Fine & Performing Arts

This course is designed to give the student an enriching and diverse instrumental music education. This class provides several performance opportunities for the student in a variety of settings. The daily objective of the course is to foster and promote musical growth through the playing of an instrument by the student. As a member of the band program, group effort and cooperation are necessary to a successful program. Band is a skilled effort in which each student is expected to show technical and musical growth throughout this course.

Students should have at least one year of previous band experience to join this ensemble, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

Full year; 10 credit hours

This course is designed to give students an opportunity to grow in their musical education through performance in a vocal-based ensemble. Daily objectives include singing technical warmups to improve vocal technique and singing repertoire that will promote musical growth through its variety. As a member of the choir program, group effort and cooperation are necessary to a successful program. Choir is a skilled effort in which each student is expected to show technical and musical growth throughout the course. Students can join choir with or without any previous choral experience.

Full year; 10 credit hours

This class is a survey of the history of rock music including its antecedents in Rhythm & Blues and Country. Two main areas of study include a focus on musical characteristics and evolving musical styles, and a consideration of the sociopolitical impact rock music has had on late 20th Century life. This elective will also look at the cultural, economic, and social influences that shaped the American musical phenomena that is rock and roll music. Students do not need to have any musical experience to enjoy this elective.

1 semester; 5 credit hours

In Music Appreciation, students will recognize the development of music from a historical and cultural perspective. Students will study the fundamentals of music and discover basic music terminology, instrument families, tempo, rhythm, form, and meter. These elements will then be used throughout the course as a foundation for discussion of music throughout history. Eras covered will include Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and a variety of 20th century genres. Students will gain an understanding of the context in which music was created by recognizing and aurally identifying style characteristics, genres, and representative masterworks from various periods. Students do not need to have any musical experience to enjoy this elective.

1 semester; 5 credit hours

AP Music Theory is an introductory college-level music theory course. Students cultivate their understanding of music theory through analyzing performed and notated music as they explore concepts like pitch, rhythm, form, and musical design. Students will analyze written and performed music, convert music between aural and written notation, and complete music based on common practice period cues.

Full year; 10 credit hours

For beginning guitar players, this class will focus on learning to read music, learning to play chords and their structure within basic rock and blues format. Students will build technique by learning to play rhythm guitar, melodic figures, and in guitar ensembles. Students must provide their own guitar and are expected to practice outside of the class hours. Students do not need any musical experience to enjoy this elective.

1 semester; 5 credit hours

Introduction to Art fundamentals. Areas included are:

1. DRAWING — emphasis on line, value, shape, and texture;
2. DESIGN — introduction to basic elements of design;
3. PAINTING — fundamental methods and techniques associated with watercolor;
4. METALWORKING– jewelry: copper & brass;
5. PRINTMAKING– introduction to basic printmaking processes and techniques;
6. SCULPTURE — exploration of 3-dimensional forms and bas relief carving using stone, wood, and leather working;
7. CALLIGRAPHY — graphic design & shirt design;
8. PHOTOGRAPHY — basic composition;
9. MACRAME — the ancient art of knotting using paracord.

This class meets two days each week.

Full year; 4 credit hours

Introductory studio courses in each studio area of concentration. The areas include:

1. DRAWING — introduction to representational drawing with emphasis on visual perception;
2. DESIGN — emphasis on design elements of color, space and compositional strategies;
3. PAINTING — introduction to the theory and perception of color with instruction in techniques appropriate to paint media;
4. PRINTMAKING — emphasis on woodblock, and other forms of printmaking;
5. METALWORKING — jewelry saw work with copper & brass;
6. CALLIGRAPHY — graphic design & t-shirt design;
7. Stone, wood carving and Leather working in bas relief;
8. Macrame: the ancient art of knotting using paracord.

This class meets 2 days each week.

Full year; 4 credit hours

The students choose to work in different areas within the framework of advanced art. This course is open to Juniors and Seniors who have experience in varied fields of art. The student sets out a program in a particular media and explores it to the fullest limits of possibility.

The areas of concentration include: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Stone carving letter and image, Wood carving, Leather working, metalworking, calligraphy, graphic design, and Basic Photo composition. Macrame the ancient art of knotting using paracord.

This class meets 2 days each week.

Full year; 4 credit hours

This introductory course will focus on multiple forms of hand building and decorating pottery that will be fired in an electric Kiln. Pottery methods might include but be not limited to pinch, coil, slab construction of pottery and small 3-D sculptures and relief sculptures. Decoration of the pottery might include but not be limited to glazes, underglazes, and acrylic paint. Some history of pottery through the ages will be included in the course work. This class meets 3 days per week.

1 semester; 3 credit hours

Level 2 pottery will continue the foundations of the introductory course with the additional use of potter’s wheels to create various forms of thrown Pottery. This class meets 3 days per week.

1 semester; 3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Pottery I

This independent study course is offered to juniors and seniors who have completed Pottery I and II and displayed interest and aptitude for continued skill development. Acceptance in this course will be dependent on the ability to arrange a schedule that works for both the instructor and student.  Students may take this course multiple times.

1 semester (3 credit hours) or full year (6 credit hours)

Prerequisite: Pottery II