Introduction Through education in the Performing
Arts, it is our hope that the student will develop professional skills,
or will learn a means of recreation, pleasure, and worthy use of leisure
time. The student will develop skills of reading and listening to music
and learn to value music as a means of expression. The student is
provided an opportunity for performance, creative expression, and an
understanding of the relationships existing between the performing arts
and other areas of human endeavor. These classes would be a logical
preparation for community and/or college Performing Arts programs and
for performance careers.
Course Descriptions
JAZZ BAND
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: Audition and/or consent of instructor; concurrent enrollment in band or other music class.
Course Description:
Through individual and group instruction, students will practice,
rehearse, listen to, and perform jazz in preparation for required
performances. Music will be from a large variety of jazz literature.
BAND
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: Basic reading skills on a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument
Course Description:
Through individual and group instruction, students will practice,
rehearse and perform music in preparation for required performance at
ball games and concerts. Music will be from a wide variety of marching,
pep, and concert band literature.
INSTRUMENTS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS
Prerequisite: An interest in learning and/or improving one's musical skills on an instrument
Course Description:
Through Individualized instruction, this course fills the needs of
those students who have not mastered their performing instruments well
enough to perform with the band or orchestra. All performance and
rehearsal techniques that lead to eventual participation in the band or
orchestra are stressed. An essential component of this course is study
in the computerized piano lab.
WOMEN'S CHORUS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: Interest in singing
Course Description:
A music course for the trained and untrained female vocal student. Each
student will learn the basic theory of music, rhythmic notation, pitch
symbols, and stylistic techniques. Students will learn the basics of
proper singing techniques. Each student will learn, study and perform
the various stylistic periods of music, which will be performed in three
required public concerts.
MEN'S CHORUS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: Interest in singing
Course Description:
A music course for the trained and untrained male vocal student. Each
student will learn the basic theory of music, rhythmic notation, pitch
symbols, and stylistic techniques. Students will learn the basics of
proper singing techniques. Each student will learn, study and perform a
variety of vocal music including examples from the various stylistic
periods of music, which will be performed in three required public
concerts.
CONCERT CHOIR
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: Instructor permission, audition
Course Description:
Same content as Men's and Women's Chorus with a higher level of
proficiency and commitment expected. The Concert Choir also emphasizes
performance in concerts, programs for community organizations, honor
groups, festivals and solo performances. Performance participation is
required.
JAZZ SINGERS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: Instructor permission, audition
Course Description:
The Jazz Singers is a class for the advanced vocal student. This class
emphasizes performance in concerts, programs for community
organizations, festivals, and solo performance. The extended rehearsal
and performance hours allow a student to earn 7 credits.
GUITAR
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS
Prerequisite: Desire to learn guitar. Have own instrument.
Course Description:
First semester - this course is designed for the student with little or
no previous training on the guitar.Student will develop facility in
forming chords and strumming rhythm patterns, and will develop the ear.
The overall content will stress proper playing (classical) technique and
basic reading skill. Second semester - this course offers a
continuation of skills offered in beginning guitar. Students will
continue their development on an individualized basis to include scales,
extended chord forms, musical form, improvisation and composition.
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS
Prerequisite: Desire to learn about music through computer technology
Course Description:
The course introduces students to the study of audio and audio
recording. Areas of instruction include: introduction to sequencing and
MIDI applications, sampling and looping, sound design, recording
engineering, digital signal processing, and the history of the recording
arts.
PIANO THEORY
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS
Prerequisite: An interest in learning and/or improving piano skills
Course Description:
Through individual and group instruction, this course fills the needs
of beginning to advanced students. Students will develop facility in
scales, chords, music fundamentals, improvisation, and sight-reading. An
essential component of this course is study in the computerized piano
lab.
THEATRE ARTS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: None
Course Description:
Open to students interested in Theatre. This two-semester course will
focus on the basic elements of technical theatre and beginning acting.
Students will have hands on experiences in make up, costume design,
history of theatre, scenic and lighting design and other areas of
technical theatre in the first semester. Second semester will involve
monologue and dialogue work, trust and ensemble activities, theatre
sports and improvisation, movement, stage combat, blocking, character
development and dialogue exercises. All students may audition for or
work with the extra-curricular main stage productions offered at Soquel
High School. Field trip opportunities to see professional theatre will
be available.
ADVANCED THEATRE ARTS
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: Previous enrollment and at least a C from Theatre Arts or with an audition and permission of the instructor
Course Description:
Open to students in grades 11-12 who have successfully completed
Theatre Arts with a "C" or higher, or by audition with permission of the
instructor. This course will offer opportunities for a traveling
children's show, college portfolio and/or monologue preparation for
auditions, middle school performances, writing and directing in One Act
Plays, and design opportunities. These students will develop more
advanced techniques and in depth study in Theatre Arts. All students may
audition for or work with the extra curricular main stage productions
at Soquel High School. Field trip opportunities to see professional
theatre will be offered.
ROP PLAY PRODUCTION/MUSICAL PRODUCTION (Spring)
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts or Applied Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: By audition or with permission of the director/instructor of the main stage extra curricular production
Course Description:
Students enrolled in this course will be involved in preparation and
performance of a main stage performance in technical theatre, acting,
choreography, or orchestration. Rehearsals take place after school from
3-5 p.m. as indicated by the production schedule. Students are
responsible for all aspects of the production and performances for which
he/she is responsible. Students may receive Applied Arts credit (with
75 semester hours) or Fine Arts credit. Applied Arts hours must be documented, approved, and signed off by the instructor.
ART 1
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: None
Course Description:
Art 1 is a year-long art course starting with the Soquel Drawing
Academy. Students will use a variety of techniques (i.e. observational
drawing) to improve their drawing skills. Students will learn to mix
colors and refine their painting skills while creating unique,
meaningful works of art. Students will also be introduced to a variety
of other mediums, which may include printmaking, mask-making, metalwork,
collage, as well as painting and drawing. The course includes
instruction in art criticism, and aesthetics. A lab fee is required.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED ART
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
10-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: "C" or better in Art 1, or teacher approval (based on review of your portfolio)
Course Description:
Students will continue to build upon the foundations of drawing and
painting covered in Art 1. Students will be exposed to art styles and
history from a variety of cultures. This course includes research
projects and regular class critiques, as well as writing about art.
Students will be asked to pick their own reference as inspiration for
their artwork. A lab fee may be required.
CERAMICS 1 and 2
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
9-12 (10-12 for Ceramics 2) |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: Ceramics 1, none; Ceramics 2, "C" or better in Ceramics 1, or teacher permission
Course Description: Ceramics 1:
In this class you will explore clay as a medium for creating sculpture
and pottery. The course will stress various hand building techniques,
glaze application and creative problem-solving skills. During the second
semester, you will refine techniques with an emphasis on the use of the
pottery wheel and the kiln firing process.
Ceramics 2: In
this class, the principles of form, shape, design, and texture will be
studied with an emphasis on the exploration of your individuality
through creative expression.
SPECIAL STUDIES IN VISUAL ART
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
Yes |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor; approval by Assistant Principal before work begins.
Course Description:
Student must demonstrate the following to be allowed into this program:
basic knowledge of visual art including color-theory and design as well
as ability in a variety of mediums. In addition, the student must be
self-directed and have a proposal for focus of artwork. If the student
is unknown to the instructor, an artist’s portfolio should be presented
to instructor. The course will include art history, aesthetics and art
criticism. This course does not count towards a student’s full-time
status.
ADVANCED STUDIO ART (AP)
Grade |
Duration |
Credits |
Repeat Status |
11-12 |
Year |
5/5 |
No |
Fulfills Requirements: Fine Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, f, g
Prerequisite: One year of high school art or ceramics or instructor's permission; completion or concurrent enrollment in Art 1 or Ceramics 1
Course Description: Students are asked to demonstrate their understanding of
design principles as they relate to the integration of depth and space,
volume and surface. The principles of design (unity/variety, balance,
emphasis, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion/scale, and
occupied/unoccupied space) can be articulated through the visual
elements (mass, volume, color/light, form, plane, line, texture). For
3-D design (for students enrolled in Ceramics), students are asked to
demonstrate mastery of 3-D design through
any three-dimensional approach, including, but not limited to,
figurative or nonfigurative sculpture, architectural models, metal work,
ceramics, glass work, installation, assemblage and 3-D fabric/fiber
arts. There is no preferred (or unacceptable) style or content.