Courses Descriptions and Prerequisites

Fine Arts - Band

Intermediate Band I/II/III                                      Prerequisite:  Audition

All students will be required to perform assigned scales and sight-read to demonstrate their musical skills. Most students will enroll in private lessons and are expected to practice diligently on their own to perform assigned music. The Concert Band participates in Christmas concerts and Spring Concerts.

Advanced Band I/II/III/IV                                      Prerequisite:  Audition

This ensemble is the top symphonic band in the program. All students will be required to perform assigned scales and sight-read to demonstrate their musical skills. Most students in the Symphonic Band will enroll in private lessons and are expected to practice diligently on their own to perform assigned music. The Symphonic Band participates in Christmas concerts, GMEA Band Festivals, and Spring concerts.

9th Grade Orchestra                                                 Prerequisite:  Audition

This is an ensemble composed of string instrumentalists. It is made up of only 9^th graders who have played a string instrument before and wish to continue in high school. There are no beginners allowed in this course without instructor approval. Students will participate in fall/winter concerts, GMEA Festivals and spring concerts.

Intermediate Orchestra                                            Prerequisite:  Audition, Teacher Recommendation

This ensemble is composed of string instrumentalists with at least two years’ experience in an orchestral setting and/or private study. Students will participate in fall /winter concerts, GMEA Festivals and spring concerts.

Performance level:  G.M.E.A.  Grade III-IV.

Advanced Orchestra                                                 Prerequisite:  Audition, Teacher Recommendation

This is a performing unit for players of stringed orchestral instruments possessing ability at an advanced level. Students will participate in fall /winter concerts, GMEA Festivals and spring concerts. Performance level:  G.M.E.A. grade V-VI. Full orchestra experience will be a regular component of this course.

Chamber Orchestra (Adv. Orch. III)                         Prerequisite:  Audition, Teacher Recommendation

This is a select group of students already enrolled in Advanced Orchestra. Students will participate in fall /winter concerts, GMEA Festivals and spring concerts. Class size is limited.

Treble Chorus                                                           Prerequisite:  None

Open to Women. This class is for the beginning singer or the experienced singer needing further development.  Content includes basic tone production, fundamentals, range, intervals, conducting patterns, three-part singing, and group responsibility. Student should have a desire to sing in an ensemble. This choir performs four concerts a year and is evaluated at the GMEA Performance Evaluation.

Concert Choir                                                          Prerequisite: None

Open to Men and Women. This class is for the beginning singer or the experienced singer needing further development. Content includes basic tone production, fundamentals, range, intervals, conducting patterns, three-part singing, and group responsibility. Student should have a desire to sing in an ensemble. Members must demonstrate a high level of musicianship and commitment. This choir performs four concerts a year and is evaluated at the GMEA Performance Evaluation.

Bel Canto                                                               Prerequisite: Audition or teacher recommendation

This select advanced women’s choir, consists of 10^th – 12^th grade women who have excellent voices, rehearsal skills, and who exhibit advanced vocal and sight-reading abilities. Students in this course study various styles of treble vocal literature, music theory/history, in addition to preparing for performance. Members must demonstrate a high level of musicianship and commitment. Choir performs four concerts a year and is evaluated at the GMEA Performance Evaluation.

Chorale                                                                  Prerequisite: Audition or teacher recommendation

This select mixed choir is open to males and females in 10^th –12^th grades who exhibit advanced vocal and sight-reading abilities. Members must demonstrate a high level of musicianship and commitment. Students in this course study various styles of mixed vocal literature, music theory/history, in addition to preparing for performance. All members are encouraged to attend All State Chorus Auditions and to study voice with a private instructor. The choir performs four concerts a year and is evaluated at the GMEA Performance Evaluation. 

Show Choir/Chamber Singers                               Prerequisite: Audition or teacher Recommendation

Auditions open to enrolled chorus students. Designed to challenge students to sing while performing choreography.  Students may be required to attend after school rehearsals to learn the components of the show production. All members are expected to attend All State Chorus auditions and are encouraged to study voice with a private instructor. This choir performs four concerts a year and is evaluated at the GMEA Performance Evaluation.

Music Appreciation                                               Prerequisite:  NONE

Students will develop an understanding of music in relation to history and culture. Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.

Music Theory and Composition I/II                      Prerequisite:  NONE

Students will focus on the rudiments and vocabulary of music. First semester topics include notation, intervals, scales, chord construction, melodic and rhythmic dictation, four part writing and ear training. Second semester will progress to non-harmonic tones, common chord progressions, harmonic dictation and analysis, cadences and harmonization of a melody.               

A.P. Music Theory                                        Prerequisite: Teacher interview & recommendation only

AP Music Theory is designed to develop musicianship skills – ear training, sight singing and keyboard harmony – along with cognitive knowledge of the elements of music and the foundation of tonal harmony. Topics covered will include notation of pitch and rhythm, scales, triads, intervals, basic principles of chord progression and succession and voice leading; elementary formal concepts such as cadence, phrase, non-chord tones, second and third inversions of chords as well as analysis of harmony will be introduced.

Beginning Piano Keyboarding                                    LIMITED SPACES

This course is designed for the student who has had little to no piano skills. Emphasis will be made to introduce the student to basic musical concepts including, note identification, playing music with both hands, clef identification; simple chordal accompaniment; sight-reading, improvisation and more.  

Visual Arts: Comprehensive IA/Drawing IB            Prerequisite:  NONE

Fall semester introduces the beginning art student to the basic elements and principles of art and design. In a chronological order, the student is introduced to past art movements, architecture, and individual artists. *This course is a prerequisite for all other art courses.* Spring semester is designed for more training in art. The student is introduced to the principles of design, additional media and techniques, and is given the opportunity for further development of art skills.*This course is a prerequisite to all other two-dimensional art courses.*

Drawing & Painting A and B                                    Prerequisite:  Comprehensive I & Drawing

Drawing and Painting introduces the student to basic color-theory and painting techniques. Tempera Paint, acrylic paint, and watercolor paint are explored. Greater sophistication in the use of drawing and individual expression is expected.

Ceramics/Pottery A and B                                      Prerequisite:  Comprehensive I & Drawing

Ceramics introduces the student to basic hand-building techniques, the potter’s wheel, decoration, glazing and firing. Emphasis is placed on three-dimensional design.

A.P. Studio Draw A and B                                        Prerequisite:  Teacher Recommendation

The Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art Program enables highly motivated students to do college-level work in Studio Art while still in high school. The AP Studio Drawing Portfolio is not based on a written examination; instead, candidates submit a portfolio of work for evaluation at the end for the school year. The specifics of the portfolio are dictated by the College Board and are published in a yearly guidebook.

Introduction to Drama IA/B                                   Prerequisite:  NONE

Introduction to Acting serves as a prerequisite to other theatre courses. It will include study and application of stage terminology, journals, improvisation, and character development. Composition will be integrated through script analysis of scenes for application, personal responsibility; teamwork will be assessed through solo/group performances.

Fundamentals of Drama I A/B                                Prerequisite:  Intro Drama & Teacher Recommendation

This is a course that develops advanced acting skills with a focus on character/scene study and monologue/scene work. Students will be introduced to audition and resume skills. It offers the opportunity to utilize scene work and audition techniques through performance opportunities.

Advanced Drama I/II                                             Prerequisite:  Audition or Teacher Recommendation

Students will be given the opportunity to select, produce, and perform in student-directed one act plays. Students will also further their study of acting styles and concepts through scene study, play analysis and workshops.

Technical Theatre I A/B                                         Prerequisite:  Intro to Drama

This class introduces the technical aspects of play production including set design and construction, properties, lighting/sound design, box office and business management, publicity, make-up design, and costume design/construction. Students will have hands-on experience in these areas.

Accelerated Learning Programs (Gifted)

G. Visual Arts/Video II                           *Gifted Education Eligibility & teacher recommendation req.

TV/Video – This is the class where McEachern Live is produced. Grades are based on what students produce for the show. Students who want to major in broadcast journalism and/or who can dedicate several semesters to the class are selected.

G. Lit & Film Studies/Video IV                               **Gifted Education Eligibility                           

This course introduces the major forms of fiction and nonfiction through film studies with an emphasis on evaluation of these forms through application of the elements of literature. Student opportunity to design their own projects for broadcast. This is a production class.

G. Current Issues/Psychology A                          **Gifted Education Eligibility required          

Based on the principles of research, Current Issues analyzes current issues related to the social sciences, influences related to these issues and the decision making process concerning these issues. Psychology A investigates the principles of psychology focusing on the study of psychology, development, learning theory, and intelligence.

G. Local Area Studies/Psychology B                    **Gifted Education Eligibility required

Local Area Studies examines the development of the local community emphasizing the role of its people, institutions and heritage. Psychology B investigates the principles of psychology focusing on developmental psychology, personality, intelligence, social adjustment.

G. Comparative Religions/Humanities                  **Gifted Education Eligibility required          

Comp. Religion introduces students to the concept of religion by investigating the origins, principles, practices and deities associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other world religions. Humanities investigates philosophical ideas and values in human affairs through the study of historical and philosophical influences in areas such as literature, language, composition, music, art, science and mathematics. 

G. Mythology/Comparative Religion                    **Gifted Education Eligibility required

Mythology is a comparative study of the plot, characters, themes and metaphors in the myths, stories and tales of classic mythology that also examines the influence of Greek, Norse, Roman and other mythology. Comp. Religion introduces students to the concept of religion by investigating the origins, principles, practices and deities associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other world religions.   

G. History of the English Language A/B               **Gifted Education Eligibility                           

This course traces the English Language from its beginnings through the present century. Fall semester will focus on the historical background and plays of William Shakespeare with an emphasis on performance and changes to the English language during the Elizabethan era. Spring semester will focus on the development of American English focusing on movements such as the Fugitive poets, Harlem Renaissance, Native and Hispanic literature.

G. Journalism I A/B                                               **Gifted Education Eligibility

This course emphasizes journalistic and creative writing focusing on purpose, influence, structure and language use in addition to fluency, control, style, editing and revising.