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VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

The San Lorenzo High School Visual & Performing Arts program is a robust program that caters to a variety of interests.  Ranging from art courses that advance students’ understanding, skills, and techniques in different modes of art to musical composition that taps into students’ passion for creating, expressing, and producing music.  In addition to taking courses, students showcase their knowledge through evening performances open to students, families, and community members. A few events put on by the Visual & Performing Arts program are: Winter/Spring Concert, San Lorenzo Unified Music Festival, Youth Art Month, Guitar & Piano Recital, and BADA Film Festivals.

 

Students can satisfy the Fine Arts/LOTE/CTE  requirement (20 credits) for high school graduation by taking courses through the Visual & Performing Arts department. For entrance to the University of California and California State University systems, students are required to complete a minimum of one ‘f’ course . Taking additional ‘f’ Visual & Performing Arts courses will make a student’s college application more competitive, particularly for students interested in pursuing majors in art, architecture, music, and more.

 

Beginning Art                                                   Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts and techniques associated with Art and the artistic process.  Projects may include painting, perspective drawing, collage, portraiture, pen and ink, and paper making, sculpture.  Students will also study various artists and art movements and gain skills in the area of art appreciation.  We will also have guest speakers.  Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, analyze, interpret, and respectfully judge their own artwork as well as the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. The focus of this course will be on the Elements and Principles of Art and Design. Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None. UC/CSU (f)

 

Intermediate Art                                            Year, 10 Credits

Grade 10-12

Students will continue to develop the concepts and skills acquired in Beginning Art.  Students will work in both two and three dimensional media.  Projects will include mono-prints, sculpture, watercolor and acrylic painting, still life, and an exploration of various styles and types of drawing using pastels, artists pencils, pen and ink, and more.  Students will develop a portfolio of the work and engage in small group discussions about their art and their feelings about their art.  Students will also explore careers in Art and Art colleges. We will also have guest speakers.  Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, analyze, interpret, and respectfully judge their own artwork as well as the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. The focus of this course will be further exploration of the Elements and Principles of Art & Design.  Pre-Historic to Contemporary art will be explored with a focus on art from other cultures.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginning Art or teacher recommendation. UC/CSU (f)

 

Advanced Art                                                   Year, 10 Credits

Grade 10-12

Students will continue to develop the concepts and skills acquired in Beginning and Intermediate Art as well as acquiring new ones.  Students will work in both two and three dimensional media using ever more sophisticated materials and techniques.  Students will also research an artist of their choice.  Students will develop and portfolio and engage in class critiques about their art and their artistic process.  The focus of this course will be an exploration of individual artistic style and further exploration of classic and contemporary art.  Students will engage in a wide variety of projects related to these artists and art movements.  These projects may include ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, conceptual art and more. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, analyze, interpret, and respectfully judge their own artwork as well as the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginning Art and Intermediate Art or teacher recommendation.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Band                                                                   Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

The focus of this course is to continue learning basic fundamentals of music theory and instrumental techniques in the wind, brass, and percussion family. Students will continue to learn the concepts of good tone production, finger/wrist/arm dexterity, rhythmic integrity, pitch recognition, as well as develop listening skills and performance practices. In addition, students will study performance practices as well as form and analysis as it relates to various idioms of band repertoire. Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: Some experience playing a musical instrument.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Ceramics                                                           Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

This one-year course introduces students to the Elements of Art and Principles of Design while developing sculpting, painting, and drawing skills. Studio experiences in the classroom will give students opportunities to experience a variety of building techniques (pinch, coil, slab, wheel work, etc.) while developing student’s individual style and creative problem solving skills. Students will demonstrate their ability to respond, analyze, interpret, and respectfully judge their own artwork as well as the work of others through discussions, critiques, and writings. Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Choir                                                                  Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students focus on proper vocal technique which includes good posture, breathing and support, anatomy for the singer, diction, mouth and jaw placement, choral, and technique.  In addition, students learn the importance of phrasing, diction, text, interpretation, sight reading, performance practices, and music history. Students perform as individuals, in small ensembles, and with the entire choir. Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Beginning Drama                                             Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students are introduced to basic dramatic techniques and terminology.  Class work includes vocal and physical warm-ups, improvisation, performance poetry, play analysis, dramatic monologues, scene analysis and performance, and playwriting. Class may include guest artists from Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Theatre, or other theatre groups.  Individual and group classroom performance is required.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Advanced Drama                                             Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students receive a continuation and expansion of techniques learned in Beginning Drama.  Class work includes units on documentary theatre, monologue and audition work, acting for the camera, and playwriting.  Students may continue to work with guest artists from Berkeley Repertory Theatre and California Shakespeare Festival and other theaters.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite:  “B” or better in Beginning Drama and/or teacher recommendation. UC/CSU (f)

 

Guitar                                                                Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

This course offers beginning instruction on the guitar. Students will learn open chords, power chords, moveable chords, strumming and instrumental techniques for accompanying and playing traditional, classical, folk, and contemporary songs. The course also includes music fundamentals, theory, songs, performance, listening, composing, improvising, analyzing, and reading standard music notation and tablature. Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Digital Music Composition                             Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

Students will gain a solid foundation in the essential concepts, principles, and terminology of music composition, production, and recording on a computer through extensive hands-on practice. This course also includes fundamentals of music, music theory, analysis, and music evaluation according to established criteria. Music Production emphasizes personal creativity in self-expression and appreciating the creative works of others, understanding ideas, and formulating new ones, working cooperatively in a group setting and communicating effectively.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Musical Keyboarding                                       Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

This is an elective course offering basic instruction on the piano and keyboards. Students will learn proper body posture, hand, wrist and arm positioning, and phrasing, so that they can play songs from simple to more complex ones depending on how quickly they advance their proficiency and playing skills. Music repertoire will include folk, classical (Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, modern), pop, and music of multiple cultures. This course also includes music fundamentals, piano technique, performance, ear training, analysis, and standard music notation.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

 

Orchestra                                                          Year, 10 Credits

Grade 9-12

The focus of this course is to continue learning basic fundamentals of music theory and instrumental techniques in the string family. Students will continue to learn the concepts of proper posture, arm, hand and finger placement, bowing technique, good tone production, finger dexterity, rhythmic integrity, pitch recognition, as well as develop listening skills and performance practices. In addition, students will study performance practices, as well as form and analysis as it relates to various idioms of the orchestral repertoire.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite: Some experience playing a musical instrument.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Photography                                                    Year, 10 Credits

Grade 10-12

Students will begin exploring all major aspects of black and white and digital photography, including camera techniques, film developing, enlarging, printing, print finishing, and digital manipulation.  This hands-on class emphasizes technical skills and development of an artistic vision.  Lab donations accepted. Prerequisite: None.  UC/CSU (f)

 

Advanced Photography                                  Year, 10 Credits

Grade 11-12

Students will continue to refine their photographic skills and artistic vision.  Emphasis on more advanced digital skills such as studio lighting, alternative processes, and advanced digital skills and an exploration of careers in photography.  A hands on, activity based class.  Lab donations accepted.  Prerequisite:  “C” or better in Photography.  UC/CSU (f)