Art & Music

• helps students to become more visually aware by encouraging them to learn how to look at art and to challenge their immediate reactions and sensibilities.

• build a familiarity with the vocabulary of seeing, helping students to most effectively view, create, and understand art Through classroom discussion and question and answer method, students explore how artists use form, color, composition, light, and shape to support their creative ideas.

• teaches art history as part of a social continuum. Our students study the political, social and religious movements that define a period in history and discuss how the art fits within this social order.

• believes that technical skill development is an essential part of the Visual Arts curriculum as it forms the basis for creative visual problem solving. By mastering various techniques, individual artistic ideas can be successfully executed.

• utilize the resources of New York City. With a curriculum that is flexible and alive, specific museum experiences are designed allowing our students to become comfortable exploring, observing and analyzing museum collections

We believe that our integrated studio art and art history curriculum both meet and exceed National and New York State learning standards in the arts. Students develop skill in perception, analysis and critical judgment by evaluating works of art. By stimulating and developing natural creativity, students gain knowledge, beliefs and values to make personal artistic decisions. Students are able to connect their visual art learning to other arts and to disciplines outside the arts, both within the Hunter community and beyond. Learning to respect and value differences in ways of thinking, working and expressing ideas are the tools for understanding the world and making a contribution.

• guides each students musical development, beginning by mastering the fundamentals - form, theory, acoustics, music reading and notation skills,

• integrates composition as a tool for applied learning and invention. Our students explore and practice the form and structure of music, including the creation of individual compositions in our digital MAC lab.

• provides an extensive multi-level performance program that compliments classroom instruction through applicable contemporary and historical repertoire.

• utilizes our unique New York City location and makes supplemental enrichment experiences available to our students by facilitating attendance at wide variety of performances. 

Our music curriculum both meets and exceeds National and New York State learning standards in the arts. Skills in analysis, evaluation and synthesis help students develop critical judgment. The discipline of playing and performing builds individual integrity and group dedication. By stimulating and developing natural creativity, students arrive at knowledge, beliefs and values for making personal artistic decisions. Exposure to a wide range of styles enables students to express preferences and opinions with confidence. Learning to respect and value differences in ways of thinking, working and communicating ideas are the tools for understanding the world and making a contribution.

Performance electives are available for students’ grade 7-12. Classes offered include Concert Choir, Junior Chorus, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Junior Orchestra, Senior Orchestra, Band, Jr. Jazz Band, Sr. Jazz Ensemble, and Chamber Music. There are several opportunities throughout the school year for these groups to perform for the larger school community.