Visual and Performing Arts Department

 

The Ceramic I course is aligned to the California State Visual and Performing Arts framework so that all students are working toward the same goals: the four artistic processes of visual arts (creating, presenting, responding, and connecting) are addressed linearly in written standards, but are envisioned to occur simultaneously for students in the actual practice of visual art. The concepts embedded in the standards reflect the scope of learning—the knowledge, skills, and understandings—taught through study of the visual arts. An artist imagines, executes, reflects, and refines work before finally completing a piece of work (creating), shares or displays the work (presenting), reflects on the completed work (responding), and connects the experience to other contexts of meaning or knowledge (connecting). Students engaging in the artistic process learn by solving problems, exhibiting their work, and thinking critically about it; then, they continue the process by relating other ideas, contexts, and meanings to their own as they refine their future work to a more sophisticated level. This course is designed as a beginning level art class giving students an overview. This class is open to 11th and 12th graders. Students will be given a degree of choice in determining techniques and materials used to reach the stated objectives.

 

The yearlong Ceramic II course is aligned to the California State Visual and Performing Arts framework so that all students are working toward the same goals: the four artistic processes of visual arts (creating, presenting, responding, and connecting) are addressed linearly in written standards, but are envisioned to occur simultaneously for students in the actual practice of visual art. Ceramics II is a continuation class with an emphasis on skill, technique, and creative development. Students will be given a degree of choice in determining techniques and materials used to reach the stated objectives. This class is open to students who have completed Ceramics I.

 

INTRODUCTION TO DRAMA
Students will explore improvisation, scene work, monologues and other performance skills. Also, students will read and analyze plays, learn about theatre history and style, and get a basic overview of stage technology.

SYMPHONIC BAND
This course is for 9th and 10th grade students who are beginner or intermediate musicians. This course exposes students to a variety of advanced literature, music theory, terminology and performance. This course requires extra hours after school to learn marching band routines.

WIND ENSEMBLE
This is an audition wind band typically for 11th and 12th grade students who are intermediate musicians and will enhance their performance skills in the area of wind band/concert music, performance practice, general music knowledge, teamwork, self discipline, and attention to detail to a variety of advanced literature, music theory, terminology and performance. This course requires extra hours after school to learn marching band routines.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE
This course affords advanced musicians the opportunity to enhance performance skills in the areas of big band, jazz, blues and rock.

PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE (Drum Line)
This course affords musicians the opportunity to learn and enhance performance skills in the areas of percussion instruments. This course requires extra hours after school to learn marching band routines.

BAND AUXILIARY (Color Guard)
This course provides students with proper and appropriate skills to initiate prepare and execute field shows or parade routines, performance, and competitions. This course requires extra hours after school to learn routines.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA
The string orchestra performs intermediate to advanced level pieces from various selected eras of musical history including Classical, and Modern/Contemporary.

TREBLE GLEE
This course specializes in women’s choral music. Students study vocal techniques, music theory and receive a foundation in early music styles and history.

BARITONE CHORUS
This course specializes in men’s choral music. Students study vocal techniques, music theory and receive a foundation in early music styles and history.

CONCERT CHOIR
This is an audition ensemble. Students must have basic knowledge in the fundamentals of music theory and basic sight-singing skills. Students will learn advanced singing techniques, music theory and sight-singing, and perform challenging pieces of music.

A CAPPELLA CHOIR (CHAMBER CHOIR)
This course is a mixed singing ensemble intended for singers of advanced ability. Auditions are required. Music selected for study and performance will be challenging to each singer, offer suitable text and introduce the singer to the best choral writing of all periods of music history.

MUSIC IN OUR WORLD
This course only meets district graduation fine arts requirements, not UC/CSU visual and performing arts A-G entrance requirements. This course is a survey of Western music. It covers the history of all major genres of music and different important musical periods throughout history.