Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Course Offerings

One year (10 credits) of a Visual and Performing Art class is required for graduation.

ART AND MULTIMEDIA (COMPUTER ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN)

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
University of California (U.C.)/California State University (C.S.U.): Yes; “f” – Visual and Performing Arts (V.A.P.A.), Career and Technical Education (C.T.E.)
Prerequisite: None

This one-year course introduces students to the fundamentals of traditional art through technology exploration as media. Topics covered include the elements of art, principles of design, fine art, graphic design, visual communication, media, and provides career exploration. Students will develop creative expression, solve visual problems, explore software and develop digital imaging techniques. Students will develop a digital portfolio as well as art historical appreciation.

ART AND MULTIMEDIA ADVANCED (COMPUTER ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN)

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A., C.T.E.
Prerequisite: Art & Multimedia

This one-year course is an advanced approach to design theory and visual communication in the contemporary setting using digital art applications. There is a focus on the development of students’ creative problem solving skills as well as developing more complex design applications as applicable to visual communication and media. Students will learn and use their gained knowledge of the way recognized artists and designers express complex ideas through imagery. Students will synthesize their own ideas and the use of imagery as tool for communicating complex ideas. May be repeated for credit.

ART THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3-D) (METAL WORK AND SCULPTURE)

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

This one-year lab course provides students a form to think about the design and creation of three-dimensional art. Emphasis on jewelry and sculptural art using various materials such as paper, wood, stone, silver, glass and found objects. Traditional and contemporary designs of several ethnic cultures are an inspiration for several of the three-dimensional projects. Students will solve design problems, develop creative expression and craftsmanship techniques through the use of a variety of tools.

ART

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

Art is a basic one year lab course where students will learn and develop the essential skills in art and design. Studio experiences in the classroom will give the student opportunity to develop creative expression, visual perception and technical abilities. Drawing, painting, design, collage, 3-D, art history and careers in art will be explored.

ART ADVANCED

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Art and/or teacher recommendation

This one-year course builds upon the concepts and techniques learned in beginning level art classes. The class includes a series of drawing, painting and collage projects that would be suitable for art school portfolios. Students will write an artist statement, do a research project based on careers in art and an art history research project. May be repeated for credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (A.P.) STUDIO ART - DRAWING

Grade: 11-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: One full year of any visual arts course and teacher approval based on portfolio review. Advanced Art, Advanced Drawing or Advanced Art 3-D is highly recommended.

Approximate Homework: 1 hour/day, 5 days/week; extra hours for weekend homework and assignments; summer art projects

This is a portfolio development class. Students may select one of the following focuses: two-dimensional (2-D) Design portfolio, drawing portfolio or 3-D design portfolio. Student portfolios are evaluated by the College Board at the end of the year; students are strongly encouraged to submit the College Board A.P.-related portfolio. Summer assignment is required.

DRAWING

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

In this one-year course, students learn fundamentals of drawing using a variety of techniques that explore line, texture, shading, perspective and composition. Students use pencil, charcoal, ink and other drawing media in a variant of studies observing nature, still life and photographic sources. Art history and art related careers will be explored.

DRAWING ADVANCED

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in Drawing and/or teacher recommendation

This one-year course builds upon the concepts and techniques learned in Drawing. The class includes a series of drawing problems designed to perfect individual skills and provide a body of finished work that is suitable for art school portfolios, display and exhibition. Students will write an artist statement, do a research project, and explore art history and careers in art. May be repeated for credit.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

In this one-year course, students learn the basics of photography using their own cameras. They will apply the elements of art and principles of design to photographic compositions. Digital studio experiences will give the students opportunity to develop technical abilities in Photoshop, creative expression, visual perception and career explorations as well as art historical appreciation.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY ADVANCED

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Digital Photography

This one-year course is an advanced approach to digital photography. There is a focus on visual problem solving and the development of more conceptual images. Students will need to develop more advanced composition and technical skills and develop a body of work that is suitable for art school portfolios, display and exhibition. Students will write an artist statement and do a research project based on careers and art history.

DANCE

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

In this year long course, students will learn beginning dance techniques in the area of jazz, ballet and tap. This class is recommended for students with little or no formal dance training and who are interested in studying dance as an art form. Some written work is required. This dance class requires special shoes. Students are required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

DANCE INTERMEDIATE

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in Beginning Dance or teacher recommendation. Attend Advanced Dance Audition in May, contact teacher.

In this year long course, students will continue to develop the dance skills and techniques learned in the previous course. Students are exposed to a variety of dance forms including jazz, hip hop, Latin jazz, theater dance, lyrical ballet and tap. Students will have the opportunity to experience further skill development, creativity and group choreography. Some written work is required. This dance class requires special shoes. Students are required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

DANCE ADVANCED (BEARCAT DANCE ENSEMBLE)

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation (Auditions held in May, contact teacher)

In this year long course, students will study advanced choreography techniques in jazz, Latin jazz, lyrical ballet, tap hip hop and musical theatre. Students will be required to learn a wide variety of choreographic styles and will also be asked to incorporate these styles into a creation of their own performance level choreography. Dance performance will be emphasized. Some written work is required. This dance class requires special shoes. The Bearcat Dance Ensemble will be required to perform in the Spring Dance Concert, at school functions and some community events.

DRAMA 1 AND ADVANCED DRAMA

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

The drama class will introduce students to the world of the performing arts. Through improvisation and scene study, students will learn the basic elements of acting and production, dramatic form and technique. Students will read and see plays as well as develop acting skills to prepare them for performance. This class should be taken as a one year course.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Grade: 10-12 (Freshman accepted by permission of instructor)
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: One year of high school drama or teacher recommendation

An in-depth study of the history and style of musical theatre. Students learn basic vocal and choreographic techniques and how to audition properly. Through study and performance of scenes, students are exposed to many different types of musicals. The year culminates in the public performance of a musical play or review.

CINEMA AND SOCIETY

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

This one-year course will give students a greater appreciation and understanding of film as an art form and as a means of communication. Through readings and viewings, students will gain knowledge of the craft and history of film and develop critical skills in literary and film analysis. The course will focus on the interdependence of artistic form and content and on the contribution made by directors, screenwriters, visual artists, musicians and actors in order to help students better understand how films are structured and how imagery, camera work and sound are utilized to communicate meaning to an audience.

CHORUS

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

This course is for the beginning to intermediate singer. It focuses on the study, practice and performance of a wide variety of music. Pop, show, gospel and classical styles will be sung. Students will learn good vocal production and note reading. Concerts and other scheduled performances and rehearsals are a major part of this course.

CONCERT CHOIR

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

This course is for the advanced singer. Advanced levels of vocal production, rehearsal and performance techniques and music theory will be emphasized. Concerts and other scheduled performances and rehearsals are a major part of this course.

CHAMBER SINGERS

Grade: 10-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation

An in-depth study of the art of choral performance. Held outside the regular school day, this course is for the advanced musician who is con-currently enrolled in another music class at San Mateo High School (vocal or instrumental). Concerts and other scheduled performances and rehearsals are a major part of this course.

CONCERT BAND

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: One year of previous band experience. Beginners may be accepted only with teacher recommendation.

The band is made up primarily of Freshman and those students who wish to further develop the technical skills needed for Advanced Band. Concerts and other scheduled performances are a major part of the course.

SYMPHONIC BAND

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of teacher via audition

The Advanced Band prepares and performs music covering a wide range of musical styles and periods. Students must demonstrate the ability to play a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument at a level to perform standard band literature. Concerts and other scheduled performances are a major part of this course.

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: Recommendation of teacher via audition

This course covers standard jazz repertoire, jazz history, theory and improvisation. Instrumentation includes saxes, trombones, trumpets, percussion, piano, guitar and bass. Performances are a major part of this course.

MARCHING BAND

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

This class meets during ‘0’ period. Desire, dedication and drive are the attributes of a San Mateo “Bearcat” band member. Students assume a high degree of personal responsibility in the band’s appearance at parades, band reviews and field shows throughout the Western states. The band includes brass, winds and percussion and flag, rifle and identification auxiliary units.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Grade: 9-12
Duration: Year
Credits: 10
U.C./C.S.U.: Yes; “f” - V.A.P.A.
Prerequisite: None

A multi-level course for all string players. The class will play as a larger ensemble and also as a series of small groups, such as a string quartet. This is an excellent opportunity for an advanced player to learn standard repertoire or for a beginner to learn a first or second string instrument.