Arts York
Encyclopedia
Arts Unionville is a four year program offered at Unionville High School specializing in dance, drama, music and visual arts Unionville High School. The high school, through an application process, takes students from all over the Greater Toronto Area
. Each year, students of the Arts Unionville program take one AU course per semester. When students reach the end of the program, they receive a certificate recognizing their completion of the program. Students still must have the required credentials in order to receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
and graduate from high school. Students of the program can expect to perform frequently in the Markham Theatre which was built with the school on a similar architectural theme. They can also expect to have their works of art exhibited in the Markham Theatre and Unionville High school. Students attend exhibitions and participate in occasional field trips out of Canada.
Note: Arts Unionville is one of four schools within the York Region District School Board that offers specialized arts programming of choice.
In recent years, due to the success of the Arts program at Unionville High School, the York Region District School Board
created additional locations for the program: in 2000 (Arts Huron), 2007 (Arts West), and 2009 (Arts Alexander Mackenzie). The Arts Huron program (at Huron Heights Secondary School
) was created as the alternative for students living in the northern areas of York Region and the GTA, the Arts West (at Westmount Collegiate Institute
) program was created as an alternative for students living in western areas of York Region and the GTA, and the Arts Alexander Mackenzie (at Alexander Mackenzie High School, Richmond Hill) program was created as an alternative for students living in central areas of York Region and the GTA. By expanding the arts programming to four schools within the four quadrants of the region, the York Region District Board has enriched and widened the arts learning environment and opportunities for students with an interest in the arts.
The program is remarkable in the communal bond students share, partly because of the comrades-in-arms attitude the program's students have towards each other, the relative freedom students are given to access the department's rooms and resources, the most commonly attributed cause being the yearly retreat to The Kinark Outdoor Center, which gives the community quality bonding time.
Students in the Arts Unionville music program participate in large ensembles as well: Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, etc.. The groups usually hold two concerts per year at Markham Theatre, one in December and the other in April. The groups have also participated in many music competitions such as the Kiwanis Festival and OBA.
Students suditioning for this program who are in Winds and String have generally achieved a Conservatory level of at least Grade 8. Pianists auditioning for this program have generally completed a Conservatory level of at least Grade 10. Many graduates from this program have completed their ARCT, and plan to continue a music career. The competition for this exclusive program is unimaginably tough, as there are over 200 students who audition, and only 20 to 30 spots are available.
At each grade level students can expect to take part in field studies to art galleries, museums, OCAD and have talks or portfolio evaluations by guest artists in a variety of artistic careers. The students' work is displayed in the school during the annual Art Show and annually in May at the Markham Theatre. Each year, students of this program are to take 2 visual art courses, one per each semester.
In grade 9, the Visual Arts Foundation Major IA course offers 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 through working with a range of materials, processes, techniques, and styles. They will learn and use methods of analysis and criticism and will study the characteristics of particular historical art periods and a selection of Canadian art and the art of other cultures. This course will introduce the theme of developing imaginative ideas and technical skills through drawing and painting. Both representational and abstract styles will be studied. Drawing concepts, the use of tone, line and volume through still life and portrait, will be developed in pencil, inks and chalks. Printmaking, through line etching, will reinforce design principles. Film animation will be studied as well. The second grade 9 course, Visual Arts Foundation Major IB, introduces topics such as sculpture, and ceramics. Students will learn about sculptural form and the design arts, through the process of making a plaque. Students will also learn about pattern and design; by designing their own wall papers and through research on Escher. Historical techniques will be explored through a thematic approach to Art History. This year during second semester, the 2nd period class participated in 1st annual Tetra Pak Creative Class Challenge. After 2 months of hard work and dedication they are announced to be the proud winners of this years challenge. [www.tetrapakcreativechallenge.com]
In grade 10, the Visual Arts Foundation Major IIA emphasizes learning through practice, building on what students know, and introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design, incorporation of the creative and design process, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connection between works of art and their historical contexts.
Greater Toronto Area
The Greater Toronto Area is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a 2006 census population of 5.5 million. The Greater Toronto Area is usually defined as the central city of Toronto, along with four regional municipalities surrounding it: Durham, Halton, Peel, and York...
. Each year, students of the Arts Unionville program take one AU course per semester. When students reach the end of the program, they receive a certificate recognizing their completion of the program. Students still must have the required credentials in order to receive the Ontario Secondary School Diploma
Ontario Secondary School Diploma
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a diploma granted to high school graduates in the province of Ontario.-Diploma requirements:The Ontario Academic Credit system applies to students from Grades 9 through 12...
and graduate from high school. Students of the program can expect to perform frequently in the Markham Theatre which was built with the school on a similar architectural theme. They can also expect to have their works of art exhibited in the Markham Theatre and Unionville High school. Students attend exhibitions and participate in occasional field trips out of Canada.
Note: Arts Unionville is one of four schools within the York Region District School Board that offers specialized arts programming of choice.
History
In the 1970s, Superintendent Stephen Bacsalmsi created the idea of a public advanced arts program. The Ontario government accepting the idea was only waiting for a new high school to be build. When Unionville High School was under construction, the Ontario government as well as local governments considered it a prime opportunity for an arts program. The program was opened in 1985, along with the opening of Unionville High School.In recent years, due to the success of the Arts program at Unionville High School, the York Region District School Board
York Region District School Board
The York Region District School Board, also known as YRDSB, is the English-language public school board for York Regional Municipality located in Ontario, Canada. The York Region District School Board is currently the province's third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 115,000 students...
created additional locations for the program: in 2000 (Arts Huron), 2007 (Arts West), and 2009 (Arts Alexander Mackenzie). The Arts Huron program (at Huron Heights Secondary School
Huron Heights Secondary School
This article is about the school in Newmarket. For the school in Kitchener, see Huron Heights Secondary School .Huron Heights Secondary School is a public high school in the York Region District School Board which opened in 1962. Additions were added in 1965 and 1969...
) was created as the alternative for students living in the northern areas of York Region and the GTA, the Arts West (at Westmount Collegiate Institute
Westmount Collegiate Institute
Westmount Collegiate Institute is a high school in the Thornhill, Ontario district of the greater city of Vaughan. It opened its doors in 1996, as part of the multi-purpose Benjamin Vaughan Complex, named for Benjamin Vaughan, the diplomat for which the city is named...
) program was created as an alternative for students living in western areas of York Region and the GTA, and the Arts Alexander Mackenzie (at Alexander Mackenzie High School, Richmond Hill) program was created as an alternative for students living in central areas of York Region and the GTA. By expanding the arts programming to four schools within the four quadrants of the region, the York Region District Board has enriched and widened the arts learning environment and opportunities for students with an interest in the arts.
Admission Process
Admission is open to all those "artistically passionate" and interested students who reside in York Region the Greater Toronto Area. Many arts students apply in Grade 8 for admission into the Grade 9 year. Although limited in space, students of Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 can apply in various areas of Arts programming (excluding the drama program). Students and parents are encouraged to visit each of the four schools to determine specific arts programming that is available at the schools, prior to the application process. Information nights are also offered to grade 8 students.Dance
The admission process for dance includes a class of ballet and modern dance. The students would then be asked to improvise with a group of 3-4 students to show their creative. Students would also be interviewed by an admission panel.Drama
The students must perform a memorized scene, work in a 90-minute workshop, and be interviewed by an admission panel.Music
Students would be given are expected to be able to sight read a piece of music, are expected to do an ear test, perform a repertoire piece, several technical studies, scales, do a written theory test, and be interviewed by an admission panel. Specific requirements apply to certain areas in the program.- Piano: Perform two pieces of Grade VIII RCMRoyal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)The Royal Conservatory of Music, also known as The Royal Conservatory, is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world...
level or equivalent. - Strings: Perform two pieces of Grade IV RCM level or equivalent.
- Vocals: Perform two contrasting solos with an accompanist
Visual Arts, Arts Unionville
Participate in a three hour workshop in which students would be judged by their contour drawings, figure proportions, and shading. Students would also have to submit a portfolio including a self portrait, a still life drawing, a sketchbook, and a sculpture or a 3D work. All pieces would have to include a description.Dance, Arts Unionville
The program works on the creative and professional skill needed to be successful in dance. The curriculum is based on ballet and modern dance. The theory includes anatomy, injury prevention, nutrients, career choices, and dance history and criticism. The students of the program are divided into companies called Dance Access and UHS Dance Company.Drama, Arts Unionville
At Arts York/Unionville, there are at least 2 classes of approximately 30 students each per grade. As it is the best program at Unionville High School, the competition for admission is really tough. Over 300 people audition for it, and only about 50 spots are available. Each year, students can look forward to studying different aspects of theatre arts including:- Mime (Grade 9)
- Movement (Grade 9)
- Choral Drama (Grade 9)
- Clown (Grade 10)
- Stand up Comedy (Grade 10)
- Scene Studies (Grade 11)
- Shakespeare (Grade 11)
- Playwritting (Grade 12)
- Stage Production (Grade 12)
The program is remarkable in the communal bond students share, partly because of the comrades-in-arms attitude the program's students have towards each other, the relative freedom students are given to access the department's rooms and resources, the most commonly attributed cause being the yearly retreat to The Kinark Outdoor Center, which gives the community quality bonding time.
Music, Arts Unionville
The program focuses on the enchancing of skills needed to become a successful musician. This department is separated into four categories. You could also be in musical arts-piano, musical arts-winds, musical arts-strings, and musical arts-vocal. Classes are divided into two categories - performance and muscianship. In the performance classes, students will play scales, studies, play in various small ensembles; in the musicanship classes, components such as music history, rudiments, and harmony are taught.Students in the Arts Unionville music program participate in large ensembles as well: Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, etc.. The groups usually hold two concerts per year at Markham Theatre, one in December and the other in April. The groups have also participated in many music competitions such as the Kiwanis Festival and OBA.
Students suditioning for this program who are in Winds and String have generally achieved a Conservatory level of at least Grade 8. Pianists auditioning for this program have generally completed a Conservatory level of at least Grade 10. Many graduates from this program have completed their ARCT, and plan to continue a music career. The competition for this exclusive program is unimaginably tough, as there are over 200 students who audition, and only 20 to 30 spots are available.
Visual Arts, Arts Unionville
The Visual Arts program provides opportunities for individual creative and imaginative growth as well as development of technical skills. Students of this program will be introduced to experimental and traditional directions in drawing and painting. They will also specialize in sculpture, photography, printmaking (etching and silkscreen), ceramics, textiles and video. There will also be studies in the history of art and critical analyses of one's own work. The student's discovery of individual strengths and directions is a prime focus. For the purpose of developing the aptitudes of talented students interested in the Visual Arts, programs are being offered in all four years.At each grade level students can expect to take part in field studies to art galleries, museums, OCAD and have talks or portfolio evaluations by guest artists in a variety of artistic careers. The students' work is displayed in the school during the annual Art Show and annually in May at the Markham Theatre. Each year, students of this program are to take 2 visual art courses, one per each semester.
In grade 9, the Visual Arts Foundation Major IA course offers 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 through working with a range of materials, processes, techniques, and styles. They will learn and use methods of analysis and criticism and will study the characteristics of particular historical art periods and a selection of Canadian art and the art of other cultures. This course will introduce the theme of developing imaginative ideas and technical skills through drawing and painting. Both representational and abstract styles will be studied. Drawing concepts, the use of tone, line and volume through still life and portrait, will be developed in pencil, inks and chalks. Printmaking, through line etching, will reinforce design principles. Film animation will be studied as well. The second grade 9 course, Visual Arts Foundation Major IB, introduces topics such as sculpture, and ceramics. Students will learn about sculptural form and the design arts, through the process of making a plaque. Students will also learn about pattern and design; by designing their own wall papers and through research on Escher. Historical techniques will be explored through a thematic approach to Art History. This year during second semester, the 2nd period class participated in 1st annual Tetra Pak Creative Class Challenge. After 2 months of hard work and dedication they are announced to be the proud winners of this years challenge. [www.tetrapakcreativechallenge.com]
In grade 10, the Visual Arts Foundation Major IIA emphasizes learning through practice, building on what students know, and introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes for artistic thinking and experimentation. Student learning will include the refined application of the elements and principles of design, incorporation of the creative and design process, and the relationship between form and content. Students will also learn about the connection between works of art and their historical contexts.
Notable Arts Alumni
- Dance
- Emanuel SandhuEmanuel SandhuEmanuel Sandhu is a Canadian figure skater and dancer. He is a three-time Canadian national champion and the 2004 Grand Prix champion.-Personal life:...
- Figure skater - Megan White - WNBA Power Forward
- Emanuel Sandhu
- Drama
- Hayden ChristensenHayden ChristensenHayden Christensen is a Canadian actor. He appeared in Canadian television programs when he was young, then diversified into American television in the late 1990s. He moved on to minor acting roles before being praised for his role of Sam in Life as a House, for which he was nominated for a Golden...
- Actor - Nathan Stephenson - Actor
- Lani BillardLani BillardLani Billard is a Canadian actress who played Busy Ramone on the popular television series Ready or Not from 1993–1997. Before that she was on a show called F.R.O.G. on TVO. Since then Lani has only appeared in Owning Mahowny where she played Tori the Teller...
- Actor - Emmanuelle ChriquiEmmanuelle ChriquiEmmanuelle Sophie Anne Chriqui is a Canadian film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role on HBO's Entourage as Sloan McQuewick, as well as the love interest of Adam Sandler in the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan...
- Actor - Bill Welychca - Former Much Music VJ - A News Channel Correspondent
- Christina CoxChristina CoxChristina Cox is a Canadian movie and television actress and stuntwoman.-Biography:Christina Cox was born just outside of Toronto, the youngest of three daughters. Her two sisters are named Tracey and Melissa...
- Actor
- Hayden Christensen
See also
- Alexander Mackenzie High School
- Huron Heights Secondary SchoolHuron Heights Secondary SchoolThis article is about the school in Newmarket. For the school in Kitchener, see Huron Heights Secondary School .Huron Heights Secondary School is a public high school in the York Region District School Board which opened in 1962. Additions were added in 1965 and 1969...
- Westmount Collegiate Institute
- Unionville High School
- York Region District School BoardYork Region District School BoardThe York Region District School Board, also known as YRDSB, is the English-language public school board for York Regional Municipality located in Ontario, Canada. The York Region District School Board is currently the province's third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 115,000 students...