ARTS COURSES

For electives that have limited enrollment, priority will be given to upper classmen who need the course to meet graduation, academy or pathway requirements.

ART I
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Art I is a foundation program in studio art emphasizing the basic skills of drawing, design, and color. Work experiences include basics in two-dimensional artwork.

ART II
Prerequisite: Art I 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Art II is a continuation of the foundation program in studio art that expands the student’s skills in two-dimensional areas. A broad variety of techniques and materials will be explored.

ART III
Prerequisite: Art II 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

Art III includes problem-solving units in design, printmaking with an emphasis on drawing and painting. Three-dimensional units may be included such as clay, jewelry, and construction. Students are required to keep a sketchbook.

ART IV
Prerequisite: Art III 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

Art IV is an expansion of Art II with the addition of aesthetics, art appreciation and philosophy. Students are required to keep a sketchbook.

VISUAL ARTS INTEGRATED
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10

Visual Arts Integrated is a focused foundation program in studio art that emphasizes integrating the arts historically through World Cultures and English II. This course is designed to develop strong drawing and design skills by working with a variety of media. Work completed can be used as the portfolio to apply to the Arts Academy at the end of the sophomore year. A student sketchbook is required. Students interested in the Arts Academy are encouraged to take this course.

*STUDIO ART - ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Prerequisite: Art I and Art II 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 12

Studio Art Advanced Placement is a course for the highly motivated student interested in the serious study of Art. Every student will be expected to develop a quality portfolio and meet the standards of evaluation as described in the CEEB Advanced Placement Program. Students are required to keep an art journal reflecting on their ongoing work and statement of intent with an oral and visual presentation. Students prepare to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Studio Art. This course is run in conjunction with Visual Arts II at Allen.

DANCE

For electives that have limited enrollment, priority will be given to upper classmen who need the course to meet graduation, academy or pathway requirements.

DANCE STUDIO INTEGRATED
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10

Dance Studio Integrated is recommended for students to prepare them for audition in 11 th grade. The course examines and reviews techniques and genres of ballet, jazz and modern dance, social and ethnic dance of various cultures and historical periods. Class work will include performance, reflection, discussion, and written work. The course is integrated with English II and World Cultures. Academy related field trips and special assemblies and workshops are a part of the program. Students interested in the Arts Academy are encouraged to take this course.

DANCE I
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Dance I is a course for students with any degree of experience in dance. The principles, elements and protocol of dance will be introduced. Students will learn proper body alignment. Conditioning, flexibility, techniques and vocabulary of basic movements in ballet, modern, jazz, and musical theatre will be experienced and performed. Students will gain knowledge through written assignments and active participation.

DANCE II
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Dance II will expand on the concepts and techniques learned in Dance I. Students will learn combinations in ballet, jazz, and modern dance through floor and center exercises. Students will further develop their ability to use the body as an expressive tool and to assess their own strengths and needs in dance training. Students will gain knowledge through written assignments and active participation. Note: Dance credit can be applied for Physical Education in grades 10, 11, 12 or Arts credit in 9, 10, 11, 12.

MUSIC

For electives that have limited enrollment, priority will be given to upper classmen who need the course to meet graduation, academy or pathway requirements.

MUSICAL ARTS INTEGRATED
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10

Musical Arts Integrated students begin their music theory to include pitches, rhythms, and scales. From there students study vocal technique and the belcanto style. In addition, students will survey the five major historical periods. Students interested in the Arts Academy are encouraged to take this course.

EXPLORING MUSIC
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Exploring Music, open to all students interested in any type or style of music, is a survey of musical elements as they apply to pop, rock, jazz, folk, Broadway show, and classical music. The course includes "hands-on" and creative experiences with synthesizer, keyboard, recorder, guitar and/or handbells.

VOICE I
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10,11,12

Voice I is a course for beginners with little or no previous experience in singing. Any student may elect this course. No audition is required. Students will study correct posture, breath control, enunciation and phrasing, tone production and control, and interpretation. Students will develop an awareness of songs and vocal exercises in the standard repertoire.

VOICE II
Prerequisite: Voice I 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10,11,12

Voice II builds upon the skills learned in Voice I. Students will learn to sing in other languages, including Italian, German, and Latin. Students will also study more advanced compositions in English.

PIANO I
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Piano I is a course designed for students who have no previous piano experience. This course is the study of the basic skills involved in reading music and playing the keyboard, including varied types of music, from pop to classical. Each student will have his/her own practice instrument.

PIANO II
Prerequisite: Piano I or teacher recommendation 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

Piano II is a continuing advanced study of piano literature, including emphasis on duo ensembles and standard classics. Students with one or more years of previous instruction should enroll in this course.

PIANO III
Prerequisite: Piano II or teacher recommendation 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

Piano III is a continuing advanced study of piano literature, including emphasis on duo ensembles and standard classics.

BAND
3 Periods 1 Year 0.6 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Band is a study and the performance of works representative of the major forms (suite, overture, rhapsody, march, etc.) from the baroque through the contemporary periods of composition. There are many school and public performances including concerts, parades, half-time shows at sporting events, competitions, and festivals. Preparation for these performances includes participation in summer and after school rehearsals. Marching Band season begins in August and concludes in October. Concert Band begins following the football season and continues throughout the remainder of the school year.

ORCHESTRA
Prerequisite: Audition required and teacher recommendation 2 Periods 1 Year 0.4 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Orchestra includes the study and performance of works representative of the major forms (symphony, concerto, suite, theme and variations, etc.) and periods of composition. There are several school and public concerts.

JAZZ BAND
Prerequisite: Audition required and teacher recommendation 5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Jazz Band involves the study and performance of selections representative of the major styles (Dixieland, swing, be-bop, contemporary, etc.) in the jazz idiom. There are several school and public concerts and festivals, plus several after school rehearsals.

CHORAL ACTIVITIES
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Choral Activities is a study, through rehearsal and public performances, of all aspects of the choral art: classical; "pop"; jazz and show choir repertoire. This course, which offers a fine opportunity for anyone who wishes to learn and sing using all types of music and to perform on stage, is open to all students with or without experience and with no audition. Many competitive, travel and social opportunities are offered. Meeting time at Allen is during Early Bird (pre-homeroom and homeroom). Membership is by audition at Allen.

INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUCTION
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 10, 11, 12

Instrumental Instruction offers an individual or group development of comprehensive musicianship through careful attention to tone quality, accurate pitch, good blend and balance, sight reading, and musical expression. Students may enroll in this course to receive individual help. (Continuing string and wind instrument players are especially encouraged to enroll.) The instrumental instructor determines the composition of the ensemble on the basis of student auditions.

INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Unit Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Fall – For players of wind and percussion instruments the course begins in August with preparation for the Marching Band season and continues through September and October during Early Bird (pre-homeroom and homeroom) with early AM field practice. String players not in Marching Band will meet as a string ensemble during Early Bird period. Approximately November 1 st , all instrumentalists will be assigned by instrument and ability level to various ensembles. Membership is by audition. All band front students must enroll in Instrumental Music Activities.
Spring – Instrumentalists will be assigned to ensembles by instrument and ability level for public concert presentations. Membership is by audition.