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 I 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: 121510, 121520
Grade Level:  10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Art III
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of the UC/CSU Visual & Performing Arts (F) / Visual 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 two-dimensional mediums or processes, such as graphic design, photography, collage, painting, printmaking, and other media. Students will develop technical skills and familiarize themselves with the functions of elements and principles of design as students create an individual portfolio of original work for evaluation at the end of the course. Students should master an understanding of the process of a professional artist and develop personal style.

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: 121610, 121620
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: 120100
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

This course provides students with practical knowledge and experience in the production of art using a variety of 3 dimensional media, design concepts, and techniques. It is an exploration of the mediums of fiber, metal, paper, plaster, wire, paper mache, found objects, and more. Students will create functional items and fine art while investigating 3 dimensional crafts & sculpture. Three-dimensional methods such as relief, modeling, carving, weaving, and assemblage may be explored.

Course Code: 120200
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: 3D Design & Craft I
Length of Course: One trimester
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

This course builds upon the foundation built in 3D Design & Craft I.  Students begin their studies in 3D Design & Craft II by further developing their technical/media skill set through both teacher directed and choice based practice exercises.  Using this strengthened foundation of technique and materials, students discover their individual styles and artist identities in a series of choice based themed projects. Mediums available to students include, but are not limited to fiber, metal, mosaic, paper, plaster, wire, paper mache, found objects, and more.

Course Code: 129110, 129120
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: Two trimesters
College Entrance: Meets one year of UC/CSU (f) Visual and Performing Arts requirement

AP Art History is a college level art history survey course involving critical thinking while developing an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. An emphasis is placed on how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. By investigating specific course content of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, students develop in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students become active participants in the global art world, engaging with its forms and content, including field trips to experience art first hand. The College Board states there are no prerequisites. Open to grades 9-12.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 262110, 262120
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: None
Length of Course: Two trimesters

Course Description:This is a two trimester elective course offering within the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Departments. It is designed to develop basic technique, confidence in expression, and an appreciation for a wide variety of dance forms (i.e. jazz, modern, ballet, musical theater, social, 
etc.)  It introduces dance technique, choreography. Students gain an appreciation of dance as an art form and develop the skills necessary to pursue a variety of careers in dance. The course includes application of the elements and principles of dance, study of historical and contemporary dance, and exploration of the art form from a career perspective. This course may be used as an alternative to the 10-12 PE graduation requirement.

Course Code: 262210, 262220
Grade Level:  9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Dance 1 A/B
Length of Course: Two trimesters

Course Description: This is a two trimester elective course offering within the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department. It is designed for the continuing student who has completed Dance 1 A and B (or enter with permission of instructor based on strong dance background, and desire for more in-depth knowledge of dance.) There will be a strong emphasis on the elements of choreography, presentation, and critical analysis. Dance 2 is an advanced level which will build on and refine techniques, styles, and student overall knowledge regarding the art and heritage of dance. This course will introduce production elements (i.e., staging, lighting, and sound) and company organization and management in professional dance careers. This course may be used as an alternative to the 10-12 PE graduation requirement. Prerequisite Course: Dance 1 A/B