Fine Arts

DANCE DESCRIPTIONS

JH SOCIAL DANCE (500301)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Junior High Social Dance introduces the student to partner dancing. Students learn various styles of social dance including but not limited to; Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Swing, Waltz, and Tango. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the dance, music structure, characteristics, and appropriate styling. Skills such as technique, body alignment, carriage, posture, dance frame, footwork, execution, rhythm, timing, sequence variation, transitions, and styling will be executed. Students will learn and demonstrate nonverbal communication (leading and following), social grace, etiquette, and self-confidence.

JH DANCE 1A – BEGINNING 1 (499991)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Dance 1A is a beginning dance class meant to teach the student the elements of dance and dance technique. Students will learn beginning dance fundamentals while increasing flexibility, improving strength and endurance, and encouraging artistic development. Students will develop skills to improve kinesthetic awareness, full body motion, musicality, technique, performance skills, artistry, etiquette, and self-confidence. Students will learn a variety of dance genres including but not limited to: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern dance components.

JH DANCE 1B – BEGINNING 2 (499992)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Preferably Dance 1A or some dance experience

Dance 1B is meant to build upon Dance 1A. Students will go into more depth of dance fundamentals while increasing flexibility, improving strength and endurance, and encouraging artistic development. Students will develop skills to improve kinesthetic awareness, full body motion, musicality, technique, performance skills, artistry, etiquette, and self-confidence. Students will learn a variety of dance genres including but not limited to: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern dance components.

JH DANCE 2A – INTERMEDIATE 1 (499993)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grades

Prerequisite:  Multiple years of dance experience 

Dance 2A is an intermediate dance class, students must take Dance 1A or Dance 1B as a prerequisite to this class. Students will learn intermediate dance fundamentals, while increasing flexibility, improving strength and endurance, and encouraging artistic development. Students will develop skills to improve kinesthetic awareness, full body motion, musicality, technique, performance skills, improvisational skills, artistry, etiquette, and self-confidence. Students will learn a variety of dance genres including but not limited to: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and modern dance components.

JH DANCE COMPANY – ADVANCED DANCE (500460)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required

Dance Company is a competitive team for advance dance students. Students must audition for Dance Company. Our goal for Dance Company is to teach the student advanced dance fundamentals, increase flexibility, improve strength and endurance, while encouraging self-esteem, self-discipline, and teamwork. Students will learn ballet technique, jazz technique, French terminology, modern dance components and theory, kinesthetic awareness, performance skills, choreographic skills, artistry, and proper etiquette practices. Dance Company performs at several events throughout the year including school assemblies, winter and spring dance concert, district dance concert, guest performances for high school drill showcase, and dance company concerts.  

VOCAL MUSIC DESCRIPTIONS

MIXED CHORUS (510401 AND 510402)

Length:  Semester or Year            Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Mixed Chorus is either a semester or year-long beginning level choir class for any 7-8 grade students wishing to join. Students will learn correct vocal technique, music notation, and other level 1 vocal music standards. Students will be expected to perform in one concert per semester. No audition or prerequisite is necessary.

CONCERT CHOIR-PERFECT HARMONY SHOW CHOIR (510910)

Length:  Year          Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required*

Show Choir is a year-long advanced choir class for 7-8 graders. Students will learn correct vocal technique, music notation, and other level 2 vocal music standards. Show choir students will be expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. We will have 2 main choir concerts as well as other performances such as assemblies, festival competition, and other school activities through the duration of the course. Students wishing to join must participate in an audition with Mrs. Mayren.

*Auditions will be held after school in March by appointment only. You may schedule an appointment with Mrs. Mayren by emailing smayren@graniteschools.org or you may submit a video audition with the audition form. All auditions must be complete by Friday, March 25, 2022.

GUITAR DESCRIPTION

GUITAR I (508501 and 508502)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Guitar 1 is a semester-long beginning level guitar class for any 7-8 grade students wishing to join. Students will learn to correctly play chords and tablature in a group setting and focus on other level 1 guitar standards.

No audition or prerequisite necessary.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DESCRIPTIONS

FOUNDATION PERCUSSION (509200)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Foundation percussion is an entry level music course where students can learn the fundamental rudiments to playing snare drum, bass, and crash cymbal with no previous music experience required. Practice pads, drumsticks, and methods are required for this class. Supplies can be checked out from the school, but inventory is limited. Foundation Percussion will put on 1 concert at the end of the semester.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (509200)

Length:  Year          Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required*

Percussion Ensemble is an advanced level course where students will learn how to play mallet instruments, auxiliary percussion instruments, and advanced snare drum rudiments. Students in this class will prepare and perform pieces as an ensemble and will have the opportunity to perform in front of the school during assemblies. We will put on 2 concerts during the school year in the winter and spring, and can perform at a district festival.

FOUNDATION BAND (509110)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Foundation Band is an entry level music course where students can learn a band instrument (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone) from the beginning with no previous music experience needed. School instruments are available to check out, but inventory is limited. Foundation Band will put on 2 concerts during the school year, one in the winter and one in the spring.

CONCERT BAND (509410)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required*

Concert Band is an advanced level music course where students will continue to develop and refine their skills in playing an instrument. Students in this class will work on playing more advanced level music, more complex rhythms, and more advanced concepts in music theory. Concert Band will put on 2 concerts during the school year, one in the winter and one in the spring as well as perform at a district Festival in early spring.

FOUNDATION STRINGS (509000)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Foundation Strings is an entry level music course where students can learn a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass) from the beginning with no previous music experience needed. School instruments are available to check out, but inventory is limited. Foundation Strings will put on 2 concerts during the school year, one in the winter and one in the spring.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (509810)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required*

Concert Orchestra is an advanced level course where students will continue to develop and refine their skills on their chosen string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass). Students in this class will work on playing more advanced level music, more complex rhythms/bowings, and more advanced concepts in music theory. Concert Orchestra will put on 2 concerts during the school year, one in the winter and one in the spring as well as perform at a district Festival in early spring.

*Auditions wills be held after school in March, by appointment only. To schedule an audition, email Mr. Brown at rbrown1@graniteschools.org

Students will need to prepare two scales of their choosing and about 30 seconds of something that demonstrates their best playing abilities.

THEATRE DESCRIPTIONS

THEATRE 1 (520101)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

The Theatre 1 student will develop beginning acting skills (pantomime, memorization, voice production, movement, improvisation, ensemble-building, theatre history) and an appreciation for the art of the theatre through classroom activities, instruction, and projects.

THEATRE 2 (520220)

Length:  Year          Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required

The Theatre 2 student will continue to develop acting skills (acting technique, memorization, voice production, movement, improvisation) and an appreciation for the art of the theatre through classroom activities, instruction, projects, and before/after-school rehearsal and performance participation in a theatrical production.

STAGE CREW (691060)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Application Required

The Stage Crew student will develop an appreciation for the technical aspects of the art of the theatre (lights, sound, props, costumes, set building, design) through classroom activities, instruction, and before/after-school production participation in theatrical and school-sponsored productions and assemblies.

MUSICAL THEATRE (520401)

Length:  Year           Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Audition Required

The Musical Theatre student will develop acting, dancing, singing, and ensemble skills as well as an appreciation for the art of the theatre through classroom activities, instruction, and before/after-school rehearsal and performance participation in a theatrical production.

VISUAL ART DESCRIPTIONS

ART FOUNDATIONS I (501001)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  7th and 8th Grade

This exciting course provides students a foundation focused on the elements and principles of art. They develop visual perception and artistic skills through creative design, drawing, color and become ‘Masters of Illusion’ using various techniques.

ADVANCED FOUNDATIONS – 3D (501321)

Length:  Semester  Available for:  8th Grade

Prerequisite:  Art Foundations 1

Students will expand their compositional knowledge and skills through media exploration and creative problem solving.