The Arts

Art 1 is a one-year introduction to the world of visual art. Inquiry-based instruction challenges the student to make aesthetic decisions based on solid design principles, knowledge of art history and personal meaning. The student will become adept at understanding art from the past as well as from other cultures in order to give depth to his/her own creative expression. Arts skills required by business and industry will be addressed as well as the exciting work of contemporary artists who have explored new aesthetic territory.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Art 1

Advanced students will refine their technical skills of drawing and painting through various studies that they create. They will develop their portfolios for review and their individual progress. Their artwork will be on display throughout the year, and invited to enter contests district and statewide. Two gallery or museum visits are required. Introduction to mural painting at site level.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite

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A fine art course focusing on basic hand construction pottery techniques, as well as an introduction to using the potter's wheel. Sculpting or otherwise creating works of art in clay as a means of developing ones abilities in artistic perception, creative expression, understanding historical and cultural context, and aesthetic valuing will be emphasized. The student will be encouraged to connect and apply experiences in this course to learning in other art forms, subject areas, and careers. The student will be required to describe, analyze, interpret, and make judgments about their art and other art through written and oral critiques.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Ceramics 1

The student will demonstrate an advanced level of technical knowledge and motor skills in handling clay. The student will use basic skills in varies combinations to produce more interesting and complex products. Given information about the critical criteria used in judging sculpture, the student will demonstrate the ability to make artistic judgments of his/her own.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Students are required to have a minimum of 2 years of High School level arts classes. Students must submit a portfolio with a minimum of six student works. This portfolio is intended to investigate the creation of artworks whose main basis is a sense of design. Design issues include, but are not limited to, Movement, Repetition, Contrast, Positive/Negative Space, Abstraction, Non-Objective, Color Theory, Proportion/Scale, Unusual Perspective, Distortion, Mood, and Conceptual Work. Students are required to investigate and complete all three aspects of the portfolio, which include Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. Forms include, but are not limited to drawing, painting, graphic design, illustration, digital imagery, photography, and collage. From these total works, a Quality section is configured to demonstrate overall excellence in 2-dimensional Design.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Explore drawing issues including line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, the illusion of depth and mark-making through a variety of means, such as painting, printmaking or mixed media. Develop technical skills and familiarize yourself with the functions of visual elements as you create an individual portfolio of work for evaluation at the end of the course.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Students will develop skills and vocabulary related to the following dance styles: ballet, choreography jazz, hip-hop, historical/cultural, prop, lyrical and musical theatre. Using choreographic principles, students create dances that communicate meaning. Students assess and critique live dance performances, describing performance elements, dance technique and defending personal preferences. Students develop appreciation of dance through, discussion, performance activities, viewing of live professional dance, reading assignments, and dance on video. Students learn about dance as it related to fitness for life.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Physical Education | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

This dance course is our most advanced dance group at CMHS and focuses on performance.  This course is by audition only.  Students create their own choreography, perform famous professional dance works, take master classes by professionals, participate in "Dancing with the Teachers" and the "District Dance Festival", perform at all Rally assemblies, and much more.  Students study all types of dance styles and view professional productions, developing a critiques perspective on how stories are told through dance.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Physical Education | A-G College Requirement: F

The student will develop a more thorough understanding of theatrical performance and production. The student will participate in a number of short productions during the course of the year. The student will produce plays from beginning readings to finished product. The student will demonstrate aspects of directing, stage management, house management, and all production situations.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

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Concert Choir is open to all high school students. The course continues to develop music reading skills and vocal technique.  This group rehearses various styles and genres of music and performs several times a year, both on and off campus.  

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Vocal Ensemble is open to women in grades 9-12 by audition.  Students work on sight reading music and vocal technique, as well as learning a repertoire of different genres and styles of music.  The group participates in the full concert season presented by the Choral Department, as well as other events throughout the year.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Madrigal Choir open by audition to students in grades 9-12. Students continue to develop their sight reading ability and vocal technique.  The Madrigal Choir performs multiple times throughout the year, and represents the school and many events both on and off campus.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

The piano class provides instruction in beginning piano technique, music theory, and piano repertoire.  Students learn the basics of reading music for the piano and practice individually during the class in our piano lab.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Piano 2 is for students who have taken Piano 1 or who have taken private lessons. Students will continue to work on music reading skills, piano technique, piano literature, transposing, and playing from lead sheets, and music theory. Each class session includes group instruction as well as time to practice individually on keyboards in the CMHS piano lab.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Students should have at least 2 years or more of previous experience and be able to read music. This is a very active performing class.  There will be approximately 30–75 performances throughout the year.  Students sign up for 0 & 1st period classes.  There will be some after school or evening practices. Students not previously in band need the band teacher's approval/signature to sign up.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

Students should have a year or more of previous experience, such as private lessons, CMMS string class, or the orchestra teacher's permission to qualify. These students should have experience reading music as well.  There will be 3-4 performances throughout the year.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F

Music Tech students learn how modern music is created and recorded.  One of best secrets of the CMHS campus is the recording studio hidden behind the library. The CMHS digital recording studio has a large collection of keyboards, microphones, guitars, drums, and other instruments.   Students create their own musical projects and work with others to produce recordings.  All aspects of music production are covered including: song writing and structure, microphone selection and placement, musical performance, digital mixing, live sound, various recording software, and recording contracts.  Students do not need to play an instrument or have prior music knowledge, only a deep love of music is required.

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities| A-G College Requirement: F

Prerequisite: Teacher approval required

This is a very active performing ensemble that incorporates dance with color guard equipment such as flags, sabres and rifles.  The group is a part of the Marching Band in the fall and Winter Guard for the rest of the year.  The group performs and competes throughout the year.  Dance experience is beneficial, but no prior experience is required.  There will be after school & evening practices.  Students sign up for 0 & 1st period classes.  

Credit: 10.00 | Graduation Requirement: Humanities | A-G College Requirement: F