photo: Dcn Pat Cunningham
Images from Marianist history were created by the CCHS ceramics students for Chaminade Day 2007.Fine Arts
Graphic, Plastic, Performing Arts, Literature
February 19, 2008
In an age in which many schools are cutting back on their fine arts offerings, Central Catholic is expanding hers. Fine arts are part of a true liberal arts education. They help to humanize our students, by introducing them to the creative process. Technique in composition or production is only part of the artistic equation. Equally important, perhaps more important, is the aesthetic sense, which is developed in conjunction with the student's growing understanding of literature, theology, mathematics and history.
The performing arts include our award-winning Mighty Button Band. The band has many faces: the marching band, featured during football season and marching contest, is the organization most San Antonians recognize. This band performs at games and parades. The concert band is the full ensemble, studying both modern and classical works. The jazz band, the Button Big Band, performs in smaller venues and is known for its professional sound. And the JROTC band, one of only two in Texas, supports the JROTC brigade drills.
New to the performing arts is our concert choir. This
all-male ensemble, new to 2008-9, will pray with the CCHS community
at worship, but will also perform music of all periods, sacred and
secular, during its own concert season. In time, we believe
this will be a highly competitive musical organization recognized
for the distinctiveness of its sound.
CCHS and Providence High School have a drama program that has attracted wide attention by its performance of such works as Midsummer Night's Dream, Annie, and Dead Man Walking.
In the field of studio art, CCHS has both graphic art (Art I and
II) and plastic art (Ceramics I and II). The art teacher
works with classes of 12-15 students to develop both their skills
and their appreciation for the various styles of art. They
also support our Marianist Heritage month and week by works with
Marianist themes.
In the field of photography, a select number of students may develop their art through the journalism department. Students must prepare a portfolio of pictures, in color and black and white, in the news, sports, and art categories.
Students may also elect to take Creative Writing as a fine art. The English department makes this elective available so that students may study and grow in their ability to write poetry and short stories.
Students may also elect to study the long poem The Aeneid as a fine art in Latin AP-Vergil. This great epic helps students develop their love of classical poetry, and their ability to write and appreciate literary works.
