Art and Architecture 1B

Art and Architecture 1B is a follow-up course to Art and Architecture 1A and is designed as a continuing study of the wealth of artistic expression manifested in the architecture, sculpture, painting and artifacts of traditional cultures and modern architectural expressions.  An exploration of earth-friendly, sustainable and green architectural techniques will compliment the hands-on approach to building practices and inspire new thinking about shelter and cultural values.  Studio assignments in architectural design, drawing and mixed-media architectural structures created from original student designs, will compliment our study of how particular architects and cultures have used architecture as an expression to image themselves, their culture, and their God.

Studio Art 1B

As a follow-up course to Studio Art A, the Studio Art B class will place emphasis on the concept of connection and progression in developing and expanding a visual image.  A more refined sense of visual decision-making and creative initiative will be stressed and expected of the mature visual arts student.  Students will use a variety of materials, techniques, and styles to explore themselves in relationship to their personal history, community, and their God.  We will work in acrylic paint, water color paint, pencil, oil pastel, colored pencil, linoleum block prints, and a variety of mixed media materials.  A special project involving an in depth self-study through visual images will urge the student to see her/himself in various aspects; with a connection to a specific community, a realistic self-portrait and a non-objective symbol that strikes a familiar resounding chord.

Dance 1B: Modern Dance & Choreography

Dance 1B is a movement-based studio course designed to further the development of the dancer in the principles and elements of modern dance practice and choreography.  The class will include physical practice in contemporary/modern dance technique.  Students will study dance history, choreographic processes, and improvisational techniques.  Through written assignments and class discussions, students will grow in their ability to analyze dance performance as an art form through a critical, informed, and appreciative lens.  Students will work collaboratively to explore dance elements and perform choreographed dances in a supportive community environment.

Drama 1B: Advanced Acting

Students will continue the study and development of acting through scene work. While building on the principles and techniques learned in Drama 1A, students will participate in group warm-ups (vocal and physical), theatre games, improvisations, and advanced theatre exercises. Students will work on scenes from professionally produced plays. Students will study 20th Century theatre through the study of playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and August Wilson.

Music Appreciation 1B: Roots of Jazz: Exploring Music in Culture

Roots of Jazz: Exploring Music in Culture is designed for non-musicians and develops the art of perceptive listening to music of Africa, Latin American, India, Bali, China, the Middle East, Asia, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Learning will be balanced between theoretical and experiential song-writing activities. Students will evolve specific criteria for listening to, describing, analyzing, understanding, and creating music as it is understood and experienced in different cultures. Students will play instruments and explore digital media.  This is an intermediate level course, meeting four class hours per week with extensive lectures, experiential learning, audio-visual presentations, class projects, demonstration and attendance at live performances.

AP Music Theory

Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory is a fast-paced course including a substantial amount of homework in preparation for the AP music theory exam in May.  This course prepares students to complete college level work in the areas of reading and analyzing notated music and aural training.  Particular emphasis will be placed upon developing listening skills, sight-singing ability and knowledge of rhythm, melody, harmony, form and other compositional devices.

 Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

**This course meets during the regular school day, periods 1-7, during fall OR spring semester.

***If you would like to consider signing up for AP Music Theory for next year, you need to come to the band room during either lunch on Tuesday February 3rd, 2026 to take an entrance exam.

Photography 1B

Photography 1B builds on the skills developed in Photography 1A. In this course, students will learn basic lighting techniques and explore more advanced strategies while using DSLR cameras. Still life, landscape, and documentary photography are the three major themes of the class. The work of a variety of photographers, including Aaron Siskind, Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson, Robert Frank, W. Eugene Smith, Sebastião Salgado, and others, will be presented and discussed.

By the end of the semester, students will research the life and artistic style of a photographer who has made significant aesthetic contributions to the history of photography. The final project will consist of creating a cohesive series of images that demonstrate thematic unity.

Sculpture 1B

3D Studies/Mixed Media Sculpture B continues the exploration of the visual world; its relationships of form and space — in the context of historical examples, environmental/cultural impact, creative self-expression and collaborative pieces.  Field trips to local museums and sculpture collections and some written work will complement the original work created by the student in the studio and at home.

 

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

Jazz Band C

Jazz Band prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1920s through the present, focusing primarily on large-ensemble jazz in the Big Band and swing tradition.  This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program.  Jazz Band will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several festivals or adjudicated performances.

 

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 2 afternoons per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.

 

*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA

Jazz Combo C

Jazz Combo prepares students to perform a variety of musical competitions from the 1940s through the present, focusing primarily on small-ensemble jazz and solo improvisation.  This class is available to students who have taken private lessons for at least one year, or participated in their middle school Band program.  Jazz Combo will perform at the Winter Concerts, the Spring Pops Concerts, the Performing Arts Assembly, and several additional performances at SI and around the Bay Area.

 

This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am – 2:45 pm school day. Meets 1 afternoon per week for 2 hours each, plus performances.

 

*This class is not counted in the student’s SI GPA