fine arts courses

Visual Art I: Fundamentals 

1 term-1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Requirement: Fee and fundraising. 

This is an introductory survey course for students desiring a fine arts credit. The curriculum studied integrates art history, and emphasizes design elements and principles. A variety of media is explored with attention to fundamental skills and techniques. Two-dimensional (drawing, painting) and three-dimensional (sculpture, ceramic, textile) formats are included.

Advanced Visual Art II 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Visual Art I and teacher approval. 

Requirement: Fee and fundraising.

This elective class continues the same principles learned in Visual Art I, with projects becoming more individualized and somewhat more sophisticated. All students are encouraged to submit works for area exhibits. Art history is integrated into the curriculum. Students will develop a portfolio of their work.

Advanced Visual Art III 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Art II and teacher approval. 

Requirement: Fee and fundraising.

Almost all work is on an individual basis, and each student is encouraged to exhibit as many works as possible in art competitions and/or community exhibits. This course is for highly motivated and focused, advanced art students who desire in- depth study methods and techniques in the media they are interested in. Students will develop a portfolio of their work.

Digital Photography

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Requirement:  Fee and fundraising. 

This is an introductory course for students who desire to learn how to take professional quality photographs using manual mode on a DSLR camera.  The technical aspects of the camera are taught and how to achieve properly exposed images. Photography genres and creativity in photography are also explored. Compositional design elements and principles will be applied to develop basic skills and techniques in digital photography.  Students will create, present, respond, and connect with art through the photography medium, student portfolios, critiques, and art history. 

Students must use a digital camera with manual mode.  Students may use a class camera or their own camera.  Students must complete training on the class cameras, and students and parents must sign rental agreement forms to acknowledge and agree to any and all replacement costs for any damaged or lost equipment.

Digital Photography II

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Digital Photography I and teacher approval. 

Requirement:  Fee and fundraising. 

This course will further develop student skills in producing professional quality photographs using manual mode on a DSLR camera.  Advanced technical aspects of the camera are taught. Students will gain understanding of studio lighting and practice different areas of studio photography.  Students will produce more advanced photographs through regular use and application of compositional rules and will develop their own creative, individual styles of photography.  Students will create, present, respond, and connect with art through the photography medium, student portfolios, critiques, and art history. 

Students must use a digital camera with manual mode.  Students may use a class camera or their own camera.  Students must complete training on the class cameras, and students and parents must sign rental agreement forms to acknowledge and agree to any and all replacement costs for any damaged or lost equipment.

Theatre Arts I: Introduction to Theatre 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

This course is an overview and audition for theatre art and its disciplines, including acting, play production, playwriting, and basic background and history. This is a highly active, participatory course that involves acting/speaking. It will emphasize the basic principles of speech delivery, acting and stage techniques. Students will be expected to participate in writing/performing monologues, acting scenes, improvisations, and pantomime, as well as read a play and critique live performances. Attendance at class productions is mandatory. In addition, fundraising is a requirement for all Theatre Arts classes. Students must be invited to continue in Advanced Theatre. Theatre I class is considered to be an audition for Advanced Theatre and students must have prior approval before acceptance into the Vagabond Player Troupe. Any transfer students must make specific arrangements by going through an interview process and providing letters of reference before being considered for Advanced Theatre. The teacher will evaluate various areas for acceptance into the Vagabond Troupe for all students.

Advanced Theatre (Vagabond Troupe) 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Theatre Arts I with invitation to join the Vagabond Troupe AND audition

with teacher approval OR theatre production experience AND audition with teacher

approval.

This course is a production lab course, focusing on preparation for all “Vagabond Players Theatre Troupe” productions that take place in the Fall and Spring. Students will study various plays and playwrights. Students will be given the opportunity to compete for acting and technical scholarships. All students will be required to be involved in fundraising activities for the troupe. All students will be required to participate in the fall/spring productions. This includes after school rehearsals, Saturday rehearsals and final performances. Teacher approval is based on a successful audition from Theatre I and show auditions.

This course is a production lab course, focusing on preparation for a fine art major/minor in postsecondary education. As a class, students will produce a play and consequently learn about all the elements of a production – from acting and technical, to marketing and budget.

History of Rock and Roll 

1 term, 1 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

History of Rock and Roll is a non-performance Music course that, upon completion with a passing grade, satisfies the Fine Arts Elective requirement for graduation. It is a non-performance course of study that examines the evolution of popular music from the early 20th century with Blues and Jazz influences through the development of present day genres; the stylistic elements of the various eras of rock and roll history; theoretical analysis of significant musical qualities of influential musicians of the different periods of rock and roll. 

General Music (9th Grade Academy)

1 term, 1 credit

Grades 9

Music Theory

1 term, 1 credit

Grades 10-12

Academy Choir

1 term - 1 credit

Grade 9

This course is open to any student who loves singing, and there are no prerequisites or auditions. The Academy choirs focus on beginning vocal production and choral technique, while also developing music reading skills and personal confidence for performing. This ensemble performs a variety of choral literature from classical to pop and will perform at the annual Christmas or Spring Concert. The Academy choirs are available for girls in the fall semester and boys in the spring semester. The Academy choir will walk to the main campus choir room each day; please be prepared for rainy/cold weather.

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our   fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: All Black; either black dress or black slacks and black dress shirt. Some concerts may require additional costuming.

Open Choir

1 term - 1 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

Open Choir is a non-auditioned group open to any student at the main campus, meeting fall and spring semesters in the main campus choir room during the last block of the day. Students in this course focus on beginning vocal production and refining choral technique, as well as advancing music reading skills and personal confidence for performing. This ensemble performs a variety of choral literature at our annual Christmas or Spring Concert. Open Choir is open to any student who loves singing and is willing to grow as a singer.

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested. With the fee, the student will get a choir t-shirt.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: All Black; either black dress or black slacks and black dress shirt. Some concerts may require additional costuming.

Men's Choir 

1 term - 1 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

Men's Choir (aka: Man Choir) is a non-auditioned, all-boys group meeting spring semester in the main campus choir room 5th block. Students in this course focus on beginning vocal production and refining choral technique, as well as advancing music reading skills and personal confidence for performing. This ensemble performs a variety of choral literature at our annual Spring Concert. Man Choir is open to any male student who loves singing and is willing to grow as a singer. There are no prerequisites or auditions.

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: Black slacks and black long-sleeve, button-up dress shirt. Some concerts may require additional costuming.

Women's Choir

1 term - 1 credit

Grades 10, 11, 12

Women's Choir is a non-auditioned, all-girls group meeting fall semester in the main campus choir room 5th block. Students in this course focus on beginning vocal production and refining choral technique, as well as advancing music reading skills and personal confidence for performing. This ensemble performs a variety of choral literature at our annual Fall/Christmas Concerts. Women's Choir is open to any female student who loves singing and is willing to grow as a singer. There are no prerequisites or auditions.

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: A black formal dress will be issued to the student, to be returned at the end of the term. Some concerts may require additional costuming.

Cadence

2 terms, 2 credits

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: One previous high school choral music credit. By audition only. Students must take both fall and spring Semesters.

Cadence is our auditioned women's ensemble. The emphasis for this group is on the performance of medium-advanced choral music literature from all periods and styles, including contemporary a cappella. Extra performances and rehearsals will be required. Students should be able to hold their own part in a multi-part choir and be committed to choral excellence. Opportunities for All-East and All-State choirs throughout the year (college music scholarships are available to students who make All-East/State).

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our  fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: A black formal dress will be issued to the student, to be returned at the end of the year. Some concerts may require additional costuming.

William Blount Singers (Honors)

2 terms, 2 credits

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: One previous high school choral music credit. By audition only. Students must take both fall and spring Semesters.

William Blount Singers is our auditioned, advanced mixed ensemble. The emphasis of this group is performing advanced choral music literature from all periods and styles, including contemporary a cappella. Extra performances and rehearsals will be required. Students should be able to hold their own part in a multi-part mixed choir and be committed to choral excellence. Opportunities for All-East and All-State choirs throughout the year (college music scholarships are available to students who make All-East/State).

Requirements:

• A choir fee of $25 is requested.

• Fundraising: 1 fundraiser per semester. All students/families should be ready to help our  fundraising efforts by selling the requested number of items.

• Attendance at all performances and rehearsals is required.

• Choral Attire: A black formal dress or tuxedo will be issued to the student, to be returned at the  end of the term. Students may purchase this formal attire to keep. Some concerts may require  additional costuming.

Band (Fall Semester) 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Three years of middle-school band or by audition

Students will study, learn, and perform music in various styles. An emphasis will be made on reading and recognizing rhythms, major and minor scale patterns, and producing a characteristic sound. All performances and after-school rehearsals are required. A calendar of events will be given in May.

Requirements:

• WBHS two week summer band camp

• Fees or fundraising paid for uniforms, music, transportation, etc.

• Attendance at all rehearsals and performances

• Quality instrument or sticks/mallets (some larger instruments are available through the school - tuba, baritone, etc.)

Performances include:

• Pre-game and halftime of all varsity home football games and many away games.

• Marching band competitions in the southeast area.

• Veterans Program 17

• Sr. Band Clinic

• Christmas Parades

• Concerts

• Concert Competitions

Band (Spring Semester) 

1 term - 1 credit 

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Three years of middle school band or by audition.

Students will study, learn, and perform music in various styles. An emphasis will be made on reading and recognizing rhythms, major and minor scale patterns, and producing a characteristic sound. All performances and after-school rehearsals are required. A calendar of events will be given in May.

Requirements:

• Quality instrument or sticks/mallets (some larger instruments are available through the school - tuba, baritone, etc.)

• Attendance at all rehearsals and performances

• Fees or fundraising paid for uniforms, music, transportation, etc.

Performances include:

• Winter and Spring Concerts

• Sr. Band Clinic

• Eighth Grade Recruiting Concerts

• Concert Festival/Competition

• All-State Band

• Graduation