Fine Arts

Fine Arts courses are divided into 3 areas: Visual Arts, Dramatic and Performing Arts, and Musical Arts. Courses taken from any of these 3 areas will count as Fine Arts credits. 

Visual Arts

Dramatic and Performing Arts

Musical Arts

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

VISUAL ARTS

ART I
Art 1 is a one-semester course designed to teach students the basic elements, principles, processes, materials, and inherent qualities of visual arts. Students will examine a broad range of methods and will conduct critical analyses of the creative processes involved in the various art forms. Students will reflect on the connections between society and the arts.  Students will develop perceptual awareness and aesthetic sensitivity as well as a foundation for a lifelong relationship with the arts.  Students will keep a sketchbook journal. 

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit 

ART II
Art 2 is a course that provides a multimedia experience.  This introductory studio course is a one semester elective that will prepare the student for further high school art experiences in drawing, painting and ceramics.   Students will learn to  apply the elements and principles of design and the critical process to produce creative artworks that reflect their understanding of these concepts while developing artistic literacy. Students will keep a sketchbook journal. 

Prerequisite: Art 1

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit 

DESIGN CONCEPTS
Emphasis will be placed on design and composition skills through the application of the elements and principles of design.  Areas of study will include but are not limited to drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, illustration and mixed media.    All students will be responsible for keeping a sketchbook and portfolio throughout the semester.    

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

ADVANCED DESIGN CONCEPTS
Emphasis on drawing and painting with advanced life drawing components. Utilize art tools, materials and techniques toward quality art production development of personal and creative style using a variety of art media. Concepts and composition, historical, cultural, and critical aspects are emphasized along with a deeper understanding of relationships and patterns among the arts and other knowledge.  All students will be responsible for keeping a sketchbook and portfolio throughout the semester.

Prerequisite: Design Concepts      

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit 

CERAMICS I
Students will learn the history of ceramics and develop skills in pot making through the use of a variety of hand-building methods. They will also explore a variety of glazing and decorating techniques. There will be a $10 lab fee to help cover the cost of materials used for this course.     

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit

CERAMICS II
A continuation of Ceramics I, but at a more advanced level. An emphasis will be placed upon creativity, craftsmanship, and more challenging constructions such as exploring the utilitarian use of clay. The Potter's wheel will also be introduced. There will be a $10 lab fee to help cover the cost of materials used for this course.  

Prerequisites: Ceramics I     

Grades 10-12 0.5 credit

DRAMATIC & PERFORMING ARTS

DRAMA  I
A one semester course that studies theater and acting. Drama I is a performance based course emphasizing all areas of theater including acting, design, and play production. Drama I is  designed to develop a student's potential, both as a spectator and performer in dramatic activities. Students learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings in a variety of modes, recognizing the connection between life and drama. Students will learn to work in a collaborative environment and appreciate the many disciplines within the theater arts.
Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

DRAMA II
This one semester course expands upon knowledge gained in Drama/Drama I. Students will  sharpen their skills and apply them to their theater experience and daily life.
Prerequisite:  Drama I
Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

TECHNICAL THEATER I
Technical Theater I is an introductory class that will explore the basic elements of technical theater. Units of study will include theatrical safety, technical terminology, basic scene painting, props building, basic stage make-up application, and elements of costuming.
Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

COMPETITIVE SPEECH
This is a co-curricular course allowing students who enjoy speech and drama to compete with other high schools. Students will learn nine individual competitive events: Pros Reading, Dramatic Interpretation, Humorous Interpretation, Storytelling, Original Oratory, Extemporaneous Speaking, Radio Speaking, Duet Acting,and Poetry Reading. Students will also learn team competitive events of One Act Play, Readers Theatre and eventually Debate and mock trial. Students would benefit by learning to communicate and perform at a higher level, earn awards and scholarships, and compete for their school at MSHSAA districts, state and nationals. Schools are allowed to participate in 11 tournaments per year. Students would be required to compete in MESA and at least 3 other tournaments as part of their grade. Students will also perform events at Windsor High School prior to going to state for family, faculty and friends. 
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Grades 9-12 1 credit

MUSICAL ARTS

MUSIC APPRECIATION
This is a survey course providing the student an approach to perceptive listening in order to heighten student appreciation of Western art music from the Middle-Ages to the present, Non-Western and American music, and the most recent from independent and commercial sources.  Students will gain an understanding of basic music concepts, develop listening skills and attend a variety of live music performances. Students will study style periods of Western music and Non-Western music and become familiar with specific composers and representative works of each style period. Students will also explore various internet and/or electronic sources of music. 
Grades 9-12 0.5 credit 

MUSIC PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY
This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and techniques of music production and technology, including audio recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and running live sound. Students will gain hands-on experience using professional music production software and hardware to create their own original compositions. 

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

GUITAR I
This class is for beginning guitar students and will be geared toward students with little or no guitar ability. Aside from developing guitar playing ability, students will learn elements of music literacy as well as basic sight reading skills.    

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

GUITAR II
This class is for advanced guitar students. Students should be proficient in the learning objectives outlined in “Beginning Guitar.” Students will learn advanced finger-style picking patterns, syncopated strumming patterns, advanced chords, advanced scales and modes, and begin to develop improvisation techniques. Students will develop the coordination and skill to sing while they are playing. Students will have the opportunity to choose their own music to learn as well as compose their own songs. 

Prerequisite: Guitar I or Proficiency Test  

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

CONCERT CHOIR TREBLE
CCT (Concert Choir Treble) is a year-long course for female singers at Windsor. CCT is an auditioned choir.  The choir will perform 3 and 4 part music that is both age and range appropriate.  CCT will serve as a training choir for students striving to reach Chamber Chorale, but will still compete at the State Music Festival in the spring semester. In addition to the State Music Festival, CCT will perform in a minimum of three (3) concerts throughout the course of the year. 
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Grades 9-12 1 credit

MEN’S CHOIR
Men’s Choir is a year-long course for any male singer at aWindsor.  This is a non-auditioned choir. They will perform 2 and 3 part music that is both age and range appropriate.  This choir is to serve as a training choir for students striving to reach Chamber Chorale.   Men’s Choir will perform in at least three (3) school concerts throughout the course of the year. 
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Grades 9-12 1 credit

CHAMBER CHOIR
One of the true prides of Windsor, Chamber Chorale is an auditioned-only mixed choir and the face of Windsor’s Choir program.  This ensemble will be expected to sing four part+Divisi  literature that is both age and rage appropriate.  Along with the three (3) regular school concerts, Chamber will participate in a number of other performance opportunities throughout the year.  This includes the State Music Festival in the spring semester. 
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Prerequisite: Audition and Teacher Recommendation

Grades 9-12       1 credit

MARCHING BAND
The Windsor Golden Brigade is Windsor High School's Marching Band. This is a co-curricular course, meaning that assignments and assessments take place both during the school day and during after school rehearsals and performances. This course will cover fundamental musical performance techniques that are covered in traditional band classes, while adding a visual component to add depth to our performances and entertainment to our audiences. The Golden Brigade is a competitive Marching Band that participates in local and regional competitions as a part of this class. In October, students will audition for the concert band that they will perform in once marching season ends. Students who wish to participate in marching band are expected to participate in all aspects of the marching band, including all rehearsals, competitions, home football games, and parades.

Requirements include: Successful participation in lower bands, Summer band camp, Daily after school rehearsals during marching season, Weekly evening rehearsal during marching season, Performance attendance: Home Football Games, Competitions, and parades.
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Prerequisite:  Instructor's approval/audition 

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit    

CONCERT BAND
This course is offered during the second semester, and it is a continuation of the concert band format that takes place at the end of the Marching Band season. During the end of the Fall and Spring Semester, band students will audition for concert bands. There are two concert bands at Windsor High School: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.  Wind Ensemble -  This is the top instrumental performing ensemble at Windsor. Students in this class are the top players on their instruments. Instrumentation is limited to only a few players per part to develop musicianship at the individual level for high achieving band students. Wind ensemble performs advanced selections of the wind band repertoire. Symphonic Band - An advanced approach to the performance of wind band literature.  The Symphonic Band is the 2nd band at Windsor. The primary focuses of this course are to expose students to a wide variety of wind band repertoire, and develop skills to make stronger musicians and independent performers. 

Requirements include: Concerts, Music Festival Participation (contest), Solo/Small Ensemble Participation, Possible after school rehearsals, Successful audition and participation in prior band experience, Director approval.
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Prerequisite:  Instructor's approval and Audition    

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit   

CONCERT PERCUSSION
The High School Concert Percussion class offers students the opportunity to develop and refine their skills on a variety of percussion instruments, including snare drum, mallet percussion (xylophone, marimba, vibraphone), timpani, and auxiliary percussion. This performance-based course emphasizes proper technique, musicality, and ensemble playing, preparing students for participation in school concerts and competitions. Having these students separated from the concert bands will allow them to receive specialized instruction on more rigorous music. Students will learn how to read and interpret percussion notation, explore different musical styles and genres, and develop an understanding of rhythm, dynamics, and expression within an ensemble setting. The class will culminate in regular performances, where students will showcase their individual and group progress. Whether a beginner or an experienced percussionist, students will leave this class with a greater appreciation for the art of percussion and a solid foundation for further musical study.
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA.
Prerequisite: Instructor's approval and Audition

Grades 9-12 0.5 credit

JAZZ BAND
An introductory approach to the performance of jazz literature.  Emphasis is on jazz improvisation, ensemble technique, and the need for individual accountability for performers.  Performances and rehearsals are required and include the following:

Requirements: Audition or placement from a director, Concerts, Student must play a traditional Jazz Band instrument (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Percussion) Occasional exceptions considered individually, Perform solos both written and improvised with live accompaniment, Jazz Festivals, Various Performances, Possible after school rehearsals, and Director Approval
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Grades 9-12         1 credit

ADVANCED JAZZ BAND
An advanced approach to the performance of jazz literature.  Emphasis is on jazz improvisation, ensemble technique, and the need for individual accountability for performers.  Performances and rehearsals are required and include the following:

Requirements: Completion of at least 1 semester of Jazz Band, successful audition, or director’s approval, Concerts, Student must play a traditional Jazz Band instrument (Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass, Guitar, Piano, Percussion) while occasional exceptions considered individually, Perform solos, both written and improvised with live accompaniment, Jazz Festivals, Various Performances, Possible after school rehearsals, and Director Approval
Students enrolled in this course must be considered eligible for MSHSAA. 

Grades 9-12         1 credit