The Arts
Art electives are designed to develop the creative abilities of the individual student through exposure to different media and the learning of basic artistic skills. Art classes promote a knowledge and understanding of art as an enjoyable, enriching aspect of life. Hopefully, with the development of skills and awareness of design, the appreciation of art and art involvement will become a carry-over activity that one can enjoy past graduation.
Visual Arts
Introduction to Creative Arts
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This course will survey many of the subjects taught in the Art Department. The students will have the opportunity to explore some of the following media: ceramics, printmaking, drawing/painting, paper design, glass, and jewelry. Students’ work may be selected for show in galleries.
Drawing
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will develop skills in a variety of drawing techniques. Media used in the class will include pencil, graphite, charcoal, ink, oil pastel, chalk, crayon, and paint. Students will learn about how to draw subjects realistically as well as stylized and abstract. Students’ work may be selected for show in galleries.
Advanced Drawing
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Drawing or Ceramics and teacher permission
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This advanced art class is for students who have taken drawing and want to explore the techniques. Students will learn about art history and create their own art pieces with unique concepts. Students who have a master of basic drawing techniques and the ability to work independently should consider this class.
Art Studio
Grades: 11-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Teacher permission
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This advanced art course is limited to serious students who are creating a portfolio of work. Areas of study may be 2-Dimensional (drawing, photography, printmaking, painting) or 3-Dimensional (ceramics, sculpture). Projects may be individual as well as collaborative. Students will complete a portfolio including a resume` and artist’s statement. Students’ work will be selected for show in galleries.
Ceramics 1
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will experiment with the hand building and wheel forming techniques. The art work may be functional, sculptural and decorative. Part of the semester will be spent on the wheel. Students will experiment with a variety of glazes and surfaces finishes. They will learn about how cultures of other parts of the world have used clay. Students' work may be selected for show in galleries.
Ceramics 2
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Ceramics 1
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students in this course will expand the skills learned in Ceramics. Projects will require a higher skill level and complexity in the finished work. Students can decide to work primarily in hand-building or potter’s wheel. This course is taught in conjunction with Ceramics 1 and students will be working more independently with frequent one-on-one critiques. Work may be selected for show in galleries.
Digital Photography I
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: CTE and Arts (dual requirement)
CTE dual college credit:
Digital Photography Clover Park TC DED 110 4 credits
Description: Understanding the skills of digital photography can help you document our changing world. Learning about the tools of the field–from cameras and their operation to software and digital manipulation–is a critical foundation this course provides. Class time will focus on instruction, critique, image manipulation, and printing. Capturing photos will occur outside of class time. You will work toward learning processes in Adobe Photoshop and create an online portfolio. A portion of each photography class is dedicated to exploring photography careers and skills.
Digital Photography II
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Digital Photography I
Graduation requirement: CTE and Arts (dual requirement)
CTE dual college credit:
Digital Imaging Clover Park TC GTC 130 5 credits
Digital Photography Clover Park TC DED 110 4 credits
Description: Like Digital Photography I? Want to improve your skills and learn more? In this class, you will be introduced to SLR cameras and their functions, as well as studio lighting. You will extend your abilities through a variety of processes using Adobe Photoshop. You must be able to work independently so class time is maximized. Capturing photos will occur outside of class time. Skills learned in this course may be applied towards the work of starting an electronic portfolio for the AP Studio Art process. If you think you are going to pursue AP Studio or a career in graphic design, it is strongly recommended to take Digital Photography II and III consecutively.
Digital Photography III
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Digital Photography II
Graduation requirement: CTE and Arts (dual requirement)
Description: This is an advanced course in digital photography, developed for students who are interested in preparing and submitting a portfolio to meet AP Studio Art standards and who are serious about a career in photography or graphic design. You must be able to work independently and have a strong desire to better your skills. For students pursuing the AP Studio Art credit, plan on dedicating extensive work outside of class. It is strongly recommended that students take Digital Photography II and III consecutively when pursuing the AP Studio Art option.
Glass Art 1
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will develop skills in the basic methods of creating with stained glass, etching, lamp work, bead making, and fusion. Strong emphasis is placed on design, craftsmanship, and the creative process.
Glass Art 2
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Glass Art 1 and teacher permission
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will continue to develop more advanced skills in the basic methods of creating with stained glass, etching, bead making, and fusion. Advanced Glass Art is taught in conjunction with Beginning Glass Art, and advanced students will aid beginning students as needed. Emphasis is placed on design, craftsmanship, and the creative process. Strong independent work skills are required.
Jewelry 1
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will develop the metalsmithing skills needed to produce fabricated and cast jewelry. They will learn to cut and solder various metals, make lamp-worked glass beads, and set stones to create rings, bracelets, earrings and pins. Strong emphasis is placed on design, craftsmanship, and the creative process.
Jewelry 2
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Students will continue to develop more advanced metalsmithing techniques needed to produce fabricated and cast jewelry. Students will have the opportunity to structure part of the course to meet their individual needs. Advanced Jewelry is taught in conjunction with Beginning Jewelry, and advanced students will aid beginning students as needed. Emphasis is placed on design, craftsmanship, and the creative process. Strong independent work skills are required.
Choral Music
Concert Choir
Grades: 9-11
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This is a choir for young men and women who enjoy singing. There is no audition required. This course offers an opportunity for the enjoyment of choral music and for learning to sing with appropriate vocal style tone and confidence. Students will study a variety of choral literature and develop vocal technique, basic rhythm and note reading skills. The choir will perform several times throughout the course of the school year, mostly outside of the normal school day.
Drama
Drama 1
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: Introduction to performance tools including: concentration, movement, vocal and character development. Work with groups in warm-ups, pantomime, improvisation games and scenes, workshops and short scene performances. Each semester will have at least one final evening performance before an audience; several smaller performances will occur during the course before class members. Students will be required to write reflections on performances and character/scene analyses. Some class field trips may also be offered.
Drama 2
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Experience in high school drama or teacher permission
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This class will begin more intensive exposure to all aspects of theatre production, from acting to makeup, from lights and sound to set construction, as well as acting and directing. For our first class project all members of the class will be involved in production, crew, and technical aspects of our fall play. The semester final project will be a student run black box performance including monologues, advanced scene work and/or short plays. This class requires an extra-curricular commitment.
Play Production (Fall)
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Experience in high school drama, play production, choir, or band
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This class will begin more intensive exposure to all aspects of theatre production, from acting to makeup, from lights and sound to set construction, as well as acting & directing. Our first class project: All members of the class will be involved in production, crew and technical aspects of our fall play. The semester final project: a student run black box performance, including monologues, advanced scene work and/or short plays. This class requires an extra-curricular commitment.
Musical Theatre (Spring)
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Teacher approval
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This course helps students acquire, through hands-on experience and practical application, the skills and techniques of musical theater performance. This includes opportunities to grow skills in music (vocal or instrumental performance), acting, choreography, technical theater (building sets, lighting, sound design, stage work) and learn to work in the administrative side of theater and stage management. The major project of this class is to collaboratively produce the spring musical, and go through the entire process of production and performance, from auditions to strike. Musical theater as a collaborative, vital and multi-faceted art form that reflects and impacts culture and society will be explored. There is some outside of class time required.
Theater Design & Technology I
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Graduation requirement: CTE and Arts (dual requirement)
Description: Theater Design & Technology will introduce the student to a practical approach to the technical and production aspects of musical theater and drama. You will learn the skills needed to construct scenery, hang and focus lighting instruments, implement a sound system, and scenic artistry, all in a variety of techniques. In conjunction with the Music and Drama Departments, you will take an active role in each of the major productions. You will craft your own designs for scenery, costumes, and lighting of a theatrical production. You will participate in career-connected learning through visits to theaters and meeting professionals in the technical theatre industry.
General Music
AP Music Theory
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This course is a college level music theory course covering both written theory and ear-training. This class will include the fundamentals of music theory, part-writing, analysis, dictation, and sight-singing. This course is designed to prepare the high school student for the Advanced Placement Exam in Music Theory. The ability to read music is essential to success in this class.
Creating Music
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 0.5
Prerequisite: Must know an instrument, sing, or have basic musical knowledge
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: From garage band to mega-star…This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of composing and writing music. Topics to be explored include: rhythm, rhythmic patterns, melody, harmony, notation techniques, instrument choice, form, music technology, copyright and commercial applications.
Instrumental Music
Students interested in participating in band at Gig Harbor High School should have at least one year of prior instrumental music experience. Concert Band is the entry-level ensemble. Placement in the advanced ensembles is determined by instrumentation needs and the instructor's assessment of each student's musical skills. Enrollment in band for the entire academic year (two consecutive semesters) is expected. Students' individual practice at home and their focused attention during rehearsals are crucial to success in these courses. Attendance is required at all school band concerts and is expected at assemblies, pep band athletic events, and other musical events.
GHH Band Promo Video 2023.mp4Concert Band
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: The Concert Band focuses on high musical standards, ensemble skills and instrument technique. The Concert Band performs three concerts and goes to one adjudicated event each year. This ensemble combined with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble to form the pep band at all home football games and basketball games. This is a full year course.
Symphonic Band
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Concert Band or audition.
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This course builds on the material learned in Concert Band (see above), with additional emphasis being given to developing greater technical and expressive facility and to reading/performing more mature musical literature. The Symphonic Band performs three concerts and goes to one adjudicated event each year. This ensemble combines with the Concert Band, Wind Symphony, and Percussion Ensemble to form the pep band at all home football games and basketball games. This is a full year course.
Wind Symphony
Grades: 10-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Audition required
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: The Wind Symphony serves as the cornerstone and highest musical ensemble in the band program. This ensemble performs literature from classic to contemporary and stresses the highest possible musical and performance excellence. Private lessons are recommended as it will help facilitate the high difficulty of music. This ensemble combines with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble to form the pep band at all home football games and basketball games. This is a full year course. This class is by audition only. Please contact Eric Swanson for more information and audition materials.
Percussion Ensemble
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Must be able to read music, percussion experience or director approval required
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This ensemble specializes in performance and technique training specific to playing all forms of percussion. Training will be focused on rudimental, orchestral, and world drumming. The GHHS Drumline will be formed from members of this ensemble and will perform with the pep band at football and basketball games as well as other opportunities. Ensemble will also play concert percussion ensembles as well as all the percussion parts for the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band. Additionally, the Percussion Ensemble performs at three concerts, Regional Solo & Ensemble Contest, and goes to one adjudicated event each year. Class will include masterclasses and individual training on all percussion instruments.
Jazz Ensemble
Grades: 9-12
Credit: 1.0
Prerequisite: Audition is for placement only - no cuts are made!
Graduation requirement: Arts
Description: This course encompasses all students in all jazz bands. Currently, GHHS offers three jazz bands of varying difficulty level. Jazz 1 is the top band and rehearses at 6:15am daily. This is an auditioned group that focuses on music from the big band era in addition to modern jazz literature. Jazz 2 also meets at 6:15am and performs music at students’ developing musical needs. Jazz 3 is a jazz ensemble for developing musicians that is offered after school (2:10-3:20pm) for students who are unable to participate in the before school options. The standard instrumentation for all jazz bands is limited to trumpets, trombones, saxes, jazz guitar, jazz bass, vibraphone/percussion and drum set. The jazz bands will perform at select jazz festivals throughout the Northwest in addition to home concerts. All performances are required. This is a full year class for credit. Concurrent enrollment in Wind Symphony, Concert Band, or Percussion Ensemble is required.