INTRODUCTION TO ART

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the elements and principles of design. Evaluation standards will be explained to students and provided to them as a scoring guide based on originality, composition, presentation, technical quality, and time management. Students’ works will be evaluated based on the creativity of the work, while staying within the evaluation parameters provided. The goals and standards will be met by explaining the elements and principles of design in lecture format, supplemented with slides and examples of artwork. Lab fees will be charged.

 

DRAWING AND PAINTING

Entry Level: 10

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Introduction to Art

This course is an exploration of two-dimensional techniques, focusing on drawing & painting media. The course focuses on the introduction to observational, expressive, and formal modes of drawing and introduction to the principles and practice of painting. Evaluation standards will be explained to students and provided to them as a scoring guide based on originality, composition, presentation, technical quality, and time management. The goals and standards will be met by explaining the elements and principles of design in lecture format, supplemented with slides and examples of artwork. Lab fees will be charged.

 

ART LAB

Entry Level: 11

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting

The course is designed for students who are in their third or fourth year of art. This course is especially directed toward those preparing an art portfolio for college entrance. It is advanced study in areas of individual interest with increased emphasis on analysis of structural, formal, and aesthetic relationships in the expression of space and form. The course is designed to allow the experienced art student to investigate specific areas of art in depth. Students who take this course must be self-motivated and self-directed as well as cooperative and responsible. The goals and standards will be met by explaining the advanced elements and principles of design in lecture format, supplemented with slides and examples of artwork. The assessment of work will be completed through critical analysis of work through individual and group critiques. Evaluation standards will be explained to students and provided to them as a scoring guide based on originality, composition, presentation, technical quality, and time management.  This course may be repeated. Lab fees will be charged. 

*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

DRAMA 1

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

Welcome to your troupe! Whether you are a seasoned local actor, a totally freaked beginner, or someone who wants to focus on backstage work, we will introduce you to the exciting world of live stage performance. This class is an introduction to all aspects of theatre: acting, improv, design, tech, and theatre history, plus the opportunity to read and watch several great plays that everyone should know.  No matter what direction you want to go with theatre in your life, this is the class to start with!

 

DRAMA 2

Entry Level: 10

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Drama 1

You’re ready for the next step into Drama 2, a more advanced on-stage theatre course. Emphasizing a troupe approach to acting, writing, directing, musical theatre, film, and one-act plays, you’ll get your chance to write, edit, direct, and perform in a variety of theatrical forms with a terrific troupe of supportive and like-minded actors. Your spot in the circle is waiting!
 

STAGECRAFT (Technical Theatre)

Entry Level: 10

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Drama 1 (requirement may be waived with teacher’s permission)

This is a workshop designed to build the skills necessary to make the magic happen in our theatre spaces! Techs will learn the fundamentals of stage lighting, sound design, prop construction, projection design, set design and construction, costume design, and stage management. Techs also create and build the sets for our shows and learn how to deal effectively with theatre clientele. This class has physical demands as well as strict safety rules. 

 

PERFORMERS

Entry Level: 11

Length: Year

Prerequisite:  Drama 2

*Students in this course may be eligible to register for college credit

Performers is our most challenging acting course, specifically designed for the student who wants to focus on acting technique and auditioning for roles beyond high school. Warm-ups and exercises are designed to bring out expressiveness in the voice, body and gestures. Through script analysis, in-depth character work, and explorations in accents, acting for stage and film, stage combat, and directing, the actor will gain skill, confidence, and expressiveness as well as a toolbox with which to create a thousand subtle characters. This course may be repeated. 

*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

SEWING

Entry Level: 9

Length: Semester

Everyone should know how to sew on a button and fix a ripped pair of pants. Come learn this and much, more more in our sewing class! You will learn how to sew by hand and with a machine. You’ll make a couple of guided starter projects and then get to design and make your own stuff! All skill levels are welcome - projects can be tailored to each student’s particular skill level. 

 

ADVANCED SEWING

Entry Level: 10

Length: Semester

Prerequisites: Sewing

This course is designed for those who have taken sewing and are ready for more challenging and complex skill-building.  Reading and working from full patterns, an introduction to tailoring, and developing a fuller sewing vocabulary are going to shape you into a highly-skilled sewist.  You’ll make your own projects on a bigger and more detail-oriented scale.

 

CONCERT CHOIR

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

This mixed-voice choir is designed to provide students with an introductory education of music reading and performance, sight reading, music history and a further understanding of the human voice. This course does call for some evening concerts that are part of the final grade. This course is open to all students without an audition.

 

SYMPHONIC CHOIR

Entry Level: 10

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Audition

Symphonic Choir is the largest choir at SHS and serves as our competitive varsity vocal ensemble. This course is based on an audition by the director and each student needs permission before scheduling this class.  Students should be highly musically advanced beyond the 9th grade level, and willing to work for the total course objectives.  Symphonic Choir does demand out-of-class time during the year for multiple performances. Students must maintain OSAA athletic/activities eligibility to participate. 

*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

PIONAIRES

Entry Level: 10

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Audition

This advanced level course is by audition only and concentrates on the performance of acapella, pop and other genres of music.  This course demands a significant amount of out-of-class time for performances and rehearsals, and is best suited for advanced musicians and hard-working individuals

 *This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

GUITAR 1

Entry Level: 9

Length: Semester

This class is open to all students regardless of previous musical/guitar experience. Topics that will be covered include strumming technique, chord shapes, rhythm, tuning, solo lines, ensemble playing, reading sheet music and guitar tabs, as well as history, composition and songwriting. 

 

GUITAR 2

Entry Level: 9

Length: Semester

Prerequisite:  Guitar 1

This course continues the development of techniques and skills from Guitar 1 and applies them in new and more advanced contexts. Topics that will be covered include advanced chord shapes, advanced strumming and picking patterns, contextual roles (rhythm vs. lead guitar), soloing, extended techniques, scales, improvisation, composition and songwriting, ensemble skills, reading classical notation, and others. 
 

CREATIVE PERCUSSION 

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

Prerequisite: None

Hit things! Win! This course will progress through three seasons of percussive performance, starting with Drum Line using Field percussion for the Football Season. Winter brings us indoors for bucket brigades, trash bands, and concert percussion. In Spring we write our own jams for the fall, and continue with bucket jams and world music. Several field trip opportunities are provided to experience the world of percussive arts in the northwest.

No experience necessary, we will give you everything you need. This is a great chance to have the power of music in your life! This is not a club, it is an elective credit course. Get credit to bang on things! Win!

 

WIND ENSEMBLE

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Prior instrumental experience 

This is the most advanced instrumental ensemble at SHS. The group has many performances per year, including several contests in Oregon, and sometimes California. Students in the Wind Ensemble also can perform as part of chamber ensembles and as soloists. The focus is on broadening their musical vocabulary through performing a wide variety of styles, and playing some of the greatest compositions in wind band literature. The group also plays at football games as the Pio Pep Band. Students must maintain OSAA athletic/activities eligibility to participate.  Varsity Letters are available. 

*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

JAZZ ENSEMBLE 

Entry Level: 9

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Prior instrumental experience

Jazz ensemble is a performance group consisting of up to five saxophones, five trumpets, five trombones, and a rhythm section (guitar, bass, drum set, piano, and auxiliary percussion).  We will explore several jazz styles, as well as rock and funk.  Several performances per year are required, including competitions, festivals, and concerts.  The focus of the course is performance, with an emphasis on jazz technique, improvisation, ensemble skills and studies of style. 

*This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.

 

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Entry Level: 9

Length -Year

Pre-requisite- none

Students will study popular and contemporary music styles and learn how to create and perform them. We will study musical forms and structures, and what goes into making a great performance in every way.

• Core Instruments: Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals, and music technology.
• Genres: Rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, Latin, country, and more.
• Skills: Improvisation, composition, music theory through a modern lens, and collaborative performance. 

 

THE FOLLOWING CLASS WILL BE OFFERED FOR THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR DEPENDING ON ENROLLMENT

 

AP MUSIC THEORY

Length: Year

Prerequisite: Fluent Music Reading

This course aims to prepare students for success on the AP Music Theory Exam. Topics covered are sight-singing, dictation, harmonic dictation, notation, chord theory, analysis, and composition. This course is rarely offered, so this year is your chance! Though not a college credit course, this class covers all of the concepts in the first two years of college music theory, so if you are planning on pursuing music after high school, you will be well prepared. *This course can be applied to the Honors Diploma.