| Fine Arts :: High School |
9th - 12th Grade Band
The students' curriculum moves to
a higher level of difficulty. They continue to be challenged by a
variety of music styles, and the opportunities for individual
performances increase. Students are asked to practice 90 minutes per
week and are given chair tests to place them in the band. The band meets
five days a week.
Performances include three concerts per year
(fall, spring, and Christmas). Individuals have opportunities for
outside recognition through participation in ATTSSB All-Region Band and
TPSMEA Solo and Ensemble Competition.
A major performance venue
for both the band and individual ensembles is the ORUEF fine arts
competition. Students form small ensembles as well as solos to compete
in ORUEF, which features schools from many surrounding states and
countries including Canada
and Jamaica
9th - 12th Grade Band
|
Choir
High School Choir and Show Choir expand the emphasis on classic choral teaching begun in middle school. Students develop their abilities to sing four-part music covering more challenging literature. As students mature vocally, their opportunities to perform in large groups, small groups, or as soloists increase. At the school level, soloists are frequently asked to perform at major school events, such as Jubilee and the school-wide Christmas Program. High school students audition for the Praise Team and lead the singing each week in Chapel. In addition, students have the opportunity to perform in the yearly musical.
Our high school musical is a major venue for showcasing our students' musical talent. Whether as a lead or as members of the chorus, students audition to be a part of the musical and make a key commitment in time and talent to help bring the production to fruition.
In addition students have the opportunity to audition for places in regional and state-wide choirs through Texas-based organizations such as TMEA and TPSMEA.
Music Theory
The High School Music Theory class builds on the students' knowledge of theory first taught in elementary school. The ability to read music is the stepping-stone to developing their knowledge of melody, harmony, and composition. Music theory is taught in a lab setting with keyboards and computers, which allows the students to have immediate feedback in their work.
Students learn dance principles including proper body alignment, warm-up techniques, current trends and aspects of world dance, culture, and history. They are taught basic terminology and proper body alignment, and they are challenged to improve their strength, flexibility, coordination, and technique. Technical combinations and dance pieces are developed at the level of the students in the classes.
Dance performances are an integral part of the fall musical. All students in the musical participate in one or more dance sequences, and more experienced students perform in several numbers. All leads are given instruction in movement and dance. Small dance groups perform for specific dramatic presentations at school including the spring evening of dance.
Art
Students can take beginning or advanced classes in art, which meet every day. They continue to build on the basic elements of art (line, shape, color, value, texture, form and space). Medians include: drawing, oils, acrylics, water colors, paper mache, painting, mixed media, and 3 dimensional work.
Theatre
High school theatre classes focus on giving the students experience on stage. Students gain skills, practice, and knowledge in every aspect of acting and producing shows. Student performances include the annual musical and play. Both productions entail a major commitment of rehearsal time to meet the school's performance standards.