Visual & Performing Arts

Animation 1

This course will cover the history, theories, and creation process of 2D animation. All phases of production will be covered and will explore the art of storytelling and communicating artistic ideas through the use of traditional and computer animation techniques. 

Animation 2

Prerequisite: Animation 1. In this course students will build upon already learned techniques in Adobe Animate CC, as well as be able to use and navigate Adobe After Effects CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, and Adobe Premiere to finalize and export their animations. Students will learn (1) further proficiency in a variety of Adobe programs, mainly Adobe Animate, and Adobe After Effects; (2) storytelling, storyboarding, and character design in Pre-Production; (3) animation using a combination of keyframes, tweens, and background layouts to tell a story in Production; (4) editing and adding sound and special effects to their story in Post-Production and (5) how to critique and offer constructive advice when viewing final animations. (Pending UC approval).   

Animation 3

Prerequisite: Animation 3. In this course students will build upon already learned techniques in Adobe Animate CC from Animation 2, as well as be able to use and navigate Adobe After Effects CC, Adobe Photoshop CC, and Adobe Premiere to finalize and export their animations. Students will advance their proficiency in (1) a variety of Adobe programs, mainly Adobe Animate, and Adobe After Effects; (2) storytelling, storyboarding, and character design in Pre-Production; (3) animation using a combination of keyframes, tweens, and background layouts to tell a story in Production; (4) editing and adding sound and special effects to their story in Post-Production and (5) critiquing and offering constructive advice when viewing final animations. (Pending UC approval).  

Media Production

Media Production is designed for students interested in the digital arts. Students will focus on the three components of filmmaking (pre- production, production, post-production). Students will be introduced to the creative elements and technical skills necessary to produce high quality media (script writing, storyboards, camera work, lighting, sound, editing, etc.) that enables students to convey their own unique point of view. Students will alternate between roles as director, producer, editor and other various roles which will enhance the student’s understanding of how to create high quality media. 

Photography/Yearbook                                                                     

Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation. Students in Photography/Yearbook will develop and expand their knowledge and skills in producing both artistic and commercial photographs using digital DSLR cameras and equipment. Students will learn how to set the camera controls to create specific effects with the cameras, for example lighting control and emphasis. Students will learn digital imaging using Photoshop Elements to enable them to edit and manipulate digital images. Students will create page layouts, and write copy, captions and stories which will be combined with their photographs for special assignments and publishing materials including the high school yearbook.

Beginning Band

Students will discover the world of music through hands-on work with concert band instruments. Musical terminology, rhythmic figures and reading skills will be learned to further enhance this experience. Concert Band is considered a performance group.  Instruments being offered are Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Electric Bass, Mallet Percussion and combined percussion. 

Intermediate Band

Prerequisite: A minimum grade of B in Beginning Band. Intermediate Band is year-long course open to students with previous instrumental music experience and who already know how to read music. Students will participate in pep band, marching band and concert band performances.  Students are required to attend private or semi-private sectionals/lessons on a regular basis.  In addition, students will have individual opportunities to participate in optional events like Solo and Ensemble Contest, IMEA and the Conference Music Festival.  Attending all full band performances is a course requirement. Members will also practice marching techniques and music to be used in performances at football games and parades. Members will be expected to attend rehearsals outside of regular class time. 

Drumline/Percussion Band

This is an 8th-period course. This course teaches the basics of music reading and performance in the area of orchestral percussion. Percussion instruments to be covered include snare drum, bass drum, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, timpani and auxiliary percussion instruments such as tambourine and triangle. Students will perform intermediate level percussion ensemble literature in a range of performance situations. Some performances will be on weekends, which may require traveling. Students will also prepare literature for concert band performances. Students will study and analyze music from historical periods and various cultures to gain a broad understanding of how music has been influenced by culture and period history. Students will study and analyze music theory at an intermediate level and create musical compositions at an intermediate level. (Pending UC approval).

Jazz Band

This is an 8th-period course. The purpose of this course is for the students to continue to improve and develop their skills, knowledge, and appreciation of jazz music through active listening and performance of varied jazz idioms and to be able to effectively communicate this understanding through the use of jazz idioms and improvisation. Students will achieve an advanced level of proficiency on an instrument while developing creative and artistic expression. (Pending UC approval).

Marching Band/Wind Ensemble

This is an 8th-period course. This course is designed to introduce the student to a variety of styles used in marching band.  This course will expose and develop the student's knowledge and understanding of basic theory, instrument practice, and technique, both in an ensemble setting and in an individual practice setting. In addition, students will learn both the physical and mental types of marching routines in relation to the style of music. (Pending UC approval).

Color Guard

This is an 8th-period course. This course provides students with the opportunity to create and perform movement pieces, develop show designs and works, learn and practice teaching techniques, interpret and evaluate dance and color guard, and enhance competency leading to successful career opportunities. Students will be expected to show knowledge of and demonstrate intermediate and advanced level dance movement in the styles of modern, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and other cultural dances. Students will also learn partner choreography and techniques, as well as safe techniques for partner sharing and weight sharing. (Pending UC approval).

Popular Music

Prerequisite: Completion of 1-year VAPA requirement. This course is designed for students to examine American popular music through the mid-late twentieth century through the early part of the twentieth first century. The course will focus on how the political, cultural, and economic factors in American history helped influence the development of the lyrics of music of pop, rock, soul, blues and other musical genres. The course will also examine the use of lyrical and musical development as a form of expression/protest. Using American History as a cultural backdrop, students will better understand the development of various musical genres, compositional techniques, usage of instruments/sounds, and other notable musical characteristics found in American popular music.

Hip Hop: Formation, Structure, and Production

Prerequisite: Completion of 1-year VAPA requirement. Drawing on the rich history and influence of Hip-Hop course students will create original content through the written word and the creative process that will then be transformed into artifacts/songs/song segments.  Students will learn the nuances of songwriting, producing beats, arranging tracks and creative sampling.  Students will be introduced to and work hands-on with current technology, tools, and concepts that are utilized in the world of professional music makers in the commercial recording industry. Projects that will be created in the course will be both collaborative and individually based. (Pending UC approval).

Theater Arts 1

A year-long course designed to train students in the fundamental skills of acting and theatrical production.  Students will study and learn the tools of an actor (mind, body and voice) and apply these tools to a range of in-class performances.  In addition, students will gain an understanding of how writers, performers, and designers collaborate to produce a theatrical production. Theater history, how the human experience has been represented on stage throughout the centuries, will also be explored. 

Theater Arts 2

Prerequisite: Theater Arts 1. This course is designed for students who are interested in further study in Theater Arts.  Instruction is designed to include the study of various genres of theater literature, further development of the craft of acting, and in-class performance projects including directing and design as well as further development of the technical aspects of theater production and production assistance. (Pending UC approval).

Exploring Arts

This yearlong course is intended to be an introduction to communication by drawing, working with black, white, and color using the Elements and Principles of Design. Searching and planning for ideas, styles, different drawing media (oil pastels, pastels, charcoal, graphite pencil, chalk and paints) and different techniques. The students will explore the options of composition, the light and shadows, and analyzing and critiquing completed work. A paper is required on artist styles.

Drawing and Painting

An introduction to drawing with an emphasis on various styles: contour drawing, gesture ketching, tonal rendering, cross hatching, and stippling. Students will be introduced to rendering still life, landscapes, portraiture and figure drawing. The mediums used are graphite, charcoal, conte crayon, and pen & ink. Beyond studio projects students will research artists and be responsible for independent gallery critiques. A final digital portfolio of work will be produced from Semester projects.

Advanced Drawing and Painting

Prerequisite: Minimum “B” in Drawing. This course offers opportunities for the student-artist to further investigate observation and representation of form in space, figure drawing, and technical interpretation. This course further explores the medium of drawing and challenges the student to expand his creativity in form, idea, concept, materials and techniques. Mediums to be used: charcoal, pastel, colored pencils, and conte crayon. (One Semester)

Ceramics

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of “C” in Exploring Art. Ceramics provides all students with an opportunity for creative expression and cognitive development in a nonverbal way. Students will learn about the history of ceramics and will create sculptural and functional pieces. Students will critique their work and plan out elaborate projects. Students will fully participate in every class and do their part in keeping a clean learning environment. Assessment is based on effort and improvement regardless of entry-level skills or personal aptitude.