Visual & Performing Arts

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 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 of specific stage techniques; discovering style acting, 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.

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.

This course is designed for the student who is planning on pursuing 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 final grade at the end of the semester. Secondly, students will take selected materials from the portfolio and videotape it 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.

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.

This course will introduce students to a variety of world cultures. Exploring other cultures will give the students the opportunity to consider a wide range of human values, beliefs and concerns as expressed through art. Students will experience many cultural forms of expression first hand in the art studio. The course will introduce them to basic design and a visual vocabulary. These are tools with which they will analyze, critique, and interpret what they see in written, oral and studio projects. Participation in a variety of expressions is integral to this class, and facilitates the goal of respect for, understanding of, and insight into another culture. No previous art experience necessary.

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.

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.

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.

This ceramics class will enable the student to learn advanced techniques used in creating vessels and sculpture on the potters’ wheel. Through the use of 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.

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.

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.

This course will enable students who have taken Graphic Arts to explore further the field of multimedia publications. Students who have studied both the elements of art and the principles of design will combine this knowledge for use in advanced projects. This will be a project driven course with advanced student projects covering photography composition using digital photography, video and sound, used in both full video and stop animation short stories, and/or advanced webpage design using Flash. This course will allow the students to expand their artistic abilities, with the aid of the computer.

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.

This course explores major printmaking methods: monotype, dry point, collograph, linoleum and stencil prints. Activities include carving wood blocks, cutting, collage, and painting as part of the printmaking process. Graphic terms and techniques are studied and an understanding and appreciation of the great printmakers of the past both in Eastern and Western culture are fostered. Inventiveness and personal expression are encouraged. The course will appeal to students who enjoy crafts as well as painting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This course is designed for students to explore music through the study and playing of music designed for string orchestra. Focus on basic musical elements (notation, rhythm, meter harmony, etc.) as described in the National Standards of Music Education will be used in order to enhance the performance of small and large groups. Particular emphasis will be on playing within an ensemble while gaining historical and theoretical knowledge. Students will use their acquired skills in large group performances.

This is primarily a technical drawing class, which utilizes basic drafting equipment and emphasizes its proper use. Architectural drawings will be emphasized. A single level family dwelling will be drawn which will include a floor plan, interior/exterior elevations, a plot plan and a perspective rendering. Students will frame a three-dimensional balsa wood house. Other objects will be drawn using techniques of orthographic and auxiliary projections.

This course is provided for students who show a high proficiency in Technical Drawing I. It is primarily a continuance of the architectural drawings completed in Technical Drawing 1. The students will be introduced to the "3-D CAD" (Computer Aided Drafting) system. The class will concentrate on each student constructing their own house plans, which will include a floor plan, plot plan, and elevation drawings by using the Computer Aided Drafting equipment.