Studio Art

The goals of this course are to learn basic skills of drawing, painting, design, and ceramics. Additionally, students will be introduced to art history, and learn how to critically and constructively look at and critique works of art.

Beginning Band:

Weber, Fred, First Division Band Method, Parts 1 & 2, Belwin-Mills Corp., Miami, Florida
Supplemental Materials: Foss, W.A., various music selections edited, arranged and/or composed (copyright-all rights reserved)
Various composers and or arrangers, published musical compositions

Beginning Band is for students enrolled in 6th or 7th grades as well as those students who have just entered Aiken Preparatory School in grades 8 through 10, not having been in Band in a prior year. In Beginning Band, the learner will become capable of public performance on one or more standard Band Instruments. The learner will also gain greater understanding of teamwork and the concepts of working together to accomplish a major goal for all members of the group. In addition, the learner will begin to gain an understanding of group dynamics and their importance in all life activities.

EVALUATION: Will be based upon a combination of daily classroom work, homework (practice at home) and frequent announced playing tests in class.

Concert Band

Foss, W.A., various music selections edited, arranged and/or composed (copyright). Various composers and or arrangers, published musical compositions

Concert Band is comprised of 7-l2 graders who have successfully completed 1 or more years of prior band experience. In Concert Band the learner will expand the ability of public performance on one or more standard Band Instruments. The learner will also expand an understanding of teamwork and the concepts of working together to accomplish a major goal for all members of the group. In addition, the learner will expand their understanding of group dynamics and their importance in all life activities and grow more capable of applying their skills in this area.

EVALUATION: Will be based upon a combination of daily classroom work, homework (practice) and successful playing on scheduled Concert Band performances throughout the year.

Conditioning Styles 1

Dance conditioning is a foundation class – offered to any grade level in the high school setting. The primary goal of the course is exploring dance in its entirety through the body. This course is designed to develop an understanding how the muscles in the human body mechanically work, how to change their life style in a positive environment, learning new techniques to working out without using weights (various resistive equipment). Such topic/genres are creative movement, anatomy and physiology, weight training, healthy eating and conditioning (Elliptical, BAPS, Pilates Mat Work, Pilates Deck, Physio-Ball, Yoga, Jazz Warm-up, Thera-Band Resistive Band), learning about stress, discovering sleep and how it affects their life in and out of school/academics, designing and monitoring eating habits, developing a healthy way of eating, Body Mass Index, and tackling current news – for example: obesity.

Participation and attendance are vital to the success of the students since movement is given daily and built upon. Written work is also part of the curriculum. Students are expected to complete a dance scrapbook or magazine, the students are to complete a personal research paper focusing on each student’s development as an individual; and finally the students develop a comprehensive portfolio at the end of the year.

Theatre Arts

Basic Drama Projects – 8th Edition; Introduction to Theatre Arts; Improv Ideas; Selected Scenes and One-Act Play from Contemporary Drama Service

Drama is an elective course that provides students with a broad understanding of Drama and Theatre Appreciation. Elements of Acting, Playwriting, Technical Theatre, and Theatre History are explored. Students will participate in a guided tour of the USCA Theatre Department; this tour will include the costume, scenery, and lighting of both the Etherredge Center for Fine and Performing Arts and the O’Connell Experimental Theatre. Students will also receive instruction on theatrical makeup with the guidance of a visiting makeup artist. The fundamentals of acting will also be explored through ongoing improvisational exercises and extensive scene work. The acting “experience” will culminate with a one-act play to be performed for the entire high school at the end of the year.

Assessment is based on participation in all acting exercises; in addition, students are also assessed by written quizzes and exams following each drama unit.