout Christian history, especially in ages past when the church held prominence over society and culture. Below is a list of the courses offered to students in preparing them to understand the Christian’s place in the arts, helping them to reclaim the arts for service to the Kingdom of God:

• AP Art History – equivalent to a college survey course. Students sit for the AP Art History exam in Spring of the academic year. This course covers the history of art in the entire human community across time and people groups, but there is a special emphasis on history of the arts in the Judeo-Christian tradition.Art History students plan and participate in Dominion Academy’s “Free Gift of Christmas” — an architectural tour of Dayton’s Downtown churches, sponsored annually.

• History of Western Music – students will study the music of the Middles Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century periods. They will study both the impact of culture on Fine Arts, specifically on music, as well as the effect of music upon culture. In addition, one quarter will be devoted to Analytical Listening: the study of the basic elements (melody, harmony, form, tone color, rhythm, etc.) and how to develop a more discriminating and appreciative ear. Music history students also enjoy several field trips and performances each year at various universities and concert venues.

• Shakespeare Theater – in the context of participating in a Shakespeare performance, the artist-in-residence, Marilyn Klaben, teaches fundamentals of classic, Elizabethan theater and English poetry. Student assignments include writing theater reviews and character studies.Theater students have an opportunity to travel to the Stratford Festival each fall, where they experience world renowned theater performances on several Stratford stages, even rubbing shoulders with professional actors and actresses in theater workshops held between performances.

• AP Poetry – Did you know that the 33% of the Bible is Hebrew poetry? The study of poetry – its forms, rhythms and devices – is necessary to a deeper understanding of the Bible and its various English translations. The study of poetry is taught separately from other components of AP English Literature and Composition because of its importance to fundamental Christian Bible reading skills.