Fine 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, no audition is required. Students will work on choral vocal techniques and learn repertoire of various styles of music including pop, concert secular, and sacred pieces. Other training includes music history, sight-singing and ear training, vocal technique, solo repertoire work, and small group ensemble. This is a yearlong course. Students in choir are expected to perform for school and community concerts, district and state competitions

Enrollment is by permission of instructor through audition. This choir is open to sophomore through seniors (freshmen can audition but must be at a higher music level to be accepted). A Cappella Choir will focus on strengthening creativity and musicality, with students harmonizing in a variety of musical styles without accompaniment. This group will cover pop, classical, and alternative music. Rehearsals stress good musicianship, music reading skills, choral tone, blend, and intonation. This is a yearlong course. Students in choir are expected to perform for school and community concerts, district and state competitions. 

Enrollment is by permission of instructor through audition. This choir is open to sophomores through seniors (freshmen can audition but must be at a higher music level to be accepted). Students will master the skills of dancing and singing at the same time. Students will learn and perform songs from modern popular music as well as other classic show-style tunes. Class time will be spent on voice training, sight-singing, ear training, learning dance moves, and memorizing routines. Students in Sacre’ Chorus will also learn concert choir music as well as show choir music in order to build musicianship.  Students in choir are expected to perform for school and community concerts, district and state competitions. This is a yearlong course.

*Please note that with Principal permission, Show Choir may be accepted as a senior waiver for ½ credit of P.E. (See senior waiver in the P.E. department) 

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 foundation-level skills such as tone production, instrumental proficiency, and music reading. As a mixed instrumental music group, the class will culminate in the preparation and performance as an ensemble. Members will be offered community performance opportunities and music contests. 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 guitar and piano players). The class will build foundation-level skills such as tone production, instrumental proficiency, and music reading. As a mixed instrumental music group, the class will culminate in the preparation and performance as an ensemble. Members will be offered community performance opportunities and music contests. Class will meet two times a week before school. 

World Drumming is a semester long course for students in grades 9-12. 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.

Advanced World Drumming is a semester long course for students in grades 10-12 who have previously taken world drumming. This course will review and expand on rhythmic motives from different cultures rich in percussion music. Students will advance in their understanding of music theory concepts, performance standards, composition techniques and critical listening/evaluation analysis. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the steel pan and talking drum

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.