The Art & Music department believes that we are all inherently creative and the goal of our curriculum is for our students to achieve a confidence of expression through the mastery of skills.

Our Arts Curriculum combines theory with practice. In our courses, students investigate history, analyze style and then, apply these concepts to their own creative works.

Art

Visual Art Philosophy

The goal of Visual Arts instruction at Hunter College High School is to develop an understanding of how art is made and to appreciate the roles art has played through the centuries. Building skills in discovery, perception and analysis, as well as the development of technical expertise, provide the tools for creative problem-solving in individual art-making.

The creation of artworks and the understanding of creative concepts, aesthetics, and criticism are essential to one another and form the core of our integrated arts curriculum.

List of 2 items.

  • In VISUAL ART, students...

    • Study the history of art, learn to look closely at specific works and carry particular concepts into meaningful studio experiences.
    • Employ skills in discovery, perception and analysis, as well as the development of technical expertise, to solve creative problems in individual art-making.
    • May select from a wide variety of upper-term elective offerings, providing the opportunity to explore different media or develop an in-depth body of work.
  • The Visual Arts faculty...

    • 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.

Music

Music Philosophy

At Hunter College High School we believe that the study and performance of music is an integral component of a liberal arts education. Our classroom program creates educated listeners by cultivating aural skills, analytical listening, aesthetic awareness, and the historical context of various styles. Over time, our students grow to acquire sophisticated music appreciation and understanding.

Active as performers and educators in the artistic community, the department is affiliated with leading music institutions such as the New York Philharmonic, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera, National Chorale, The New York Pops, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

List of 2 items.

  • In MUSIC, students.....

    • Investigate historical context and style which partner with development of active critical listening skills.
    • Explore and practice the form and structure of music, including the creation of individual compositions in our digital MAC lab.
    • Have the valuable experience of cooperation and community through participation in a variety of shared performance opportunities
  • The Music faculty...

    • 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.

2020 Senior Strings “Vivaldi Project”

We invite you to listen and watch members of 2019-20 HCHS Senior Strings perform a movement of Vivaldi’s
Concerto for Strings in D Major.
 
Individual instrumentalists recorded their own separate part and sent the recordings to Strings member (and performer) Adam C. who through pure genius, countless hours of dedication, and I believe, magic, assembled the video and audio to produce this “virtual performance” .
 
Use of headphones is highly recommended for best audio results.

Video:Music Performances

    • Bozic-Kudric Suite for 2 Violins and Piano

      Rose Studio, Lincoln Center - 2024

    • Mendelssohn Trio in C minor for Violin Viola and Piano

      Rose Studio, Lincoln Center - 2024

    • Tchaikovsky trio opus 50 - Fall 2015

      Pezzo elegiaco (Moderato assai – Allegro giusto)Emma T. - piano , Daniel R. - violin, Memie O. - cello

    • Brahms Trio - Alice Tully Hall April 2014

      Brahms Trio Serena C.(piano), Judy L.(violin), Faith P. (viola); Alice Tully Hall April 2014

Audio:Music Performances

    • "Lyric Metal" by B. Balmages

      Performed by HCHS Senior String Orchestra - Fall 2013 - Michael Stratechuk - Director

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

Hunter College Campus Schools
71 East 94th Street 
New York, NY 10128

Elementary School: 212-860-1292
High School: 212-860-1267
Professional Photography © Laura Dwight