Visual and Performing Arts Department
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
In addition to the completion of one year of Fundamentals of Public Speaking, ten units of Visual and Performing Arts will be required for graduation at Western Christian High School.
| Art 1 | |
| Art 1 introduces students to the fundamentals of art , line, value, texture, shape, balance, and pattern. Art 1 will explore a variety of media and techniques including: pencil , charcoal , pen & ink and printmaking . Brief lessons on significant artists will facilitate appreciation towards the arts. Lab fee and sketchbook required . | |
| Prerequisite : None, open to all regardless of artistic ability; Payment of lab fee | |
| Art 2 | |
| Art 2 explores in-depth the fundamental s of art: color theory, line, value, texture, shape, balance, and pattern. Art 2 will explore a variety of medi a as well as techniques including: pastels and oil pastels, water colors, tempera, a crylic paints, and printmaking. In-depth lessons on significant artists and art movements will incorporate appreciation towards the art. Lab fee and sketchbooks are required. | |
| Prerequisite : Art 1; Payment of lab fee | |
| Art 3 | |
| Art 3 is designed to further enhance basic skills and knowledge of the elements of art. This course involves in-depth long-term projects in medi a such as painting in both acrylics and oils, block printing, and sculpture. Lab fee , sketchbooks, and some supplies required (supply list will be given on the first day of school). | |
| Prerequisite: Art 2; Payment of lab fee | |
| Art 4 | |
| Art 4 is a contract-based class where the understanding of the elements of art and proper technique are essential. This rigorous class requires students to supply their own professional materials, and compile a qualified portfolio by the end of the year. Lab fee required | |
| Prerequisite : Art 3; Payment of lab fee | |
| Ceramics 1 | |
| Students will learn basic hand construction, limits and characteristics of clay, texture, decoration, glazing techniques, and wheel throwing . Towards the end of year, cultural influences will be studied in conjunction with a Raku firing. Advanced students will learn glaze calculations, advanced wheel throwing techniques, sculpture, as well as the loading and firing of the kilns. Lab fee required. | |
| Prerequisites : None, open to all regardless of artistic ability; Payment of lab fee | |
| Ceramics 2 | |
| Ceramics 2 is an advanced ceramics course in which students design and construct wheel thrown and sculptural ceramic objects emphasizing form and surface enrichment, use molds, weigh, mix and use glazes, as well as load kilns and fire electric kilns. Students will learn the history of and practice Raku Firing. Emphasis will be placed on developing personal style of expression and interpretation. | |
| Ceramics 3 | |
| Ceramics 3 is an advanced ceramics course in which students continue to design and construct wheel thrown and sculptural ceramic objects emphasizing form and surface enrichment, use molds, weigh, mix and use glazes, as well as load kilns and fire electric kilns. Students will continue their learning of the history of and practice Raku Firing. Emphasis will be placed on a continued development of personal style of expression and interpretation. | |
| Prerequisites : Ceramics 2; Payment of lab fee | |
| Choir | |
| Choir is a large mixed vocal ensemble designed to improve singing, and music reading abilities through intensive rehearsal. Frequent performances culminate in an annual tour . Requires off-campus concerts during weekends and after-school hours . | |
| Prerequisite : None, open to all regardless of musical ability; Payment of clothing fee | |
| Concert Choir | |
| Hilltop Faith is a sixteen-voice ensemble, which requires dedication to learning a wide range of challenging music. Performance schedules are rigorous. | |
| Prerequisites : Admission by audition only. | |
| Drama 1 | |
| Drama 1 offers students experiences in fundamental acting skills including voice training, movement, acting technique, vocabulary, improvisations, scene study, character analysis and theater tradition. Individual and group acting projects are performed which require reading and analysis of scenes, and assessment of formal and informal presentations. Drama 1 also allows students to learn the technical and production elements of theater, including set design, scenery, properties, costumes, make-up, lighting, sound, and management. | |
| Prerequisites : None | |
| Film 1: Film Production | |
| Film Production develops students’ abilities to film in HD and create short films. Students also learn how to edit on professional software (Final Cut Pro). Creativity and content are emphasized. This is a hands-on lab. | |
| Prerequisites : None | |
| Yearbook | |
| Yearbook is the lab based class responsible for production of The Challenger , the school yearbook. Students will employ the basics of page design, photo journalism, and writing for copy, headlines, and captions. Additionally, students will learn the ethics of news writing, desktop publishing, using the professional software Adobe InDesign for graphic design, as well as Photoshop, all on Macs. The intention is to provide students with professional marketable skills they can use beyond their high school experience. | |
| Prerequisites : By interview and application only. Interviews will be conducted in the Spring during the previous year for all grade levels | |
| Music Fundamentals | |
| Music Fundamentals is an interactive course designed to teach students the basics of music theory, music history, and musical styles. Students learn to read and write music, improve their musical ear through music listening, and study musical periods and composers. | |
| Prerequisites : None, open to all regardless of musical ability | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| The Fundamentals of Public Speaking course is committed to training students to think critically, analyze ideas, and organize and present those ideas in compelling speech. Students gain insight into the power of speech by learning the procedures for researching, outlining, and delivering well-developed content. Students also gain the confidence needed to succeed in all fields of experience. Furthermore, students are confronted with the reality that a college career is necessary to reach their highest goals in life. To this end, students research university admission policies and develop a plan of action that will enable them to pursue the college of their choice. Students are also prepared to perform their academic best by acquiring skills, such as note-taking, active listening, and studying habits that will empower them to flourish during their high school career and beyond. | |
| Prerequisites: None | |
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