Visual and Performing Arts

Band

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

Prerequisite: Prior musical experience

The Golden Hillmen Band is the major instrumental performing ensemble on campus. Students will develop technique on their instrument and musicianship in general. All students will be involved in many areas of performance: Marching Band, Pep Band, and Concert Band with the majority of time spent on concert music. Required performances include: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring concerts, civic and school parades, all home football games, 6-8 home basketball games, and music festivals.

Chorus

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

Prerequisite: None

Concert Choir is open to singers who wish to improve their knowledge of proper singing techniques, music reading and broaden their knowledge of music through public performance. All performances are required and include: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Concerts.

Ceramics 1

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

Ceramics 1 will introduce students to the basic fundamentals of ceramics, including hand building, sculpture, and design. Students will acquire a basic understanding of glaze application and kiln firing. Students will also learn the elements of art as applied to ceramic works. This knowledge will allow them to articulate discussions about their designs. Students will learn how to develop constructive criticism for their peers’ work.

Ceramics 2

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

In Ceramics 2, students will learn the principles of design and how they apply to ceramic works. Students will be challenged in the development of creative thought and will explore more complex hand building and design skills. Students learn creative problem solving and how that can enhance their academic success. Students will be introduced to the potter's wheel, and taught the basics for them to practice. Students will continue to explore critique analysis with their own creations as well as the work of their peers. This course will explore historical and cultural pottery and sculpture.

Dance

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

The course will involve an exploration of the Art of Dance through the study of multiple dance genres including jazz, ballet, contemporary, Modern, urban, site-specific, and diverse multi-cultural dance forms. Students will practice, process, analyze, and respond to dance through the study of dance terminology while participating in the creation and performance of dance. In addition, classes will include an introduction to dance history and an exploration of the historical contexts and cultural dimensions of dance.

Dance 2

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

This one-year course is an advanced level dance class where students will demonstrate mastery in numerous styles of dance and dance technique to create works of art through choreography projects and perform in numerous concerts and other events. Advance Dance 2 is designed for those students with prior dance training and enrollment is by teacher approval only. This course is a continuation of their dance education, increasing their knowledge of dance terminology, deepen their connection between the physical and emotional components of dance while exposing them to multiple genres.

Drama 1

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

In this course, students will learn how the theatre experience is transformative for actors, and that sharing their performance with the audience will shift the viewers' perceptions. On a visceral level, the audience will be transformed by creative expression. Students discern that the meaning and purpose in each component of their theatre experience is viable and critical. Collaboration is a meaningful component of this experience, providing its own rewards.

Drama 2

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

Drama 2 is a performance based class designed to provide students with performance experience to hone and further develop their skills with more nuanced and advanced acting styles/techniques, and holistic production experience.

Drama Advanced

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

This course is an advanced level Drama course. This class is designed to be a scene study course while also working on performances throughout the year. Students are encouraged to build their repertoire and therefore by the end of senior year should have at least one classical, one modern, one comedic and one dramatic piece they can confidently perform. Within this framework we will focus on various schools of thought and techniques. This class is essential in developing technique and applying this technique to main stage and second stage productions.

Studio Arts

Grades: 9-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

This class is a first-year fundamental art course that incorporates 2-D and 3-D studio work with multi-cultural studies. An introduction to the elements and principles of visual art, such as line, shape, space and balance, are first introduced through a series of projects in various media and techniques including pencil, charcoal, ink and pastel drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting, plaster and foam carving, printmaking and ceramics. Then, international artists and movements will be introduced as a foundation for exploring the art elements and design principles in a meaningful way. As students gain knowledge and develop an appreciation of various cultures and art forms, they will produce art projects that relate to each of these unique cultures within an historical and cultural context. The curriculum developed for this course is based on the California State Standards for the Visual Arts. All assignments are created to meet the five major components including artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relationships and applications. The course will require a performance-based portfolio, sketchbook, critical listening/viewing/discussion, critiques and reflections, vocabulary development, written essays, unit quizzes and tests, and a semester project for each semester.

Studio Arts 2

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

Studio Art 2 is a year-long course designed for students who have successfully completed Studio Art. Students shall further expand their knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design through the research, production, and criticism of visual art. Students are expected to use a broad variety of media, techniques, processes, and tools to create original, complex compositions that reflect personal growth, solve visual art problems, and communicate ideas. Students will critique artwork and reflect on the impact of art upon society as well as societal influences on art. Students will exhibit artwork and will assemble portfolios that reflect personal growth and demonstrate successful completion of Studio Art 2 student learning expectations. All projects are designed to encourage visual literacy, analytical skills, and critical thinking.

Students build upon the skills they learned in Studio Art, fine tuning art skills, knowledge and exploring more techniques and mediums. Students delve into greater depth in 2D and 3D design as they begin to investigate art work completed in a series for their portfolio. Their portfolio consists of no less than 10 pieces.

Studios Arts 3 - Advanced

Grades: 10-12

Graduation Requirement: Fine Arts/VAPA

A-G: F

This is a class for advanced Art students who want to further their artistic skills in Drawing & Painting with a goal of being accepted into AP Studio Art for their senior year. It will also be open to students who have successfully completed Art II. Students will be expected to use a broad variety of media, techniques, processes, and tools to create original compositions that solve more complex art problems throughout the creative process. In this class, students will build on the skills and ideas learned in earlier sections by working on independent projects that integrate previously learned techniques with new, more complex concepts. All projects will be informed by art history concerns and art analysis. For many of the projects, students will have the opportunity to choose the media they will use depending on the type of portfolio they wish to create. Assignment requirements will concern series work, be conceptual and encourage the artist’s personal expression. This course will rely heavily on mastery of technique, thoughtful composition and conceptual features in the creation of compelling works of art.