Visual & Performing Arts (VPA)

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Art Appreciation is a yearlong course wherein students encounter visual art through the lenses of discerning what art is, defining what the creative process is and how it works, developing perceptual awareness and investigating how art communicates meaning, and by understanding art as a response to time, place, events, and relationships that are significant to the human condition. A range of 2-D and 3-D art-making processes will support learning about and deepening understanding of visual art. 

This course is open to seniors only.

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation

This course is offered by AVLI and is eligible for Dual Enrollment credit with Creighton University.

The Advanced Placement offering in Art History is designed to provide the same benefits to secondary school students as those provided by an introductory college course in art history: an understanding and enjoyment of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within historical and cultural contexts.  Students explore such topics as the nature of art, its uses, its meanings, art making, and response to art.  Through investigation of diverse artistic traditions of cultures from prehistory to the present, this course fosters an in-depth and holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective.  Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, constructing an understanding of individual works and interconnections of art-making processes and products throughout history.

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation

Drawing I (fall semester) is a course in which the study of multiple drawing styles, rendering value and texture, drawing materials and techniques, surfaces, and composition are addressed. Printmaking, mixed media, and other non-traditional drawing methods are explored. Students learn how drawings and prints can have both textural and sculptural qualities that extend beyond the flat page. Students design and compose their work to communicate feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and convictions through drawing. 

Drawing II (spring semester), a continuation of Drawing I, deepens the student's experience with traditional and non-traditional drawing methods promoting the development of personal artistic styles. Students' primary focus will be matching media and message thereby investing in meaning and effectively communicating meaning to a greater audience. Students discover how artwork connects to time and place and provides relevance with historical contexts as well. Students grasp the complexity of the human condition through visual solutions to global questions—reworking and refining artworks and defending these changes as needed.

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation

Painting I (fall semester) is a course in which the study of color theory, color mixing, painting materials and techniques, painting surfaces, and compositional development are addressed. Students explore printmaking, mixed media, and other non-traditional painting methods as well as traditional painting methods. Students learn how paintings and prints can have both textural and sculptural qualities that extend beyond the flat page or canvas. Students design and compose their work to communicate feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and convictions through painting. 

Painting II (spring semester), a continuation of Painting I, is a course in which the application of color theory, color mixing, traditional and non-traditional painting materials, and techniques, painting surfaces, and compositional development is broadened to more fully develop the student’s artistic voice. Students construct visual problems and provide discriminating visual solutions that offer depth to personal meaning in the art-making process. Students grasp the complexity of the human condition through visual solutions to global questions—reworking and refining artworks and defending these changes as needed. 

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation

This course introduces students to the basic techniques of printmaking.   Students will learn how to use different techniques to create unique and expressive prints.  This course will implement the PreAP goals of emphasizing the process of producing creative work paired with a  rationale based on technical skill development and purposeful refinement, revision, reflection, and communication.  

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation and a Two-Dimensional Specialty Course

The AP Studio Art portfolio courses are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP Studio Art Program consists of three portfolios—2-D Art & Design, 3-D Art & Design, and Drawing— corresponding to the most common college foundation courses. Students choose which portfolio to develop. The instructional goals of the AP Studio Art program can be described as follows: encourage creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues; emphasize making art as an ongoing critical decision-making process; and develop technical skills. Students are expected to be independent and inventive thinkers. 

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation and Drawing I/II.

The AP Studio Art portfolio courses are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP Studio Art Program consists of three portfolios—2-D Art & Design, 3-D Art & Design, and Drawing— corresponding to the most common college foundation courses. Students choose which portfolio to develop. The instructional goals of the AP Studio Art program can be described as follows: encourage creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues; emphasize making art as an ongoing critical decision-making process; and develop technical skills. Students are expected to be independent and inventive thinkers. 

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation

This course encourages students to investigate fundamental methods of forming clay. Handbuilding (pinch pot, slab construction, press/drape mold, and coil construction) and wheel throwing are processes to explore. Craftsmanship, creativity, and an appreciation for design elements that are integral to well-made functional ceramic forms are emphasized. Surface will be examined for decorative approaches. Students learn how to finish their pieces with a variety of glaze and firing techniques. Appropriate terminology and definitions of materials and ceramic processes as well as ceramic art history are presented. Critical analysis of form and function, in relation to the aesthetics of the form and surface, is important. Students learn to photograph work, present work for display, and create a digital portfolio representing a comprehensive body of work for review at the end of the course. 

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation and Pre-AP Visual Arts: Ceramics I/II

This course is designed to allow advanced ceramic students to work on developing a personal expression in clay. Because this class is designed to further the student’s personal artistic expression, each student has the option to direct their own projects with guidance from the instructor. If needed, an assignment can be designated by the instructor.  This course will consist of demonstrations and lectures as needed, research/writing in and out of class, as well as work time with the possibility of individual support from the instructor. Project proposals will be turned in in writing on the due date. These should be specific and designate the number of pieces students will be making. 

Prerequisites:  Art Appreciation and Ceramics.

The AP Studio Art portfolio courses are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP Studio Art Program consists of three portfolios—2-D Art & Design, 3-D Art & Design, and Drawing— corresponding to the most common college foundation courses. Students choose which portfolio to develop. The instructional goals of the AP Studio Art program can be described as follows: encourage creative and systematic investigation of formal and conceptual issues; emphasize making art as an ongoing critical decision-making process; and develop technical skills. Students are expected to be independent and inventive thinkers. 

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Open to anyone who either already plays or wants to learn to play a musical instrument.  Students can choose any instrument they wish to play from the five main instrumental groups: woodwinds, brass, drums/ percussion, keyboards, and strings.  Students also learn basic music theory and perform in one or more Xavier ensembles: Jazz Band, Pep Band, Drum Line, Orchestra, and/or Small Group.  In addition to developing instrumental techniques, ensembles focus on team building, collaboration, creativity, and the joy of making music. 

Prerequisites:  Instrumental Techniques or Audition

Jazz band is a one-year course open to all students with basic performance skills on a wind or rhythm instrument.  Students will learn jazz techniques and performance practices, while exposed to a variety of jazz styles such as swing, blues, rock, fusion, and Latin.  Students will be encouraged to read music as well as improvise, as this is an important aspect of jazz.  Students will also learn a basic knowledge of music history, theory, and composition.  Students will also be asked to listen to jazz music in and out of class in order to foster a greater understanding of jazz music.  

This Early Bird class meets Monday and Friday mornings 7:10 am to 7:55 am.   After-school rehearsals take place Fridays from 1:15 to 2:15.  In addition, several mandatory performances are scheduled throughout the year to showcase the music practiced during class.  

Prerequisites:  Instrumental Techniques or CP Jazz Band or Audition

Honors Jazz band is a one-year course open to all students with intermediate to advanced performance skills on a wind or rhythm instrument.  Students will focus on intermediate to advanced pieces of music as well as incorporate beginner-level songs into their repertoire.  Extra rehearsals and additional music pieces performed at concerts will be expected of the honors student.  Students will also learn advanced music theory that includes such topics as the circle of fifths, minor scales, and arranging via music notation software. 

This Early Bird class meets Monday and Friday mornings 7:10 am to 7:55 am.   After-school rehearsals take place Fridays from 1:15 to 2:15.  In addition, several mandatory performances are scheduled throughout the year to showcase the music practiced during class.  

Prerequisites:  Instrumental Techniques or Audition

Orchestra is a one-year course open to all students with basic performance skills on a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass, acoustic guitar) or a woodwind (flute, clarinet).  This course is designed to increase the skill and performance abilities of each student, and to develop aesthetic and cultural values through critical listening.  Skills in tone production, intonation, bowing technique, music reading, and musical expression will be studied.  Basic music history, theory, and composition will also be a part of this course.  Students will perform literature from a variety of genres for performances in several concerts and festivals throughout the year.  Skills in tone production, intonation, technique, music reading, and musical expression will also be developed.  

This Early Bird class meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7:10am to 7:55am.  After-school rehearsals take place Tuesdays from 2:45pm to 3:45pm.  In addition, several mandatory performances are scheduled throughout the year to showcase the music practiced during class.  

Prerequisites:  Instrumental Techniques or CP Orchestra or Audition

Honors Orchestra is a one-year course open to all students with intermediate to advanced performance skills on a string instrument.  Students will focus on intermediate to advanced pieces of music as well as incorporate beginner-level songs into their repertoire.  Extra rehearsals and additional music pieces performed at concerts will be expected of the honors student.  Students will also learn advanced music theory that includes such topics as the circle of fifths, minor scales, and arranging via music notation software. 

This Early Bird class meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7:10am to 7:55am.  After-school rehearsals take place Tuesdays from 2:45pm to 3:45pm.  In addition, several mandatory performances are scheduled throughout the year to showcase the music practiced during class.  

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Music Theory and Composition is a comprehensive course covering many aspects of music, such as the development of aural skills through interval and chord discernment as well as basic listening and cognizance of recorded compositions. Students develop the ability to notate music and analyze written music from a lead sheet or score. Students transcribe and transpose written music. Basic knowledge of keyboard instruments, the ability to perform selected scales and chords on the class keyboard, and the understanding of basic music history are addressed. Students apply aspects of music’s traditions in music theory and composition, incorporating different styles and practices into individual compositions. 

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This course will focus on utilizing multi-media sources for composing music.  Students will learn to express themselves in the context of creating songs, compositions, jingles, and film scores.  While primarily digitally based, students will also have opportunities to sing, rap, and recruit instrumentalists to augment and finalize their compositions.  Semester goals will largely entail the showcasing of completed projects.  These projects will be combined into finished albums representing portfolios of individual student work.   

Prerequisites:  Instrumental Techniques or Music Theory and Composition or Digital Music Composition and Songwriting.

This course is offered by AVLI and is eligible for Dual Enrollment credit with Creighton University.

This rigorous course expands upon the skills learned in Music Theory and Composition.  Students will produce more complex musical compositions, sequence on MuseScore and other software, and gain an understanding of digital formats and some of the many applications employed to further student understanding.  Students also heighten aural awareness through sight-reading, dictation, and listening to recorded music.  This course will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in Music Theory.

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Choir is an exploration of approaches in ensemble singing. Students give context to what they sing by comparing their experience to the formal music texts of the modern American Roman Catholic Mass and with significant cultural and historical musical traditions including ‘shape note’ singing, a range of diverse cultural folk songs, jazz, musical theatre, and contemporary choral arrangements of popular music. Theory and notation are presented and practiced throughout the year. Composition and improvisation are also explored resulting in original student performance pieces. Students research the impact of technology, film, and television on the development of trends in vocal music. Students engage in a variety of choral performances throughout the year. This course specifically investigates the impact of choral music as a means of building relationships with those on the margins, specifically those in the Coachella Valley. Students visit and sing at retirement communities, afterschool programs, and rehabilitation centers to reflect upon performance as a gift of self.

Choir is a course designed to stress a deeper appreciation of choral music, develop personal musicianship as well as a respect for a range of historical and cultural choral performance conventions—especially Sacred, Folk, and American musical traditions. Students are encouraged not only to become effective performers through individual responses to specific choral materials, but also to demonstrate proficiency in sight reading, transcribing the elements of music, and notating specific direction from conductors. Ultimately, students recognize choral music is a gift that can only be done in community.

This Early Bird class meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7:10am to 7:55am.  After-school rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 2:50pm to 4:00pm.  In addition, several mandatory performances are scheduled throughout the year to showcase the music practiced during class.  

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

This year-long course covers varying aspects of drama, including acting techniques, script analysis, stagecraft, and theater history.  Throughout the course, students may also have the opportunity to attend live theater productions, participate in drama workshops, and interact with guest artists in the professional field.  The goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience in theater arts, fostering creativity, teamwork, and a deeper understanding and appreciation for the performing arts. This course will implement the PreAP goals of emphasizing the process of producing creative work paired with a rationale based on technical skill development and purposeful refinement, revision, reflection, and communication.  

This course is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.