Fine Arts 18 Courses Found schema Course Sequence

In this introductory course, learn how to express ideas through painting, drawing, sculpting, printmaking and mixed media. Develop skills and techniques as you explore your creativity using the Elements and Principles of Design. Use critical thinking skills to create, revise and view works of art. Learn how to define your thoughts and ideas about artwork and acquire an awareness of art throughout history. Prerequisite: None

In this intermediate course, students will continue to build on basic drawing and design skills. Learn many different creative strategies to develop original work and experience new art materials. Continue to explore the communicative properties of the visual arts. Learn to recognize and understand major art movements such as Impressionism, Cubism and Surrealism. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Art I

In this advanced course, gain new perspectives and learn to stretch the boundaries of your imagination. Continue to develop drawing and design skills. Learn creative strategies to develop original artwork and strengthen your artistic process and analytical skills. This studio experience will allow each student to concentrate on personal style and media preferences. Develop your portfolio. Gain an understanding and appreciation for professional artists and their work. Honors Options Available Prerequisite: Art I, Art II

Graphic and Digital Arts 1 is an introductory level course for students interested in Photography, Illustration, Animation, Web Design and/or Video Production. Students will be introduced to programs used by professional digital artists. Prerequisite: None

Graphic and Digital Arts II is an intermediate level course for students interested in building upon their skills in Photography, Illustration, Animation, Web Design and/or Video Production. Students will work independently and collaboratively to enhance technical and creative abilities to complete various projects. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Graphic & Digital Arts I

Graphic & Digital Arts III is an Advanced Level course for students interested in expanding/developing their personal style and skills in photography, design, digital drawing, animation, and/or video production. Students will also explore a digital career with an integrated work experience opportunity. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Graphic & Digital Art I and Graphic & Digital Art II

In this introductory course, the student will design and construct sculptural art forms working with clay or mixed media;. Learn how to use the potter's wheel to create simple forms; and create pots using slab and coil construction methods. Explore techniques for surface design, and glazing ceramics. Study different methods of firing. Learn about the cultural connections of ceramics and sculpture throughout history. Prerequisite: None

In this intermediate course, the student will design and construct sculptural art forms working with clay or mixed media;. Refine skills using the potter's wheel and develop advanced techniques in hand building. Create sculptural forms, functional sets and altered vessels. Explore traditional and alternative firing experiences. Acquire an awareness of cultural and historical styles in ceramic art. View art first hand through a museum or exhibit experience. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Ceramics and Sculpture I

In this advanced course, gain a new perspective and learn to stretch the boundaries of imagination. Enhance handbuilding and wheel-throwing skills. Learn creative strategies to explore new methods and to develop original work. This studio experience will allow each student to concentrate on personal style and construction methods. Assist in daily kiln production. Gain an understanding and appreciation for professional ceramicists and their work. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Ceramics and Sculpture I and Ceramics and Sculpture II

This year-long course will emphasize the enjoyment of choral music; exposure to the many styles of choral music; and the development of the basic skills necessary for good choral singing, with an emphasis on sight-singing and vocal independence. Students perform in concerts several times (3-4) throughout the year. In the spring, students audition for placement in Concert Choir or Treble Choir for the following year. Attendance at performances is required. Prerequisite: None

Concert Choir is an auditioned, mixed chorus designed to fulfill the needs of those students who desire a more serious study of choral music. This year-long course will emphasize the enjoyment of choral music, exposure to the many styles of SATB choral music, and the development of the basic skills necessary for good choral singing. Instruction includes the rehearsal and performance of SATB choral music, vocal production, sight-reading, individual and ensemble vocal techniques, and stylistic demands of the music as they pertain to the particular type of choral literature. Concert Choir will perform all styles of choral literature from the Renaissance through the contemporary periods. Concert Choir performs at all home concerts, the Big 9 Music Festival, graduation, and other school events. Members may also participate in pop choirs, audition for All State Music Organizations and/or other area honor choirs, and tour with the performing group. Attendance at performances is required. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Audition and Consent of Instructor

Treble Choir is designed for 10th-12th grade treble voice (alto and soprano) singers who are not involved in Concert Choir. This year-long course will emphasize the enjoyment of choral music, exposure to the many styles of SSA/SSAA choral music, and the development of the basic skills necessary for good choral singing. Instruction includes the rehearsal and performance of SSA/SSAA choral music, vocal production, sight-reading, individual and ensemble vocal techniques, and stylistic demands of the music as they pertain to the particular type of choral literature. Treble Choir will perform all styles of choral literature from the Renaissance through the contemporary periods. Students perform in concerts several times (3-4) throughout the year. Members may also participate in pop choirs, audition for All State Music Organizations and/or other area honor choirs, and tour with the performing group. Attendance at performances is required. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

All 9th grade string players will participate in Concert Orchestra, with the exception of those who have successfully completed an audition for Symphonic Strings in the spring of eighth grade. Students in Concert Orchestra will explore a variety of string literature, continuing to develop pedagogical and musical skills through the music. Performances will include school and community concerts. Concert Orchestra will prepare the student for the Symphonic Strings audition. Upon successful audition, the student may enroll in Symphonic Strings. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

This course provides students an opportunity to participate in the exploration of advancing string literature and orchestral literature and for selected wind, brass, and percussion players from Symphonic Winds Honors to broaden their experience. Students will also have the opportunity for ensemble performance as a component of honors option. Performances will include school and community concerts, the annual Big 9 Music Festival, the Select Big 9 Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble contest, and the opportunity to audition for the Minnesota All State Orchestra. Honors Option Available Prerequisite: Audition with Instructor

Symphonic Winds Honors is an honors-level performance group. Students must audition for Symphonic Wind Ensemble and have the consent of the instructor to register. The Wind Ensemble has specific instrumentation needs and requires more advanced technical skills (such as a thorough understanding of counting systems and full range of the student's instrument). The Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band combine in the fall to create the high school marching band. Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band rehearse and perform together through the first semester. Members also attend pep band events for winter sports, may participate in jazz band or solo and ensemble contest, audition for All State Music Organizations and/or other area honor bands, perform for specific formal concerts, attend the Big 9 Festival as the representative group, tour with the performing groups, and combine with Symphonic Band for graduation. At certain times of the year, specific students may be asked to perform with the Symphonic Strings as members of the wind and percussion sections for the orchestra. Performance attendance is required. Prerequisite: Audition with Instructor

Ninth graders with previous instrumental instruction can register for Concert Band. Concert Band is a year-long course. Students in Concert Band will explore a variety of band literature, continuing to develop pedagogical and musical skills through the music. Students perform in concert several times throughout the year. Concert attendance is required for this course. Students will also explore aspects of the high school band program by participating on a limited basis in basic marching instruction sessions, winter pep band events, and other optional activities like jazz band and small ensemble and solo performances. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

Symphonic Band is our standard performance group for students in Grades 10-12. Students audition for Symphonic Band and then register with consent of the instructor. A variety of band literature representing many contrasting styles and historical periods will be studied and performed in concert. The class will continue to emphasize development of the musical skills in the individual musician and in the musical skills of the ensemble. Symphonic Band members combine with Wind Ensemble members in the fall to create the high school marching band. Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble rehearse and perform together through the first semester. Members also attend pep band events for winter sports, may participate in jazz band or solo and ensemble contest, audition for All State Music Organizations and/or other area honor bands, perform for specific formal concerts, tour with the performing groups, and combine with Wind Ensemble for graduation. Performance attendance is required. Prerequisite: Consent of Instructor

Ukulele is a one-semester course covering the basics of the instrument and an application of essential music fundamentals. Students will learn the basics of playing Ukulele at the beginning level through studying music notation, chord symbols, and peer modeling. A brief history of the Ukulele along with a study of its respective musical styles will also be covered in this course. The main objective of this course is to create and enhanced appreciation for music through playing the Ukulele. Students will learn how to read music notation, chord symbols, and tablature. Students will also gain a better understanding of many different musical genres including classical, flamenco, blues, jazz, rock, and pop. Prerequisites: None