Art 1 -
Prerequisites: None

This course focuses on the fundamentals of drawing and painting by providing step-by-step instruction in rendering, perspective, foreshortening, blind contour drawing, proportion, and color to create compositions in landscape, figurative, printmaking, and still life. Drawing and painting from observation are learned skills that everyone can develop. Students will work with materials including charcoal, graphite, pastel, watercolor, paint, and ink.

AP 2D Art and Design

 Prerequisites: Advanced 2D Art, a teacher’s recommendation, and a sample of the student’s strongest artwork, submitted for teacher approval.

AP Studio Art: 2-D Design demands a significant commitment to an investigation of a single topic addressing the elements of art and principles of design in their work. The final assessment for AP Studio Art is a portfolio submission to the College Board for evaluation. AP portfolios are assessed on the quality of a student’s work and sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas. The student’s work should reflect these three areas of concern: Written evidence, selected works, and a sustained investigation through a fifteen-piece body of work. This course is a rigorous introduction to college studio art courses, students will need to work outside the classroom, maintain a sketchbook, and participate in ongoing group and individual critiques.

Beginning Ceramics

This one-year introductory course explores clay as a functional and sculptural medium. Concepts such as the elements of art and principles of design are developed using clay as a medium. The course stresses hand-building techniques such as modeling, pinching, coiling, molding, slab making, and surface embellishments.

Beginning Orchestra -
Prerequisites: None

This one-year course is an introduction to instrumental music. Students will learn to play an instrument from the string family and perform musical works at grade level 2 or lower. Available instruments include Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass. This course is designed for students with little or no experience with music and focuses on building music literacy and technical skills with their instrument.

Beginning Band - 

Prerequisites: None

This one-year course is an introduction to instrumental music. Students will learn to play an instrument from the wind family and perform musical works at grade level 2 or lower. Available instruments include Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Saxophone, Flute, and Clarinet. This course is designed for students with little or no experience with music and focuses on building music literacy and technical skills using their instrument.

Advanced Band -
Prerequisites: Music Literacy, At least one year of experience in an ensemble music class, or audition.

A class for music-literate students with at least one year of experience playing a wind or percussion instrument in an ensemble. This is a performance-based class that will put on 4 concerts per year. Musical selections will include band compositions of grade level 2 or higher. The requirement of one year of experience may be waived through an audition.

Advanced Orchestra -
Prerequisites: Music Literacy, At least one year of experience in an ensemble music class, or audition.

A class for music literate students with at least one year of experience playing an orchestra string instrument in an ensemble. This is a performance based class that will put on 4 concerts per year. Musical selections will include band compositions of grade level 2 or higher. Requirement of one year of experience may be waived through an audition.

Marching Band -
Marching Band:

Prerequisites: Music Literacy, attendance at band camp before school (contact band director for information).

Marching Band is a competitive performing ensemble. In the fall semester, we have a parade band that will compete in 4-5 competitions in the greater Sacramento area, and play at home football games. The ensemble includes wind and percussion instruments, as well as the Color Guard. In the spring semester, we form a competitive Drumline and Color Guard that competes in 4-5 competitions in the greater Sacramento area.

Beginning Guitar -
Prerequisites: None

Beginning Guitar provides students with individualized training in basic guitar technique, musical notation, and music history. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore music from different cultures and historical periods as they learn the basics of note reading, rhythm reading, and performance techniques. Students will also have opportunities to apply their music theory knowledge and skills through small songwriting assignments.

Advanced Guitar:

Prerequisites: Pass Beginning Guitar with a B or better, OR audition for Asai (approval to join class not guaranteed)

Advanced Guitar provides students with individualized training to continue developing their guitar skills and knowledge. This course is designed to further the development of students who have already passed Beginning Guitar and provide more personalized repertoire and feedback. Students will have the opportunity to perform in at least one recital during the school year, as well as for their peers during class time. 

• • Please note: This class is NOT designed for beginners. New guitarists should take Beginning Guitar.

Beginning Piano Lab:

Prerequisites: None

Beginning Piano provides students with individualized training in basic piano technique, musical notation, and music history. This course is designed to develop skills both individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to explore music from different cultures and historical periods as they learn the basics of note reading, rhythm reading, and performance techniques. Students will also have opportunities to apply their music theory knowledge and skills through small songwriting assignments. 

• • Please note: This is a lab class that requires a significant amount of independent student practice during class time.

Theater Character & Scene -
Character and Scene P is designed to introduce students to the basics of the theatre arts. Students will acquire the basic skills necessary to function in a theater environment and to develop as an actor. Students will have the opportunity to learn and perform pantomimes, monologues, and improvisations; view and describe theatrical experiences; develop characters and actions that create interest and suspense; and learn some of the business and technical support necessary for a successful production.

Choir -
In this course, students learn mixed choral organization, emphasizing music of many historical periods and cultures. The second semester includes choreography with singing. Public performances are expected.

Beginning Modern Band: 

Beginning Modern Band provides beginning to intermediate instruction of skills necessary to play guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals. This course is designed to provide introductory experience on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals before having students create their own bands. 

This course engages in a variety of contemporary musical styles including, but not limited to, R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop. In their bands, students will cover existing songs, compose original songs/lyrics, and develop rehearsal/performance skills in preparation for performances throughout the year. 

This course is open to all students from no previous musical experience to advanced (however, advanced students are recommended to audition for the Advanced Modern Band section). 

The Beginning Modern Band course will provide a new Fine Arts credit opportunity without any prior experience needed. Students will learn about and be able to play modern genres of music that will better prepare them for modern music production and offer a more ethnically and racially diverse music education compared to a traditional Marching/Concert Band course that tends to have a Eurocentric focus.

Advanced Modern Band: 

Advanced Modern Band provides intermediate to advanced instruction of skills necessary to play guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals in a Modern Band setting. This course is designed to provide further development on a primary instrument in a small ensemble (student band) setting. 

This course engages in a variety of contemporary musical styles including, but not limited to, R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop. Students will create their own bands, cover existing songs, compose original songs/lyrics, and develop rehearsal/performance skills in preparation for performances throughout the year. 

This course has a prerequisite: students wishing to be enrolled need to audition for Asai or pass both semesters of Beginning Modern Band with a B or better. 

The Advanced Modern Band course will provide a new Fine Arts credit opportunity for advanced modern band musicians. Students will continue to learn about and develop their abilities to play modern genres of music that will better prepare them for modern music production and offer a more ethnically and racially diverse music education compared to a traditional Marching/Concert Band course that tends to have a Eurocentric focus.