Fine Arts

About Our Faculty

Bishop McNamara High School Fine Arts Department faculty is comprised of the most talented and dedicated educators of the arts in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area who believe a student's high school education is enriched by their involvement in the arts, influencing all areas of academic study. Committed to the success and experience of each student, these accomplished Fine Arts Faculty members, as well as visiting distinguished performers, artists, and mentors, enrich and foster our students' development in a family community while providing invaluable insights into fine arts-related programs and professions.

Bishop McNamara High School enjoys the reputation as one of the top Fine Arts programs in the region, a distinction due in great part to the professionalism and experience of its outstanding faculty!

Go to Fine Arts Faculty for more about our educators.

Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement (FADE)

The F.A.D.E. Program will serve to refine students' talents and skill, cultivate a community of respect, appreciation and understanding of the arts, and acknowledge students' dedication to the Fine Arts throughout their high school career.

Students who graduate with the Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement receive a notation on their transcripts and a special honor certificate at graduation. Students may apply at the beginning of their Sophomore year.

See your Fine Arts teacher for the application form and requirements specific to your major arts focus. For more on this program, go to FADE Program.

Guest Artist Series

For the past several years we have been hosting a series of guest artists to come and perform for our community. This serves our Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement Program as their series of Colloquia that they need to attend per year. We also do it to provide wonderful arts events for our community. Each evening will consist of a performance or discussion, followed by a question and answer period for our community.

For more information including dates and times, go to Guest Artist Series.

enrollment & auditions

The Fine Arts Department offers both auditioned/performance based courses/ensembles, and non-auditioned/non-performance based courses. Each program has a unique offering with different requirements. In order to successfully register for one of these courses or ensembles, please reference the individual program information below and select the best option. 

Go to Enrollment and Audition Information

The requirements apply to all students who wish to add a Fine Arts class to their schedule. This includes any or all incoming 9th graders, transfer students and any current BMHS student who was not enrolled in the arts this past year. 

Fine Arts Scholarships

Bishop McNamara offers Fine Arts Scholarships for Music, Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts. These scholarships are awarded to applying 9th grade BMHS applicants but are not available for transfer students. Scholarships are available in Music, Dance, Theatre, and Visual Arts and range in amounts from $500 to $1000+ in either 2 or 4 year increments. Scholarship information is made available at the BMHS Annual Open House, after which the information is available on the BMHS website. Auditions and portfolio dates range from early January to early February. For more specific information, go to Fine Arts Scholarships.

Fine Arts Department FAQS

Who takes Fine Arts Classes at Bishop McNamara?
EVERYONE! All students are required to earn one Fine Arts credit for graduation. A large percentage of BMHS students elect to take several Fine Arts classes throughout their four years. All Fine Arts courses are diverse in race, gender and age. Class levels are determined by ability, so sophomores may be in a class with seniors, depending on an individual's abilities and experience.

My child has experience in the Fine Arts. How will he or she be assessed for placement?
Placement auditions are held after your child has been accepted to BMHS. We offer Honors Level classes in all genres. Some classes have prerequisites for registration.

If my child has no previous experience in Fine Arts, can she or he still register to take a class?
Yes, Bishop McNamara has entry level classes in all genres of the Fine Arts.

How will I know what supplies my student will need in order to participate in the Fine Arts at Bishop McNamara?
Each Fine Arts teacher has a supply list on his or her website/online classroom (Maccess). Most Fine Arts classes have additional fundraising goals to off- set production costs and enrichment opportunities.

What additional Fine Arts opportunities are offered at Bishop McNamara?

• Bishop McNamara High School offers Omega classes for credit that allow students with full academic schedules to participate in the Fine Arts. (Omega classes are after 3 pm.)

• Bishop McNamara offers the Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement Program: The F.A.D.E. Program will serve to refine students' talent and skill, cultivate a community of respect, appreciation and understanding of the arts, and acknowledge students' dedication to the Fine Arts throughout their high school career. Students who graduate with the Fine Arts Diploma Endorsement receive a notation on their transcripts and a special honor certificate at graduation.

Classical Dance Program Courses

Music Program Courses

Traditional African Music & Dance Program Courses

Visual Arts Program Courses