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The Arts

T.A.Blakelock High School offers a wide range of Arts courses from Grades 9 to 12, including drama, music, media arts and visual arts. Whether you're new or experienced, these courses foster creativity, collaboration and critical thinking while preparing students for future pathways.

Dramatic Arts

The Dramatic Arts at Blakelock has something for everyone. Building on the foundations of the creative process and constructive behaviour, the program encourages personal growth, reflection, expression, risk-taking and excellence. We always push students to create new and original work within each course. 

Not an actor but want to explore your creativity? Check out some of our production and film courses for a more technological and hands on experience. Whoever you are, come learn in a fun and positive environment; we have a place for you.

Arts & Culture SHSM

One of the unique and highly rewarding opportunities you will have at Blakelock is the Specialist High Skills Major, or SHSM. The opportunity is offered at all Halton schools but only a select few have The Arts & Culture sector.

Here, it is offered for students looking to have an in-depth experience in the Performing Arts. If accepted to this program in grade 11/12, students receive intensive training with community artists and reach ahead initiatives to connect with industry professionals and post-secondary institutions.

The presence of this program in the school results in innovative technology offered to SHSM and non-SHSM students alike as well as experiences that inevitably filter down to all student in this subject area. Hosting the program here is ultimately enriching for all of our students. Just one more thing that makes Blakelock great.

 

 

Music

The music department at Thomas A. Blakelock High School is widely recognized for its excellence, creativity, and community spirit. Offering a diverse range of ensembles, including concert bands, jazz bands and choirs, the department provides students with rich opportunities to develop their musicianship and perform at a high level.

The Music Council also provides leadership opportunities and guides the initiatives of the students each year. Blakelock musicians regularly excel at regional and provincial festivals, showcasing their dedication and artistry. Beyond performance, the program emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

With passionate teachers and an inclusive, supportive environment, the T.A.Blakelock Music Department continues to be a vibrant cornerstone of the school’s culture and success.

Visual Arts

The intention of our program is to help students develop their creative skills and to build the discipline necessary to achieve their artistic goals. Our program allows students to explore a variety of 2-D and 3-D media. Creating and using imagery effectively will expand all students' opportunities for communication and for success. We encourage each student to build upon their individual talents and abilities.  

Having the opportunity to be creative and reflective is beneficial for all students.  Engaging in the act of creation provides a means of processing human experience and affords a therapeutic benefit in the form of stress management. Our goal is to ensure that, whatever their pathway, students will be able to incorporate visual communication into their skill set. Students today are inundated with images. Teaching them to create, utilize, contextualize and effectively interpret those images is an important and transferable life skill.

The Arts Course Descriptions

Grades 9-12

This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms and techniques, using material from a wide range of sources and cultures.

Students will use the elements of drama to examine situations and issues that are relevant to their lives. Students will create, perform, discuss, and analyse drama, and then reflect on the experiences to develop an understanding of themselves, the art form, and the world around them.


Prerequisite: None

This course provides opportunities for students to explore dramatic forms, conventions, and techniques.

Students will explore a variety of dramatic sources from various cultures and representing a range of genres. Students will use the elements of drama in creating and communicating through dramatic works. Students will assume responsibility for decisions made in the creative and collaborative processes and will reflect on their experiences.

Prerequisite: None

This course requires students to create and perform in dramatic presentations.

Students will analyse, interpret, and perform dramatic works from various cultures and time periods. Students will research various acting styles and conventions that could be used in their presentations, and analyse the functions of playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technicians, and audiences.


Prerequisites: Drama, Grade 9 or 10, Open

This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and
conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods. Students will
interpret dramatic literature and other texts and media sources while learning about various
theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in
various cultures, and will analyse how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related
to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.


Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 11, University/College preparation

ONLINE: This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music.

Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. This course focuses on Music and Computers.

Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10 Open

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.

Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10 Open

This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances. Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music.


Prerequisite: Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

9th Credit - Full Year Course done on student’s lunch hour

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination.

Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities.

Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.


Prerequisite: None

This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.


Prerequisite: Music, Grade 9 or 10 Open

This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances.

Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.


Prerequisite: Music, Grade 11, University/College Preparation

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience and is aimed at developing technique, sensitivity, and imagination. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and analytical activities. Students will develop an understanding of the conventions and elements of music and of safe practices related to music, and will develop a variety of skills transferable to other areas of their life.

This course enables students to develop their skills in producing and presenting art by introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic exploration and experimentation. Students will apply the elements and principles of design when exploring the creative process. Students will use the critical analysis process to reflect on and interpret art within a personal, contemporary, and historical context.


Prerequisite: None

This course emphasizes the creation and performance of music at a level consistent with previous experience. Students will develop musical literacy skills by using the creative and critical analysis processes in composition, performance, and a range of reflective and
analytical activities. Students will develop their understanding of musical conventions, practices, and terminology and apply the elements of music in a range of activities. They will also explore the function of music in society with reference to the self, communities, and cultures.

This course provides students with opportunities to develop their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music, including traditional, commercial, and art music. Students will apply the creative process when performing appropriate technical exercises and repertoire and will employ the critical analysis processes when reflecting on, responding to, and analysing live and recorded performances. Students will consider the function of music in society and the impact of music on individuals and communities. They will explore how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers. 


Prerequisite: Music Grade 9 or 10, Open

This course enables students to enhance their musical literacy through the creation, appreciation, analysis, and performance of music. Students will perform traditional, commercial, and art music, and will respond with insight to live and recorded performances. Students will enhance their understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves and various communities and cultures. Students will analyse how to apply skills developed in music to their life and careers.


Prerequisite - Music, Grade 11, University College Preparation

This course focuses on the development of media arts skills through the production of art works involving traditional and emerging technologies, tools, and techniques such as new media, computer animation, and web environments.

Students will explore the evolution of media arts as an extension of traditional art forms, use the creative process to produce effective media art works, and critically analyse the unique characteristics of this art form. Students will examine the role of media artists in shaping audience perceptions of identity, culture, and values.


Prerequisite: Media Arts, Grade 10, Open

This course enables students to create media art works using available and emerging technologies such as computer animation, digital imaging, and video, and a variety of media.

Students will explore the elements and principles of media arts, the connections between contemporary media art works and traditional art forms, and the importance of using responsible practices when engaged in the creative process. Students will develop the skills necessary to create and interpret media art works.


Prerequisite: None

This course requires students to experiment individually and collaboratively with forms and conventions of both drama and theatre from various cultures and time periods.

Students will interpret dramatic literature and other texts and media sources while learning about various theories of directing and acting. Students will examine the significance of dramatic arts in various cultures, and will analyse how the knowledge and skills developed in drama are related to their personal skills, social awareness, and goals beyond secondary school.

Prerequisite: Drama, Grade 11, University/College preparation

This course is exploratory in nature, offering an overview of visual arts as a foundation for further study.

Students will become familiar with the elements and principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials by using a range of media, processes, techniques, and styles. Students will use the creative and critical analysis processes and will interpret art within a personal, contemporary, and historical context.

Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on studio activities in one or more of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, collage, and/or multimedia art. Students will use the creative process to create artworks that reflect a wide range of subjects and will evaluate works using the critical analysis process. Students will also explore works of art within a personal, contemporary, historical, and cultural context.

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