Fine Arts Courses

Course Description:

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of instrumental music, including basic music reading, rhythm, tone production, and ensemble performance. Students will learn proper instrument care, playing techniques, and rehearsal skills while developing teamwork and musical confidence through group performances.

Course Description:

The Lakeside Junior High Band is a performance group.  The junior high band performs at home football games during the first semester and home basketball games during the second semester. In addition, the junior high band performs in local concerts and Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association events throughout the year. Students who have not participated in 7th grade should reach out to the director to join this group.

Course Description:

Band is a year-long course open to students in grades 9-12.  Band students participate in marching band during the first part of the first semester.  After marching season is complete, the band splits into two bands by audition; the top group is the Symphonic Band and the next group is the Concert Band.  During the year the band has many public performances including concerts, contests, marching performances, parades, and pep band performances.

Course Description:

Jazz band is a year-long course open to band students in grades 9-12.  The jazz band has many civic public performances throughout the school year. 

Course Description:

These choirs are composed of all 7th-grade students and are divided by voice type (soprano/alto and tenor/bass).  

Basics in vocal production, musical elements, and sight-singing are presented in the course. The students perform Holiday, Mid-Winter, and Spring concert programs. Students are encouraged to audition as individuals to be members of the Southwest All-Region Choir and participate as a group at the Region Choral Performance Assessment.

Course Description:

These choirs are composed of all 8th-grade students and are divided by voice type (soprano/alto and tenor/bass).  Basics in vocal production, musical elements, and sight-singing are presented in the course. The students perform Holiday, Mid-Winter, and Spring concert programs. Students are encouraged to audition as individuals to be members of the Southwest All-Region Choir and participate as a group at the Region Choral Performance Assessment.

Course Description:

Choir is a year-long course open to students in grades 9-12.  Choir students will audition and will be placed in various ensembles each year.  Ensembles may include Chamber Singers, Varsity Singers, Concert Choir, 9th Grade Select Choir, or others.  All choirs sing a variety of music ranging from Medieval to current-day, popular music.  Students audition for all-region and all-state choirs, sing at both regional and state choral competitions, and sing at various on-campus concerts each year.

Course Description:

AP Music Theory is a class that is completely focused on the study, practice, and production of the elements of music. Theory students will be analyzing, writing, and singing pieces of music in preparation for the AP Music Theory exam. Because students will be working at a fast pace, they must have some knowledge and experience in reading and performing music.  Students choosing this course must be enrolled in band, choir, or be currently taking private lessons on the piano or other musical instrument.  This class is specifically geared towards any student wanting to major or minor in music in college, as Music Theory is the first and most important course taken during the freshman year.  At the end of the course students are required to take the advanced placement test and, upon scoring a 3 or above, may receive college credit for the course, as well as advanced quality points for grade point calculation.

Notes:  This is a course recommended for the student who has demonstrated a high level of interest, dedication, and aptitude for a subject area.  College credit may be earned with an acceptable score on the AP exam.  Students must take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade points.

Course Description:

This semester course is designed to introduce students to the many performing and technical aspects of theater. Students will learn basic acting techniques, (stage movement, developing voice, memorizing lines, etc.), character development, basic scene study, and script analysis. In small ensembles, duets and individually, students will prepare and perform scenes in class demonstrating these skills.

Course Description:

Students who pursue this year-long performance course must have a sincere interest in onstage theatrical performance. Students who are not willing to perform in front of others, improvise, memorize text, write original works, etc, should not enroll, but should consider a behind-the-scenes alternative. Introductory dramatic studies will include improvisation, basic audition prep, monologue and scene study, introductory voice and diction, acting a song, an introduction to play-writing, and script analysis. This class concludes with an in-class production.

Course Description:

This year-long performance course is designed as a continuation of theatrical studies for serious students of theatre, especially those who plan to pursue theatre beyond high school. Course work includes continued exercises, improvisations, and naturalistic/realistic scene study. The course includes advanced study of acting technique for the stage, including the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski, Sanford Meisner, and Michael Chekhov, and The First Folio technique for Shakespearean text. Autonomous work is oriented around the cutting and preparation of scenes and monologues for performance. Expectations include the reading and researching of plays and considerable memorization.  Students must be able to manage their time and schedule effectively to stay on top of performance requirements while keeping on top of other school demands. As students progress through the levels of Theatre Performance, they will work more autonomously and may create independent productions that may or may not be touring shows.

Course Description:

Musical Theatre Performance is a full-year exploration of the unique staging and technical demands of musicals in contrast to non-musical plays. Course work focuses on, but is not limited to vocal performance, acting, dance, non-dance movement, and staging.  Public performance may serve as a culmination of specific instructional goals. Students may be required to attend and/or participate in rehearsals and performance outside of the school day to support, extend, and assess learning in the classroom.

Course Description:

Playwriting is a full-year course that articulates the most fundamental elements of playwriting and is designed to enable students to achieve mastery in playwriting for the stage.  Student coursework focuses on, but is not limited to, the creative process, script analysis, dramatic structures, historical and cultural influences on style and practice, the anatomy of a play, and the mechanics of writing.  Playwriting students will participate in workshops and draft and complete plays of various styles and lengths. Public readings or performances may serve as the culmination of specific instructional goals.

Course Description:

Technical Theatre is ideal for students who would rather be behind-the-scenes than onstage.  This class could be described as "shop class" for the drama world, but it is so much more than that.  Technical Theatre I is a two-semester course which provides students with both exposures to and experience in all elements of technical theatre, including design/drafting and construction of scenery, props, lighting, and sound.  Technical Theatre II is a two-semester course which allows students to advance their skills in all elements of technical theatre through practical experience. Technical Theatre III is a two-semester course which allows students to deepen their understanding and advance their skills in specialized elements of technical theatre of their choice, (like choosing a "major,) which could include scenery, props, lighting, sound, stage management, costume, and/or makeup. Technical Theatre I fulfills the one-half unit of fine arts credit required for graduation. 

Course Description:

Theatre Production and Management is a two-semester, advanced theatre course in which students explore the business and production side of theatre by training in a variety of roles. Students may specialize in the role of Stage Manager, Director, Dramaturg, Marketing or other specialties on the business side of creating theatre.  This course is designed to develop leadership skills within the collaborative areas of theatre production - both in working as a production team and in individual specialization on both the real Lakeside theatrical season as well in theoretical exercises. In this course, students may have the opportunity to compete at the state level with projects they worked on during the year, as well as brainstorming theatre programming, mission and vision statements, budgeting, and more!

Course Description:

This course is designed for students who have a basic understanding of the principles of theatrical design and who want a more intensive study of costume design and the psychology of clothing. Students develop designs that emerge through a process of character analysis, based on the script and directorial concept. Period research, design, and rendering skills are fostered through practical exercises. Please see the description of Theatrical Make-up for more information on the second half of this course.

Course Description:

Theatrical Makeup is a one-semester course that is designed to enable students to master the technical theatre specialty of theatrical makeup. Mastery in theatrical makeup means discovering the expressive elements of design and application, knowing the terminology and historical background that is used to comprehend technical theatre, having a clear sense of what theatrical makeup embodies, and being able to reflect, critique, and connect personal experience to the theatre.

Course Description:

Music History is a one-semester course designed for students who do not wish to perform but have an interest in developing fundamental music knowledge through academic study.  Students will develop an understanding of basic music skills (vocal, instrumental, etc.) and the history of music, analyze and evaluate musical work, and discover connections between musical works and societal, cultural, and historical contexts.

Course Description:

Music Technology is a two-semester course designed for the study of technologies used to create, manipulate, perform, record, and share music.  The course will introduce the student to the constantly changing resources and possibilities available to them for personal music expression.  Course activities may involve smartphones, tablets, computers, and cloud-based resources, along with the voice and available acoustic, analog, electronic, and digital instruments.

Course Description:

This is a semester course that introduces them to multiple mediums and processes used in the creation of art. The department provides basic art materials.

Course Description:

This is a one-credit introductory course that gives the student a broad exposure to several processes and theories in the visual arts such as art history, art criticism, design, drawing, painting, printmaking, pottery, and sculpture. The department provides basic art materials.  Art I fulfills the Fine Art graduation requirement.  Tenth graders who passed Art I in the 9th grade may not take this course.

Course Description:

This course focuses on building the foundation formed in Art I.  There is an emphasis on artistic technique, style, and aesthetic judgment. The curriculum integrates all areas of the arts and other domains such as art history, art criticism, design, drawing, painting, printmaking, pottery, sculpture, cultural arts and technology.  Basic art supplies are provided.

Course Description:

This class is for those serious students considering Advanced Placement Art.  Each student will begin to develop his or her portfolio and begin focusing on breadth and scope of the individual’s work.  All areas covered in Art I and Art II will be reviewed and developed further through projects and discussion.  Second semester students will experience an introduction to AP expectations and the process of individualized work. Basic materials are provided.

Notes:  This is a course recommended for the student who has demonstrated a high level of interest, dedication, and aptitude for a subject area.

College Art Appreciation

Course Description:

This semester course is designed to provide a background in art and the related processes so that a student may develop powers of observation and thereby respond to a work of art.  

 Notes:  *ONLY OFFERED AS A VIRTUAL COURSE* 

*National Park College Concurrent Credit Class:  Students completing this course with a final grade of “C” or better will be able to earn three credit hours through NPC.

AP Studio Art 2D

Course Description:

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art.  AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year to be evaluated by the College Board.  This College Board program provides the only national standard for performance for the visual arts.  The program is based on the premise that college level material can be taught successfully to secondary school art students.  Therefore, curriculum is regulated by three major concerns: (a) quality original work, (b) concentration – body of related works based on the student’s interest, (c) breadth of work—using a variety of means and media.  2-D Design Portfolio is the regulated area of Advanced Placement Art.  Basic materials are provided.

Notes:  This is a course recommended for the student who has demonstrated a high level of interest, dedication, and aptitude for a subject area.  College credit may be earned with an acceptable score on the AP exam.  Students must take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade points.

Course Description:

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art.  AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year to be evaluated by the College Board.  This College Board program provides the only national standard for performance for the visual arts. The program is based on the premise that college level material can be taught successfully to secondary school art students.  Therefore, curriculum is regulated by three major concerns: (a) quality original work, (b) concentration – body of related works based on the student’s interest, (c) breadth of work—using a variety of means and media. 3-D Design Portfolio is the regulated area of Advanced Placement Art. Basic materials are provided.

 Notes:  This is a course recommended for the student who has demonstrated a high level of interest, dedication, and aptitude for a subject area.  College credit may be earned with an acceptable score on the AP exam.  Students must take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade points.

Course Description:

AP Drawing is intended to address a wide range of approaches for drawing.  Line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, illusion of depth are a few of the drawing issues that will be addressed through a variety of means, which could include painting, printmaking, mixed-media etc.  This class is recommended for the highly motivated art student.  Students are required to be keep a process journal that includes research and outside of class drawings.  Students must be self-starters.

Notes:  This is a course recommended for the student who has demonstrated a high level of interest, dedication, and aptitude for a subject area.  College credit may be earned with an acceptable score on the AP exam.  Students must take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade points.