Forsyth County Schools

 

 

 Music Performance

 

Choral

Various Choral Ensembles Levels I-IV

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: open to all students, upper levels based on director approval

 

This is a performance-based class.  Vocal ensemble courses provide opportunities for students to develop performance skills and knowledge in choral singing.  These courses cover performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, historical and cultural contributions and influences, creative aspects of music, and appreciation of music.  These courses stress self-paced progress and group experiences.  Each school offers various ensembles; for more information, contact the individual director.

 

Instrumental

Band I-IV

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:   Contact school

These courses provide opportunities to develop and refine performance skills on a wind or percussion instrument. Emphasis is placed on performance and production and may include analysis, historical and cultural influences, improvisation and appreciation of music. These courses organize objectives for self-paced progress and stress individual progress and group experiences. Individual growth and achievement are encouraged through participation in adjudicated solo and ensemble festivals, district honor bands, and private lessons.  Participation in concert performances outside of regular class hours is expected. 

 

Instrumental Ensemble (Percussion)  I-IV

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Contact school

 

This course emphasizes the performance style and literature of the instrumental chamber group medium.  Performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, creative aspects of music, historical and cultural influences, and music appreciation will be included.

 

Jazz Band I-IV

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:  contact director

 

These courses offer opportunities to develop performance skills and knowledge on instruments or voice in a jazz idiom.  Instruction includes performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, historical and cultural contributions and influences and creative aspects of music. Empasis is placed on improvisation and composition and stresses individual progress and group experiences. Self-paced progress and group experiences are stressed. Jazz is emphasized as an indigenous American art form and a major component of our cultural heritage. 

Orchestra I-IV

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: none, contact director

This course provides opportunities to develop and refine performance skills and precision on orchestral stringed instruments.  Emphasis is placed on performance and production, analysis and theoretical studies, historical and cultural contributions and influences, creative aspects of music and appreciation of music. Self-paced progress and ensemble experiences are stressed. 

 

Music Theory/ History/ Technology

Music Appreciation

Grade: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: none

 

This course introduces production and performance, covering terminology and idioms, elements of music, perceptive listening and attitudes, and appreciation. This course stresses the ability to become a literate consumer along with the ability to speak and write fluently about music. 

 

Music Technology I-IV

Grade: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: contact director

Students learn how to use digital tools and resources to create, present, respond, and connect to music as an art form and/or industry. In upper level courses, students learn the ethical use of technological systems, media information, and software as it relates to music technology, intellectual property, publication, and industry standards.

 

Music Theory/ Composition 

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: contact director

This course introduces the fundamentals of organized sound, emphasizing rules of Western music composition and offering opportunities to create original works.  Students will develop the ability to describe, understand, and recognize aspects of tonal music, and skills in sight-singing, dictation/aural, written aspects, composition, and analytical areas.  Students will be exposed to a variety of exercises to develop these skills including listening, performance, writing, creating, and analyzing music.  While the main emphasis is placed of music of the Common Practice Period (1600-1750), music of other stylistic periods may also be studied. This course also explores the use of technology for composition. 

 

AP Music Theory

Grade: 11,12

Prerequisite: Director approval

This course is designed to develop an advanced level of understanding of musical theory, preparing students for the AP Music Theory Exam.  The AP Music Theory course corresponds to two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course that covers topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Musicianship skills including dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the course. Through the course, students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Performance is also part of the learning process. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. Notational skills, speed, and fluency with basic materials are emphasized. Students planning to major in music in college may be able to enroll in an advanced music theory course, depending on individual colleges’ AP policies.

Dramatic Arts/Theatre

Fundamentals of Theatre

Grade: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: none

 

This course serves as an introduction to the theatre arts.  Students investigate theatre as a whole by exploring the techniques and origins of a wide variety of theatre arts in various cultures and periods. This is the recommended prerequisite for all other theatre courses.

 

Acting I-IV

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Theatre recommended

This course introduces the acting process and the role of the actor in various styles/methods with a focus on scene study. Stresses developing imagination, observation, concentration powers, and self-discipline. Includes developing physical and vocal control while transmitting emotions, convictions, and ideas; enhances self-confidence and self-awareness. Theatre is used as a means to encourage cooperative learning, team work, organization, and leadership skills. The class allows all students the opportunity to perform on a regular basis. Upper level courses enhance skills in level-one and emphasises advanced monologue work, advanced scene study, extensive audition training, student-directing, ensemble acting in a variety of mainstage productions and object exercises. 

Advanced Drama I-IV

Grades: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Theatre recommended  

Studies the artistic, technical, management, and performance elements of a live theatre production. As a part of the planning, rehearsal, and performance, students assume positions of responsibility and demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in acting, directing, artistic criticism, script analysis, staging, character creation, vocal techniques, and physical movement. Students recognize the responsibilities of the producer, director, actors, designers, technicians, and managers through collaboration in the creation of a theatre performance. Upper level courses enhance level-one skills and focus on student direction and design. 

Musical Theatre I-IV

Grades: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Theatre and participation in chorus recommended 

This course introduces the style and characteristic elements of musical theater. Explores the mechanics of production, staging, voice, and dance. Explores the career opportunities available in musical theatre and offers the opportunity for performance. Upper levels enhance level-one skills with a focus on production and career paths while providing opportunities for performance.

Technical Theatre I-IV

Grades: 9,10,11,12

Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Theatre and participation in chorus recommended 

 

This introductory course explores the definition, design, and use of technical elements associated with theatre sets, props, costumes, makeup, lights, and sound. Upper level courses enhance skills in level-one and introduces aspects of student design, creation of lighting, sound, properties, costumes, and make-up design while offering opportunities to apply skills in these areas.  Students also explore and learn to solve problems in supervising and managing all aspects of production. 

Visual Arts

Ceramics I-III

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Visual Arts I;  upper levels based on teacher recommendation

 

This course introduces the characteristics of clay and design in clay using various techniques of construction and decoration; emphasizes hand building and introduces other forming techniques, surface decoration, and glaze applications; covers styles of ceramic works from Western and non-Western cultures. Upper levels enhance level-one skills and provide opportunities to apply design techniques through hand building and/or throwing on the potter’s wheel, formulation of basic glazes and kiln firing, evaluation of clay forms through art criticism and developing artistic voice. 

Drawing/Painting I-III

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Visual Arts I; upper level based on teacher recommendation

Explores a variety of drawing/painting techniques and media.  Emphasizes development of basic drawing/painting skills and critical analysis skills for responding to master drawings/paintings.  Examines solutions to drawing/painting problems through student drawings and those of other artists.  Covers Western and non-Western culture.  Upper levels enhance level-one skills and examine solutions to increasingly complex drawing/painting problems and development of personal style.

IB Visual Arts SL, Year One (SFHS Only)

Grade:  11, 12

Prerequisite: teacher recommendation

 

Jewelry and Metal Crafts I-III

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Visual Arts I - SFHS only

Introduces jewelry-making as a historical and contemporary art form. A variety of media and tools are explored. The elements of art and principles of design are used to analyze, design, create, and evaluate jewelry. The course combines aesthetics, art criticism, and art history with studio production of jewelry. Upper level courses expand on level-one skills and emphasize personal voice and decision making based on aesthetic choices, showing a command of personal voice, ideas, and material choices. 

Media Arts Comprehensive I-IV

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Visual Arts I 

Media Arts creatively explores diverse purposes and audiences. Individuals investigate various techniques using multiple platforms, such as animation, broadcast, film, graphic design/illustration, photography, and web design. Media Arts I introduces digital media by designing prototypes, and evaluating the processes for media arts productions with the intent to understand the techniques of a field of technology. Upper level courses expand concepts taught in Media Arts I including a wider variety of products and productions.

Photography I-III

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Visual Arts I; upper level based on teacher recommendation

This course introduces photography as an art form.  Covers the historical development of photography and photographic design and its cultural influences. Emphasizes the basics of exposing and processing photographs by introducing traditional and digital photography. Stresses appropriate processing techniques and safe use of photographic materials and equipment. Upper level courses expand skills learned in level-one course. Composing and processing techniques are expanded and students continue to discover personal expression of ideas and depth of exploration in selected photo techniques. 

 

Sculpture I-IV  

Grades: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Visual Arts I; upper levels based on teacher recommendation

This course introduces the design and production of relief sculpture and sculpture-in-the round. Emphasizes the historical origins and functions of sculpture in Western and non-Western cultures. Includes additive, subtractive, and modeling methods. Explores traditional and nontraditional materials for sculpted works and the work of both historical and contemporary sculptural artists. Upper level courses enhance level-one skills and stress personal expression of creative ideas and depth of exploration in selected techniques.

AP History of Art

Grades: 10-12

Prerequisite: none

This course conforms to the College Board topics for the Advanced Placement History of Art Examination.  The AP Art History course explores such topics as the nature of art, its uses, its meanings, art making, and responses to art. Through investigation of diverse artistic traditions of cultures from prehistory to the present, the course fosters in-depth and holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, constructing understanding of individual works and interconnections of art-making processes and products throughout history.

AP Studio: 2D Design Portfolio

Grades: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Content of this course conforms to College Board standards for the Advanced Placement Studio Art 2D Design Portfolio Examination.  Students are asked to demonstrate a conscious and deliberate application of the principles of design: unity, variety, balance, emphasis, contrast, proportion, scale, and rhythm in works of art.  Any two-dimensional media may be submitted, including (but not limited to) graphic design, typography, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, or printmaking.

AP Studio: 3D Design Portfolio

Grades: 11, 12

Prerequisite:  Minimum Ceramics/ Sculpture I and II; Teacher recommendation

Content of this course conforms to College Board standards for the Advanced Placement Studio Art 3D Design Portfolio Examination.  The 3D portfolio is intended to address a broad interpretation of sculptural issues in depth and space.  The issues may include mass, volume, form, plane, light, and texture.  Such elements may be articulated through additive, subtractive, and/or fabrication process.

AP Studio: Drawing Portfolio

Grade: 11, 12

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

Content of this course conforms to College Board standards for the Advanced Placement Studio Art 3D Design Portfolio Examination. The drawing portfolio is intended to address a very broad interpretation of drawing issues and media.  Line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, the illusion of depth and mark-making are drawing issues that can be addressed through a variety of means, which could include painting, printmaking, mixed media, etc.  Abstract, observational, and invented works may demonstrate drawing competence.