Fine Arts
As a Fine Arts Department, we believe that as students experience our courses, they will develop many of the skills necessary to excel later in life. Fine arts (of any category) encourage creativity, build confidence, and allow our students to access another method of communication. It also aids in the development of motor skills, visual learning, collaboration, accountability and focus.
As we view, hear, reflect upon and enjoy the beauty of art, we have an opportunity to glory In God and draw closer to him.
In visual fine arts, students are introduced to modern and contemporary works of art to model themselves after and learn from. Students also have the opportunity to explore a variety of different mediums and techniques- depending on the course, there’s wheel throwing, linoleum carving, plaster casts, painting, sculpture, and etching.
As students learn how to work hard and maintain a studio art space, they will be given more opportunities to pursue their own artistic interests.
St. Thomas Aquinas Art courses include:
- Pottery
- Drawing
- Painting
- Intro to Art
- 3D Media
- Digital Photography
- Graphic Design
- Studio Art
Music
The music department encourages students to extend their creative voice through music exploration and teamwork, fostering artistic growth, and embracing traditional, hard work and determination. Students who participate in these ensembles grow together as they prepare for selected school events, music festivals, and other extracurricular opportunities.
Jazz Band is a terrific opportunity for instrumentalists and singers to dive into traditional and non-traditional ensemble pieces, develop jazz improvisation skills, embracing jazz as a truly American art form with deep international influences.
Concert Band is open to woodwind, brass, string, and percussion instrumentalists who want to explore a wide range of musical possibilities. We perform classical music, film score music, rock, spiritual, and hip-hop musical genres and are open to new musical possibilities.
School Choir is a performance ensemble where students who love to sing join their voices together and prepare repertoire from arrangements of show tunes, popular favorites, and classical masterworks. Repertoire also includes spirituals and sacred music in preparation for selected school events, festivals, and other community events. There is no audition required.
Select Choir is for those who are interested in truly blending and developing a special vocal sound, and who want to take their voices and training to the next level. We love all voice types and auditions are strongly encouraged.
Chamber Singers is the name for the smaller vocal ensemble made up of advanced singers. All students in Chamber Singers must also be enrolled in Concert Choir or concert band. The group rehearses 1-2 days per week after school and performs in all school concerts, as well as for special events. Students work to develop sight-reading skills and sing a variety of challenging music in different styles.
Other non-performance courses available at STA include:
- Music Technology
- Music Exploration
- Fundamentals of Piano
- Piano II
- Beginning Guitar
Drama
Each school year, St. Thomas High School puts on incredible drama productions. Typically one production in the fall and one in the spring. Recent productions include The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde, Footloose, and many more!