Arts

Course Catalog: Arts Department

INTRODUCTION

The Arts Department offers Historical, Visual & Performing Arts courses designed to develop the skills necessary for appreciation of and participation in the creative process embracing music, theatre, dance, and visual arts. Students are required to take two semesters of Arts classes, one of which must be an Historical and/or Visual Arts elective offered during the regular school day to fulfill graduation requirements.

Performing Arts classes are offered before and after school, and an audition is usually required to enroll. A student who takes at least four semesters of a Performing Arts course may waive the daytime Arts Graduation Requirements.

ARTS COURSES
First semester, choose from:
AP Music Theory (6592)*, Art and Architecture 1A (6100), Dance 1A (6601), Drama 1A (6210), Multimedia Design 1A (6710), Music Appreciation A (6500), Photography 1A (6160), Sculpture A (6150), or Studio Art A (6120)

Second semester, choose from any class below to complete the 2-semester Arts Graduation Requirement:
AP Music Theory (6592)*, Art and Architecture 1B (6105), Art and Nature Intensive: Art and Architecture 1B (8W) [6106]*⁸, Art and Nature Intensive: Sculpture B (8W) [6156]*⁸, Art and Nature Intensive: Studio Art 1B (8W) [6126]*⁸, Chamber Singers A (6546)⁸,Chamber Singers B (6547)⁸, Dance 1B (6602), Dance 1C (9703)⁸, Drama 1B (6211), Drama 1C (9710)⁸, Jazz Band A (9811), Jazz Band B (9812), Jazz Band C (9813)⁸, Jazz Combo (9817)⁸, Mixed Chorus A (6551)⁸, Mixed Chorus B (6522)⁸, Mixed Chorus C (9853)⁸, Multimedia Design 1B (6720), Music Appreciation B (6515), Orchestra A (6521)⁸, Orchestra B (6522)⁸, Orchestra C (9803)⁸, Pep Band A (6538)⁰, Pep Band B (6539)⁰, Pep Band C (9818)⁰, Photography 1B (6165), Sacred Symbols Studio Art B/C (6130), Sculpture B (6155)*, Studio Art B (6125), Visual Arts Practicum: Art and Architecture 1B (8P) [6107], Visual Arts Practicum: Sculpture B (8P) [6157], or Visual Arts Practicum: Studio Art B (8P) [6127]

Here is a link to the Performing Arts Audition Page.

NOTE: Students who take 4 semesters of a Performing Arts 8th period class can waive the SI Graduation Requirement for Fine Arts.

PLEASE NOTE:
University of California and California State University require students to complete the A/B sequence (two semesters) of one visual or performing arts discipline. The two semesters need not be taken in the same academic year. SI has a separate requirement that ONE semester of Fine Arts is taken during the 9:00 am-2:45 pm school day (it can overlap with the UC/CSU requirement) unless a student has already taken, or is planning to take, 4 semesters of an 8th period or 0 period performing arts class, in which case they can waive the SI "seat" requirement. Please see your counselor if you have any questions about this requirement, and to help you plan your classes accordingly.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

⁸ This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am - 2:45 pm school day. Courses may occur before school, after school, evenings, and/or weekends. See course description.

I. SEMESTER ONE COURSE OPTIONS

*AP MUSIC THEORY (6592)

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – Prior training and experience in vocal or instrumental music (optional) AND music theory (mandatory). A Fundamentals of Music Theory entrance exam will be administered the first week of classes to determine eligibility in the course.
Class Meeting Time – Meets during the regular school day, periods 1-7, during either fall OR spring semester.
Criteria for Enrollment – Students who sign up for this class will be contacted by the instructor to take an entrance exam in order to qualify for the course.

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

Course Description — 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.

*This class will be offered every two years pending adequate enrollment.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE 1A (6100)

Grade Level - 9, 10, 11, 12
Length - One Semester

Type of Course - Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite - None
Criteria for Enrollment - None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description - Designed to offer students the chance to learn about the art of architectural design in society and its effect on our sense of culture. Particularly interesting for students who plan to major in architecture and/or design of any kind, the class will provide field trips, involvement with our rich cultural environment and an introduction to “hands-on” skills involving design and composition. Coursework will include short papers, a non-written final project, and opportunity for original creative expression. Students do not need to have experience in drawing in order to take this course.

DANCE 1A: BALLET, JAZZ, AND SOCIAL DANCE (6601)

Course Description — This course introduces beginning technique, warm-up exercises, in-class choreography, movement in space, and improvisation. Students will study ballet, jazz, and social dance forms including Charleston, swing, and hip hop. As a final project, students will create a dance in small groups and will research the history of a style of dance.

DRAMA 1A: INTRO TO THEATRE (6210)

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirementPrerequisite – None
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — In Drama 1A, we will explore various approaches to acting. We will begin by playing a series of theatre games, move to improvisations, then perform professionally scripted and student-written monologues. Students will develop an approach to enact short monologues from professional play scripts for final presentation. Students will receive an overview of the major historical periods of theatre history throughout the world from Ancient Greece to the 19^th Century using student projects and teacher presentations. By the end of the course, students will have developed an appreciation for the art of the theatre, a respect for working within an ensemble of artists, and an appreciation for the variety of approaches to actor training.

MULTIMEDIA DESIGN 1A (6710)

Grade Level — 9, 10, 11, 12
Length — One Semester

Type of Course — Fine Arts Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement and UC Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) requirement
Prerequisite — None
Criteria for Enrollment – Interest in developing computer multimedia and design skills through creative web, print, and animation projects.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — This is an introductory computer art and design course with a focus on 2D and 3D graphics and video-editing software. Coursework includes a variety of graphic design projects created with software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Logic, FL Studio, Garageband, Soundtrap, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, TinkerCAD, OnShape, and Blender. The learning of traditional art and design principles will be integrated into students' creative work and the course will culminate with a digital portfolio.

MUSIC APPRECIATION A: SURVEY OF WESTERN MUSIC (6500)

Course Description — Music Appreciation A is designed for non-musicians and develops the art of perceptive listening and performance in musical composition through experiential activities. Lectures and experiential learning will cover the instruments of the orchestra, composers, performance practice, musical composition techniques, major compositions of the era, baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century eras, and Broadway musicals. Students will have practice in playing instruments, creating, listening to, analyzing, and describing music. They will evolve specific criteria for making informed critical evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of performances and compositions. Students will identify, explain and perform stylistic features of a given musical work. This is an introductory level course, meeting three times per week with extensive participation in musical activities, class projects, demonstrations and live performances.

PHOTOGRAPHY 1A (6160)

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – None
Criteria for Enrollment – Students will need 35 mm SLR and DSLR cameras. If they do not have these at home, they may borrow them from the school.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — The Photography 1A class provides a comprehensive study of photography as an art form. The course will expose the student to fundamental issues unique to the medium through the study of the history of photography. The students will experience a variety of approaches to the medium of black and white photography beginning with photograms and also including pinhole photography and 35 mm cameras. Students will create their own photograms, use pinhole cameras to get negatives and make positive images, learn how to process black and white film and enlarge. Portrait photography is a major aspect of the Photography 1A program and the work of portrait photographers such as Arnold Newman, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz, Yousuf Karsh will be presented in class. At the end of the semester, students will work on a final project on portrait or self-portrait.

*SCULPTURE A (6150)

Course Description — A studio-based problem-solving course that uses a variety of materials; paper, wood, plaster, found objects, and wire to explore the design process in 3 dimensions. Study of historical examples of sculpture will serve as a "spring board" for inspiration directed toward solutions to design projects. The work of 20th century sculptors such as Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson and Henry Moore will challenge the student to understand their own creativity. Field trips to local museums 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.

STUDIO ART A (6120)

Course Description - This course is a "hands-on" class designed to develop skills in design and composition, a variety of drawing styles, and acrylic painting. Students will receive instruction in a variety of media and will be required to use each of them in the creation of original work. The study of historical examples will be a springboard for the student’s creative expression. No previous drawing skills are required to take this class; just come with an open mind!