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Special Education |
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Visual
and Performing Arts |
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VISUAL
ART
- A continuum of Art
courses for students in grades 9-12 is available for both the
student artist as well as the student who wishes to study only
certain aspects of visual art.
- In addition to Art
I, II, III, and IV, elective courses in Visual and Performing
Arts Foundations, Jewelry and Metals, Drawing (Introductory and
Advanced levels), Painting (Introductory and Advanced levels),
Art Appreciation, Art as Expression, World Crafts (Introductory,
Intermediate & Advanced levels), Pottery, Sculpture, Creative
Technical Art, and Animation 1 & 2 are offered.
- Advanced Placement
courses in History of Art and Studio Art are offered.
- Students' artwork
is displayed in the foyer of the core facility and student created
murals can be found in the cafeteria.
- Visual art instruction
focuses on art appreciation, studio art, as well as elements of
critique and design.
- Students' work is
exhibited at the District Art Night in early Spring and at the
High School Showcase Night in June. As well, students participate
in various local and area competitions.
- Staff work closely
with junior and senior students to develop portfolios for those
pursuing advanced study in art after high school.
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DANCE
- Dance I - this
course will develop the physical skills and movement associated
with dance performance. Students will study the terminology, form
and structures in dance, as well as the history of dance and it's
importance in various cultures. Students will view, analyze and
evaluate the work of acclaimed choreographers and dance artists.
Students will learn and recognize basic choreographic techniques.
Participation in public performances will be a part of the course
requirements.
- Dance II -
this course is designed to further refine and develop skills Developed
in Dance I. Students will study an advanced level of dance techniques
from Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance, and will begin to Develop
artistry in their movement skills. Students will also expand their
knowledge of dance history and dance terminology. Advanced studies
in composition and choreography, including the creative process,
will be emphasized. Participation in public performances will
be a part of the course requirements.
- Dance III -
this course is designed for students desiring an in-depth study
in the art of dance. Students will refine their technical skills
in the advanced technical levels of Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance,
and will enhance their level of artistry. Advanced units in dance
history and terminology will prepare students for college course
work. Students will have the opportunity to create choreography
and gain personal experience in the role of choreographer and
director. Students will participate in a dance production during
the school year.
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THEATER
- Exploring the Theater
- this course is an introduction to all phases of the theater
experience, including pantomime, improvisation, basic acting techniques,
body movement, audition techniques, stagecraft, make-up, theater
history and play production.
- Actor's Studio
- this course offers intensive exercises in voice, movement, imagination,
concentration and character Development. Examination of various
acting theories prepares the student for practical application
of the art of acting. Technical theater is introduced with the
study of scenery, lighting, costume, make-up, and other design
techniques. As a culminating activity, the class will present
a complete dramatic production.
- Theater Production
- students in this class will learn the various aspects of producing
a theatrical production, from the beginning organizational details
to final product. Scenery design and construction, props and use
of color, style and compositional techniques will be studied.
Students will also gain practical experience in the technical
aspects of lighting and sound design, costume design and production,
and application of make-up.
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MUSIC
Washington Township was
selected as one of the top 100 communities in the nation for Music
Education in 2001. This award was given by the American Music Conference
(AMC) and was a joint survey project of the AMC, Music Teachers
National Association, National School Boards Association, VH-1 Save
the Music Foundation and Yamaha Corporation. During the 2002-03
school year, Washington Township High School was recognized as a
Grammy Signature School by the NARAS Foundation, for its extensive
music program.
- Music Theory I
- this course will give students a basic understanding of
the principles surrounding the creation of music. Units of study
include the fundamentals of music, structural elements of music,
harmonization and analysis, and aural skills development. The
course emphasizes compositional skills through in-class and independent
writing using both traditional and computer-assisted notation.
- Advanced Placement
Music Theory II - in addition to the study of advanced harmony,
melodic and rhythmic concepts, in established or original music,
students will be assigned a variety of composition and arrangement
projects individually and in small groups. Analysis of complex
harmonic structures and the development of aural skills through
sight-singing and dictation will be integral to the course. Upon
successful completion of this course, students will be eligible
to take the Advanced Placement Music Theory Test as administered
by the College Board.
- Music Technology/MIDI
- this course introduces students to the modern methods of music
production, using a variety of computer and MIDI keyboard technologies
in a sixteen-station computer lab with state-of-the-art hardware
and software. Students will be able to utilize computer-based
sequencers, music notation and play-along programs. Students will
learn to create, publish and record their own musical projects.
- MIDI 2/Digital
Recording - The skills learned in Music Technology/MIDI are
refined and improved in this course. In addition, students will
learn to use state-of-the-art digital recording equipment and
software to record, edit and produce recordings in a hands-on
environment. Recording and editing of school events for large
scale distribution will be integral to the course.
- Guitar I -
This course is an introductory beginning level course for students
interested in learning how to play the most popular of all folk
instruments. Music reading skills will be emphasized and practiced
on a daily basis. Students will also learn the concepts of reading
chord notation and tablature.
- Guitar II -
Students taking this course will continue to refine the skills
learned in Guitar I. More advanced music reading skills will be
learned through daily classroom practice and instruction. Guitar
ensemble music will be integral to the course and include outside
performance opportunities.
- Guitar III
- Further refinement of the skills learned in the earlier guitar
courses will be the focus of this course. Students will develop
advanced playing abilities that include solo and ensemble work.
Performance opportunities in and outside of the school setting
will be encouraged.
- Band - Three
classes of band are offered for students wishing to play traditional
band instruments. All band instrumentalists must audition for
placement in a band class. The Concert Band is for developing
musicians, the Symphonic Band is for the more advanced players,
and the Wind Ensemble is for the musically accelerated students.
Instrumental technique, ensemble technique, music literacy, music
history, critical listening and etiquette as a performer will
be covered in these classes. Daily rehearsals will prepare students
for a number of concert and festival performances during the year.
Weekly small group lessons supplement the daily classroom instruction.
- Marching Band
- This is an elective course for students that wish to participate
in Marching Band. Students must complete an audition and be concurrently
placed in one of the three band courses that meet during the school
day. Students in this course will develop their musical talents
and abilities both as an individual performer and as a group participant
in the marching band genre, as presented during the academic school
year. This course includes after school rehearsals and performances
to develop the following: instrumental technique, ensemble technique,
marching/movement skills, music literacy/history, critical listening/evaluation
skills, etiquette as a performer, and musicianship. The Marching
Band performs at all football games, a number of competitive events
including the Chapter One Championships and Atlantic Coast Championships
of the Tournament of Bands. Every two years, the band travels
to a national level festival or performance. Past trips have taken
the band to Virginia, Canada, Florida, Kentucky, and in 1996,
the band participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena,
California.
- Chorus - Students
interested in vocal instruction have a number of opportunities
for participation. The high school offers two Mixed Choruses,
two Women's Choruses, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. Students
are placed in the vocal ensembles through audition. Vocal technique,
ensemble technique, music literacy, music history, critical listening
and etiquette as a performer will be covered in these classes.
Daily rehearsals will prepare students for a number of concert
and festival performances during the year. Weekly small group
vocal lessons supplement the daily classroom instruction. Every
two years, the vocal ensembles travel to national festivals. Past
trips have included festivals in Virginia, Georgia, Canada and
Massachusetts.
- Orchestra -
String students are given the opportunity to participate in two
classes, String Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. The String Ensemble
is for developing string player and the Symphony Orchestra is
designed for the accomplished string player. The Symphony Orchestra
teams up with members of the Wind Ensemble to present full orchestra
performances. Instrumental technique, ensemble technique, music
literacy, music history, critical listening and etiquette as a
performer will be covered in these classes. Daily rehearsals will
prepare students for a number of concert and festival performances
during the year. Weekly small group lessons supplement the daily
classroom instruction. Chamber music instruction is an integral
part of the small group instruction. All orchestra students participate
in the annual American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Festival
held on the high school campus. Every two years, the orchestra
ensembles travel to national level festivals. Past trips have
included festivals in Virginia, Georgia, Canada and Massachusetts.
- Applied Music
- Students enrolled in any of the music courses are given the
opportunity to obtain credit for private study outside of school.
Applied Music students are required to attend and document a minimum
number of lessons during a semester, maintain records of their
study material, and perform in a jury for the music faculty at
the end of each semester.
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