FINE ARTS

Click to view Art, Theater, and Dance Course Sequence Diagram

Click to view Band, Choir, and Orchestra Course Sequence Diagram

Art 1

Course: 0515

Grade 6

Students will explore and study four areas of visual arts. These include perception: where students develop and organize ideas from their environment, creative expression: where students express ideas through original artworks, cultural and historical heritage: where students learn about the world through art history and cultural movements, and evaluation and critique: where students learn to evaluate and analyze works of art. Students work in various mediums and explore various techniques. Students will create original works of art that communicate and foster self-expression. A materials fee of $25 is required for this course. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office. 

Art 2

Course: 0520

Grade 7, 8  

Prerequisite:  0 to 1 year of Middle School Art 

In this beginner and intermediate course mix of classes, students will continue or begin exploring various art processes and development of skills. Students will explore and study four areas of visual arts. These include perception: where students develop and organize ideas from their environment, creative expression: where students express ideas through original artworks, cultural and historical heritage: where students learn about the world through art history and cultural movements, and evaluation and critique: where students learn to evaluate and analyze works of art. Students work in various mediums and explore various techniques. Students will create original works of art that communicate and foster self-expression. (no previous coursework is required) A materials fee of $30 required for this course. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Art 3

Course: 0525

Grade 8

Prerequisite:  1 to 2 years of Middle School Art (Art I and / or Art II)

In this intermediate course mix classes, students will continue or begin exploring various art processes and development of skills.  Students will explore and study four areas of visual arts.  These include perception: where students develop and organize ideas from their environment, creative expression: where students express ideas through original artworks, cultural and historical heritage: where students learn about the world through art history and cultural movements, and evaluation and critique: where students learn to evaluate and analyze works of art.  Students work in various mediums and explore various techniques.  Students will create original works of art that communicate and foster self-expression.  (no previous coursework is required)  A materials fee of $30 is required for this course. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Advanced Art Techniques

Course: 0524

Grade 8 

Prerequisite: Art I AND Art II AND Teacher Approval

This Advanced course is for students that are dedicated to applying and producing highly thought out and conceptualized art. Students will be working on choice-based projects throughout the year as they continue exploring various art processes and refining their skills. This course is designed for students that are more independent and are highly motivated to create rigorous works of art. Students will apply and study four areas of visual arts. These include perception: where students develop and organize ideas from their environment, creative expression: where students express ideas through original artworks, cultural and historical heritage: where students incorporate art historical and cultural movements, and evaluation and critique: where students partake in the self-evaluation and analyzation of multiple artworks,  Students work in various mediums and refine various techniques. Students will create original works of art that communicate and foster self-expression. Workload may require work time beyond regular classroom hours and is Highly Recommended.  A materials fee not exceeding $35 is required for this course. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Dance 8

Course: 0828

Grade 8  

Suggested Prerequisite:  Rhythm & Movement 6 or 7

Students in Grade 8 may take Dance 8 as a Fine Arts Elective

This advanced-level course explores characteristics and movements of various dance techniques including ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance. Emphasis is placed on performance, technique, and characterization while stressing the importance of warm-up, correct body mechanics and injury prevention. Fall and spring performances are required. A dance uniform is required and may be purchased from the dance teacher. Payment must be made when placing your dance uniform order. The cost of the uniform will not exceed $85.00. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office. 

Theatre Arts 1

Course: 0500

Grade 6

This course is designed as an introduction to Theatre Arts. Theatre students develop confidence and stage presence through training in acting techniques. Areas of study may include improvisation, dialects and vocal training, pantomime and movement, duets and group scene work, monologues, and finally, rehearsal and production.

Theatre Arts 2

Course: 0505

Grade 7, 8  

Prerequisite:  0 to 1 year of Middle School Theatre 

This class moves at a faster pace than Theatre Arts I, and students should be prepared to learn more about theatre during the year. Areas of study may include improvisation, pantomime, monologues, directing, playwriting, radio theatre, and creating your own silent film.

Theatre Arts 3

Course: 0510

Grade 8

Prerequisite: 1 to 2 years of Middle School Theatre (Theatre Arts I and / or Theatre Arts II)

This is a full-year course that is designed for the theatre student who has had at least one year of theatre at the middle school level. This course builds upon the fundamental knowledge of drama and theatre arts and offers a more in-depth curriculum. This course is designed to expose those students to in-depth character study, directing student-performed pieces, and more intense performance opportunities. Students will have opportunities to explore career possibilities in theatre and continued participation in high school theatre courses. In addition to more acting opportunities, activities will include guided preparation for high school advanced theatre placement auditions.

Theatre Arts Advanced Production

Course: 0509

Grade 8

Course Fee: $50

Prerequisite: Theater Arts 1 AND Theatre Arts 2 AND Teacher Approval

Full-year course that is designed for the advanced theatre student who is dedicated and ready for a challenge to improve and strengthen theatre production skills. Theatre students develop confidence and stage presence through training in acting techniques. Areas of study may include improvisation, pantomime, scene writing, monologue, directing, playwriting, and technical skills such as lighting and sound. Students are offered opportunities for performances both in and out of the classroom setting.  This course requires teacher permission. All students selected will have the opportunity to compete in state and local competitions, such as Texas Thespians and UIL One Act Play.  This course also provides guided preparation for high school advanced theatre placement auditions.

Band 6

Course: 0535

Grade 6 

Beginner Band is open to students with either no previous or limited experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument. A variety of performances throughout the year allows for meaningful musical experiences. Students will learn the basics of good tone production, rhythm, and melodic notation. Teamwork, problem solving, and working toward a common goal are also emphasized. Some instruments are provided by the school district for a nominal usage fee.  Instrument selection will occur in the spring of 5th grade.

Symphonic Band

Course: 0546

Grade Level: 7 and 8

Prerequisite:  Audition/Director Approval

This course is designed for the intermediate 7th or 8th grade band student. Meaningful musical experiences are offered through a variety of performances and competitions. Festival, contest, and travel opportunities are provided throughout the year. Teamwork, problem solving, and working toward a common goal are strongly emphasized. Some instruments are provided by the school district for a nominal usage fee. 

Performances and weekly before or after school rehearsals / sectionals are required.

Honors Band

Course: 0529

Grade Level: 7 and 8

Prerequisite:  Audition/Director Approval

Honors Band is available by audition only to students with one or more previous years of experience in band. Honors Band will focus on advanced musical concepts, individual instrumental skill development, and advanced band literature. Some instruments are provided by the school district for a nominal usage fee.
Performances and weekly before or after school rehearsals / sectionals are required.

Choir 6

Course: 0555

Grade 6

Beginning Choir is an introductory course open to all beginning sixth grade students.  Beginning Choir is a performance-based class and serves as preparatory learning for the more rigorous and challenging seventh and eighth grade choral performing groups.  Students enrolled in Beginning Choir will master a wide variety of musical skills including music reading, sight singing, ear training and rhythm skills. Students will focus on improving the individual voice and developing individual talent while learning to work closely with others. Many performance opportunities will be provided for the Beginning Choir student through the school year. Students in Beginning Choir are given the opportunity to take private voice lessons at school. Previous Choir experience is helpful, but is not required of this course. Concerts/Performances are mandatory.

JV Boys Choir

Course: 0563

Grade 7, 8

Prerequisite:  Director Approval

This is an Intermediate choir open to all 7th and 8th grade boys.  An audition is not required.  Seventh and eighth grade boys will train and work to develop the changing male voice. Students in this course will continue to work on individual, small ensemble and large group singing skills. Students will continue to develop their skills in music reading, sight reading and ear training.  Highlights of this course may include participation in seasonal concerts, UIL Choir Competition, school assemblies, and more.  Additionally, members of the Tenor/Bass Choir are given the opportunity to audition for membership in the All-Region Choir and take private voice lessons at school.  Concerts/Performances are mandatory.  A uniform rental fee of $25 is required.

JV Girls Choir

Course: 0562

Grade 7, 8

Prerequisite: Director approval

This is an Intermediate choir open to all 7th and 8th grade girls.  An audition is not required.  All music and activities for these choirs are designed to train and develop the maturing voice at an intermediate level. Highlights of these courses include participation in seasonal concerts, UIL Choir Competition, and school assemblies. Students are given the opportunity to take private voice lessons at school.  Additionally, members of the Junior Varsity Treble Choir are strongly encouraged to audition for membership in the All-Region Choir.   

Concerts/Performances are mandatory.   A uniform rental fee of $25 is required.

Varsity Boys Choir

Course: 0566

Grade 7, 8

Prerequisite: Audition and director approval

Varsity Tenor Bass Choir is open to seventh and eighth-grade boys by audition and is designed to train and develop the changing male voice at an accelerated level. Students in this course will continue to work on individual, small ensemble, and large group singing skills. Students will continue to develop their skills in music reading, sight reading and ear training.  Highlights of this course may include participation in seasonal concerts, UIL Choir Competition, school assemblies, and more.  Additionally, members of the Tenor/Bass Choir are given the opportunity to audition for membership in the All-Region Choir and take private voice lessons at school.  

Concerts/Performances are mandatory.  A uniform rental fee of $25 is required.

Varsity Girls Choir  

Course: 0564

Grade 7, 8

Prerequisite: Audition and director approval

Varsity Treble Choir is open to seventh and eighth-grade girls with one or more years of choir experience.  Members are selected by audition only.  All music and activities for these choirs are designed to train and develop the maturing voice at an accelerated level. These courses offer great depth and challenge to the serious choral student.  Highlights of these courses include participation in seasonal concerts, UIL Choir Competition, and school assemblies. Students are given the opportunity to take private voice lessons at school.  Additionally, members of the Varsity Treble Choir are strongly encouraged to audition for membership in the All-Region Choir.   Concerts/Performances are mandatory.   A uniform rental fee of $25 is required.

Orchestra 1

Course: 0550

Grade 6, 7, 8  

This course is designed for the beginning string player of any grade level. It will cover the basics of playing the violin, viola, cello, or bass in a group setting. Students will play a variety of music from classical to popular. Students perform as a group in both formal and informal concerts throughout the year. Other competitions and performances will also be offered for students to perform as soloists or with small ensembles. Opportunities for field trips to concerts and other musical events will also be provided. A course fee will be assessed.  Beginner Level

Orchestra 2

Course: 0551

Grade 7, 8

Prerequisite: Director Approval

Orchestra II is designed for the second-year string player. An audition is required. More advanced techniques will be learned. Students will also be given more opportunities to perform in the community and UIL competition in addition to orchestra concerts. There will be continued opportunities for field trips to concerts and other musical events.  A course fee will be assessed. Junior Varsity

Orchestra 3

Course: 0552

Grade Level:  7, 8

Prerequisite: Director Approval

Orchestra III is designed for the third-year string player. An audition is required. More complex string techniques and music will be learned. There will be continued opportunities for solo and small group performances, UIL competitions, community performances, and other musical events.  A course fee will be assessed. Varsity