Visual & Performing Arts

EPHS Visual & Performing Arts Requirements

Performing Arts Course Descriptions

Performing Arts Courses

Band

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 year | 1.0 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Prerequisite: Attend summer band camp

High school band consists of: Concert band, marching band, and pep band. The marching band performs at home football games, Catch the Glow Parade, as well as field marching competitions. The pep band performs at select home athletic events for Basketball and Volleyball. The concert band performs three times a year in addition to performing at regional and state festivals. Students are eligible for League Honor Band and All-State Band, as well as solo and ensemble contests. The primary purpose of a high school band is learning music fundamentals and perfecting performance skills. Performance and rehearsal attendance, including Saturday rehearsals in the fall, is mandatory and is included in the band grading policy. This course is a year-long commitment. Students must attend band camp in late July/early August before school begins. Students in color guard will sign up for semester 1 only and, in addition to performing with the marching band, will choreograph and perform a routine following the conclusion of the marching season.

Concert Choir

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 year | 1.0 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Prerequisite: Audition required

Concert Choir specializes in repertoire specifically arranged for large vocal ensembles and selection is by audition only. Concert Choir performs 5-8 times throughout the school year, including singing the National Anthem at an Avalanche or Nuggets’ game and a combined choirs performance of a major choral work in the spring. Each member must purchase concert attire (a dress for women, tuxedo for men, and black shoes). Dresses and tuxedos are also available for rent from EPHS. Please contact Dr. Alan Denney, alan_denney@estesschools.org to schedule an audition.

Jazz Band

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 year | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Prerequisite: Permission of band director

Jazz band is a select group of musicians who perform a variety of musical styles in the jazz genre. The band will perform at concerts and special events throughout the year. The band may also compete at jazz contests. Members of the jazz band are eligible for All-State Jazz Band. Performance attendance is mandatory and is included in the jazz band grading policy. This course begins in November, after the marching band season is over, and meets from 7:00 am to 7:50 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students enrolling in jazz band should be prepared to commit to the full November through May course duration. Please contact Kaylin Brennan, kaylin_brennan@estesschools.org for more information.

Major13

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 year | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Prerequisite: Audition required

Major13 specializes in vocal jazz and popular music. This group is limited to 13 students and selection is by audition only. Major13 performs 10-14 times throughout the school year, including singing the National Anthem at an Avalanche or Nuggets’ game, various community civic organization functions, and jazz festivals throughout the state. Please contact Dr. Alan Denney, alan_denney@estesschools.org to schedule an audition.

Tenor/Bass Choir

Grade: 9

Duration & credit: 2 semesters | 1.0 credit
Credit type: VAPA

Tenor/Bass Choir specializes in repertoire specifically composed for tenor and bass vocal ensembles. Tenor/Bass performs 4-6 times throughout the school year, including singing the National Anthem at an Avalanche or Nuggets’ game and a combined choir performance of a major choral work in the spring. Each member must purchase a tuxedo and black shoes. Tuxedos are also available for rent at EPHS. No audition is necessary.

Treble Choir

Grade: 9

Duration & credit: 2 semesters | 1.0 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Treble Choir specializes in repertoire specifically composed for soprano and alto vocal ensembles. Treble Choir performs 5-8 times throughout the school year, including singing the National Anthem at an Avalanche or Nuggets’ game and a combined choir performance of a major choral work in the spring. Each member must purchase a choir dress and black shoes. Dresses are also available for rent from EPHS. No audition is necessary.

Visual Art Course Descriptions

Visual Art Courses

3D/Sculpture Art

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 semester | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Course Description: 3D Art is an engaging course designed for high school students interested in exploring the dimensions beyond traditional two-dimensional art forms. This course will guide students through the foundational elements of creating three-dimensional artwork, utilizing a variety of materials and techniques. Students will develop their artistic skills and understanding by engaging in hands-on projects ranging from sculpture and ceramics to mixed media and installation art.

Advanced Studio Art

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 semester | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Prerequisite: Studio Art

Fee: $15 materials fee

Serious art students wanting to continue their art training will develop professional-level portfolios in drawing, painting, graphic design, ceramics, and/or sculpture. This course is personalized for the student's interest areas. This class can be repeated for credit.

Digital Photography

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 semester | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Students will learn the mechanics of digital still and video cameras. Composition skills will be developed as the foundation for projects in portraiture, landscape, studio and macro photography. FIlm studies will include the use of storyboards to build an understanding of narrative and documentary filmmaking. Students will learn editing skills in Photo, Lightroom and Imovie. Students will use the artistic processes to guide their work for their final project. Students will write an artist's statement and present their final project in a student art show.

Jewelry Making

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Duration & credit: 1 semester | .5 credit

Credit type: VAPA

Fee: $15 materials fee

Students will learn about the history of jewelry making and its place in cultures around the world. Students will learn jewelry making techniques using recycled materials, natural materials and metal. Students will choose a medium(s) to create developed artwork. Students will use the creative processes to guide their work for their final project (s). Students will write an artist's statement and will have an opportunity to display their final projects in a student art show.

Studio Art

High School Visual & Performing Arts Curriculum

Advanced Art

Quarter 1

Artistic Process

Learning Targets

Students maintain a sketchbook practice to develop my skills
Students create a personal art portfolio
Students utilize my ideas to develop a theme or style in my artwork in drawing, painting and sculpture
Students determine which artistic medium best expresses my style or ideas
Students discuss and analyze my artwork and the artwork of others
Students write an artist statement that describes my inspiration, intended meaning and artistic process with grade level writing expectations
Students present my artwork in a professional setting
Students research to compare and contrast a historical artistic with a contemporary artist who share either their subject, medium, style or message

Drawing

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate my understanding of value scales, perspective, and proportion to create realistic artworks
Students create a drawing that communicates an intended idea

Quarter 2

Painting

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate my understanding of a variety of painting materials
Students create a painting that communicates an intended idea using color theory

Sculpture

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate my understanding of a variety of sculpture materials
Students create artwork that communicates an intended idea that uses balance

Semester

Semester

Tools & Materials

Learning Targets

Students safely use a jewelry saw, beading Loom, pliers, tin snips, and beading needles
Students create a jewelry chain from wire
Students attach jewelry fasteners
Students wire wrap a fused glass pendant
Students design and pour a resin pendant
Students sculpt clay beads

Jewelry Design

Learning Targets

Students design jewelry using recycled materials
Students create jewelry using natural materials
Students make jewelry using metals

Attachment

Learning Targets

Students utilize wire wrapping to create a pendant
Students attach metals using rivets
Students create bead designs using brick stitch and loom weaving

Jewelry Display

Learning Targets

Students identify how jewelry displays enhance jewelry designs
Students design and create a jewelry display that matches the aesthetic of their jewelry

Quarter 1

Artistic Process

Learning Targets

Students develop studio habits to manage materials and tools in the art studio.
Students maintain a sketchbook practice to develop my skills.
Students research artists throughout history.
Students write a personal artist statement at my grade level expectations for writing.
Students generate ideas for artmaking.
Students determine which artistic medium best expresses my idea or concept.
Students discuss and analyze my artwork and the artwork of others using art vocabulary.
Students reflect on my artwork.
Students present my artwork.

Drawing

Learning Targets

Students analyze the attributes of different drawing materials
Students demonstrate drawing skills with value scales, perspective and proportion

Quarter 2

Painting

Learning Targets

Students analyze the attributes of different painting materials
Students recognize the use of color schemes in artwork
Students create artwork with an intended meaning using color theory

Sculpture

Learning Targets

Students utilize sculpture tools and equipment safely
Students analyze the attributes of different painting materials
Students create artwork with balance

Brass/Woodwinds Band

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Marching Band

Learning Targets

Students march to my individual spots with proper marching style, step size and horn angle
Students demonstrate extensive knowledge of marching band terminology and execution
Students perform music and marching from memory accurately and expressively
Students perform my individual drill sets from memory
Students analyze performances based on the Colorado Bandmasters Association judging criteria
Students describe a suggested warm-up and warm-down routines

Quarter 2

Unit 2: Honor Band Auditions

Learning Targets

Students perform the honor band music with accurate notes and rhythms
Students play a major, harmonic minor and chromatic scale
Students utilize practice time most efficiently

Unit 3: Winter Concert

Learning Targets

Students read phrases or groups of notes instead of individual notes
Students play basic scales, arpeggios, and technical exercises
Students follow more advanced conducting techniques
Students start a piece without a countdown
Students observe the “road map” of a piece before playing it for the first time

Quarter 3

Unit 4: Concert Band Festival

Learning Targets

Students alternate fingerings for difficult passages or for better intonation
Students perform endurance and range-building techniques & exercises
Students adjust their instrument to compensate for sharp or flat pitch
Students adjust and balancing ensemble sound to suit the acoustical environment
Students perform in more advanced meters such as 6/8, 9/8, 7/4, etc.
Students perform 8th and quarter note triplets with accuracy

Quarter 4

Unit 5: Solo & Ensemble

Learning Targets

Students perform in a solo or small group setting

Unit 6: May Concert

Learning Targets

Students produce the appropriate style and tone/timbre depending upon material being performed
Students play more advanced scale/rhythm combinations for increased technical proficiency
Students play with phrasing, including placement of breaths, dynamics, tempo changes, etc. for maximum artistic effect

Color Guard

Quarter 1

Unit 1: Marching Band

Learning Targets

Students can march to their individual spots with proper marching style, step size and technique from memory
Students demonstrate knowledge of marching band terminology and execution
Students analyze performances based on the Colorado Bandmasters Association judging criteria
Students demonstrate proper equipment handling and body posture
Students perform choreography and marching from memory accurately and expressively

Quarter 2

Unit 2: Advanced Techniques

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate basic flag flourishes, spins and tosses with proper technique
Students perform rifle spins and tosses with control and precision
Students perform complex dance sequences with fluidity and expression
Students create 30 seconds of choreography to music of my choosing

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Unit 4: Performance & Assessment

Learning Targets

Students participate in dress rehearsals to fine-tune routines
Students perform color guard routines and school events and competitions
Students evaluate their own performance and identify areas for improvement
Students set personal goals for continued growth in color guard
Students reflect on their overall progress and growth as a color guard performer

Unit 5: Further Develop Note-Reading Ability Skills

Learning Targets

Students sight-read an 8-bar example using note-names
Students sight-read a simple 8-bar example using note-names

Unit 6: Further Develop Note-Reading Ability Skills

Learning Targets

Students sight-read an 8-bar example using solfege
Students sight-read a simple 8-bar example using solfege and Kodaly hand symbols

Unit 1: Marching Band

Learning Targets

Students march to their individual spots with proper marching style, step size and technique
Students demonstrate extensive knowledge of marching band terminology and execution
Students perform music/choreography and marching from memory accurately and expressively
Students perform their individual drill sets from memory
Students analyze performances based on the Colorado Bandmasters Association judging criteria
Students describe a suggested warm-up and warm-down routines

Quarter 2

Unit 2: Percussion Foundations

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate basic instrument care and maintenance for various percussion instruments
Students demonstrate proper grip and hand technique
Students demonstrate proper playing technique on snare drum, bass drum, timpani, mallets, marimba, and auxiliary instruments
Students play 7 major scales with arpeggios (Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C, G)
Students prepare and perform a grade 2 percussion ensemble piece

Quarter 3

Unit 3: Intermediate Playing Techniques

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate 20 of the 40 essential rudiments for snare drum
Students play 9 major scales with arpeggios (Gb, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C, G, D)
Students demonstrate 2 mallet independence
Students prepare and perform a grade 2.5 percussion ensemble piece
Students prepare and perform pieces with the high school band demonstrating proper balance and blend

Quarter 4

Unit 4: Advanced Playing Techniques

Learning Targets

Students demonstrate 40 of the 40 essential rudiments for snare drum
Students play 12 major scales with arpeggios (Gb, Db, Ab, Eb, Bb, F, C, G, D, A, E, B)
Students demonstrate 4 mallet independence
Students demonstrate speed, accuracy and control when playing snare drum literature
Students prepare and perform a grade 3 percussion ensemble piece

Unit 5: Further Develop Note-Reading Ability Skills

Learning Targets

Students sight-read an 8-bar example using note-names
Students sight-read a simple 8-bar example using note-names

Unit 6: Further Develop Note-Reading Ability Skills

Learning Targets

Students sight-read an 8-bar example using solfege
Students sight-read a simple 8-bar example using solfege and Kodaly hand symbols