Academics > Course Descriptions > Fine and Creative Arts
Music
801 Current Perspectives in Music 1
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 0.5
This course is a sociological approach to the study of music and the connection of music to our lives. It contains historical information about music, but it is not taught from the historical approach. Current Perspectives in Music 1 and 2 is an active learning class with almost 450 activities contained within the textbook, Music! Its Role and Importance in Our Lives. This course meets all National Standards for Music Education.here is no prerequisite for this course and no prior musical knowledge is required.
802 Current Perspectives in Music 2
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 0.5
This course is a continuation of current Perspectives in Music 1. Current Music in Perspectives 1 is not a prerequisite for current Perspectives in Music 2 and no prior musical knowledge is required to enroll in this class.
811 Chorus 1
CP1 – Chorus 1
All Grades
Credit 1
The chorus is organized for the enrichment of the student’s personal cultural background and for the social pleasure created while making music with others. Instruction in basic music theory, music history and the fundamentals of singing are a part of this course. After school rehearsals are held one week before major performances. Both rehearsals and performances are mandatory for Chorus 1 members.
PREREQUISITE:
Vocal audition.
813 Concert Choir *
CP1 – Concert Choir
Grades 10, 11, 12
Credit 1
The Concert choir is a special branch of the chorus. The members have superior vocal ability and sing unaccompanied music. They also receive instruction in advanced music theory and the fundamentals of singing. After-school rehearsals are held one week before major performances. Both rehearsals and performances are mandatory for Concert Choir members.
PREREQUISITE:
Vocal audition and theory test.
822 ConcertBand *
CP1 – Concert Band
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 1
The band is performance-based. Its members are students who have already mastered the basic technique for playing a wind or percussion instrument. After-school rehearsals are held one week before major performances and are mandatory for band members.
PREREQUISITE:
Previous experience in instrumental music.
805 Gospel Choir/History of Jazz
CP1 – Gospel Choir/History of Jazz
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 1
Gospel Choir is for anyone who would like to sing gospel music. Through the course you learn to sing as a gospel choir, in unison and harmony, with accompaniment and a cappella. You learn the foundations of vocal techniques, understand voice production, learn performance skills and choir choreography alongside a varied gospel repertoire.
History of Jazz is designed to introduce students to the history and cultural contexts of jazz and blues music. This course develops chronologically from the roots of blues music in nineteenth century spirituals and traditional West African musical and narrative forms through the twentieth century and the advent of recording technology. What once was an almost exclusively African-American art form has become a globally transformed music adapted to many performances and styles.
PREREQUISITE:
Vocal audition and permission of instructor.
823 Basic Piano
CP1 – Basic Piano
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 1
This course will be open to any student interested in learning to play the piano. The student will learn music fundamentals and basic keyboarding techniques.
826 Guitar
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 0.5 (semester)
This class teaches the basic fundamentals and techniques of playing acoustic guitar. Students are encouraged to bring their own guitar or they may rent one from the school for a $50 fee. This course meets all national standards for Music Education. There is no prerequisite for this course; prior musical knowledge is helpful but not required.
ART
831 Basic St. Art
CP1 – Basic Studio Art
Grades 9 – 12
Credit 1
This foundation course will cover the basic handling of tools, materials and techniques. Because this is a basic design course, the students will understand how art works through the elements of art and principles of design. They will be able to write and discuss concepts, ideas, styles and artists, as well as produce art solving technical, visual and creative problems encountered by all artists.
833 Int. St. Art
CP1 – Intermediate Studio Art
Grades 10 – 12
Credit 1
This course is a continuation of Basic Studio Art with an emphasis on using previously acquired skills to express ideas, values and feelings that are important to individuals and society. Students continue to learn about the rich diversity of art forms that have been made throughout history and around the world.
PREREQUISITE:
Grade of C or above in Basic Studio Art.
832 Adv. St. Art
CP1 – Advanced Studio Art
Grades 10 --12
Credit 1
This course is a continuation of Studio Art. Various topics will be explored in
more detail. The development of a personal portfolio is expected.PREREQUISITE:
Grade of C+ or above in Studio Art or an interview with the instructor along with submission of drawings.
834 World Art I and 835 World Art II
CP1 – World Art
Grades 10, 11, 12
Credit 0.5 (each semester)
Everyone has a strong desire to “make” or create something with his or her hands in this age of super technology. This class offers students the opportunity to learn some of the traditional lost arts and some new ones. The class will have a historical perspective as well as many hands on activities. Focus will be on fiber arts—traditional weaving, cloth and silk dying, sculpture and jewelry making—cold joining, beading, and diachronic fused glass. Papermaking, bookbinding, printmaking and illustration will be studied.
PHOTOGRAPHY
844 Intr. Photo Design
CP1 – Intro to Photography, Intermediate Photography and Design
Grades 10, 11, 12
Credit 1
This class introduces and continues with the function of a camera, black and white film development and darkroom printing. A portion of this class is used to complete a number of graphic art design projects to help further the students’ understanding of sound composition in photography. Limit of 15 students.
PREREQUISITE:
35 mm. camera and textbook are required. Course fee: $85.
843 PhotoJourn
CP1 – Photo Journalism
Grades 11, 12
Credit 1
This course is for students who have had at least one year of photography. These students work with the staff of the school’s newspaper, The Highway. This course reviews equipment and film, basic advanced photography techniques and darkroom procedures leading to their work being displayed in The Highway.
PREREQUISITE:
Introduction to Photo Design (844). Course fee: $85.
SPEECH AND DRAMA
862 Speech
CP1 – Speech
Grades 10, 11, 12
Credit 0.5 (1 semester)
This course is designed to teach public speaking in a practical manner. The goal is to help students learn the skills of speaking as they are used in the real world. Its aim is to help students develop speech skills needed in all aspects of life. Some areas to be included are persuasive, extemporaneous and choral speeches, and the oral interpretation of prose, poetry, and drama.
863 Drama
CP1 – Drama
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit 0.5 (1 semester)
This course is open to those interested in perfecting the art of communication. Drama includes pantomimes, improvisation, voice and diction exercises, theater games, skits as well as monologues, scene development, play reading, and participation in the drama productions. Activities are planned to assist students in sharpening their dramatic skills, improving self-confidence, and creating believable characters. Although some theory is incorporated, the emphasis is on practice.
838 Set, Props and Costumes Design for Artists
CP1 – Sets, Props and Costumes Design for Artists
Grades 10-12
Credit 1
This course gives students the opportunity to learn about set design, painting, creation of props and costumes for the Fall Musical and Winter Play. Students create masks, models, and mock set designs for other plays, especially those related to English classes and school sponsored field-trips.
PREREQUISITE:
B average or above in Basic Studio Art 1 and permission of instructor
* Courses marked with an asterisk may be repeated for credit.
