Arts

Band/Music

Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Band Percussion

In band, students work to improve their music reading and instrument performance. Students participate in public performances at athletic events, assemblies, concerts, and parades. Students should consult with the band director for help with selecting the appropriate band class.

IB Music SL Years 1 and 2

Placement Criteria: Interview/data review with Band Director. Students must be in Band or Chorus.

The IB Diploma Programme standard level music course seeks to develop students’ knowledge and potential as musicians, both personally and collaboratively. IB Diploma Programme music students are required to study musical perception and actively listen to a wide range of music from different parts of the world, musical cultures and time periods. They also develop aural perception and understanding of music by learning about musical elements, including form and structure, notations, musical terminology and context. Through the course of study, students become aware of how musicians work and communicate.

Chorus

Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4

In chorus, students work to improve their music reading, aural (listening), and vocal performance abilities. Students participate in public performances at concerts, assemblies, and athletic events. Students must audition with the chorus teacher to be placed in the appropriate chorus level, but should choose a preference of either Mixed Chorus, Women’s Chorus or Men’s Chorus during registration.

Drama/Theatre

Drama 1, 2, 3 and 4

In Drama 1, students learn and apply skills related to acting, directing, and technical theater production on an introductory level. In Drama 2, students are constantly in production and are expected to perform in classroom shows throughout the year. In Drama 3 and 4, students are primarily focused on the production and directing aspects of theatre. Students are assessed on effort and positive participation in the practical work in and out of the classroom. In IB Theatre, students focus on the performance, design, directing, and creating aspects of theatre on a much deeper level. Students are assessed on their keeping of a journal, as well as the three major assessments given by the IB: The Director’s Notebook, The Research Investigation, and The Collaborative Theatre project.

IB Theatre SL Years 1 and 2

Placement Criteria: Theater experience preferred but not required. 3 or higher in AP History or 4 or higher in US History and consistent MAP Reading scores in the 60th percentile or higher.

Theatre is a practical subject that encourages discovery through experimentation, risk-taking and the presentation of ideas. The IB DP theatre course is multifaceted and gives students the opportunity to actively engage in theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasizes working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. The teacher’s role is to create opportunities that allow students to explore, learn, discover and collaborate to become autonomous, informed and skilled theatre-makers. Students learn to apply research and theory to inform and to contextualize their work. Through researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre, they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world. Students experience the course from contrasting artistic and cultural perspectives. They learn about theatre from around the world, the importance of making theatre with integrity, and the impact that theatre can have on the world. It enables them to discover and engage with different forms of theatre across time, place and culture, promoting international-mindedness and an appreciation of the diversity of theatre.

Musical Theater

Musical Theater 1, 2 and 3

This chorus-drama-dance pathway is available to rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who have completed Chorus 1, completed Drama 1 or who receive instructor approval. Students will develop knowledge of and skills within the areas of chorus, drama, and dance. Students will employ these skills to produce a small-scale musical in the fall semester and a musical revue in the spring semester.

Visual Arts

Visual Arts 1, 2, 3 and 4

Visual Arts students demonstrate progress in knowing and understanding through reading assignments, writing assignments and tests that show understanding of art forms, concepts, processes and terminology. Students also develop and master skills in drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics through formative work, weekly sketchbook assignments, in-class assignments and homework. Creative thinking is learned and assessed through assignments in which students learn to clearly communicate original, imaginative intentions in a coherent structure. Students respond to visual works of art in both writing and imagery, demonstrating progress in constructing meaning, transferring learning to new contexts, and critiquing art. Advanced levels of Visual Arts (2, 3, 4 and IB) require students to demonstrate increasing levels of ability, effort and in-depth thinking. Upper level courses are designed to help students develop portfolios for college and learn more about art history and philosophy.

IB Visual Art SL Years 1 and 2

Placement Criteria: 5 or higher in Art 2. Special permission will be granted based on a review of previous work.

The IB Diploma Programme visual arts course encourages students to challenge their own creative and cultural expectations and boundaries. It is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course is designed for students who want to go on to study visual arts in higher education as well as for those who are seeking lifelong enrichment through visual arts. The role of visual arts teachers should be to actively and carefully organize learning experiences for the students, directing their study to enable them to reach their potential and satisfy the demands of the course. Students should be empowered to become autonomous, informed and skilled visual artists.

technical theatre

Technical Theatre 1, 2

In this course, students will study and practice the core design and technical elements involved in a theatre production - Sets, Lights, Costumes, Makeup, Sound, Props, and Stage Management. Students will be exposed to all of these areas through practical teachings and hands on experience, and will be given opportunities to deepen their practice in one or two of these areas. This course is for those students who really enjoy theatre, but who's preference is for behind the scenes work.