Studio Art 1
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: None
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the world of visual arts. The course will begin with an initial foundation and introduction to the visual arts vocabulary including the elements of art, principles of design and the steps of the critique process (description, analysis, interpretation, judgment). After the initial foundation, students will be exposed to different perspectives within the visual arts through six themes. The series of themes begins with focusing on the elements of art, art inspired by the natural world, printmaking, color theory, portraiture, sculpture, independent study. Through these sequential themes students will learn about various mediums in art, which include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, observational skills, more in-depth art vocabulary, the lives of different artists, historical and cultural connections, as well as a variety of other topics. Students will create concept specific projects and will learn how to evaluate themselves as well as their peers through the use of rubrics. Writing assignments, discussions, critiques, group-work, and other activities will be the outlet for students to express their understanding of art and the creative process.
By the end of this course students will be able to discuss, interpret, and analyze works of art by identifying the use of the elements of art and the principles of design. Also, students will become exposed to the various purposes of art throughout time, and in their own culture as well as the culture of others.
Studio Art 2
Recommended For: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Applicant must have completed Studio Art 1
Studio Art 2 continues where Studio Art 1 left off. The course offers the student an in-depth study of expression and opportunities to develop a personal style. Emphasis is on idea development, creative thinking, self-expression, and non-verbal communication is stressed. The study of artists and their styles, with a focus on abstraction, is included in this course as well.
Advanced Painting
Recommended For: Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Applicant must have completed Studio Art 2
The purpose of this Advanced Painting course is to prepare students to engage in an individual search for meaning and cultural representation through the development of strong visual skills, keen critical reasoning abilities and an understanding of broad historical and social contexts. This course encourages both the freedom and discipline essential to this process by embracing a wide range of aesthetic attitudes and offering flexible themes within painting and mixed media, along with a place where ideas rooted in the tradition of painting are openly examined and exchanged, challenged and refined.
New West Ensemble
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: None, Music Experience Preferred
New West Ensemble is a proficient level performance-based course for students who are already experienced on an instrument in the band/orchestra family. This course allows students to continue developing the skills they have already learned in an ensemble setting, particularly rhythm reading, articulation, tone quality, balance, blend, intonation, and good rehearsal practice. Students will also gain the tools to critically assess their own performances and the performances of others, and even if they do not go on to musical careers, they will retain lifelong skills such as self-reliance, accountability, teamwork, leadership, and time management, in addition to a stronger appreciation of any type of music that they choose to enjoy.
Guitar and Rock Ensemble
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: None, Music Experience Preferred
In that class, students played classical-style music in unison, and modern rock/pop was not emphasized. The course allows students to explore the music that they already enjoy, allowing them to connect with the subject matter much more readily, while still allowing for development of guitar technique. The course now includes instruction on drums, vocals, piano, business, and stagecraft elements that round out the main emphasis on guitar performance.
Concert Choir
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Audition
This performing ensemble allows students to explore a wide variety of vocal music from pop to classical while mastering proper rehearsal etiquette, performance etiquette, and audience etiquette. Members will become skilled in reading and performing intermediate to advanced level repertoire and become skilled in sight-singing, interval recognition, and understanding of chord progressions. Musicians will learn about the history of choral music from antiquity through the modern era as well as be exposed to career path opportunities and professionals associated with music and the arts. Students will be required to perform at all concerts, community events, and any chosen festivals throughout the school year.
Dance I
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: None
Beginning Dance is a course that concentrates on movement awareness and reverence for the physical body and its athletic and expressive capabilities. This course will introduce students to the art of dance. This class is a dance overview. Students become acquainted with basic technique in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and the historical and cultural information within these dance forms. Gaining movement skills and finding their self-confidence and enjoyment through movement is a focus in this course.
This class is designed for all students with or without previous experience in dance and can prepare students for more advanced classes.
This course will begin with an introduction to basic dance vocabulary including the history of dance, and choreographers. In addition, elements of dance, performance qualities, and choreography will also be a focus in this course.
By the end of this course students will be able to discuss, interpret, and analyze different works of dance choreography that has been performed by their peers, and influential dancers and choreographers.
Dance II
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Audition
Dance II is a proficient level course for students with at least one or more years of dance experience. The dance experience must include formal ballet training and technique skills. Intermediate Dance will allow students to increase their body awareness, technique and strength training, and endurance. Through the exploration of a variety of dance styles students will advance their dance vocabulary, and enhance their dance technical skills. Students will continue to explore the elements of dance through improvisation, and self choreographed dances, as well as, perform rehearsed routines in front of live audiences.
Dance III
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Audition
Dance III is an advanced level course for students with several years of prior dance experience in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Contemporary dance styles. Students can be selected for this course with approval from the instructor. This course is for students who have a strong passion for different styles of dance and who wish to purse dance in the future or audition for the performance dance team program in high school. Students in this course will perform at some school functions. Students will learn advanced technical skills and will focus on connecting emotionally to choreography and performance. Instruction will also include strengthening and flexibility classes to work on range of motion and conditioning of the body.
The purpose of this course is to introduce skills such as technical progressions, tricks, and advanced dance jumps and turns. This course will begin with advanced instruction of improvisation. It is extremely important for students to become confident with improving. Improvisation will allow dancers to unfold into great performers. This course is intended to prepare students for a competitive team at the high school level. Therefore, students will focus on technique, performing & choreography. This class will give dancers the opportunity to increase their strength and flexibility. Students will execute movement in a variety of genres (jazz, ballet, hip hop, modern), demonstrating the ability to memorize choreography and execute technique with proper alignment and musicality. Finally, students are encouraged to develop a sense of self-expression and self-confidence and experience a sense of accomplishment.
Dance Team Performance
Recommended For: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Audition
Dance Team is an advanced level course for students with several years of prior dance experience in Ballet; Jazz, Modern and Contemporary dance styles. Students can be selected for this course with approval from the instructor by individual audition only. This course is for students who have a strong passion for performing and have goals of continuing dance in college or work on becoming a professional dancer in the dance industry. Students in this course will perform at all school functions. Students will learn advanced technical skills and will focus on connecting emotionally to choreography and performance. Instruction will also include strengthening and flexibility classes to work on range of motion and conditioning of the body.
Art History
Recommended For: Juniors, Seniors
Prerequisites: Modern World History
The AP Art History course should engage students at the same level as an intro- ductory college art history survey. Such a course involves critical thinking and should develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. It also provides an opportunity for schools to strengthen an area neglected in most curricula. In this course, students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. Many colleges and universities offer advanced placement and/or credit to students who perform successfully on the AP Art History Exam.