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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS — VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

The Visual and Performing Arts department offers a quality, comprehensive art program as a natural component of interdisciplinary and integrated learning. Recent American studies report the benefits of a strong arts education to include: the development of the imagination, the elevation of students' intrinsic motivation to learn, the improvement of children's spatial reasoning abilities, and the development of higher levels of self-esteem and increased academic ahchievement.

All students are expected to take and pass a minimum of .5 credit in Art and a minimum of .4 credit in Music to accumulate a minimum of .9 credits in the Visual and Performing Arts as required for graduation.

Art:

This course introduces the student to the disciplines of painting and drawing. Students will study the elements and principles of art through the concentrated survey of these two disciplines. The course includes a study of famous artists and their work, and will explore various techniques included in painting and drawing to enhance students’ existing artistic abilities.

Visual Art is a survey course for students interested in learning about a variety of art mediums and techniques. Students will work on two dimensional and three-dimensional projects, including painting, printmaking, paper mache, clay, and more.

This is a project centered course for students who are interested in art or wish to develop a portfolio for college. This course will present students with a series of projects through which they will achieve a greater understanding of various art concepts, techniques, and media. Students will work on painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, and printmaking.

NOTE: Students will be required to purchase a personal sketchbook and individual suppplies. Teacher recommendation required.

This course is the next step for all Introductory Studio Art students. These students will further develop their artistic skills and continue to build a portfolio of artwork for college placement. Class projects will involve a variety of art media including pen and pencil, ceramics, printmaking, watercolor, and sculpture. Students will be required to keep a sketchbook for home assignments.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introductory Studio Art.

This course is reserved for students intending to pursue a career in art, or major in art in college. Students are required to have successfully completed both Introductory, and Intermediate Studio Art before taking this course. Each student will concentrate on the development of their individual art portfolio. They will refine their art skills and explore their areas of interest and ability. Students will also be required to keep a sketchbook for home assignments.

Students in this class will also be able to take part in the AP Studio Art portfolio assessment. This assessment is an open opportunity for these students to earn college credit for their portfolio work.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introductory Studio Art and Intermediate Studio Art.

Working with a variety of materials the students will construct functional and decorative objects of art. Students will gain insight and incentive in their art making as a result of examining the art and crafts of different cultures. Projects will include the making of African masks, Intuit finger puppets, Hopi Kachina dolls, Chinese batiks, American Indian pottery and more.

This class will learn about the history and techniques involved in creating various three dimensional works of art. Students will work in various art media such as clay, plaster, paper mache, and paper to create several three dimensional pieces. Students will work on individual projects as well as large scale group projects.

This course will introduce the student to the world of ceramics. Students will work in clay and learn the various hand building techniques used in ceramic production. The students in this class will produce a wide variety of both decorative and functional pieces of ceramic art. Supply fee of $15 covers required materials.

The Ceramics II course is the next step for any student that has successfully completed the Ceramics I course. The focus of this course is for students to continue to develop their knowledge and ability to conceptualized, design and create a variety of projects in clay. This course will build upon the basic knowledge and understanding of hand building and pottery wheel techniques that were covered in the Ceramics I course. Students will produce a variety of both decorative and functional pieces of Ceramic Art. Supply fee of $15.00 covers required materials.

Prerequisite: Ceramics I

This class will study the fundamentals of drawing and visual “story telling.” Students will learn how illustrations and cartoons are prepared and the techniques necessary to produce successful illustrations. The students will learn how to visually develop a story having characters with featured characters and complete illustrations needed for school publications and their art portfolio.

This is a basic course in black and white film processing and printing that introduces you to the magic of photography. Emphasis will be placed on the photographic image as a means of expression and the use of the camera to explore and discover the visual world. Students will shoot, process and print their own pictures made with hand built cameras as well as film taken with 35mm cameras. Students will benefit from having access to a 35mm manual camera. School cameras are available for those who do not have access to one. No experience is necessary. Supply fee of $60.00 covers required materials.

This course is a continuation of Photography I. This course is designed to give the student continued study of black and white photographic processes and the exploration of camera techniques. Emphasis will be placed on the printed image. Students will be introduced to digital photography. Supply fee of $60.00 covers required materials.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography I.

This course is designed to give the student continued study of black and white photographic processes, and the exploration of more advanced camera, non-silver, and creative darkroom techniques. An emphasis will be placed on digital photography and image manipulation. The student will be able to use acquired photographic knowledge and skills as a tool for more creative expression.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography II.

This advanced course is designed to provide students who are seriously interested in a practical experience in photography or pursuing photography as a career. Students are required to demonstrate a working knowledge of a variety of techniques and materials relative to their study of art. The course is designed to allow students to develop their own personal style. College credit may be obtained in AP Photography provided all criteria put forth by the College Board has been met and the appropriate portfolio has been submitted for review.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Photography III.

Band is a full year course that meets before school, five times per week. In addition, students are responsible for all scheduled after school and evening rehearsals and performances throughout the year. Students in the band will learn music theory and perform together as an ensemble. The band performs standarad band music, as well as contemporary and popular music. Band members are eligible to audition for district, regional, and state band after their freshman year.

Orchestra is a full year course meeting before school, two periods per week. The orchestra consists of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion musicians. All musicians must first pass an audition to participate in orchestra. The orchestra performs various concerts throughout the year and gives members the opportunity to excel at their instruments as well as make them eligible to audition for district, regional, and state orchestra. Music performed will be from the standard orchestral literature, as well as some popular music, using the traditional orchestral instrumentation.

Choir meets four mornings a week before school for a full year with the purpose of developing a good choral sound. The repertoire consists of outstanding compositions of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary periods, as well as pop selections. Members are eligible to audition for district, regional, and state choir after their freshman year. In addition to all scheduled morning and evening rehearsals, members of the choir are responsible for all scheduled performances throughout the year.

Students will study the impact of music in the world through a comprehensive survey of music history. The relationship of music to social evolution using an historical perspective is an integral part of the course. Students should develop an appreciation for various styles of music and gain a deeper understanding of the value of music to social development. Technology will be incorporated to better enhance the student’s understanding of music.

This course meets 5 periods each week for one semester and is designed for any student who plays an instrument or sings and wishes to enhance their musical skills. In Music Theory I, students will learn the art of sight singing, musical dictation, interval identification (aural and written), and basic chord structure. Students must first demonstrate the ability to read and understand basic music notation. Students taking Music Theory I will be able to sight sing passages with basic intervals, identify, understand and appreciate basic chord structures, and be prepared to take Music Theory II. Music Theory I can be taken to satisfy the music requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: At least one (1) year participation in either band, chorus orchestra, or approval of instructor.

Music Theory II meets 5 periods each week for the second semester only and is a continuation of Music Theory I and will continue the course work begun in Music Theory I but will proceed on a more advanced level. Additionally, students will learn the basics of score analysis, harmonization, counterpoint, and composition. Music Theory II can be taken to satisfy the music requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: Music theory I (grade of B or higher) or approval of the instructor.

Sight Singing is a semester course which meets 5 periods each week. This course is designed for students who have a background in music who wish to learn more about the rudiments of music, and how to translate the written symbols of music into vocal sound. Sight Singing can be taken to satisfy the music requirement for graduation.

Prerequisite: At least one (1) year participation in either band, chorus or orchestra, or approval of instructor.