Departments

The school's curriculum combines intensive arts training with a rigorous academic program. In every aspect of the curriculum, the Baltimore School for the Arts emphasize self-awareness, self-discipline and personal motivation. The students learn how to think independently and take responsibility for their lives. Twenty periods a week are devoted to academic subjects and twenty to the student's art major.

ACADEMICS: The academic program at the Baltimore School for the Arts is a college preparatory program that includes honors and advanced placement level courses.

Courses include: English, Honors English, Advanced Placement English, Integrated Mathematics Algebra I & II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Earth Science, Biology, Conceptual Physics, Physics, Chemistry, French I -IV, American Government-Urban Growth, U.S. History, World History, Senior Seminar in Arts and Cultural, and Physical Education-Health.

DANCE: A comprehensive curriculum of classes in traditional ballet and modern techniques prepares students for advanced college-level dance programs, as well as for future work with professional dance companies-both modern and ballet-and theatrical, television or film productions.

Courses include: Ballet I-IV, Modern I-IV, Pointe I-IV, Men's Technique, Pas de Deux, Dramatic Expression, Music for Dancers, Dance History, Ballet Repertoire, and Modern Repertoire.

MUSIC: The music program provides comprehensive preparation in vocal or instrumental music. Students participate in a variety of performance ensembles, receive weekly private music lessons and study music theory and literature. Students who qualify may take Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement examinations in music literature and music theory.

Courses include: Music Theory I-IV, Electro-Acoustic Music Composition, Music Literature I-IV, Keyboard I-II, Diction I-IV (English, Italian, French, German), Performance Ensembles (Chorus, Chamber Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Ensembles, Saxophone Quartet, String and Piano Chamber Music, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra), and Private Lesson (Vocal and Instrumental).

THEATRE: The theatre department offers two areas of concentration: acting and theatre production. The acting program consists of sequential course work that begins with self-exploration and improvisation before moving on to scene study, rehearsal and performance. The theatre production program consists of class work and practical work on stage productions. Students learn basic skills, then assume positions of responsibility on productions for the Theatre, Dance and Music Departments.

Acting courses include: Acting I-IV, Shakespeare, Scenic Arts I & II, Vocal Studio I-IV (Linklater and Lessac), Movement I - IV, Dramatic Literature, Musical Theatre, and Audition Studio.

Production courses include: Acting I, Theatre Games, Costuming I & II, Drafting, Dramatic Literature, Scenic Art I & II, Scenic Design, Movement I, Stage Lighting, Stage Management, Sound, Production Practicum, Theatre History and Video.

VISUAL ART: The visual arts program provides a solid foundation in drawing, design, painting and sculpture, with emphasis on the human figure. Advanced level courses in a variety of media encourage intellectual curiosity, conceptual skills and development of personal expressions. Students who qualify may take the Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement Art History Examination.

Courses include: Introduction to Art, Art History I & II, Drawing I-III, 2-D Design, 3-D Design, Sculpture I & II, Painting I-IV, Photography and Digital Arts I & II, Ceramics I & II, Printmaking I & II, and Mixed Media.

Beyond the Classroom: Performance, exhibitions and our visiting artists program are an important part of the educational process. The school's dance, music and theatre departments present two performance festivals each year - "Winter Celebration" and "Spring Performances" - to which the public is invited. The visual arts department mounts six exhibitions of students, alumni and faculty work each year in the school's Alcazar Gallery.

Students participate in numerous recitals, presentations and an annual series of master classes conducted by nationally and internationally renowned visiting artists. Our students also gain professional experience through the school's affiliations with local arts cultural and civic institutions, such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Center Stage, Everyman Theatre, and Peabody Conservatory.

Faculty

More than 50% of BSA's faculty have been with the school for 10-20 years. There are nine full-time arts faculty members and 17 full-time academic faculty members. The core of the arts faculty is composed of professional artists with a specific area of expertise and who teach at the school on a part-time basis. The part-time faculty of approximately 90 professional artists provide a critical link between the BSA students and the professional arts world.