Course Offerings
DRAMA 1 Full Year
This course is an
introduction to the study of the evolution of theater including dramatic
literature through the ages. Students will also experience the art of
acting, emphasizing body movement, pantomime, voice projection,
articulation and characterization. Students will gain knowledge of the
various aspects of theater through continual researching, reading,
writing, performing, observing, oral evaluation and actual "hands on"
experience. An in-depth study of various theatrical styles is included
during the second semester.
DRAMA 2 Full Year
Drama
2 is a course designed for the serious student of theater. It is a
performance- oriented course, which will also allow the second year
student the opportunity to enhance their performing skills. The class
focus is on developing an ongoing workout for the actor- both physical
and vocal; learning to create an ensemble approach to working;
developing specific stage techniques; discovering style acting,
discovering a historical approach; and developing auditioning
techniques. The class will deal with children's theater, advance scene
work, monologues and eventual one or two act material. Another major
focus is to direct the students’ energy into performance work for an
audience other than the class.
DRAMA 3 Full Year
This
course is designed for the student who plans to major or minor in
theater in college. The course is performance-oriented with student
selection and direction of the performing pieces. The course will focus
on three major areas. Students will have the opportunity to enhance
their performing skills by acting in several class-project plays. The
students will learn the psychology and application of directing and
complete a director's project of a play. Each student will take part in
all of the major technical roles of design and application of
production.
DRAMA 4 Semester
This course is
designed for the student who is planning to pursue a career in theater.
The student will spend a great deal of time finding a repertoire of
material for an audition portfolio. The student’s final portfolio will
be presented for a grade at the end of the semester. Secondly, students
will take selected materials from the portfolio and videotape them for
possible acceptance into college or conservatory theater departments.
Finally, students will learn and implement advanced technical design
into their portfolio and project. These designs will include set,
lighting, costume and sound.
ACTING FOR MUSICAL THEATER Semester
Students
in this course will explore basic techniques of acting as they relate
to scene, song, and ensemble pieces. Through movement exercises,
in-depth character analysis, and exploration of historical perspective,
students will build and broaden their skills and understanding of
musical theater auditions. The course is not intended to teach students
the mechanics of how to sing or dance, it is designed to be an acting
class that uses musicals as its text.
TECHNICAL THEATER Semester
Students
in this course will experience basic hands-on training in design areas
including set, lighting, costume and sound. The students will perform
in-depth script analysis and explore the fundamentals of stage and
production management. Students will create basic designs for all
aspects of technical theater and present those designs in various
projects.
BASIC DESIGN/DRAWING 1 Full Year
This
course introduces the student to the basic elements of design and
drawing. During the first semester, students investigate line, value,
shape, texture, color and composition. The principles of art are
introduced through projects in composition, design and critiques. The
study of specific artists and periods in art history will illustrate the
basic concepts that are learned. During the second semester, the course
investigates methods of drawing and composition, emphasizing
right-hemisphere approaches to drawing, originality and creativity.
Students draw from life and photographed visual resources. Contour,
perspective, gesture and expressionist drawing are some areas that are
explored along with a review of the elements and principles of design.
Experience in charcoal, pastel, pencil, pen and ink, watercolor and many
other media are featured. Supplemental art history will accompany art
projects. No previous art experience necessary.
GRAPHIC ARTS Full Year
This
course will explore the field of graphic arts. Students will cover both
the elements of art (color, line, texture, shape, form and space) and
the principles of art (balance, emphasis, harmony, variety, gradation,
movement, rhythm and proportion). The principles and elements of art are
the foundations used in establishing knowledge, confidence and
understanding of all art fields. Student projects will cover art
fundamentals, color theory, still life compositions using basic digital
photography, digital video and sound and web page design. This course
will teach the necessary skills of computer operations and terminology
to allow the students to use their artistic abilities, with the aid of
the computer, in both the educational and business worlds. No previous
art experience necessary.
DRAWING AND COMPOSITION 2 Semester
This
course continues the study of drawing methods in both wet and dry
media. Emphasis is placed on the act of really seeing and drawing as
opposed to preconceived concepts of reality. Imaginative creative
drawing styles are explored, encouraging students to develop the ability
to express themselves visually using fantasy as well as realism.
Projects include portraits, figure drawing, landscape as well as review
of perspective drawing. Art history will focus on particular artists and
movements illustrating drawing concepts and building visual vocabulary.
3-D DESIGN: CERAMICS 1 Semester
This
course explores design in three dimensions with emphasis on form, space
and concept. The projects in this class focus on the use of
modeling/manipulation, additive, subtractive and substitution sculpting
techniques. Study of culture and the historical and contemporary
creation of three-dimensional art will be accomplished through projects,
classroom discussion and lectures.
3-D DESIGN: CERAMICS 2 Semester
This
ceramics class will enable the student to learn advanced techniques
used in creating vessels and sculpture on the potters’ wheel. Using
clay, subject matter, symbols, meaningful images and visual expressions
students will learn to express their ideas and to evaluate the merits of
their efforts. Students will exhibit competence in visual, aural, oral
and written form. They will develop and apply effective critical
thinking and speaking skills. Students will understand and evaluate
influences of literature, cultural traditions and other art forms in
crafting a global visual art heritage. They will learn to deeply
experience and to critically evaluate the development of art as a
worldwide expression of life issues. During lectures, students will be
exposed to visual presentations using PowerPoint, slides, videotapes and
related websites.
PAINTING 1 Semester
This
course reinforces the foundation of visual art: the elements and
principles of design and visual vocabulary. Students explore painting
techniques and processes in watercolor, tempera, collage, pastel and
experimental mixed media. Relationships between communication of ideas
and styles throughout art history, (i.e., symbolic, social and cultural
content), is integrated into the experience. Written critiques develop
students’ ability to correlate, describe, analyze, interpret and judge
art based on their own personal experience and work and that of their
peers. The course challenges students to think creatively, critically
and develops confidence in visual problem solving and communication.
PAINTING 2 Semester
This
course further explores the elements and principles of design and
visual vocabulary, composition and painting as a unique form of
communication. Students explore painting techniques and processes in
watercolor, tempera, collage, pastel and experimental mixed media with
emphasis on figurative, natural, abstract and nonobjective subject
matter. Relationships between communication of ideas and styles
throughout art history, (i.e. symbolic, social and cultural content), is
integrated into the experience. Students correlate, describe, analyze,
interpret and judge based on their experience and products and that of
their peers. The course synthesizes previous knowledge and challenges
students to think creatively and critically and develops confidence in
visual problem solving and communication.
ADVANCED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Semester
This
course will enable students who have taken Graphic Arts to explore
further the field of digital photography as a compositional medium. The
class will focus on the principles of photography and the basic concepts
of image enhancement using Adobe Photoshop; those being visualizing,
capturing, enhancing and output. This course is designed to familiarize
students with photographic equipment as well as to develop their
aesthetic sense and artistic techniques.
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE: STEEL DRUMS Full Year
Percussion
Ensemble is a course for students interested in learning about and
performing with Steel Drums. This class also utilizes a variety of
ethnic percussion instruments as well as the drum-set. In this class
students will learn basic principles in music theory, basic drumming
skills, how to care for and play the steel drums and the evolution of
various styles of music, including but not limited to, calypso, soca,
swing, rock and reggae. Aspects of this class are performance based and
students will be required to participate in at least two outside
performances.
BAND TECH Semester
This
course gives the beginning music student the opportunity to learn a
wind or percussion instrument of his or her choice. Individual and group
instruction is given daily. A limited number of school instruments are
available for student use. The class will join with the Concert Band for
the Christmas Concert and will participate with the Concert and
Symphonic Band for marching season. Performance is required by all
students who are enrolled in a band class. Band Tech students will
transfer into Concert Band at the beginning of the second semester.
CONCERT BAND 1 Full Year
Class
instruction will emphasize improving sight-reading skills, study of
music theory and music history, improving instrumental skills through
technical training and exploring concert band literature. This group
will perform independently at school concerts and band festivals.
Concert Band will join with both Symphonic Band for marching season.
During the months of September through November the group will rehearse
on Wednesdays from 6-8:30 PM as part of the Marching Band.
SYMPHONIC BAND 2 Full Year
SYMPHONIC BAND 3 Full Year
SYMPHONIC BAND 4 Full Year
These
courses offer the advanced music student the opportunity to perform in a
top-level performing ensemble. Appreciation is gained through
performance of a wide variety of musical literature. Instruction of
music theory is continued. Participation outside of class will be
required for some football and basketball games, extra rehearsals, a
band festival, parades, rallies, concerts and one major extended trip
each year. Academic credit is given for this class, which counts toward
the overall GPA and this class fulfills the activity requirement.
Athletes participate in their sport during that season without penalty,
as long as daily musical progress is made.
Band 2
Mastery and performance of challenging band literature will be
experienced by the year's end. Musical independence will be accomplished
and demonstrated.
Band 3
Section leader positions should be sought. Ensemble participation in outside concerts is encouraged.
Band 4
Solo preparation necessary. Honor Band audition is encouraged.
Leadership skills must be demonstrated. Emphasis is on performance and
music composition.
Band 5
Reserved for students
who enter the SF band program at the freshman level with musical skills
beyond the Concert Band curriculum and who need to be enrolled as
freshmen in Symphonic Band 2. Students must prepare solo works and
audition for the county and state Honor Bands. Symphonic Band 5 students
will be section leaders in the band.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE Special Class
This
class will explore a broad repertoire of jazz styles as experienced in
big band literature (i.e. swing, rock, Latin). Emphasis will be placed
on improvisation and the study of great jazz performers of the past and
present. This class meets 3 days per week during zero period (Monday,
Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 A.M.). The most advanced players will be
chosen for this ensemble. Regular performances are scheduled and this
group will tour once a year.
TREBLE CHOIR Full Year
CONCERT CHOIR 2 Full Year
CONCERT CHOIR 3 Full Year
CONCERT CHOIR 4 Full Year
In
this course in choral singing, students learn and perform a wide
variety of choral literature, both sacred and secular. Included in the
course objectives are learning proper techniques for singing, learning
rhythm and sight-reading and understanding a vocal musical score and the
musical terminology needed to properly interpret dynamics and style. As
this is a performance-based course, students will be evaluated on their
participation, effort and attitude in class. Public performance of the
works being rehearsed will include performance at the Winter and Spring
music concerts, as well as other opportunities such as participating at
all-school liturgies and music festivals.
Treble Choir
Entry level, no previous experience necessary. Requirements of this
class are active class participation, learning performance basics of
breathing and vocal production, beginning music theory and sight
singing.
Choir 2
Second level music theory and
sight singing. Additional expectations of more immediate and complete
knowledge of the music that is being learned will be present.
Choir 3
Third level of music theory. Students will be expected to take
leadership positions in running sectional rehearsals. Some solo and duet
work will also be required.
Choir 4
Students are
expected in the fourth year of choir to know all of their music within a
short period of time. Students will be expected to run efficient
sectional rehearsals. All choir four students will perform a solo or
duet in the spring choir concert.