Performing Arts

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts or Wellness/Fitness credit

This beginning dance course is designed to expose students to dance as an opportunity for fitness development and as an art form. Students will learn the fundamentals of movement, dance technique, improvisation, anatomy, choreography, performance skills, and dance vocabulary. Hip-hop, jazz, modern, and ballet will be studied in this class. Dance 1 will help the dancer to develop strong collaboration and communication skills. Dance 1 students are required to perform in the Dance Showcase at the end of the semester.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Semester: 1.0 Fine Arts or Wellness/Fitness credit
Prerequisite: Dance 1
Fee: $25
This course may be repeated for credit.

This beginning-intermediate level dance class will focus on technique development, enhancing performance skills, the application of anatomy and kinesiology to dance, choreography, and combinations. Hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and modern dance will be studied. A beginning approach to dance composition will be utilized to aid the student in creating studies and dances for evaluation. Dance 2 students are required to perform in the Dance Showcase at the end of the semester.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts or Wellness/Fitness credit
Prerequisite: Audition
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an intermediate-advanced dance course for the student displaying excellent dance technique, exceptional performance skills, and the desire to grow as a dancer. This course will allow the dancer to gain an understanding of choreography principles, dance production, and performance qualities. Jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and modern dance will be studied and performed. Students must audition and will be placed in the spring. Dance Composition students are required to perform in the Dance Showcase at the end of the semester.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts or Wellness/Fitness credit
Prerequisite: Audition
This course may be repeated for credit.

Dance Technique is designed to improve the intermediate/advanced dancer’s technical skills, abilities, and performance quality. The class will focus on strength, intermediate/advanced turn, jump, and leap skill combinations specific to dance team. Intermediate to advanced level dance training is required.

Grades: 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Music Theory

The AP Music Theory course focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within introductory college music theory courses, with the goal of helping students become sophisticated and thoughtful music listeners, performers, and composers. AP Music Theory students learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. To become proficient with these skills, students will consistently practice applying course concepts through aural analysis, score analysis, sight-singing, dictation, and composition.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit

This course will explore 20th and 21st century American popular music. Students will discover why they enjoy their favorite songs, develop their analytical listening skills, and increase their knowledge around the elements of music. They will study history through the lens of music and engage with a wide variety of genres including hip hop, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, and electronic music, among others.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Fee: $25

Music Production is a computer-based class in which each student will learn the art of audio recording and music technology and be prepared for a career in the music industry. Students will learn how to use loops, record the voice and a variety of instruments, how to make “beats” and sequence drums, how to use digital effects in the recording process, arranging and songwriting techniques, how to mix and master music tracks like a producer, and how to create musical sounds using synthesis. The focus will be on contemporary pop and electronic music, and students will lear how to use state-of-the-art software programs for music production.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Semester: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Music Production
Fee: $25
This course may be repeated for credit.

Music Production 2 is a computer-based class in which each student will learn advanced skills related to the art of audio recording and be prepared for a career in the music industry. Students will expand upon their knowledge of loops, recording techniques, synthesizing beats/drums, expanded audio effects, and creating music with advanced techniques. The course will also cover manipulating MIDI, exploring mixing and mastering, and live audio. Students will learn how to use a professional grade Digital Audio Workstation. A general knowledge of music theory, chords, and rhythms will help students succeed in this class.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Prior music experience recommended

Introduction to Music Theory is a semester-long class designed to introduce basic music theory skills including intervals, chords, key signatures, scales, ear training, and terminology. This course is for students who are interested in taking AP Music Theory or wish to increase their music knowledge for success in performance-based classes.

Grades: 9,10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
This course may be repeated for credit.

Performing Arts Exploration is specifically designed for students who benefit from a modified curriculum, with an emphasis on those with special needs. All students will be exposed to basic tenants of the performing arts including theatre, music, movement, and dance. The opportunity for a limited number of student assistants is available through teacher recommendation only. Student assistants will receive Performing Arts elective credit through enrollment in this class.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: $40-$115
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an intermediate auditioned treble voice choir. This choir is for students who show high levels of musicianship, vocal ability, and personal responsibility. The emphasis of this course is to develop vocal and stylistic techniques, sight singing skills, and performance ability within various styles of music. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: $40-$115
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is the advanced treble choir. This course is designed to expand and refine all skills learned in Concert Choir and Con Brio. Students will develop more advanced ensemble techniques, appropriate vocal techniques, sight singing skills, and performance skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of musical styles. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year and will have periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances outside the school day.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Chamber Orchestra is the advanced orchestra at CTHS. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition only, this auditioned group will explore the music of some of the greatest composers. Instrumentation is limited throughout the ensemble. Extensive practice time is required for this course. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is a non-auditioned treble choir for students without high school choral experience. The emphasis of this course is to offer the student an understanding of choral music and a chance to learn the fundamentals of choral literature, appropriate vocal technique, sight singing skills, and performance skills. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year and may have periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances outside the school day. Students need no prior experience in choir to enroll.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: $40-$115
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an intermediate mixed choir. This choir is for students who show high levels of musicianship, vocal ability, and personal responsibility. The emphasis of this course is to continue to develop advanced vocal techniques, sight singing skills, and performance skills. Students will be exposed to a variety of musical styles and will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Students will have periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances outside the school day.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Prior instrument experience
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

All students with prior experience playing a wind or percussion instrument are encouraged to enroll in the Concert Band. A wide variety of band music will be explored while continuing to develop musicianship, technique, and theory. Instrumentation is limited within some sections. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit

This is a beginning-level guitar class designed to explore technique, performance, and literature for guitar. Students will learn how to read music in several forms, play chords and melodies, understand the guitar’s role in many music styles, and work on performing in a variety of settings. Students will need to provide their own instrument and purchase a method book.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Guitar 1 or teacher approval
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is an intermediate-level guitar class for students with prior guitar experience and is designed to continue student’s development in technique, performance, and literature for guitar. Students will engage in advanced techniques covering style, chords, melodies, improvisation, and performance in a variety of settings. Students will need to provide their own instrument and purchase a method book.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Prior instrument experience
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Jazz Band 1 is the introductory level jazz band at Cherokee Trail. Students will be exposed to jazz music, history, and performance techniques with a heavy emphasis on improvisation and style. This course will prepare students for further study in Jazz Band 2. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Jazz Band 2 is the intermediate-level Jazz Band at CTHS. Jazz style, improvisation, listening, and ensemble work will be covered in this course. Instrumentation is limited throughout the ensemble. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Jazz Band 3 is the upper-level Jazz Band at CTHS. Jazz style, improvisation, listening, and ensemble work will be covered in this course through the study of high-level literature. Instrumentation is limited throughout the ensemble. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Audition
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is a highly select mixed jazz choir. This varsity choir is for students who show high levels of musi- cianship, vocal ability, and personal responsibility. The emphasis of this course is to continue to develop advanced vocal techniques, sight singing skills, and performance ability within the jazz and pop styles. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Students will have periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances outside the school day.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
This course may be repeated for credit.

Beginning Piano is for students with little or no keyboard experience. Using the electronic piano lab, this class introduces students to music notation, basic music theory, keyboard technique, and musical terminology through the study of basic keyboard literature.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Piano 1 or Teacher Approval
This course may be repeated for credit.

Piano 2 is an intermediate level piano class designed for students with prior piano experience. Using the electronic piano lab, this class explores advanced keyboard techniques, music notation, and terminology through the study of intermediate and advanced keyboard literature.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Prior instrument experience
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Students with experience playing violin, viola, cello, or bass are encouraged to enroll in this course. String Orchestra will introduce the students to a wide variety of orchestral and chamber music. Strong musician- ship and proper technique will be emphasized. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day. This course may be repeated for credit.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Symphonic Orchestra is an intermediate performance group at CTHS. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition only, this ensemble explores a wide variety of orchestral literature. Instrumentation is limited throughout the ensemble. Extensive practice time is required for this course. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is a non-auditioned bass voice choir for students without prior high school choral experience. The emphasis of this course is to offer the student an understanding of choral music and to learn the fundamentals of choral literature, appropriate vocal technique, sight singing skills, and performance skills. Students will perform in required concerts through- out the year, and may have periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances outside the school day. Students need no prior experience in choir to enroll.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit Prerequisite: Audition
Fee: School-owned instrument $72/year or $8/month
This course may be repeated for credit.

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors by audition only, this select group will explore some of the best concert band literature. Instrumentation is limited throughout the ensemble. Extensive practice time is required for this course. Students will perform in required concerts throughout the year. Periodic rehearsals, field trips, and performances will be required outside the school day.

Grades: 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Theatre 2
This course may be repeated for credit.

This course is designed to continue to develop the actor’s instrument and the actor’s technique through exploration and improvisation. It includes practical applications of the craft of acting in the classroom and showcases performances. Students will discover their individual techniques of acting and the process of creating characters within a monologue/scene/play.

Grades: 11, 12
Semester: 1.0 Fine Arts Credit/125 hours
Prerequisite: Application
Grading System: S/US
Course Type: Alternative Instruction/Work-Based Learning
This course may be repeated for credit.

The Technical Theater Internship is intended to give selected students the ability to earn school credit for work experience in the world of technical theater. Students will gain firsthand experience in lighting, sound, planning, and production for events hosted at Cherokee Trail. Skills gained through this internship will be directly applicable towards future careers in backstage and front of house theater. Students will be trained and supervised by the work-study teacher and theater managers. Work hours must be scheduled so that they do not interfere with school, i.e., after school and on weekends.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Fee: $25
This course may be repeated for credit.

This course offers students a hands-on opportunity to learn many aspects of stagecraft to produce plays and auditorium events. Students will learn safety, scenery construction, scenic painting, and stage lighting. In addition to classwork, students are required to view one live theatre production outside of the classroom.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Technical Theater 1
Fee: $25
This course may be repeated for credit.

Technical Theatre 2 offers a continuation of the basics of backstage work. Students will study costume design and construction, sound engineering, stage makeup/special effects, properties, and stage management. Students will expand upon previous knowledge of Technical Theatre 1 to master aspects of stagecraft to produce plays. This course focuses heavily on the design aspects of creating after-school theatrical productions through group collaboration. Students must attend at least two live theatre performances outside of class.

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Semester: 0.5 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Fee: $25

This course is designed to introduce the student to the craft of acting. The student will learn to approach, prepare, and perform a role through reading, class discussion, improvisational exercises, and performance. In addition, through preparation and improvisation, students will increase their ability to relax in front of an audience and perform with a greater sense of purpose and stage presence. Students are required to view one live theatre performance outside of class.

Grades: 10, 11, 12
Year: 1.0 Fine Arts/Practical Arts credit
Prerequisite: Theatre 1
Fee: $45
This course may be repeated for credit.

This is a year-long course for students who have taken Theatre 1 and are ready to fine-tune their acting skills. Students will better understand themselves as performers through scene and character analysis. Students will participate in daily acting practice, improvisation, and discussion. Performance projects include but are not limited to scene study, monologues, playmaking, improvisation, voice, movement, and auditioning. Students are required to view two live theatre performances outside of class.