The Arts

The Valley Christian Concert Band is designed to give beginning, intermediate and advanced woodwind, brass, and percussion players a well-rounded music education which includes advancing music pedagogy and band repertoire. Musicians participating in the band are given many opportunities throughout the year to advance their expertise on their instrument both individually and as part of an ensemble. The band prepares for and performs at school spirit events, sporting events, concerts, festivals, and Fine Arts events throughout this year long course.

Full year—1 credit

For admittance into Chorale, singers are interviewed and auditioned in front of the Fine Arts Director, Fine Arts Assistant, VCHS Administrator, and Guidance Counselor. Prerequisites include proper vocal technique, sight reading skills, accurate intonation, academic eligibility, leadership, and servant hood. This ensemble is expected to represent VCHS and their walk with the Lord with a high level of excellence and integrity. Chorale members are exposed to more serious and challenging choral literature where the sense of ensemble is emphasized. Classroom time involves not only singing together, but also learning how to effectively present the message of Christ through music. There are many concerts throughout the school year (approx. 40) including one out of state tour. Chorale students are required to be members and section leaders of the Concert Choir.

Full year—1 credit

The development of musicianship, overall confidence, music appreciation, breath support combined with basic theory and healthy vocal technique are the foundations of this course. This performance ensemble will learn 4 to 8-part music in a mixed (SATB, SSAATTBB) setting. Listening, healthy vocal technique, and Biblical integration will be emphasized along with excellent rehearsal etiquette. A variety of musical genres will be utilized. Concert Choir will perform several times throughout the school year in churches, at school events, and for various organizations.

They will also participate in music festivals, contests and tours.

No audition needed.

Full year—1 credit

This is a basic-to-intermediate techniques course covering such areas as position, notation, chord and note reading, composition, and basic styles. Students will perform regularly in class as soloists or in small groups. An acoustic guitar is necessary for participation. This class is open to all students.

One Semester—.5 credit

The Valley Christian Jazz Band is designed to give intermediate and advanced wind and rhythm players opportunity to explore and play advancing jazz pedagogy and standards in jazz repertoire. This ensemble meets three days per week during 0 Period before the regular school day begins. The Jazz Band prepares and performs in a variety of assemblies, concerts, festivals, and Fine Arts events throughout this year long course. Membership in jazz band is determined by audition and enrollment in concert band.

Full year—1 credit

Valley Christian Strings is designed to give beginning, intermediate, and advanced string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) a well-rounded music education which includes advancing music pedagogy and string ensemble repertoire. Musicians participating in strings are given many opportunities throughout the year to advance their expertise on their instrument both individually and as part of an ensemble. Strings prepares and performs at school events, concerts, festivals, and Fine Arts events throughout this year long course.

Full year—1 credit

Valley Rhythmics is designed to give intermediate and advanced percussionists an opportunity to perform in a more advanced rhythmic and “performance art” type of ensemble. Percussionists will be given opportunity to advance their rhythm and drumming expertise by combining the use of unusual instruments and choreography into a performance. Valley Rhythmics prepares for and performs at school spirit events, concerts, festivals, and Fine Arts events throughout this year long course. Membership in Valley Rhythmics is determined by audition and enrollment in a VCHS music ensemble.

Full year—1 credit

This one year course will provide students with the basic concepts of beginning acting, increasing comfort level in performing, beginning terminology and theater history, and then offer a multitude of opportunities to practice those concepts. Students will choose a theater topic and design a class period to teach the information they have learned. Students will perform for and with classmates, and if they choose, participate in the school play.

Full year—1 credit

This course will provide students with an introduction to the basic principles of stagecraft in its many forms and offer opportunities to practice hands-on what students have learned in class. Students will also continue their study of acting as well as directing, producing and writing. Students will also serve the school in setting up for other performances. Student leadership, crew members and Drama Team both come from this class.

Prerequisite: Beginning Drama and/or teacher permission.

Full year—1 credit

NOTE:  This is a full year course. Students must sign a commitment to remain in the class for the entire year before entering the class.  Students are encouraged to take Drama Productions for 3 years, as class activities vary from year to year, and students can work up to increasing levels of leadership each year.

This introductory Speech and Communications course is required for all juniors.  It will provide students with the basic concepts of public speaking and speech preparation then offer a multitude of opportunities to practice those concepts. Students will give speeches to classmates and work together on team speech projects. Note:  speeches and assignments get increasingly more difficult as the semester progresses. Be prepared to work hard!

One semester—.5 credit

In this semester course, students will learn the fundamental elements of design in 2-D art through projects that involve the practices of drawing, painting, and printmaking.  Students will apply themes regarding contemporary art practices and learn of influences from art history when making connections to their artwork.  Grading will be based on best practices of Studio Habits of Mind so that artistic dispositions may be established.  Self-reflection essays will assess students’ learning and encourage critical thinking in reflection.  Weekly sketchbook homework will be given to help students practice compositional and conceptual techniques.  Each student will have work exhibited in two exhibitions throughout the year.  This course is a pre-requisite for all other visual art courses.

One Semester—.5 credit

In this semester course, students will learn the fundamental elements of design in 3-D art through projects that involve the practices of sculpture and ceramics.  Students will learn of techniques using metal, wire, wood, basketry, and hand-building clay.  Students will apply themes and techniques regarding various contemporary and ancient cultures.  Grading will be based on best practices of Studio Habits of Mind so that artistic dispositions may be established.  Self-reflection essays will assess students’ learning and encourage critical thinking in reflection.  Weekly sketchbook homework will be given to help students practice compositional and conceptual techniques.  Each student will have work exhibited in one exhibition during the semester.

Art 1 is a pre-requisite for this course.

One Semester—.5 credit

In this semester course, students will learn advanced techniques of painting in a student-centered environment.  Students will apply the theme of sense to explore further concept questions throughout the semester to various painting projects. Contemporary painting practices and influences from art history will allow for students to make connections for inspiration and understanding.  Grading will be based on best practices of Studio Habits of Mind so that artistic dispositions may be established.  Self-reflection essays will assess students’ learning and encourage critical thinking in reflection.  Weekly sketchbook homework will be given to help students practice compositional and conceptual techniques.  Each student will have work exhibited in one exhibition throughout the year.

Art 1 is a pre-requisite for this course.

One Semester—.5 credit

This course is a basic-to-intermediate video technology course covering areas like pre-production to the post-production aspect of editing video. Students will learn the basics of making their own videos from scratch and will be challenged by working on different types of video projects from personal introduction videos to music videos, commercials, etc. This semester long course meets during 1^st Semester in our computer lab using Adobe Premiere software.

One Semester—.5 credit

This course is a basic-to-intermediate music technology course covering areas like loops, tracks, software, plug-ins, real instrument recording, arranging and mixing. Students will learn the basics of making their own music tracks from scratch and will be challenged by working on different types of projects from loop tracks to full-sequenced tracks. This semester long course meets during 2^nd Semester in our computer lab using Audacity software.

One Semester—.5 credit