Fine & Performing Arts Department

With 17 Fine & Performing Arts classes, there are a multitude of creative outlets for our students to choose from. Our campus houses an art studio, video production and broadcasting lab, ceramics facility with kiln, music production studio, graphic design and media center, and black box theatre. There is a space for all our artistic minds to grow and flourish.

 

During the year-long course, students will develop skills in the practice and production of drawing and painting using the basics of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Students will study artistic philosophy, art criticism, and art history. Observational drawing skills will be focused, and new media and techniques introduced. Students will work with various art materials such as pencil (graphite & colored), pastels, ink, and paint. Students will analyze visual artworks through group and individual written and oral critiques. Students will use sketchbooks to explore the artistic process, experiment with materials, and analyze work. Students will use the studio environment of the class to support analysis, reflection, and refinement of their work. Students will work consistently in class, meet deadlines, develop ideas, create sketches, and prepare materials. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

Advanced Art is a year-long upper division visual arts course designed for the student interested in pursuing a career in the field of art. The student will create more complex works utilizing concepts and techniques developed in Intro Art. Students must be committed to work both inside and outside the classroom, as well as complete required museum visits. Independent rather than teacher generated works will be encouraged utilizing set criteria but allowing for student individuality as well as cultural diversity. Refinement of observational drawing skills and use of new media will be stressed. The student will be required to analyze visual artworks through group and individual written and oral critiques in a forum where dialogue based on aesthetics is respected and encouraged. The student will be required to incorporate previously learned drawing and painting techniques. The student will produce two original artworks for concentration that challenge the student conceptually and technologically. The concentration pieces are the student’s own theme, chosen media and the result of personal creative experiences. These pieces should correspond with research of an artist who uses the chosen media or theme. The concentration pieces should be the final exhibition of proficiency in all areas of the visual arts previously learned. Instructor approval is required. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

The AP Studio Art & Design Portfolio course is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art and wish to develop mastery in the concept, composition, and execution of their ideas. The AP Studio Art & Design Portfolio requires students to produce a minimum of 15 works of art that reflect issues related to art and design, which is submitted for evaluation at the end of the school year. Portfolios that receive a grade of 3, 4, or 5 by the AP testing board may earn the student college credit, depending on the institution to which they may apply. In building the portfolio, students experience a variety of concepts, techniques and approaches designed to help them demonstrate their abilities as well as their versatility with techniques, conceptualization and problem solving. Instructor approval is required. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester. 

 

In Art Design students will be guided through the construction of various two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms and design techniques utilizing numerous materials, elements and design principles. Students will gain skill and experience working with a multitude of materials, through the mediums of cardboard, paper, wire, foil, fibers, colored pencils, ink, and paint. Students will investigate a diverse range of art forms while gaining knowledge of professional artists, and art movements throughout history. Teacher demonstrations will be provided, showing a variety of techniques providing multiple opportunities for students to practice, create, present, respond, and connect to the world. Students will keep a sketchbook to develop ideas, create sketches, and experiment with materials. As a whole, this course will provide students with a deeper understanding of art and design principles, as they build confidence in their artistic ability and communication skills.

 

Graphic Design is a computer/art course for students who are interested in the graphics design field. The Elements and principles of Art and the California Visual Arts Standards will guide the curriculum as students develop visual understanding and apply critical thinking skills. Students will develop skills in manipulating text and images. They will be given various design problems and will explore solutions for them. Students will increase their proficiency in all areas of the design process. This includes the application of formal design principles, type as image, creative brainstorming, conceptualizing, critical thinking, collaboration, and presentation. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

Students will learn to manipulate and expand their control of clay as a medium for sculpture. In the first part of the course, students will become familiar with the structure of the class, specifically the safety procedures they must follow. Students will learn and be expected to meet quality standards for craftsmanship, form, design, and shape. With the creation of utilitarian objects, methods will be taught to impart color into the body and surface of these pieces. Methods of construction include, but are not limited to, the use of coil, slab, drape, and pinch. Students will have an opportunity to experiment with a potter’s wheel to create pieces. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

Advanced Ceramics is an upper division visual arts course. The student will create more complex works utilizing concepts and techniques developed in Introduction to Ceramics. Independent rather than teacher generated works will be encouraged utilizing set criteria but allowing for student individuality as well as cultural diversity. Refinement of craftsmanship, form, design, and shape will be stressed. With the creation of utilitarian and decorative objects, methods will be taught and reviewed to impart color into the body and surface of these pieces. Methods of construction include, but are not limited to, the use of coil, slab, drape, and pinch. Students will have an opportunity to experiment with a potter’s wheel to create pieces. The student will be required to analyze artworks through group and individual written and oral critiques in a forum where dialogue based on aesthetics is respected and encouraged. Students qualify for the course with a B or higher in both Fall and Spring semesters of Introduction to Ceramics. Instructor approval is required.

 

This year-long course is designed for students who are interested in learning the fundamentals of digital photographic manipulation and the digital process of producing and editing publications. The Elements and principles of Art and the California Visual Arts Standards will guide the curriculum as students develop visual understanding and apply critical thinking skills. Students will create, format, illustrate, design, edit/revise, and print publications. Proofreading, document composition, and communication competencies are also included. Students will identify the way text, graphics, and photos are used in advertising, commerce, and publicity, and practice how to control them to create their own layouts. Creating the school yearbook is a major part of this curriculum.

 

In this year-long course, students are responsible for the production of the school’s yearbook. As a student in Honors Yearbook 2, students provide leadership skills working with new yearbook students in a mentor role. They will critique previous books and present their thoughts on design, typography, theme, layout, and photography, giving new students a clear understanding of what makes a strong yearbook. In addition to the responsibility of their own pages, second year staff will edit pages completed by follow staffers offering suggestions for improvements and checking for detail cohesion within the book as a whole. Continuing students enjoy both more responsibility for and more input toward not only the yearbook as a publication, but also in the functioning and duties of the staff as well. Instructor approval is required.

 

In this year-long course, students are responsible for the production of the school’s yearbook. As a student in Honors Yearbook 3, students provide leadership skills as an “editor” of at least one section of the publication. Editors will play a crucial role in developing and creating the following year’s theme and major design elements. They will also work with new yearbook students in a mentor role. They will critique previous books and present their thoughts on design, typography, theme, layout, and photography, giving new students a clear understanding of what makes a strong yearbook. In addition to the responsibility of their own pages, second year staff will edit pages completed by follow staffers offering suggestions for improvements and checking for detail cohesion within the book as a whole. Continuing students enjoy both more responsibility for and more input toward not only the yearbook as a publication, but also in the functioning and duties of the staff as well. Instructor approval is required.

 

Yearbook Honors: Advanced Media Leadership is a year-long capstone option in which students undertake editorial positions, which teach leadership skills. Editors in this class have successfully completed prerequisites in design, photography, and journalism production and writing. This leads to a year of serving in a design leadership role in the production team for the student yearbook, as well as studying college and career options and preparing for the future. Leadership options will range from serving as the chief design organizer and planner of story teams to serving as editors over larger staffs. In this course, students will demonstrate mastery of all publication design principles, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, through planning a comprehensive design scheme for the print production of the school yearbook. 

 

This class is designed to teach students to communicate through live and recorded moving images, primarily in the digital domain. They will learn the technical, theoretical, critical and historical concepts involved in video and film production, from filming to editing and post-production. Upon completion of this class, students will have a practical and philosophical understanding of a wide array of concepts inherent in video production and filmed performance, demonstrated by their digital portfolio of filmed projects, screenplays, critiques, and other work. Class maximum is 20 students. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

This course is designed to build on the knowledge, understanding, and practical experience of gathering, writing, and producing news for broadcast media. Theory and hands-on activities include camera operation, teleprompting, script writing and editing, video editing, and creating news packages. Students will be exposed to the operation of a broadcast newsroom, interviewing techniques, and media criticism. Students will gain the necessary skills and information to continue their education in the field of broadcast journalism at the college level. Students will work in teams, participating in a series of projects which showcases their reporting, editing, and production skills for broadcast media. The goal of this course is to create a daily broadcast news show that is viewed by the entire student body.

 

The purpose of the course is to give students an overview of theatre in general. The essential questions for the course are: What are the most important tools of the actor? Who’s who in the theatre? The answer to these questions will be explored in various units of study including stage movement, pantomime, voice, improv, and playwriting. Students will engage in monologue and scene work, as well as study theater history within each of these units. Career exploration of the theater and entertainment industries will be incorporated into each unit, with guest speakers as available. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

Advanced Theater Arts is designed for the students interested in pursuing further study of the Dramatic Arts. Students will explore topics such as monologue work, theater history, costume/set/lighting design, and script/character analysis in depth. Students will also explore the process of devising and performing original work. Students will have the opportunity to perform at lunch and on occasion after school. Fall semester must be taken to enroll in Spring semester.

 

Students will leave this class with a practical and philosophical understanding of a wide array of concepts inherent in musical performance. This will be accomplished through: learning and executing proper vocal technique; rehearsing and performing a varied repertoire of vocal music; as soloists, in small ensembles, and with full ensemble; learning fundamentals of performance on standard accompaniment instruments – piano, guitar, bass, drums; rehearsing and performing on at least one of these instruments; learning and demonstrating concepts of staging, choreography, and blocking; and learning and demonstrating the ability to create and manipulate live performances and recordings 51 of musical and musical-theater performances, through the use of sound amplification and recording equipment. Students who successfully complete two consecutive semesters of the Music Production course will fulfill the (F) requirement for the University of California entrance requirements. The students of the Music Production classes are also invited to join the BMHS Music Department Spring Tour, which usually takes place over Spring Break.

 

Wind Ensemble includes instrumental music students at all levels, from first-day beginners to professional performers, on these instruments: piano, guitar, bass, drums, strings: violin, viola, cello, and bass, all woodwind instruments (i.e., flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, bassoon), all brass instruments (i.e., trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba), and all percussion instruments (i.e., snare drum, quad toms, bass drum, cymbals, marimba, xylophone, etc.) Students that join as pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers (rhythm section) will be rotated (take turns) as needed, since each of these is a solo instrument in performance. Students will learn and refine their technique on their instrument(s), as well as learning to project their musicianship through artful performance, both as a soloist and with others.

Wind Ensemble includes the following performing groups, organized on a schedule that allows all students to participate according to their desire and ability:

All ensembles are offered zero period and seventh period and may be offered during the regular school day if the minimum class enrollment is met. Students who participate in at least 4 hours minimum rehearsal per week can choose to receive UC-F Fine Arts credit.

The students of the Wind Ensemble groups are also invited to join the BMHS Music Department Spring Tour, which usually takes place over Spring Break.