Visual and Performing Arts

Band I is a performance-oriented course that includes both marching and concerts band. The band plays at numerous events throughout the school year. These events include non-competitive activities including performances at concerts, festivals, parades, and home football games. Band I will focus on the reading of music notation and instrumental fundamentals. This ensemble will be included in marching/performing activities with a limited repertoire and a truncated performance schedule (fewer mandatory performances). There are a limited number of school instruments and instrument preferences are not guaranteed; however, most students supply their own instruments and must maintain their instrument in performance condition. Currently there is no lab fee, but students must purchase valve oil, reeds, grease, etc. for their instrument. This class meets the fine art requirement for graduation.

Guitar is a course open to students in grades 9-12. This is an introductory music course which will help students learn the basics of music in the context of learning the fundamental skills, concepts, and knowledge that relate to guitar technique, performance, and analysis. Students will address criteria for critically judging the quality of performances and compositions that derive from social and historical influence. Work outside of class involves project preparation, written assignments, and exploration of school-to-career possibilities. Students will have the opportunity to perform at school events to showcase what they have learned. 

Drawing I is a beginning drawing course designed to introduce different drawing techniques and media to the beginning art student. Some of the areas to be covered will be: learning to draw what you see, not what you know; perspective drawing; line and shadow techniques to show form; beginning color theory; and multimedia drawing techniques. In this course, the student has the opportunity to be creative and imaginative inside the boundaries of the assigned projects. This class includes an introduction to the history of drawing. Successful completion of this course meets the fine art requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing 1

Ceramics is a one-year course emphasizing studio production working with the medium of clay. Students create works of art in clay utilizing hand building techniques of pinch, coil, and slab. Students will have the opportunity to work on the potter’s wheel, learning to center and create simple functional wares. The course is designed to develop higher-level thinking, and ceramic related technology skills. The course also includes art criticism, art history, and aesthetic awareness. Students will become acquainted with historical culturally diverse examples of ceramic art and view work by contemporary artists as they develop their ceramic works of art. Students will keep a daily journal to document their progress with class work and the development of ideas and skills. Students will learn and use appropriate ceramics terminology.

The Art and History of Floral Design provides an introduction to artistic and creative perception, including aesthetic valuing through a series of projects in various media. Students will explore elements and principles of design, two- and three- dimensional designs, history of floral art, arrangement styles and techniques, seasonal holidays and occasional designs. The students will use their skills to make a variety of floral arrangements. In addition, all students will learn various types of cut and potted foliage, potted flowering plants, fresh flowers, tools, materials, display techniques, and cut flower care. Students will learn to recognize balance and harmony within arrangement, along with scale, color, and design. The historical and cultural past of the floral industry will be discussed as it relates to modern floral design and tradition. Due to the nature of this class, many projects will be created. 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Drawing 1

An upper-level course designed for the student who wishes to further develop skills and techniques that were introduced in previous drawing courses. This is a desirable course for any student wishing to develop a portfolio for college/career. Students will be continually encouraged to expand their creative ideas as well as their technical potential. The course will approach drawing and painting utilizing various techniques and materials.