Fine and Performing Arts

The Music Theory course is designed to acquaint the students with the mechanics of musical composition. It includes the development of individual skills in the rudiments of music reading, terminology, ear training, sight singing and harmony. Students taking courses for College Credit must be a junior or senior and must meet college prerequisites to enroll for college credit.

Treble Choir is open to any student with the treble vocal range who is interested in a beginner high school choral experience. No prior choir experience is necessary. The group structure provides an opportunity for involvement in a musical activity which is geared to performance. Several evening rehearsals are required and concert participation is mandatory. This ensemble sings a variety of music from Contemporary Pop, Broadway, and Classical.

Mixed Chorus is open to any student who is interested in a beginner/intermediate level high school choral experience. The group structure provides an opportunity for involvement in a musical activity which is geared to performance. Several evening rehearsals are required and concert participation is mandatory. This ensemble sings a variety of music from Contemporary Pop, Broadway, and Classical.

Concert band is open to any student with past band instrument experience. The concert band is designed to acquaint students with band literature appropriate to the students level and prepare the necessary skill for performance.  Evening rehearsals are mandatory as is participation in all performances.

Orchestra is open to any student with prior string instrument experience (including Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass). The orchestra is designed to acquaint students with level appropriate orchestra literature.It will also prepare the student with the necessary skills for performance of music from different time periods and genres.

**Additional rehearsals may be required and participation in all performances is mandatory.

Students involved in the jazz band must be enrolled in the concert band and must be approved by the director. This course is for the advanced player who wishes to perform in all styles of jazz. Jazz techniques such as improvisation and soloing will be explored. Taken only with approval from the Director.

If you have ever wondered how to play the piano but never had the time, equipment or proper instructor then this course is for you.  Students enrolled in this course will:

1)  Be taught piano skills (how to play the piano) to the beginning piano student.

2)  Be taught  basic music theory to further enhance piano skills, including note reading, chord interpretation, and improvisation. 

Students in grades 9-12 may take this course.

Studio in Art is a foundation course in the visual arts, open to all grades, and is a requirement for entrance into other art electives.This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the visual arts. Topics include the elements of art, analyzing art, basic drawing, sculpture, ceramics, color theory, and drawing and painting. Students will use a sketchbook in class to generate ideas for projects as well as drawing brief sketch assignments that support current class projects. This course can be used to satisfy the one-credit graduation requirement in art or music.

Creative Crafts is a year-long course that focuses on the creative arts. The Principles of Design, along with the Formal Art Elements, will guide students as they create a variety of functional and decorative projects. Core concepts such as color theory, three-dimensional constructions and basic design layout will be presented.  Possible art materials and craft techniques to explore include: clay, fiber, textile, paper, wire and mixed media. This course can be used to satisfy the one-credit graduation requirement for art or music.

In this hands-on semester course, students will create a variety of functional and decorative objects. Projects will vary in form and style, while exploring historical references, both old and new. Possible materials to explore may include clay, wood, glass mosaic, mixed media, fiber and textile.

Drawing and Painting I took off where Studio Art concluded. Skills learned in Studio Art such as line drawing, perspective, value, design and color theory will be used as building blocks for higher-level study. In addition to improving artistic skills, students will fine tune critique skills through the discussion of class artwork, as well as the work of historical and contemporary artists. Writing about artwork will also be explored as we learn to analyze artwork both contextually and formally. Careers related to visual art will also be addressed.

Drawing and Painting II uses art-making skills acquired in previous courses to explore topics in greater depth and focus. Students will be pushed to produce a strong body of work which will be used as a starting point for a portfolio. In addition to improving art-making skills, students will hone critique skills through the discussion and viewing of class artwork, as well as the work of master and contemporary artists. Among others, the course will focus on the human form, portraiture, technical aspects of drawing, stretching canvases and concept development.

Three-dimensional design and visual problem solving are the focus of this course. Students use a variety of materials such as wire, clay, ply-board, stone and plaster to create both functional and traditional work. The human figure, hand-built pottery and non-objective sculptures are possible content areas. Both traditional and fundamental approaches will be engaged, as well as modern and experimental techniques.

AP Studio Art gives students the opportunity to truly focus on their craft while at the same time prepare a comprehensive portfolio for college admission. Working at a college-level, students will explore a variety of subject matter, as well as, various drawing and painting materials. In addition, students will learn how to properly photograph and present their artwork. This course serves as the culmination in a student’s visual arts training at CCHS. Students are responsible for any fees associated with the College Board AP Exam.

Environmental Art is a course designed to focus on the relationship between the art student and the natural environment. Art projects may utilize reclaimed, discarded or repurposed materials in combination with traditional art materials. Students will learn that environmental art communicates ideas about the natural and manmade world.This course will enable students to engage in the natural world, not only as a subject of art, but also a place of art. 

This basic level course teaches student entry-level jewelry design. Projects that may be covered in this course: metal piercing, sawing, cold connections, epoxy enameling, surface embellishment and wire wrapping. Students will also create drawings for their designs looking at historical and cultural jewelry design through the ages, as well as investigate marketing strategies for their creations. 

 Cultural Arts explores the relationship between culture and art. The aesthetic and artistic traditions in a society which are passed down through generations will be explored. Each five week block will focus on the art and design of a specific culture. Projects may include paper sculpture, fiber arts, printmaking, calligraphy and mixed media. 

This course provides foundation skills in Animation. The student is introduced to Adobe Animate on the Macintosh computer. Students will explore basic animation concepts, focus on emphasis and movement, storyboards for production along with an emphasis on character development. Foundation design skills used in Studio Art will be used as building blocks as students begin to learn about animation. 

This course provides general knowledge and foundation skills in Graphic Arts. The student is introduced to Photoshop on the Macintosh computer. Students will explore computer design, illustration, digital manipulation and creative problem solving. Basic design skills used in Studio Art will be used as building blocks as students begin to expand their digital portfolio.