Fine & Performing Arts

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

General Art is a comprehensive course that enables students to explore various visual art mediums and forms and to create individual works of art. In the first half of the semester, students focus on two-dimensional art (sketching, drawing, and painting). The second half of the course focuses on three-dimensional art (jewelry, bookbinding, ceramics, and other sculpture). This course focuses on instruction in design, elements, principles, studio technique, communication skills, art history, and art criticism. Through his/her creations, students will link art with other units, content areas, culture, history, and the professional industry. Technology is used to help students prepare for post-secondary options by gathering and analyzing a portfolio of his/her work.

Prerequisite(s): Must have taken General Art (Art 100).

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Advanced Art courses offer students the opportunity to create a professional body of work that clearly demonstrates mastery of technical skills and increased conceptual thinking and reflects their personal interests. This course expands upon the artistic and computer techniques learned in the General Art course. This course focuses on instruction in design, printmaking, concepts, sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, communication skills and commercial art business operations. Through his/her creations, students will link art with other units, content areas and the professional industry. Technology is used to help students prepare for postsecondary options by gathering and analyzing a portfolio of his/her work.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Sculpture courses promote creative expression through three-dimensional works. Instruction provides a hands-on experience and emphasizes conceptual progress and craftsmanship. This course focuses on the theories, methods and techniques found in the following mediums: mixed media, metal, polymer clay, ceramics, glass, and wood. Through their creations students will link art with other units, content areas and the professional industry. Technology is used to help students prepare for postsecondary options by gathering and analyzing portfolio of his/her work.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Theater Arts courses focus on the study and performance of drama in its many forms. Introduction to Drama is a year-long class in which students study acting skills and techniques including voice, movement and character development. It is a study of theatre through history and includes acting and voice work with set and costume design to provide a well-rounded study of theatre both on stage and off.

Prerequisite(s): Audition Required

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

This is an evening production class and meets outside of the regular school day.

Theatre arts courses focus on the study and performance of drama in its many forms. This course studies scripts from a variety of genres and practices performances of different styles of theatre. This course requires students to perform collaboratively as part of our study. Students in this course will be responsible for four public play/musical performances per year as well as monologue performances.

Students may take Advanced Theatre for multiple years. This course requires an audition to be passed for enrollment into this course.

Prerequisite(s): By Application

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

This class meets outside of the regular school day.

Theater—Stagecraft courses provide students with experience and skill in one or more aspects of theatrical production, such as lighting, costuming, sound, set construction, makeup, stage management, and the use of computer applications to support these functions. Students will apply their knowledge of theater technical skills by supporting public productions.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Students will receive individualized instruction on the piano and work independently. A basic course of study is determined by student and teacher. Students are evaluated by progress toward agreed goals. Students have the opportunity to perform for each other as well as play duets, and listen to a variety of music. Students will be learning basic musical knowledge as well as how other cultures create musical art.

Prerequisite(s): Piano 1 with a grade of B or higher or instructor permission.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Students will continue to develop skills learned in Piano 1. Further skills will include all major scales, how to read chords, improvise, and play the jazz and blues scales. Music theory as well as music history are incorporated in this advanced class for students who are looking to progress their basic piano playing skills. Students completing this course will be able to play the piano and will participate in formal and informal performances.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

This is a beginning guitar course which will provide students an introduction to the fundamentals of music and guitar techniques such as melodies, chords, scales, and different strumming/finger picking patterns. Music history and the study of different composers is incorporated into the course. Students completing this course will be able to play the guitar and will participate in formal and informal performances.

Prerequisite(s): Middle School or High School experience. This class is not for beginners, audition required.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Concert Band is designed to enhance students’ technique for playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. This course will cover a variety of musical styles and literature from the concert band repertoire. This course will also include instruction in sight-reading, performance and technical mastery, music history, and music theory. Students are required to attend performances outside of the school day and play as a pep-band for Foster football evening “home” games. Previous band experience is necessary.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

This choir sings a wide variety of choral music including standard classics, popular American music, and music originating from other cultures. This is a performance-based choir which requires numerous day and evening concerts, and musical events outside of the school day. Students develop good vocal production, performance practice, and sight singing skills. Students are taught the knowledge and skills to become an independent singer. Teamwork, self-confidence, and a sense of accomplishment characterize what the singer realizes from the choral experience. Beginner singers are welcome.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of Concert Choir/Advanced Choir. Permission from the instructor. An audition may be required.

Graduation Requirement: Fine and Performing Arts

Chamber choir is designed for accomplished vocalists with experience singing in choral ensembles. Students will continue to develop skills aligned to the district high school choir curriculum while performing advanced and sophisticated literature. This is a performance-based class which requires numerous day and evening concerts, contests, and musical events outside of the school day.