Visual and Performing Arts

Course Code: 120300
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Art I and Art II meets one year of the UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

This introductory course inspires students to think more creatively and improve his/her communication. Through a series of projects in various media students will be introduced to the elements and principles of visual art, such as line, shape/form, space, balance and emphasis. Students will develop art vocabulary in conjunction with the development of skills that will serve as the foundation for more complex works. Students will learn art techniques that will help develop skills to support creative expression as they explore the connections and application to visual arts. The importance of visual art in world culture is the foundation for exploring diverse topics in the history of art.

Course Code: 120400
Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Art II P with a grade C or higher
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Art I and Art II meets one year of the UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

Students will further develop skills and knowledge of materials and concepts from Art I while exploring drawing, painting, design, printmaking and 2-d mixed media in a deeper way. Students will learn art techniques that will help develop skills to support creative expression as they explore the connections and application to visual arts. The importance of visual art in world culture is the foundation for exploring diverse topics in the history of art.

Course Code: 120500
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Art II P with a grade C or higher
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Art I and Art II meets one year of the UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Art III will strengthen basic skills to the beginning intermediate level and introduce more advanced concepts from Art II and will continue to explore drawing, painting, design, printmaking and 2-D mixed media. Projects require greater scope and depth than those in Art II. Students will continue to learn art techniques that help develop skills to support creative expression as they explore the connections and application to visual arts. The importance of visual art in world culture is the foundation for exploring diverse topics in the history of art.

Course Code: 122000
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Ceramics I 9 12 P and Ceramics II P meets one year of the UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

Ceramics I P is a beginning course designed to teach students the nature of clay, basic hand building techniques of pinch coil and slab, basic ceramic sculpture construction, and glazes and glazing.   Emphasis will be placed on craftsmanship and ceramic design.  Notebook and/or sketchbook required.

Course Code: 122200
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Ceramics 1 P with a grade C or higher
Length of Course: One trimesters
College Entrance: Completing Ceramics I P and Ceramics II P meets one year of the UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement.

Ceramics II P is an intermediate course in which the student learns how to throw on the potter’s wheel and is encouraged to refine construction, sculpting, and decorative hand-building skills.  Emphasis will be placed on advanced glazing and construction of projects using multiple methods.

Course Code: 122300
Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Ceramics II P with a grade C or higher
Length of Course: One trimester, repeatable
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Ceramics III P is an advanced course in ceramics in which the student will refine ceramic skills and be required to make wheel projects and advanced sculpture projects.  Individual development will be stressed.  Students who repeat Ceramics III will design an independent course of study with the instructor

Course Code: 321110, 321120
Grade Level:  11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Ceramics II with a grade of C or better AND with teacher approval, signature, and conference. 
Completion of Ceramics I AND Ceramics II AND Ceramics III with a grade of B or better or consent of teacher.
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This Advanced Placement Course is a professional, college level course. This course is for students who are interested in the exploration and mastery through three-dimensional medium or process, such sculpture and ceramics. It is important that students will learn to express themselves in their own personal style and experiment with the elements and principles of art and design. Students learn that art making is an ongoing process in which they create, review, make modifications, and explore variations as they make critical decisions and develop their art forms. Ongoing group critiques with peers and the teacher, as well as ongoing individual conferences with the teacher, will take place throughout the course and form part of the assessment for the course. Other assessments will be formative and summative as requirements are completed.

Course Code: 220100
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Guitar I and II meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This course develops the physical skills necessary to play beginning level guitar music accurately and with good tone quality. Students learn to read music notation, and develop an understanding of the historical significance of the guitar and its literature.  This course also provides an understanding of musical elements and how they apply to the music played and heard.

Course Code: 220200
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Guitar I with a grade C or higher, or the consent of teacher
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Completing Guitar I and II meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Students will be instructed in how to play a variety of chord patterns, 12-bar-blues; barre chords; read music notation and tablature; play scales; recognize key signatures, fingerpick; improvise; build a varied repertoire of songs to perform.  They will be required to write a research paper on an individual who has made a career in music

Course Code: 321110, 321120
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Guitar II with a grade C or higher, or the consent of teacher
Length of Course: One trimester

Students will play guitar in small ensembles with one person on each part.  They will arrange songs, compose chord progressions and integrate these skills for performance.  They will further develop their guitar-playing skills, technique and understanding of music theory.  Students will be required to write a research paper on a specific style of music.

Course Code: 222210, 222220
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Pending approval of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This course explores a variety of styles and genres through the rehearsal and performance of symphonic band literature. Students gain an appreciation of music as an art form and develop the skills necessary to pursue a variety of careers in professional music. This course includes music theory and performance as well as the study of historical and contemporary music with a focus on music careers.

Course Code: 222310, 222320
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Symphonic Band Ensemble I
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Pending approval one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This course explores a variety of styles and genres through the rehearsal and performance of symphonic band literature. Students gain an appreciation of music as an art form and develop the skills necessary to pursue a variety of careers in professional music. This course includes music theory and performance as well as the study of historical and contemporary music with a focus on music careers.

Course Code: 222110, 222120, 222130
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition Required
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Wind Ensemble I Honors is a select group of advanced instrumental musicians who have auditioned and been selected to participate in this ensemble. Special emphasis is placed on solo and chamber performances as well as regular Symphonic rehearsal and performance, where students will take a leadership role. Students accepted into this ensemble will be expected to expand their mastery of music theory, music history and analysis, and write a research paper. These students will also be expected to take private lessons on their instrument, either with a local private instructor or in the group lesson setting at the school site.

Course Code: 221410, 221420, 221430
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: One year experience on a jazz band instrument and by audition
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This course provides musical training in jazz, Latin, blues, rock, and improvisation.  Emphasis is on performing skills.

Course Code: 221910, 221920, 221930
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Audition, and concurrent enrollment in Symphonic Band I/'II, or Wind Ensemble H
Length of Course: Three trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Honors level Jazz Band approaches the instrumental jazz curriculum as a college preparatory course of study.  Standards of individual instrumental technique as performed with a jazz ensemble are at the highest level.  Advanced level jazz literature, advanced jazz theory, jazz history, and cultural relationships are the foundations of this course.  Performances and any rehearsals, festivals, and workshops during after school hours are required.

Course Code: 223210, 223220, 223230
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Vocal performance is the prerequisite for Chamber Singers and Musical Theatre at SLOHS ONLY. In this class, you will learn how to sing and use your voice through performance in an ensemble setting, and as a soloist if you so choose. We will explore music from all different genres, from pop to contemporary to musical theater.

Course Code: 223310, 223320, 223330
Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Intro to Vocal Arts or Concert Choir
Length of Course:  Three trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Chamber Singers P strives to develop singing skills as students’ study and perform standard high school and college choral literature.  There are many outside performances.  As in all choral-performing classes, the emphasis in Chamber Singers P is on ongoing musical development.  Students in this ensemble, as a general rule, have had a good deal of singing experience, so the focus is on further developing singing technique, performance practices, and form and style as it relates to a varied repertoire, representing all facets of musical history.

Course Code: 221110, 221120
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Intro to Vocal Arts or Concert Choir
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

Musical theatre explores American Musical Theatre. Students will study the work of the actor/singer/dancer through the viewing and discussion of musicals, musical theatre history and repertoire, and will use their gained knowledge to develop as performers. Students will prepare and present as soloists as well as members of small groups and larger ensembles. Since this is a workshop course, students will prepare materials for class performances. The class will participate in a culminating cabaret-style showcase performance.

Course Code: 121530
Grade Level:  11, 12
Prerequisite: Completion of AP Studio 3D
Length of Course: One trimester