Fine & Performing Arts
ART
Art I
Grade 9-10 Credit 1
A fundamental drawing and design class covering skills necessary to develop two-dimensional line drawings into drawings having depth and dimension. Students will learn perspective, shading and graphic design techniques. Mixing tempera paint to achieve new colors and use of watercolor paint with varied media will be a focus for future art classes.
Art II
Grade 10-11 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Art I
This course is an in-depth continuation of Art I using more advanced methods and various techniques to develop drawing, design and painting skills. Students will perfect clay hand- building skills and use various glaze techniques. Other three-dimensional media projects will be plaster and paper sculpture, printmaking, basket making and macramé.
Ceramics
Grade 10-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Art I
Ceramics introduces students to the ancient craft of working with clay. Students will experience hand-building techniques including pinch, coil, and slab. Wheel throwing is introduced with expectations for basic levels of achievement, including cylinder, bowl, and plate forms. As the semester progresses, experimentation with basic techniques will lead to more freedom and individual creativity. Clay works created in this course, whether functional or sculptural, will be enjoyed for a lifetime!
Completion of Art I and II OR Art I and Ceramics satisfies the sequential elective requirement.
BAND
Students will be responsible for purchasing the required dress/tuxedo for performances during the first month of the school year.
Concert Band (Fall Term Only)
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: prior band experience is required
In this course, students will play a wide variety of music from classical to popular. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and participate in occasional after-school rehearsals prior to these events.
Percussion Ensemble (Fall Term Only)
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: audition, prior ensemble experience or permission from instructor
Students enrolled in this class will learn basic to advanced percussion skills including all mallet and accessory instruments. Percussion ensemble students have double-duty, as they will perform in their own concerts and with Symphonic and Concert Bands. Performance and rehearsals outside regular school hours are a requirement.
Symphonic Band Honors (Fall Term Only)
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: audition and prior band experience
In this course, students will play a wide variety of music from classical to popular. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and participate in occasional after-school rehearsals prior to these events. Performance and rehearsals outside regular school hours are a requirement.
This ensemble participates in VBODA District Assessment which occurs in March. Students are required to participate in District Assessment.
GUITAR
Guitar I (Spring Term Only)
Grades 9-11 Credit 1
Students enrolled in this class learn music technique, theory, and vocabulary as well as rhythmic skills and improvisation utilizing classic rock music. Students will learn the beginning level technical and ensemble skills necessary for performance.
Guitar II (Spring Term Only)
Grades 10-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Guitar I
Building on the concepts learned in Guitar I, students will learn advanced techniques and concepts, allowing them to play more challenging and advanced music.
Completion of Guitar I and Guitar II satisfies the sequential elective requirement for the Standard Diploma.
CHORUS
Students will be responsible for purchasing the required dress/tuxedo for performances during the first month of the school year.
Concert Chorus
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Audition
In this advanced class, students learn a variety of vocal skills through the study of related choral literature. Music learned will be of various styles from classical to popular. Music theory skills and sight singing assists students in singing his/her choral part. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals and to participate in after‑school rehearsals prior to these events.
MP Singers Bass Chorus & Bella Voce Treble Choir
(tenor and bass singers & alto and soprano singers)
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Audition
These courses designed for the beginning level singer, emphasize correct vocal performance techniques through the singing of appropriate choral literature. Students will be required to perform evening concerts, festivals, and to participate in after-school rehearsals prior to these events.
Chamber Singers Honors
Grades 10-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Audition
Chamber Singers is a vocal ensemble by audition. The focus of this ensemble will be performing as well as strengthening vocal skills. Students will be required to perform in evening concerts as well as festivals and participate in after-school rehearsals prior to events. Music of various styles, including jazz are learned and music theory and sight singing skills is taught at an advanced level. Students wishing to audition for this ensemble should have prior singing experience as well as some music reading ability.
Chamber Singers Honors Advanced
Grades 10-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Chamber Singers Honors
The focus of Chamber Singers Advanced will be to build vocal and choral technique at an advanced and artist level. Students will be required to perform in evening concerts and community events as well as festivals (to include District Chorus Assessment) and participate in after-school rehearsals prior to events. Students will be required to prepare and audition for solos, both in the classroom as well as for local events such as District Honors Choir. Music of various styles, accompanied and a cappella, including classical, jazz, and popular are learned. Students must be enrolled in Chamber Singers during 1st semester in order to be enrolled in Chamber Singers Advanced.
THEATRE
Theatre I
Grades 9-11 Credit 1
Theatre I is an introductory course that will focus on foundational theatre concepts, ensemble work, and basic acting skills development, and will study theatre history from around the world from origins. This course will require students to perform in front of their classmates and in front of audiences. This course will require a performance at the end of the year as the culminating final exam.
Time after school is required.
Theatre II
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre I
This course builds upon the skills and knowledge learned in Theatre I. Students will study theatre history from around the world from origins to the present. This course will require students to perform in front of their classmates and in front of audiences. This course will require a performance at the end of the year as the culminating final exam. Time after school is required.
Technical Theatre
Grades 9-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Theatre I
The standards for Technical Theatre help students apply and expand their knowledge of theatre design, production, and management. Students develop problem-solving, communication, organizational, and management skills. Drawing on fine arts and other disciplines, they work individually and collaboratively to explore the interrelated components of design, production, and management. Students practice safe operating procedures, including the care, maintenance, and storage of tools, materials, and equipment.
Advanced Theatre Production
Grades 9-12 Credit 1 (course may be repeated)
Prerequisite: Audition (two prepared monologues, one classical and one contemporary piece) and successful completion of Theatre 1.
Advanced Theatre Production is a studio style class in which students will act as a professional theatre company and will produce three full-fledged performances/showcases for public viewing and adjudication. Through research, performance, and evaluation, students develop artistic criteria applied to performing and directing. Students study and respond to a variety of theatrical experiences, show casing and applying their collaborative, analytical, interpretive, and problem-solving skills.
Completion of Theatre I and Theatre II satisfies the sequential elective requirement.
ADVANCED MUSIC ELECTIVES
Music Theory
Grades 10-12 Credit 1
Prerequisite: Two years of participation in band or choir (at least one in high school)
Music Theory is a one semester course that is designed to expand upon the skills learned in a previous music course. Students will develop musical skills that will lead to a thorough understanding of music composition and music theory. Students receive a solid foundation in intervals, pitch patterns, metric/rhythmic patterns, chords, and the terms that are part of a basic understanding of reading, performing, and listening to music. Through this course of study, students will learn to analyze, synthesize and create music with an understanding of the various techniques used in western music.
Please note: Course is offered in alternating years.