FINE ARTS 6
In this survey course, students will take classes in drama, studio art, and
music. For the music component, students will have the
opportunity to choose between chorus (Fall Semester), and band (Spring Semester).
No prior music experience is required.
DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS: (One Semester of Full Year Art Course)
In this course students will be exposed to digital photography and design. Students
will learn to create works using industry standard software: Adobe Creative
Suite. Students will explore aspects of print design and then learn necessary
principals and elements of design, which are key to strong visual communications.
Students will be asked to purchase their own SD cards for the digital cameras
and sign a permission form for use of the equipment. Students are also welcome
to bring their own cameras.
PAINTING AND DRAWING: (One Semester of Full Year Art Course)
Students will investigate the principles of drawing and painting. They will
explore a variety of materials such as charcoal, pastel, ink, and paints such
as acrylic and watercolor. Through these explorations students will draw the
figure, learn one- and two-point perspective, learn measurement and proportion,
color mixing, and they will stretch and prepare their own paint canvases. Students
will be introduced to master artists, and they will explore the role of drawing
and painting in art history.
PERFORMANCE CLASS: (Full Year) Students perform in at least
two different dramatic productions. Students learn and work on all skills necessary
for a performance including some technical work with lights, sound, costumes
and scenery.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! - (Semester) Students learn the skills
one uses when acting for the camera. They will produce and film scenes for this
class.
WRITE YOUR OWN SCRIPT! - (Semester) Students write original
plays or adaptations to produce in class.
CHORUS: (Full Year)
Middle School Chorus sings choral literature in unison, two and three parts.
Daily choral rehearsals include lessons in singing technique, rhythmic training,
melodic training, written theory and memorization of choral songs from around
the world.
CONCERT BAND: (Full Year)
This is an intermediate to advanced wind band open to all seventh and eighth
graders. The class meets four periods a week. The ensemble performs a wide range
of music from jazz to wind symphony orchestrations.
ORCHESTRA: (Full Year)
Orchestra is a chamber ensemble with strings, winds, brass, and percussion.
The ensemble performs a wide range of music from different musical periods.
SONG WRITING/GARAGEBAND: (Semester)
Students explore a wide range of genres of popular song and song forms. They
create their own music and lyrics. Using GarageBand software, students prepare
recordings of their original compositions.
In addition to selecting from the courses above, students in grades 6-8 may
also participate in the MS Jazz Ensemble.
MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
This is an intermediate to advanced jazz group open to all sixth through eighth
graders with at least two years of experience on saxophone, trumpet, trombone,
piano, guitar, bass or drums (other instruments by approval of instructor).
Jazz Ensemble students learn improvisation skills and play a wide range of jazz
music. The group meets twice a week before school.
2D ART: DRAWING, PAINTING, AND PRINT MAKING
Working in a combination of independent projects and structured assignments,
students learn the fundamentals of painting, drawing, printing, and image making
in Adobe Photoshop. Materials used include: ink, pastels, charcoal, graphite,
acrylic paint, collage, monotypes with the use of the printing press and Adobe
Photoshop. This course meets twice a week and receives 1/2 credit. Students
interested in pursuing an AP course in Studio Art need to take this course.
ADV 2D Art: ADVANCED DRAWING, PAINTING, AND PRINTING
Students explore a variety of art materials and techniques while improving their
drawing and painting skills. Starting off with a unit in figure drawing, students
learn proportions and gain valuable drawing and painting techniques. A unit
on printmaking includes “silk screen and the art of the multiple image”
where students study pop art and create their own screen print by making color
separations. During the second semester, students learn acrylic painting on
stretched canvas. After exploring different techniques and structured assignments,
students are encouraged to develop their own style and create a small body of
work structured around the concept of Identity. The course meets three times
per week.
Prerequisite: Introduction to 2D Art
*Meets the University of California (UC)Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART
Meeting four times per week, this class is for juniors and seniors who are serious
about pursuing their artwork in a college level class. Most work is individualized
with a heavy emphasis on two-dimensional design (i.e. mixed media, digital art,
printing, graphic design, and photography). At the end of their senior year,
students are required to submit a portfolio of 24 pieces of work digitally and
five original works.
Prerequisite: Beginning and Advanced level studio classes
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
INTRODUCTION TO 3-DIMENSIONAL ART AND CERAMICS
This two-period-a-week class includes the basic techniques of ceramics: hand-building
(both functional and sculptural shapes), wheel-throwing, firing and glazing.
A semester of the class is held in studio 2 where the students explore a variety
of processes for creating 3D images. Through the techniques of carving, modeling
and construction, students realize forms in wire, wood, plaster, Styrofoam and
plastic. The class will also involve some work in stop-motion animation.
ADVANCED 3-DIMENSIONAL ART & CERAMICS
This three-period-a-week class is made up of students who have taken the Introduction
to 3D class or who are otherwise familiar with the basic techniques of ceramic
and sculptural form. The assignments in this class are more general than the
assignments in the Introduction to 3D course with more opportunity for individual
expression. Students learn to make plaster molds and cast multiple versions
of a form. In the second semester students learn how to work in wood and stone,
use power tools and construct assemblages.
Prerequisite: Introduction to 3D Art
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
PHOTOGRAPHY 1
This course is an introductory-level course investigating the technical and
aesthetic considerations of photography as an expressive medium and field of
conceptual inquiry. The main emphasis of this class is to acquaint students
with the broad themes in photography, with particular care given to instruct
students in techniques fundamental to camera operation. Students will become
technically proficient with manual camera settings while exploring photography
as a conceptual amalgam of various fields: artistic, literary, historical, and
scientific.
PHOTOGRAPHY 2
This course is for second-year photo students and serves as an advanced level
class. Students will review the technical aspects of camera operation while
delving much further into the conceptual potential of photography as a medium
of visual investigation. The ultimate goal of the course is to have students
master the techniques of photography in order to become deeper visual thinkers.
Prerequisite: Photography 1
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement (approval pending)
PHOTOGRAPHY 3
In this course students will focus on developing a particular theme of inquiry
to create a personal body of work. The class is structured by individual tutorials
and group critiques aiming to facilitate students in the development of a thesis
project. Students will meet with the teacher individually during class to discuss
thematic interests, how to best communicate their ideas visually, and how the
formal aesthetic aspects of their photography can serve to express the conceptual
ends of their project. Twice during each quarter, there are peer-reviewed group
critiques whereby other students can provide critical feedback on the nature
of their projects. The year culminates in a show of their work in the Upper
School gallery wherein their thesis projects can be made available to the greater
Head-Royce community.
Prerequisite: Photography 2
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement (approval pending)
PHOTOJOURNALISM
This is an advanced course dealing with the elements of photography in a journalistic
context. The areas covered include news photography, the photo essay, and aesthetic/technical
considerations. As well as producing photographs for the yearbook and other
school publications, students learn the fundamentals of copy writing, layout
and desktop publishing.
FILMMAKING
This course is tailored for students who wish to explore the art of motion pictures.
The course investigates the history of cinema as a cultural force and guides
students through the development and production sequence of independent filmmaking.
Students become proficient in screenwriting, directing for film, post-production
editing techniques, and showcase their creative work in a biennial film festival
for the Head-Royce community.
Prerequisite: Photography 1
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement (approval pending)
VIDEO PRODUCTION
This course examines contemporary media practice as a field of critical analysis
and creative expression. Students will investigate media in its contemporary
audiovisual forms - the internet, film, television - to examine their social
and aesthetic dimensions. The main emphasis of the course will be to apply insights
gained from this critical framework towards creative media projects using Head-Royce
as a case-study environment in which to investigate issues important to the
community.
Prerequisite: Photography I
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
This class is open to a limited number of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and
seniors. Students learn graphic layout design while planning and executing school
publications. Skills are gained in design and composition. No prior computer
experience is necessary as students are taught the use of the graphic programs
during the class. Students will learn computer graphics software including the
Adobe Creative Suite that includes InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Other
assignments include poster and event design, product design, and identity design.
*Meets the University of California Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
Dance engages students in a physical, intellectual, and creative art form that
also provides a means of establishing identity and self-esteem. Dance in our
culture and in other cultures around the world has become another way to express
and communicate meaning, values and customs. Dance also fosters a sense of community
and teamwork as students learn to trust and respect each other as they work
through a series of collaborative, improvisational exercises that eventually
culminate in a choreographed performance. This course class will include many
forms of dance. Students will not only dance, but will study, create, analyze
and compare dance forms from different cultures and time periods. This course
will also focus on basic dance techniques, vocabulary, musicality and exercises
for the mind and body.
Open to Students 9-12. No previous dance experience is necessary to take this
course. This course meets two days each week.
ADVANCED DANCE
Advanced Dance is a year long class exploring a wide variety of dance disciplines,
styles and forms. Students will be required to memorize choreography and dance
vocabulary, use music terms, create and perform sequences, research and report
about dance, learn about new choreography and cultures. Adding multicultural
elements to a multi-disciplined dance class will aid the students in a greater
understanding of other societies as well as open doors to their own personal
history. Through creating, performing and responding to dance, students will
develop skills and knowledge that will assist in the development of positive
team work, problem solving, self-esteem, body awareness, self- discipline and
an ability to meet expectations. Students must be willing to perform, learn
and create, analyze and compare dance styles.
Open to students 9-12. Students must have at least one year of beginning dance,
or one or more years training outside of school at a dance academy or team.
This course meets three days each week.
* Meets the University of California Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
DRAMA I
Students in this class will participate in numerous scenes and plays. All students
will direct each other in scenes for performance in class. Students will use
theater games, character evaluations and criticism to explore drama. Students
also produce at least one production for a public audience.
DRAMA II
This class is for students who wish to study acting technique in depth. We’ll
work with a range of concepts, from the personal responsibility of the actor
in approaching a script to the work of a performing ensemble, and how such groups
develop the ability to build collaborations. Yearly projects vary, but include
presentations of scenes, small group compositions, and class productions (short
plays, one-acts, commedia pieces, silent films...projects shift from year to
year depending on the interests and composition of the class). The class can
be, and often is, repeated for credit.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE (Tech Theatre)
This course is designed to give students the skills they will need to work in
any of the areas of play production. We learn the basics of production and design
through hands-on involvement with each area. Each student learns how to operate
and focus lights, how to build and paint sets and props, how to find costumes,
etc. We also cover the more creative aspects of production—from designing
lights, costumes, and sets to developing a concept and a director’s plan
for an entire production. The class will work on individual projects as well
as contributing to school productions, and running the school’s theater.
ORCHESTRA (Counterpoint)
Counterpoint is a 9–12 chamber ensemble with strings, winds, brass, and
percussion. The class meets four times a week. The ensemble performs a wide
range of music from classical to pop standards. Performances include two major
concerts a year, the holiday concert, community concerts, and culminates with
a tour at the end of the year. Audition required.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
ADVANCED JAZZ BAND (Caravan)
This is an award-winning, advanced, upper school jazz combo limited to students
who are serious about playing jazz. The ensemble has performed at Jack London
Square, local jazz clubs, including Yoshi’s, and at the Montreux Jazz
Festival in Switzerland. The ensemble has a demanding performance schedule and
enrollment is by audition.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
JAZZ BAND I/Introduction to Music Theory/Improvisation/Jazz Repertoire
The Lab Jazz Band is an introductory course in the performance of jazz music
written for small to large groups. Instruments permitted include woodwinds,
brass, guitar, bass, piano, and drums. Some musical experience is highly recommended
but not required. This class meets two times per week and performs in school
concerts during each semester. Successful completion of this course will help
in advancing to the Caravan Jazz Ensemble.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement
WIND SYMPHONY
Wind Symphony is a 9–12 instrumental music group made up of woodwinds,
brass, and percussion. This ensemble performs music from the standard band repertoire
covering all musical styles in a traditional concert format. The Wind Symphony
rehearses three days per week and performs in school concerts, the Holiday Concert,
CMEA Solo/Ensemble Festival, and regional music festivals. Students interested
in playing on select pieces with the Counterpoint Orchestra must be members
of the Wind Symphony. Prior musical experience with an instrument is recommended
but not required.
THE HEAD-ROYCE CHORUS
The Head-Royce Chorus is an ensemble open to all upper school students who wish
to sing. Previous musical experience or sight reading ability is not required.
The Chorus rehearses three times a week as a full ensemble. Members of the ensemble
are asked to participate in several performances each year including the Fall
Concert, the Holiday Program, the Winter Choral Concert, the Spring Concert,
and community concerts.There is a cost for the annual retreat.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
COLLA VOCE
Colla Voce is a select mixed vocal ensemble made up of 24–32 upper school
singers. Repertoire is selected from the Renaissance to contemporary music.
Colla Voce rehearses four times a week. Members of the ensemble are asked to
participate in several performances each year including the Fall Concert, the
Holiday Program, the Winter Choral Concert, the Spring Concert, and community
concerts. There will be costs for each student throughout the year for retreat
and tour.
*Meets the University of California Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY
AP Music Theory is an advanced music course that explores the theoretical analysis
of music and development of aural and sight- singing skills. Students will study
melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, form, history, and style of music from the
Common Practice Period. In addition, aural analysis of music, melodic/rhythmic
dictation, and sight-singing will be studied in preparation for the Advanced
Placement Exam in May. The student’s ability to read and write music is
fundamental to such a course and successful completion of Introduction to Music
Theory serves as the prerequisite for this course. Students interested in AP
Theory who have not taken Introduction to Music Theory must pass a pretest prior
to enrollment.
*Meets the UC Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
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Updated November 3, 2011