The Arts Department at Gann Academy encompasses a full range of academic courses, clubs, and performing organizations. All of this activity is dedicated to the following goals:

1. Providing the opportunity for students already committed to an art form to develop their skills and artistic vision under the tutelage of working, professional artists.
2. Providing the opportunity and inspiration for those not already involved in the arts to discover their own creativity, and experience the power of the world's masterpieces.
3. For all students to leave our school having gained a level of cultural literacy that will allow them to address the human experience with the open heart and mind required to be an informed and compassionate citizen of our strange and complicated world.

Students are required to take at least eight trimesters in the arts over four years, but are free to choose which courses they take.

This course will focus on individual and scene work. The class will explore commitment to the imagination, clarity of thought and intentions, and understanding text. Students will work on monologues and scenes, with a few exercises thrown in. This class requires self-discipline and personal motivation. Open to students who have previously taken an acting class at Gann Academy. 

The Advanced Drawing and Painting course includes "Drawing Portraits", "Abstract Painting", and "Advanced Painting Studio". Art History and critiques are incorporated into the class and students are expected to work independently. "Intro to Drawing and Painting" is required as a prerequisite. 

Why do people go to museums? Why do people travel thousands of miles just to see a painting? In this course we will unlock the beauty and expression of great paintings. We will learn how to analyze works of art according to composition, color, light and form. Through class discussions, art projects, and readings we will begin to develop a strong art vocabulary in order to talk about art in a sophisticated manner. Although this is primarily a purely academic course, some drawing and/or painting will be required.  

An in-depth exploration of contemporary ceramic sculpture for all levels. Every trimester, we will choose at least one master sculptor and study his or her techniques and stylistic choices and learn from their mastery. This trimester we will be studying the figurative work of Christine Federighi and learning from her expertise. Students will then search into their own lives and express themselves in meaningful ways while learning the basic elements of art and design. 

An in depth hands-on exploration of ceramic vessels through the lens of Greek Pottery for all levels. Every trimester will be a different experiential journey into historical ceramics. As we learn about masterful potters, we learn the techniques and styles that worked so well and have lasted through time. Then, we make them our own in a contemporary teenage Jewish way. Students will learn techniques for personal expression in clay and glazes.  

This is a class for students interested in learning, rehearsing, and, ultimately, performing music with others. Some musical study and ability is required, but students of various levels of experience are encouraged to participate in small groups (2-4 musicians). The regular rehearsals offer students an opportunity to improve their technical skills - both playing and listening. Students will be study and perform some of the great chamber music of the past 250 years: Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann - up to the most recent music written by student composers at Gann Academy. 

Students will sing music from different genres of the Jewish choral repertoire. Aspects of singing, musicianship skills, and ensemble buildingare emphasized. Students will learn the basics of sight singing and vocal production. The chorus will perform at different venues in the Boston area. 

Good writing not only informs its readers, it renews their awareness of the terrors and wonders of the startling world. What makes one piece of writing stronger and deeper than lesser pieces? Our goals as writers do not merely include creating a world that holds our readers spellbound, but also give these readers a fresh perspective on their relation to the world outside the poem, story, and essay. Over the course of the year, the class will examine classic and contemporary poetry, short fiction, and various areas of creative non-fiction as the basis for three individual trimester-long discussions on craft and composition. To develop writing instincts, students will become familiar with certain terminologies and techniques as well as with major contemporary poets and writers of this and past eras. The more quality writing a student reads, the more that high standard will filter into writing and the more one will become aware of where ones own writing fits into this dialogue between past and present, between internal self and the world that surrounds it. And, as practice is the surest way to make progress, students will also write several poems, stories, and creative and investigate essays, respectively, and comment astutely on those of your peers.  

This course will focus on theater as a collaborative art. The class will explore elements of the imagination, focus, character, personal interaction, and working as a group. This is not an improv class, but students will use many improv exercises throughout the year. Emphasis will be placed on personal application and cooperation. No previous acting experience required. 

From D.W. Griffith to Cecil B. DeMille, through the complex web of Hitchcock to the blockbusting technique of Spielberg, movies have captured the imagination of the world. Throughout the year, the class explores the roots of cinema and forays from the earliest days of silent films through the time of talkies and nickelodeons to the era of blockbusters and modern Hollywood. By the end of the year, the students will have gained a firm understanding of the cinematic language and an appreciation for the cinematic art. 

Students learn traditional techniques of observational drawing and painting using a variety of media including charcoal, ink, and paint. This is a foundation course which is required for more advanced painting classes. 

Lights-Camera-Actually, there is a lot more that goes into moviemaking than most people realize. This course explores the art and science of creating a motion picture, from storyboarding and camera work to sound mixing and editing. In conclusion to the course, the class will create its own short movies. 

The Jazz Ensemble is a combo sized improvising band that performs standard jazz repertoire by the likes of Miles Davis, Cole Porter, Gershwin, etc. Previous exposure to jazz is advised. Auditions are required.  

This class is open to anyone with an interest in movement and dance. Class will begin with a warm-up to get students comfortable in their bodies, and will expose students to both modern dance technique and creative process. Trimester option. 

Each trimester will begin with a unit on the fundamental structures of music (rhythm, melody, harmony and form) and the development of listening skills. Each term addresses the development of these musics and the social and historical contexts in which they occur.
1st Trimester - Popular Music: Think "popular" just means Rock music? Think again. We'll listen to music from the 13th century French troubadours through the songs on this week's charts and everything in between.
2nd Trimester - Jazz: Jazz is the only art form born and bred in the USA. Jazz is a virtuostic and challenging music, full of passion and filled with larger than life personalities. Its improvisational core means it is fresh and newly invented everyday. Jazz history is the history of America in the 20th century.
3rd Trimester - Classical: The history of the European art music tradition from Gregorian chant to the 20th century. Why does 200 year old music still have such enormous power to move us today? We'll examine masterworks such as Beethoven's symphonies and Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring'.  

Music Theory and Composition are dedicated to the development of musicianship and artistry. Through a series of composition projects the students develop their knowledge and skills in the areas of rhythm, melody, form, harmony and notation. Ear training (the identification and production of intervals, chords etc) is also emphasized. Students will present a recital of their work at the end of each trimester.

Prerequisites: Students must have previous instrumental experience; all styles are welcome.

Trimester 1 – Intro to Music Theory In addition to extensive ear training, projects center on the development of melody and counter-melody (bass line) writing.

Trimester 2 – Advanced Music Theory Harmony and harmonic progression are explored through projects in 4part chorale style writing. Ear training continues.

Trimester 3 – Composition Students create original compositions in a style of their choice. Musical form is explored; ear training continues. 

This photography class is an exploration into the use of the camera, the darkroom, and artistic vision. Students will spend time in the classroom learning the technical aspects of their cameras. The class will view the history of photography and the work of contemporary photographers. In the darkroom students will begin to learn the craft of fine art black and white printing. There will be in-class critiques of student work. Each student will complete photographic and written assignments and will work on personal projects as determined with the instructor. A final portfolio will be required. Students must have a 35mm camera with manual over-ride (NO automatic cameras!). Students will be responsible for purchasing photographic paper and film for the class (a description will be provided by the instructor and will cost approximately $250 for the year).