Fine Arts
Mission Statement
ment
We educate the students of the Rutland City Schools to be active consumers of the arts who will engage in life long involvement in the arts and also respect and appreciate beauty and sensitivity.

Graduation Requirement

The Fine Arts graduation requirement is one (1) credit, of which one half (.5) is fulfilled through 311 FINE ARTS SURVEY which is required of all students.

311 THE ARTS:  WHERE DO YOU FIT IN? (Q)  .5 credit
This is a survey course of man's creativity from the cave men to present day civilization. We will explore the development of art from mere communication to its expression of human emotion. The course will approach the Fine Arts from the aspects of history, the tools of each discipline and how man utilizes the arts. The course will be team taught by theater, music and visual arts faculty. Required of all students.

ART

321 CREATIVE STRUCTURE 1 (A/B - S) .5 credit
This course will be based on beginning structural development of 3-Dimensional creations.  The emphasis will be on imagination while stressing technique and skills development. The students will develop an understanding for concepts of spatial relationships through a hands-on process.  Students will work toward more complex forms of structural exploration, first using clay techniques.

322 CREATIVE STRUCTURE 2 (A/B - S) .5 credit
The course is a continuation of Creative Structure 1 with a greater emphasis on advanced methods using structural media,depending on the interest and abilities of the individual student.  Enrollment limited to 20.
 Prerequisite:  Successful completion of 321 Creative Structure 1 and permission of the instructor.

323 INDEPENDENT STUDY (A/B - S) .5 credit
Independent study is available through the instructor for greater student in-depth enrichment. The student and instructor will formulate a written plan for supervised study and evaluation.  Emphasis will be placed on portfolio development.  The plan will be submitted to the Guidance Director for final approval.

331 BASIC DESIGN (A/B - S) .5 credit
Through a variety of projects, students will create images and learn the basics of graphic design.  Materials will include pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, pastel, watercolor and tempera paint.

332 DRAWING (A/B - S) .5 credit
Students will be introduced to various drawing techniques and media.  Basic skills will be developed by learning to see forms in space and by drawing them based on observation and invention.  Materials used will include pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, colored pencil and pastel.  Drawing is a prerequisite for 335 Advanced Placement Studio Art.

333 PAINTING (A/B - S) .5 credit
Work with the magic of color!  Students will learn the fundamentals of “building” a picture with tempera, acrylic and water color paint.  The elements and principles of design, color theory and composition will be covered through assignments, discussions and examinations of masterworks from around the world.

334 ART PORTFOLIO (A/B - S) .5 credit
This class is for motivated and hardworking students who would like to develop a body of high quality art work.  Student artists who want to be creative and to strive for excellence are encouraged to apply.  Art Portfolio is a prerequisite for Advanced Placement Studio Art.
Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor after examination of a summer portfolio.
 

335 ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART- Drawing Portfolio (Y)        2 credits
This rigorous program provides the committed advanced level student with the opportunity to prepare a portfolio to be submitted to the College Board in May.  In this year long class, the student will demonstrate the ability to draw in a variety of styles using a variety of art media and, further, will develop a body or artwork centered on a theme of the student's choice.  The college level instructors who examine the portfolio will be looking for quality, breadth and development of a concentration.  Interested students and their parents must meet with the instructor in May before the school year in
which they will take the course.  During the summer, the prospective student must be prepared to do artwork, some of which will be specified assignments.  For the final stage of the admissions process, the student's summer portfolio  will be reviewed at the end of August by the Rutland School District Visual Arts Faculty. Prerequisite: 332 Drawing and 334 Art Portfolio

MUSIC

339 CHORUS - GRADE 9 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
340 CHORUS - GRADES 10 - 12 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
These R.H.S. performing groups are for all students.  Objectives of the course are the exploration and enjoyment of choral singing.  Students will learn proper vocal technique, teamwork and performance skills.  We will study and perform music of various styles including pop, folk, spirituals, classics and Broadway!  A requirement of this course is a culminating public performance each semester.

341 CONCERT BAND - GRADE 9 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
342 SYMPHONIC BAND - GRADES 10 - 12 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
These R.H.S. performing groups are for all students who play or want to play a band instrument.  The band has a great tradition.  It is the oldest performing organization in the school.  The primary objective of the course is the exploration and enjoyment of music expression on an instrument.  Students will learn teamwork, performance skills, good playing habits and the fundamentals of music theory.  The band will study and perform music in a variety of genres and styles. The RHS RED
RAIDER BAND represents our school's spirit throughout the state and the nation. The band appears regularly at concerts, parades, football games and events at the local, state and national level. Members represent the pride of Rutland High School.  Applied instruction and public performances are course criteria.

343 ORCHESTRA / STRING ENSEMBLE - GRADES 9 - 12 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
The Orchestra/String Ensemble is open to violin, viola, cello and string bass players.  The group will be supplemented by wind and percussion members auditioned from the Symphonic Band.

344 CHORUS / CONCERT BAND - GRADE 9 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
A combination of 339 Chorus and  341 Concert Band.

345 CHORUS / SYMPHONIC BAND - GRADE 10 - 12 (A/B - Y) 1 credit
A combination of 340 Chorus and 342 Symphonic Band.

346 CHORUS /ORCHESTRA - GRADE 9 (A/B - Y) 1 credit
A combination of 339 Chorus and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.

347 CHORUS / ORCHESTRA  - GRADES 10 - 12 (A/B - Y) 1 credit
A combination of 340 Chorus and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.

348 CONCERT BAND / ORCHESTRA  - Grade 9 (A/B - Y) 1credit
A combination of 341 Concert Band and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.

349 SYMPHONIC BAND / ORCHESTRA  - GRADES 10 - 12 (A/B - Y) 1 credit
A combination of 342 Symphonic Band and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.

350 CHORUS/CONCERT BAND/  ORCHESTRA  - Grade 9 (A/B - Y) 1 credit
A combination of 339 Chorus, 341 Concert Band, and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.
 

351 CHORUS / SYMPHONIC BAND / ORCHESTRA  - GRADES 10 - 12 (A/B - Y)  1 credit
A combination of 340 Chorus, 342 Symphonic Band and 343 Orchestra/String Ensemble.

352 CHAMBER SINGERS (A/B - Y) 1 credit
Membership in this small SATB (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) chorus is by audition only.  The chamber singers explore a wide repertoire from 16th century madrigals to show choir. Singers in this group have performed in the District, Vermont Madrigal, All State and New England Music Festivals. The group frequently performs throughout the community and state as musical representatives of Rutland High School. Public performance and audition preparation are criteria of this course.
Prerequisite:  Chorus membership.

353 JAZZ ENSEMBLE / STAGE BAND (A/B - Y)               1 credit
Membership in this instrumental ensemble of drums, guitars, keyboard, saxophones, trombones and trumpets is by audition only.  The group will perform charts in all big band jazz and pop styles.  As an ambassador for Rutland High School, the group performs for many civic and community functions.  Public performance and audition preparation are criteria of this course.
Prerequisite:  Band or Chorus membership.

354 JAZZ / CHAMBERS (A/B - Y)  1 credit
A combination of 352 Chamber Singers and 353 Jazz Ensemble on an alternating schedule format.

355 MUSIC THEORY (Q) (S)  .5 credit or 1 credit
This course will introduce the student to intervals, triadic harmony, root position and inversion, ear training, sight reading and diction.

356 THE BEST OF BROADWAY (Q) .5 credit
A survey of Broadway hits from Showboat to Phantom of the Opera, and many points in between.  The course will consider the plots and principal songs and is open to all students.

357 POP MUSIC PAST and PRESENT (Q) .5 credit
What are the influences of the past on music of today?  The student will study bands and artists from the past and compare their styles to the 90’s. We will explore all of today’s sounds with emphasis on Alternative Rock, Rock n’ Roll, Motown, Rhythm & Blues, ethnic influences and other interests of the class.

358 INDEPENDENT STUDY (Q) (S) .5 credit or 1 credit
Independent study is available through our instructors for student in-depth enrichment in music.  Examples include:  String Ensemble, Flutations (flute choir), Unpredictables (girls select voices), Brass Choir and Percussion Ensemble.
Prerequisite:  Instructor permission.

359 CLASSICAL MUSIC - GREATEST HITS (Q) .5 credit
Do you ever wonder who wrote the background music for your favorite cartoon? Commercial?  You may be surprised!  We will explore various styles of music and why they have withstood the test of time.

360 WIND ENSEMBLE (A/B - Y)  1 credit
This a new performance opportunity for those musicians who want to pursue more challenging literature and hone their musical skills.  The Wind Ensemble will be available only to those who audition in the Spring of 2000.  It is open to all grade levels.
Prerequisite: Concert or Symphonic Band membership.

361 BEGINNING GUITAR (Q)  .5 credit
In this course, students will learn rudimental theory through singing, playing the guitar (both classical and folk) and recorder in this basic musicianship class. (Guitars will be provided.)

THEATER

363 INTRODUCTION TO THEATER / SCENE WORK (Q) .5 credit
Learn to develop scenes to a performance level.  Students will learn to interpret characters, divide the play into "French" scenes and scenes into "beats."  The message of the playwright will be discussed, along with the actor's and director's roles in getting the message to the audience.  The final project will be a scene presented for the class.

364 DRAMA 1 (Q) .5 credit
Drama 1 is open to all students.  Students in this course will explore drama through themes such as relationships, humor, power and transformation: why people change, and what makes society change. Through improvisation and theater exercises, the students will explore these themes and develop the skills necessary to create drama, i.e. projection, concentration, focusing, listening, discussion, movement, memory and sharing. They will create scenes using improvisations
which solve problems and communicate new ways of looking at particular issues.

365 DRAMA 2 (Q) .5 credit
Drama 2 will be a continuation of Drama 1.  The themes explored in this course will include censorship and sub-text.  Through improvisations, the students will continue to explore this form of  theater.  They will also continue to develop their skills learned in Drama 1 with the addition of ensemble, directing and risk taking.
Prerequisite: Drama 1.

366 ADVANCED THEATER (S) 1 credit
Planning to continue in theater beyond high school, either in college or in the community? This course is for you!  This is primarily a performance course.  Students will study theater history, technical theater, play evaluating, view plays, perform scenes and study classical styles of acting.  Famous actors and directors will be discussed.  Scenes will be developed to performance level and possibly presented to classes studying those plays or historical periods.
Prerequisites:  Permission of the instructor after presentation of a monologue or written essay on technical theatre.

367 THE COMPANY (Q) .5 credit
This group will use the tools gained in Drama 1 and 2 to create two or three new works per year.  The theme or content ofthese works will be chosen by the director/teacher, or outside agency or the members of the company.  They will be performed for a variety of audiences and will have a relevancy to the Rutland community.
Prerequisites: 364 Drama 1 and 365 Drama 2 or 366 Advanced Theatre or permission of the instructor.

368 STAGECRAFT AND DESIGN (Q) .5 credit
There are many and varied aspects of backstage theatre.  During "311 The Arts:  Where Do You Fit In?", the basic principles of theatre design were introduced.  In this class, the student will venture into a more in-depth study of the following areas of backstage theatre:  costumes, wet, props, sound, lights and make-up.  Students will learn more about each area and then choose one area for a final project.  Students with interest in the visual arts may wish to consider taking this course to discover a unique approach to visual art.
Prerequisite: 311  The Arts:  Where Do You Fit In?

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