Important Arts Department Information
Dance 1A is a survey course that will introduce movers of all experience levels to a wide range of dance genres. The course will include physical practice in the techniques of ballet, jazz dance, and social dance. Students will study dance history, dance composition, and improvisational techniques. Through written work and class discussions, students will learn to analyze dance performance as an art form, through a critical, informed, and appreciative lens. Students will work collaborative to explore dance elements and perform choreographed dances in a supportive community environment.
Orchestra Advanced A (Honors Strings)
Important Arts Department Information
This is Honors Strings for which an audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution and musicianship. Honors Strings performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire, and will perform at an adjudicated festival in the spring while on the annual orchestra/band trip. In the fall semester students audition for All-State & CODA Honor Orchestras.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets Mondays 3:15-5:15pm and Tuesdays 8-8:50am, plus performances.
First Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced A (?)
Second Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced B (?)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Orchestra Advanced C (?
Orchestra Advanced B (Honors Strings)
Important Arts Department Information
This is Honors Strings for which an audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution and musicianship. Honors Strings performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire, and will perform at an adjudicated festival in the spring while on the annual orchestra/band spring trip. In the fall semester students audition for All-State & CODA Honor Orchestras.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets Mondays 3:15-5:15pm and Tuesdays 8-8:50am, plus performances.
First Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced A (?)
Second Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced B (?)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Orchestra Advanced C (?
Orchestra Advanced C (Honors Strings)
Important Arts Department Information
This is Honors Strings for which an audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution and musicianship. Honors Strings performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire from MENC grades 4-5, and will perform at an adjudicated festival in the spring while on the annual spring trip. In the fall semester students audition for All-State & CODA Honor Orchestras.
This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets Mondays 3:15-5:15pm and Tuesdays 8-8:50am, plus performances.
First Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced A (?)
Second Semester Taken: Orchestra Advanced B (?)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Orchestra Advanced C (?
Band 1B
Important Arts Department Information
Band 1A/1B/C
Course Description:
The Band performs in two different stylistic configurations: Concert Band, which focuses on traditional classical and contemporary concert repertoire, and Pep Band, which plays a variety of popular musical styles. The class is open to students who play woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Students will study fundamental musical concepts, including tone production, instrument technique, intonation, ensemble awareness, and sight reading. The Band performs in the annual Winter Concerts, Spring Pops Concerts, and Performing Arts Assembly, as well as home football games, pep rallies, and other occasional school events.
This course is offered during 0 period. Meets 2 mornings per week, plus:
-
- 8 home football & volleyball games (and playoffs, if applicable) for the FALL semester
- Fall/Winter and Spring Concerts
First Semester Taken: Band A (6538)
Second Semester Taken: Band B (6539)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Band C (9818)
Band C
Important Arts Department Information
Course Description:
The Band performs in two different stylistic configurations: Concert Band, which focuses on traditional classical and contemporary concert repertoire, and Pep Band, which plays a variety of popular musical styles. The class is open to students who play woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Students will study fundamental musical concepts, including tone production, instrument technique, intonation, ensemble awareness, and sight reading. The Band performs in the annual Winter Concerts, Spring Pops Concerts, and Performing Arts Assembly, as well as home football games, pep rallies, and other occasional school events.
This course is offered during 0 period. (8:00-8:45 am, Tue, Thu during fall semester ONLY) Meets 2 mornings per week, plus:
-
- 8 home football & volleyball games (and playoffs, if applicable) for the FALL semester
- Fall/Winter & Spring Concerts
First Semester Taken: Band A (6538)
Second Semester Taken: Band B (6539)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Band C (9818)
Band 1A
Important Arts Department Information
Course Description:
The Band performs in two different stylistic configurations: Concert Band, which focuses on traditional classical and contemporary concert repertoire, and Pep Band, which plays a variety of popular musical styles. The class is open to students who play woodwinds, brass, or percussion. Students will study fundamental musical concepts, including tone production, instrument technique, intonation, ensemble awareness, and sight reading. The Band performs in the annual Winter Concerts, Spring Pops Concerts, and Performing Arts Assembly, as well as home football games, pep rallies, and other occasional school events.
This course is offered during 0 period. (8:00-8:45 am, Tue, Thu during fall semester ONLY) Meets 2 mornings per week, plus:
-
- 8 home football & volleyball games (and playoffs, if applicable) for the FALL semester
- Fall/Winter & Spring Concerts
First Semester Taken: Band A (6538)
Second Semester Taken: Band B (6539)
Subsequent Semesters Taken: Band C (9818)
United States History and Cultures Honors (0) Zero Period
United States Histories and Cultures examines the social, cultural, political, economic, religious and ideological movements and moments that constitute American history. We will focus explicitly on the diversity of the American experience and the development, change, and perpetuation of structures of inequality in the U.S over time. Empowered with this knowledge, students will then analyze what unites us as Americans through our shared historical experiences and events. Students will examine, critique, and analyze historical narratives, focusing explicitly on tensions between historical events and the stories that have been written about them. This course focuses on building an understanding of knowledge production, critical research and writing skills, and college-level reading and analysis. Students will leave this course prepared to heed our school’s mission to respond to the challenges of our time by becoming active participants in their civic communities.
In addition to the assigned coursework, the honors curriculum for this course will include college-level historical analysis, including, but not limited to supplemental textbooks, primary documents, original research, historical fiction assignments, and museum visits.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
This course meets 3-4 mornings per week for 50 minutes (8:00 am – 8:50 am). Students who will have morning practice or another morning commitment for the whole year that would prevent them from coming to class at 8:00 am should not take this class, as regular attendance is required.
This class is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day.
United States Histories and Cultures (0) Zero Period
United States Histories and Cultures examines the social, cultural, political, economic, religious and ideological movements and moments that constitute American history. We will focus explicitly on the diversity of the American experience and the development, change, and perpetuation of structures of inequality in the U.S over time. Empowered with this knowledge, students will then analyze what unites us as Americans through our shared historical experiences, events. Students will examine, critique, and analyze historical narratives, focusing explicitly on tensions between historical events and the stories that have been written about them. This course focuses on building an understanding of knowledge production, critical research and writing skills, and college-level reading and analysis. Students will leave this course prepared to heed our school’s mission to respond to the challenges of our time by becoming active participants in their civic communities.
This course meets 3-4 mornings per week for 50 minutes (8:00 am – 8:50 am). Students who will have morning practice or another morning commitment for the whole year that would prevent them from coming to class at 8:00 am should not take this class, as regular attendance is required.
This class is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day.
Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2 – Honors
This course will build upon the skills developed from Spanish for Heritage Speakers 1 Honors. Students in this course come from Spanish-speaking family backgrounds. They speak and understand Spanish in the home, and they demonstrate some skills in reading and writing Spanish.
In Spanish for Heritage Speakers 2 Honors, students will continue to develop their formal composition skills, deepen their academic reading ability, and build their vocabulary for increased proficiency in multiple contexts–academic, professional, and personal. Through culturally relevant units and authentic resources from the Spanish-speaking world – including videos, articles, art, music, and literature – students will increase their knowledge of the cultural practices, products, and perspectives of the Spanish-speaking world.
Many of the unit assessments will begin to familiarize students with the Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture Exam tasks, which include comparing and contrasting, persuasive writing, analytical reading, and listening to authentic texts.
Taught exclusively in Spanish, this course is designed for heritage speakers only.
Upon successful completion of this course and the course final exam, students are recommended to enroll in further Spanish courses, such as Advanced Placement Spanish Language and Culture or the Spanish electives.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations