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Visual and Performing Arts Department

 
The Visual & Performing Arts Departments of Prospect High School provides a wide variety of educational experiences in art, music, and theatre for Prospect students. In Visual Arts, students have opportunities to take classes in ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting. There is also an annual Art Show. In Performing Arts, students have opportunities to perform in instrumental and vocal music ensembles, marching ensembles, plays, musicals, to study dance, and to learn about technical theater. A description of available classes is below.
 
Course Selection
 
3D Design 1
This course explores ceramics, sculpture, and other contemporary media. The students will build a portfolio of artwork, learn appropriate art vocabulary, learn historical/cultural information, make critical assessments, and connect art to their own life.
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g) 
 
3D Design 2
This course continues design techniques and the use of media learned in Three Dimensional Design1. New media are introduced at this level, and a higher level of creativity and skill is expected. The students build a portfolio of artwork, learn appropriate art vocabulary, learn historical/ cultural information, make critical assessments, and connect art to life. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Three Dimensional Design 1
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
3D Design 3
This course continues design techniques and the use of media learned in Three Dimensional Design 2. A higher level of creativity and skill is expected in the various media. The students build a portfolio of artwork, learn appropriate art vocabulary, learn historical/cultural information, make critical assessments, and connect art to life. 
 
  • Prerequisite: 3D Design 2
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
Art 1
This is a drawing and painting class that explores the basic elements and principles of design, color theory, art history, and cross-cultural art studies. Emphasis is placed on creative expression, craftsmanship, art vocabulary, and critiques. 
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts 
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
Art 2
This course continues the study and practice of drawing and painting and further applies the principles of design. Some new mediums are introduced. Projects require greater scope and depth than those in Art 1. Students are engaged in art discussions and critiques, artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, connecting and applying information, and career exploration. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Art 1 - Drawing and Painting
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
Art 3
This course extends the study, application and utilization of the elements and principles of art. Students incorporate advanced color theory, various modes of design, and comprehensive art critiques. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a working portfolio, and developing artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, connecting and applying information, and career exploration. Participating in community art events and investigating careers is also included. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Art 2 - Drawing and Painting
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
Art 4
In this course, students focus on an in-depth exploration of a number of mediums. Students work individually in a studio atmosphere, with frequent student/teacher consultation, critiques, and demonstrations and portfolio preparation. Emphasis is placed on creating artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, connecting and applying information, and career exploration. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Art 3 - Drawing and Painting
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
AP Studio Art: Drawing
The AP Art and Design course framework presents an inquiry-based approach to learning about and making art and design. Students are expected to conduct an in-depth, sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas. The framework focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within college art and design foundation courses with the same intent: to help students become inquisitive, thoughtful artists and designers able to articulate information about their work. AP Art and Design students develop and apply skills of inquiry and investigation, practice, experimentation, revision, communication, and reflection.
 
The Selected Works Section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to make and present works of art and design with minimal constraints. Each work is expected to demonstrate a skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation Section of the AP Art and Design Portfolio Exams offers students the opportunity to make and present works of art and design based on an in-depth investigation of materials, processes, and ideas done over time. The Sustained investigation is guided by questions. It involves practice, experimentation, and revision using materials, processes, and ideas. The Sustained Investigation section is expected to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Recommended Art Pathway 1, 2, 3
  • Grade Levels: 11-12
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
  • UC/CSU: Weighted
Concert Choir
Students gain the knowledge and skills that enable them to sing all levels of music literature in a choir. This principal singing group performs at several concerts, festivals, or other events during the school year. Participation at all performances is required. All aspects of music literature are studied, ranging from early classics to contemporary music
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts 
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Guitar
This course develops the knowledge of guitar techniques with an emphasis on learning to read music and developing the abilities to learn and understand the playing techniques used in playing the classical guitar. 
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts 
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Jazz Ensemble
This course extends the skills developed in Symphonic Band and adds jazz technique to the classically trained musician. Emphasis is placed in the areas of jazz history, theory, and performance. Students enrolled in Jazz Ensemble learn the fundamental aspects of jazz through the performance of standard literature from the 1920’s to the present. Students perform at two or more concerts and festivals per year. All performances are required. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in a school music ensemble or audition.
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f); College Prep Electives (g)
 
String Orchestra
String Orchestra is open to all orchestral string musicians. The instrumentation of the ensemble consists of violin, viola, cello, and double-bass. A wide variety of literature is studied from early baroque to modern compositions. Emphasis is placed on proper technique, musicianship, building responsible rehearsal habits, and developing listening and music reading skills. This is a performance-oriented ensemble, and therefore, campus and community performances are required component of the class. 
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Chamber Orchestra
Symphonic Band is a performance-based ensemble open to students who have prior experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. The ensemble consists of wind and brass instruments and percussion. Many styles of music are studied from classical to modern works. Study includes the care and cultivation of tone, building technique, responsible rehearsal habits, listening skills, and the ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Several performances outside the school day may be required.
 
  • Prerequisite: Successful completion of String Orchestra
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts(f)
 
Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is a performance-based ensemble open to students who have prior experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. The ensemble consists of wind and brass instruments and percussion. Many styles of music are studied from classical to modern works. Study includes the care and cultivation of tone, building technique, responsible rehearsal habits, listening skills, and the ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Several performances outside the school day may be required.
 
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • CSU/UC: Visual & Performing Arts(f)
 
Wind Ensemble (Advanced Music)
This advanced band course is designed to extend the development of the serious music student. This class explores concert repertoire of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. The ensemble performs frequently and may include travel to festivals. Rehearsals outside the class period may be required to prepare for concerts and festivals.
 
  • Prerequisite: Audition Only
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
Theatre Arts 1 - Beginning
This course introduces and provides experience in all aspects of theatre arts. Students study basic principles of acting, including character analysis, textual interpretation, voice, movement, collaboration, improvisation, and critical analysis of performance. Additionally, students gain a working knowledge of theatre history and the multiple forms of theatrical performance, as well as the technical aspects of theatre and theatrical design. Special emphasis is placed on theatrical vocabulary and codes of conduct, as well as the creation, production, and direction of monologues and scenes.
 
  • Prerequisite: None
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Introduction
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f) 
 
Theatre Arts 2 - Production & Performance
This course focuses on styles of acting and performance and theatrical production. Class work focuses on scene study (including research, direction, stage management, character analysis, setting analysis, and design) and monologues from various theatrical eras and genres. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Theatre 1
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f) 
 
Theatre Arts 3 - Directing for Stage
This course is an extension of the Theatre Arts program, focusing on directing for the stage. Students engage in collaborative projects with acting students during which, they develop the critical leadership skills needed to succeed in the professional world. Focus is conceiving and then creating a total concept, peer coaching, and critical analysis of theatrical works. 
 
  • Prerequisite: Theatre 2
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f) 
 
Theatre Arts 4 Honors
This advanced level course focuses on the leadership and producing components of Theatre Arts. Students develop a clear understanding of all the components of the production process while gaining the critical career skills of collaboration, organization, and peer leadership. Students learn the business of theatre while deepening their skills as an actor and director.
 
  • Prerequisite: Theatre 3
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
  • UC/CSU Weighted
Technical Theater 1- Theater Technology and Design
This course develops knowledge of and experience in all the technical (nonperformance) aspects of theatrical production. Special emphasis is placed on the elements of theatrical design (scenery, lighting, properties, sound, costumes, and hair and make-up), design analysis, stage management, and production management. Additionally, students gain hands-on experience in all aspects of technical theater. Students design or crew on two productions.
 
  • Prerequisite: None
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Introduction
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Technical Theater 2- Stage Design
Technical Theater 2 continues to refine those concepts and skills outlined in Technical Theater 1. The course broadens the focus of design to include lighting and costumes and expands the student‘s understanding of the inter-relatedness of the various design aspects. The topics covered include research techniques and tools, play analysis for visual interpretation, graphic techniques of expression including sketching, drafting, rendering and model building. Students are directly involved in the technical aspects of the productions as they design and construct sets, costumes and makeup; hang lights, create special effects; paint; and build props for the productions. Students learn specialized vocabulary and explore set design, lighting design, and costume design. Students reflect on design elements found in school an outside production with design analysis and critiques. In the second semester, students explore mood, color, application and perspective. Problem solving, leadership, and working well under pressure are stressed as the students are exposed to the history of theatrical design and current trends in technical theater.  
 
  • Prerequisite: Technical Theater 1 - Theater Technology and Design
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Technical Theatre 3 – Production Staff
Technical Theatre 3 focuses on the production staff aspects of putting on a show. Such positions include: stage manager, technical director, as well as set, costume, prop and lighting designers. As outlined in the California Department of Education State Standards, this class may require students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day.  
 
  • Prerequisite: Technical Theatre 2
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
 
Technical Theatre 4 Honors – Theatre Leadership
Technical Theatre 4 Honors deepens the focus on the production staff aspects of putting on a show. Such positions include: stage manager, technical director, as well as set, costume, prop and lighting designers. Students also must produce a production. Technical Theatre 4 Honors requires the student to investigate, arrange, and complete an internship with a professional theatre company. As outlined in the California Department of Education State Standards, this class may require students to participate in extra rehearsals and performances beyond the school day.  
 
  • Prerequisite: Technical Theatre 3
  • Graduation Credit: Visual & Performing Arts, CTE, Electives
  • CTE Course Level: Concentrator
  • UC/CSU: Visual & Performing Arts (f)
  • UC/CSU Weighted
 
 
 
 
Staff
 
PHS Visual Arts Pathway