Arts

Art I provides for individual research based upon seeing, investigating artists' ideas, and working with materials. Content and projects are varied and are intended to shift students to a particular way of seeing. Studio experiences will sensitize students to art media and tools, and to shape, line, space, hue, value, chroma, texture, and their organization in space.

This course enables students to explore their creativity and to develop skills in applying the elements and principles of design to interior spaces.  Integrated projects allow students to consider design (architecture and construction), function of space, furniture styles, surface treatments, and lighting.  Students will be introduced to Computer-aided Design and Drafting software (AutoCAD), building materials, architectural design history, and local building codes.  Field trips to view professionally designed spaces may be utilized. 

Students will explore the elements and principles of art and their function in two-dimensional design. Studio work will provide students the opportunity to apply these fundamentals in a creative process to promote experimentation, problem solving, and self-expression. Media work may include - drawing, painting, and printmaking. This class may be taken numerous times to develop skills and techniques in art.

Students will explore the elements and principles of art and their function in three-dimensional design. Studio work will provide students the opportunity to apply these fundamentals in a creative process to promote experimentation, problem solving, and self-expression. Media may include, but not be limited to – clay, casting, relief work, and sculpture in the round.

This course allows for further exploration in two-dimensional design and techniques.  Project direction will be the responsibility of the student and should focus on an in-depth investigation of materials, processes, and ideas. Media work may expand beyond techniques covered in 2D Art. 

Students will utilize hand-building and throwing techniques to create a variety of functional and decorative projects in clay.   Studio work will also provide students the opportunity to work on the potters wheel.  

Students will explore the elements and principles of art and their function in photography. The students will investigate camera elements, techniques, black and white printing processes, photographic expression, and conceptual aesthetics. Group critiques complement darkroom and field work. Students must have access to a 35mm, manual camera and will provide their own film and photography paper.

Students will explore the elements and principles of art and their function in digital imaging as applied to photography. In this course students will use the digital camera and the computer software application, Adobe Photoshop, to create artistic images. A digital camera and a flash drive (16 GB minimum) are required.

Students will explore the elements and principles of art and their function in digital imaging as applied to photography. In this course students will use the digital camera and the computer software application, Adobe Photoshop, to create artistic images. A digital camera and a flash drive (16 GB minimum) are required.

This course allows for exploration of digital photographic expression – advanced Photoshop techniques. Furthers the study of aesthetic and technical theories and techniques of digital photography. Emphasizes the development of a related body of work demonstrating the student's personal photographic vision. Explores advanced digital camera and image editing software techniques. A digital camera and a flash drive (16 GB minimum) are required.

This course is designed for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art.  This course offering allows for further investigation in a given studio offering (Two Dimensional, Three Dimensional, or Photography) beyond the course catalog.  The advanced research class will meet during a regular 2D, 3D, or Photo class but the student will be working on projects independent from the regular class.  The student will create her own syllabus, or project list, and present to the instructor during the first week of the semester.  The final project will be a portfolio (based on the AP requirements for studio art) of multiple art pieces from the agreed upon project list and a written statement.  The portfolio may be submitted to Nebraska Scholastics or AP Studio Art 

This choir is open to all freshmen through seniors. Students will learn more about music and singing techniques in a large supportive ensemble setting. Students will learn music of all styles. NO previous singing experience needed. Students are required to participate in concerts and district music contest. Duchesne choir will provide numerous opportunities to students including community events, masterclasses with professional musicians, and music related field trips. Duchesne Choir provides a fun and creative outlet for students throughout the school week.

Enrollment is by permission of instructor through audition. Select Choir is open to sophomores through seniors. Students will sing a high level of choral repertoire of varying styles. The principle work of the group will be to further development of good musicianship, music reading skills, choral tone, blend, and intonation. Students are required to participate in concerts and district music contest. Select Choir will provide numerous opportunities to students including community events, masterclasses with professional musicians, and music related field trips.

This course is offered to any freshmen through seniors who play a concert band instrument (This also includes guitar and piano players). The class will build foundational skills such as tone production, instrumental proficiency, and music reading while focusing on many different styles of music. Students are required to participate in concerts and district music contest. Band students will be provided numerous opportunities to them including community events, masterclasses with professional musicians, and music related field trips. Class will meet two times a week before school.

This course is offered to any freshmen through seniors who play a string instrument (This also includes piano players). The class will build foundational skills such as tone production, instrumental proficiency, and music reading while focusing on many different styles of music. Students are required to participate in concerts and district music contest. Strings students will be provided numerous opportunities to them including community events, masterclasses with professional musicians, and music related field trips. Class will meet two times a week before school.

World Drumming is a semester long course for students in grades 10-12. World Drumming explores rhythmic motives from different cultures rich in percussion music: Africa, Latin, and the Caribbean. Students will learn the history of the instruments and how they are infused within each culture. In addition to percussion studies, students will be introduced to necessary music theory concepts, performance standards, composition techniques and critical listening/evaluation analysis. NO music background is required for this course.

Prerequisite: Students who already have an ability to play basic chords and rhythms on their chosen instrument (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums, or similar rock band instrument).

If you are very interested in this course, but don’t know how to play an instrument, please see Ms. Pierce or Mr. Hazel to discuss the possibility of participating. This course is offered to grades 10-12. Throughout the semester, students will be tasked with writing one song solo, focusing on varying styles, rules, and structures of songwriting. After that, they will work in groups to learn rehearsal techniques, collaborative songwriting, and performing. At the end of the semester, students will have the opportunity to visit a recording studio and record their original pieces. We will discuss songwriting theory from famous artists, find opportunities for playing at community events, and help teach girls the basics of an industry that women are often discouraged from participating in. Students will leave the class with the knowledge that will allow them to confidently begin their writing journey and start their own bands.

This course focuses on the individual event categories of area speech contests. Students will develop contest pieces in four or more of the following categories throughout the year: oral interpretation of dramatic literature, oral interpretation of poetry, humorous interpretation of prose literature, original oratory, informative speaking, persuasive speaking, extemporaneous speaking, speaking to entertain, and impromptu speaking. Students will also be involved in either duet acting (two students) or oral interpretation of drama (three or more students). Students will compete in at least five speech contests through the course of a semester.

This one semester course will focus on the different artistic elements that make up a theatrical performance; the performer, director, and the designers.  The course may include workshops in the acting, scene construction, lighting or sound.

In this full year course students will develop various set construction and painting techniques by building sets for the school play. They will also explore the elements of theatrical design by designing a set from a ground plan to a 3-dimensional model. The course will include a tour of an area theatre as well as a workshop in either sound or lighting design. Students will have the option of taking part in one of the technical aspects of a school production.