Visual and Performing Arts

VISUAL ARTS 1     

Visual Arts 1 is a course in which any student can join to improve their skills in drawing and painting. You will learn to draw observationally and imaginatively, how to use many different materials, as well as the basics of 3D Design. Students will also learn to conceptualize, plan, and execute original pieces of art within the realms of tattoo design, character design, and video game environment design.

VISUAL ARTS 2   

Prerequisite: A strong interest in the visual arts, have some prior skills either from Advanced Art in middle school, Art 1, and/or outside of school practice.

Visual Art 2 is a course in which students will be creating with a higher range of materials while developing the skills to create deeper conceptual artworks. The artwork made will be bigger, deeper, and with more challenging materials such as stencils and spray paint, watercolor and acrylic painting, and printmaking.

 VISUAL ARTS 3 

Prerequisite: A strong interest in the visual arts, have some prior skills either from Advanced Art at the middle school, Art 1, Art 2, and/or outside of school practice. Visual Arts 3 is for students who want to continue to improve their skills with a wide range of material usage and develop the skills necessary to make conceptual and personal pieces of art. Focus is placed on advanced studies in drawing, stencils and spray paint, watercolor and acrylic painting, and printmaking.

VISUAL ARTS 4   

Prerequisite: Having prior technical drawing and painting skills developed. Either by taking Art 2, 3, or outside of school instruction. Visual Arts 4 is for advanced art students who are ready to tackle creating their own personal artwork and will continue to increase their technical skills. Art 4 is also for students who need to make portfolios for their college applications and have already taken AP Studio Art.

MULTIMEDIA ART 1

Multimedia Art 1 isthe entry-level course in this Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway. The course provide students who have a strong interest in graphic design the opportunity to acquire proficiency in graphics programs used by industry professionals. During this year-long course, students will gain an understanding of art and design principles as they begin to master Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Students will also learn to look at images critically, develop their creativity, and gain skills to communicate in a visual language. The course is project-based and will cover graphic design, digital photography, and basic animation. Note: Students who enroll in Multimedia Art 1 are strongly encouraged to take second course in the pathway: Advanced Multimedia Art.

ADVANCED MULTIMEDIA ART Prerequisite: Multimedia Art 1. Advanced Multimedia Art is the second course in this Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway and allows students to deepen their technical skills as well as their proficiency with graphics programs used by industry professionals. Instruction integrates the study of art history and students will complete assignments based on the techniques and styles of specific art movements and artists. Additionally, students will explore careers in design and complete logo projects for clients in the community. Students will also learn to export their digital designs to a laser cutter to make 3D projects. The final quarter isreserved for students to focus on a personal design project. In addition to Photoshop and Illustrator, students may choose to use Adobe Animate, XD (Web and Mobile Apps), InDesign (Publishing) Premiere (Video Editing) or After Effects (motion graphics) for this personal project. Note: Students who complete this course have the option to enroll in the final course in the pathway: Advanced Projects.

ADVANCED PROJECTS MULTI-MEDIA ART 

Prerequisite: Advanced Multimedia Art.

In the Advanced Projects course students have the opportunity to apply their graphic design skills using Adobe Create Cloud applications to complete significant projects. In addition to honing their technical expertise, students will build professional skills such as client communication, time management, and portfolio creation. Examples of potential projects include:

Prototyping apps in Adobe XD, creating books and ebooks in Adobe InDesign, mastering post-production effects and motion graphics for video in Adobe After Effects. Students may also chose to complete a photo essay project using the photography studio, to design a 3D projects using the laser cutter, or to use sewing machinesto create designs with fabric and other materials. The course incorporates industry speakers and students may choose to participate in potential job shadowing, internships, and freelance graphic design opportunities.

DRAMA 1 

Drama 1 is a basic course in acting and drama fundamentals. Students enrolled in the course must attend class on a daily basis and participate in all classroom exercises and performance projects. Students will perform assignments in creative expression, aesthetic perception, and aesthetic valuing. Students will read dramatic literature from a variety of genres. Students should be prepared to give oral readings and memorize scenes for in classroom performance. Students will study theatre history as well as play structure and basic acting techniques. Written classroom assignments as well as homework are mandatory for successful completion. Students will be required to see playperformances at the school and in the community. The course culminates with the performance of a one-act play at the end of the second semester.

DRAMA 2   

Prerequisites: Drama 1 or consent of instructor. Audition may be required.

In this semester or yearlong class, students in this course will perform monologues; perform scenes from plays, practice theatre games and improvisations. Students will have one performance assignment each week. Students may have after school rehearsals and must memorize lines. Students will write papers on important historical theatre people and will give oral reports. This course may be repeated for credit. This is a full year course. Students are graded on their day-to-day effort, class participation and completion of assignments. Students are required to see play performances at the school and in the community.

DRAMA 3 

Prerequisites: Drama 2 or consent of instructor. Audition may be required.

This is the most advanced Drama class for experienced students who are capable of working and rehearsing independently. Students will prepare one full-length play each semester. Students will also perform monologues, perform scenes from plays, practice theatre games and improvisations. Students will have after school rehearsals and must memorize lines. Students will write papers on characterization and play analysis. This is a full year course. Students are graded on their day-to-day effort, meeting memorization deadlines, class participation and completion of all assignments. Students are required to see play performances at the school and in the community. Students must participate in fundraisers and sell tickets for performances. Students must provide whatever shoes necessary for performances. Costumes, sets, make up and other theatre supplies provided by AHS Drama through ticket sales and generous donations. This course may be repeated for credit.

THEATRE TECHNOLOGY 

Prerequisites: Completed Drama 1 or Art 1 or approval of teacher.

Students in this course will learn the various jobs of working back stage at Kofman auditorium or Alameda High School Little Theatre; this would include operating rigging, sound and lighting equipment and a computer light board. Otherskillstaught include basic carpentry, basic electricity, and scene building. In addition, students will be required to work school assemblies and after school programs totaling a minimum of 50 hours or more each semester. Trained students can receive pay for working outside of school programs. The cost being passed on to the outside group. This class can lead to employment in the technical theatrical industry in and outside the bay area. This course may be repeated for credit

MUSICAL THEATRE   

Prerequisite: Drama 1 or Concert Choir, or the consent of the instructor. Audition may be required.

This is an introductory course exploring the fundamentals of song analysis and dance technique in the preparation of music theatre repertory for performance. Emphasis on solo song preparation and audition preparation. Basic music skills, dance technique, and/or singing ability are highly recommended, but all levels welcome. This class will prepare you to pursue a future in Musical Theatre and teach you how to be a true “Triple Threat.” This course may be repeated for credit.

BEGINNING GUITAR   

This one-year course is designed for students with no previous guitar experience. Students will receive guidance and direction insolving problems related to playing the guitar on a beginning level and will learn many of the different styles, skills and techniques required to become a successful guitarist. Areas of concentration include: correct posture, note reading, aural skills, flat picking, singing songs, rhythmic patterns, chord study, finger picking styles, musical forms, improvisation and performing experiences.

CONCERT BAND 

Prerequisite: A demonstrated proficiency in musical skills standards as determined by a multi-measure placement matrix including an audition. Concert Band is a class in which students build on the basic musical skills. Prior musical experience and/or instructor approval is required. Performances at athletic events, concerts andother scheduled events are required for successful course completion. Concert Band may be repeated for credit with the instructor’s approval. Applicable Instruments: Piccolo/flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion.

JAZZ BAND   

Prerequisite: A demonstrated proficiency in musical skills standards as determined by a multi-measure placement matrix including an audition.

Jazz Band is a course designed to develop in the student an aesthetic sensitivity, appreciation and understanding of music through performance of standard big band and combo repertoire in the jazz idiom. Performances at athletic events, concerts and events are required for successful course completion. This coursemay be repeated for credit. Applicable Instruments: Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trombone, Trumpet, Piano, Guitar, Electric Bass, Double Bass, Drumset.

ORCHESTRA

Prerequisite: Basic fundamental skills with string instruments in an orchestral setting; no prior AHS course needed.

Intermediate-level string players study/perform both orchestral and chamber literature, developing the craftsmanship and mastery necessary to mold music into a creative expression. Students in this ensemble can expect to have many opportunities to perform throughout the academic year: competitive festivals, concerts, anda bi-annual trip. This class is taken for VAPA credit, and can be taken multiple times for elective credit. Applicable Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass.

SYMPHONIC BAND 

Prerequisite: A demonstrated proficiency in musical skills standards as determined by a multi-measure placement matrix including an audition.

Symphonic Band is a course for students who wish to become more proficient on their chosen instruments by studying and performing a variety of musical styles. Standard concert band repertoire, classical, musical theater and jazz material are offered. Performances at athletic events, concerts and other scheduled events are required for successful course completion. This course may be repeated for credit. Applicable Instruments: Piccolo/flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, Percussion.

CONTEMPORARY DANCE 

This year-long course is designed for all levels. Students will learn a variety of dance styles: Modern, Jazz, Musical Theater, African and Hip-Hop. Activities will include a technical warm-up, positioning, alignment, centering and balance as applied to turns, falls, extensions and movement through space. Students will also study some of the history of dance. The focus is on developing technique and artistic proficiency.

DANCE 2 

Prerequisite: Contemporary Dance 1 or approval of teacher.

This year-long course further explores techniques learned in Contemporary Dance 1. Students will learn a variety of dance genres including jazz, hip-hop, ballet, break dance, and improvisation. Students will choreograph their own dance pieces and become comfortable performing in front of an audience. Students will learn to appreciate and analyze dance critically and will understand dance vocabulary and history. Students will improve their kinesthetic awareness, preventing injury and promoting physical strength and agility. This class further develops the intermediate dancer’s technique and cultivates each student’s creative voice. This course may be repeated for credit.

CONTEMPORARY DANCE 3 

Prerequisite: Contemporary Dance 2 or approval of teacher.

This year-long course is open to students who have completed Contemporary Dance 1 and 2 and who are interested in dance performance, as well as creating more advanced pieces of choreography. Performance techniques and choreography concepts such as space, phrasing, timing, imagery, energy, dance dynamics, and partnering are further explored. Students will work alone and in groups on weekly choreography assignments. When not creating original choreography, students will learn pieces of choreography to perform at school, community and competitive events. Students will learn to productively discuss and give feedback on their work, as well as analyze ground-breaking choreographers who have made their mark in different genres of dance. This course may be repeated for credit.