their own ideas through art-making. Initial projects lay the foundation for students’ portfolios, building critical skills and developing a common vocabulary to support future artistic growth. By the midpoint of the first semester, students take over and design their own year-long investigation in a single area of their choice. Emphasis is placed on the creative exploration of ideas, technical processes, and media experimentation. Integral to the course is an in-depth study of the elements of art and principles of design. Connections to art history and contemporary practices are also established where appropriate. The focused art student who elects Advanced Art Studio as a junior and successfully completes all requirements can repeat this course and develop a second portfolio in a different area of concentration as a senior. As part of their assessment, students curate and present an exhibition highlighting their work.
refining instrumental technique and skill. Students will perform as members of small groups and as members of the large ensemble. Piano, guitar, and bass guitar may be admitted by audition only. The Upper School band performs at community events and concerts outside of class.
Advanced Upper School Band Full Year (Two Semesters)
Prerequisites: Upper School Band OR Creative and Performing Arts Department recommendation This course is open to students who seek additional opportunities on their instrument outside of class and wish to accelerate personal growth on their instrument. In addition to rehearsing with the Upper School band, advanced students will be directed to prepare auditions for state festival honor bands in the fall and will be required to prepare and perform a solo for rating at the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Solo and Ensemble Festival in the spring. The Upper School band performs at community events and concerts outside of class.
Creative and Performing Arts
Arts: Stagecraft One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None
Theatrical design is collaborative, practical, and interdisciplinary. In this course, students will design the set, lights, costumes, props, and sound for a production of a Shakespeare play, beginning with script analysis and ending with the production. Students will learn the basics of stagecraft, research the rich history of technical theater, and form artistic interpretations of the chosen text based on their reading and research. All students will work together to create a design gallery to accompany the performance, with social studies students taking the lead on research and writing and art students taking the lead on designing the gallery’s visual elements. As this course is part of the Liggett Shakespeare Project, students will collaborate with classmates in the Dramaturgy course and the Liggett Players. Stagecraft students will be responsible for completing the production design and constructing some elements of the sets, props, and costumes. Special guests to the class will include professional designers and technical staff. Seniors who opt to complete all three parts of the Liggett Shakespeare Project (Dramaturgy, Stagecraft, and Production) in a single year may be approved to waive enrollment in ARP 12.
Upper School Choir Full Year (Two Semesters) Prerequisites: None
The arts are an elective area which allow students to sample and move freely from one area to another across the performing and visual arts. An individualized approach to each student becomes the core objective for tailoring a meaningful experience for both the student wishing to sample, and the industrious student desiring to dive deeply into an artform. Upper School music students may elect to participate in a traditional orchestra, band, or choir ensemble composed of students across grade levels. A rotating, four-year, non-sequential curriculum ensures students are introduced to new concepts each year. Students may elect to participate in the ensemble for any number of years and may join at the beginning of any year regardless of Upper School grade level. Students may elect to take an advanced version of each ensemble, which encourages additional participation in festivals and leadership within the ensemble. In addition, all Upper School students have the option to choose from a robust selection of semester-long electives covering topics which may not be addressed in year-long performing or visual art courses.
Choir is offered to students who are interested in singing. Students will learn the basics of music theory and work daily on sight-singing and vocal performance techniques. Choir students will sing in at least two public performances per school year. Additional performances will be scheduled at the discretion of the director.
Advanced Upper School Choir Full Year (Two Semesters)
Prerequisites: Upper School Choir OR Creative and Performing Arts Department recommendation This course is offered to students who are
Art Studio One Semester (Offered First and Second Semesters) Prerequisites: None In this course, students complete a variety of visual problem-solving assignments focused primarily in the areas of drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and design. Exposure to and experimentation with a variety of methods, materials, and processes is essential in establishing a common art vocabulary and to lay the foundation for future growth as a visual artist. Essential to the course is an emphasis on the elements of art and principles of design. Art history and appreciation are also woven throughout the curriculum. As students continue their studies in the second and third semesters, their work is guided by unique syllabi that reflect increasing levels of complexity and higher expectations. They are
expected to build upon the skills learned in previous semesters to raise their art-making to the next level and begin to develop a personal voice through their work. Students who are considering Advanced Art Studio or college-level art study are encouraged to use the projects completed in Art Studio as a vehicle for individual expression with an eye toward portfolio development.
experienced singers. Students will learn the basics of music theory and work daily on sight-singing and vocal performance techniques. Advanced Choir students will sing in at least two public performances per school year. Additional performances may be scheduled at the discretion of the director. Advanced Choir students are required to perform at Solo and Ensemble Festival in the spring. Advanced Chorale students will assume added responsibilities in the choir, which may include section leader, student conductor, accompanist, or choreographer.
Upper School Band Full Year (Two Semesters) Prerequisites: None
Advanced Art Studio Full Year (Two Semesters)
Prerequisites: Three semesters of visual art (including at least one semester of Art Studio) OR Creative and Performing Arts Department recommendation. This course is open to students who exhibit strong interest and ability in the visual arts. To be recommended for this course, students must be independently motivated and eager to explore
This course is a comprehensive ninth through twelfth grade experience designed to musically inspire and challenge students with previous experience playing woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students will meaningfully create, perform, and respond to music from a variety of time periods and cultures while
2026-2027 ULS Curriculum Guide
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