Course Information Sheets

In this choir you will learn the techniques of vocal production, choral singing, ensemble skills and choral expression. The choir sings in 3-6 part harmony in a variety of genres from different periods in history. The choir performs at school concerts, local community events and travels annually. This choir performs in 20 concerts a year. Students will work on intonation, tone production, tone quality, breathing, diction, articulation, phrasing and increasing range. Students will also learn music reading, related music history, and the study of harmony. This class is audition based, fast paced, and musically very challenging. Students must be able to hold their own vocal line, one on a part, in 4 part harmony, sing scales and intervals with accurate pitch and demonstrate advanced stage presence before entering this class.

In this class, students will develop a foundation in acting technique, including movement, voice, characterization, improvisation, script analysis, ensemble skills, and performance skills. Students will perform original scenes as well as dramatic repertoire from a variety of time periods and genres. This class is designed for the student interested in serious study of the theatrical arts.

In this class, students will develop acting technique, including movement, voice, characterization, improvisation, script analysis, ensemble skills, and performance skills. Students will perform original scenes as well as dramatic repertoire from a variety of time periods and genres. This class is designed for the student interested in serious study of the theatrical arts.

Advanced Jazz Dance is one of the classes that makes up MVHS' student centered dance program, Dance Spectrum. It is an advanced level dance course for students in 9th through 12th grade. The dance styles learned and practiced throughout this course will include jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and modern dance. These genres are studied and then performed in student choreographed pieces at the end of each semester. This group travels some years.

Ceramics I is an intro level course. Students who are present and engaged practice strategies to generate creative designs, and to sketch, make, and share their original ceramic art. As a class, we explore 3D design principles, visual culture, and safe, responsible use of a community ceramics studio. Major clay units include coil, slab, pinch, small scale sculpture, and wheel-throwing techniques. Students speak and write using course vocabulary, and they critically analyze functional and decorative forms through aesthetic, utilitarian, cultural, and historical lenses. Materials include clay, glazes, hand tools, and large studio equipment. Responsible and safe studio practices, timely completion of creative works, independent and collaborative work, and oral, written, and digital presentation, reflections, and critiques are all part of student evaluation.

Chamber Ensemble (Orchestra) is both a performing class and a training group. This is our upper level Orchestra and admission is by audition only.

In this choir you will learn the techniques of vocal production, choral singing, ensemble skills and choral expression. The choir sings in 3-4 part harmony in a variety of genre from different periods in history. The choir performs at school concerts, local community events and travels annually. This choir performs in 10+ concerts a year. Students will work on intonation, tone production, tone quality, breathing, diction, articulation, phrasing and increasing range. Students will also learn music reading, related music history, and the study of harmony. This class is audition based, fast paced, and musically very challenging, Students must be able to hold their own vocal line, one on a part, in 3 part harmony, sing scales and intervals with accurate pitch and demonstrate advanced stage presence before entering this class.

Drawing is an intro level course. Students who are present and engaged practice strategies to generate creative designs, and to sketch, make, and share their original art. As a class, we explore the elements of art and principles of design, visual culture, and safe, responsible use of a community art studio. Students speak and write using course vocabulary, and they critically analyze artworks. Materials include graphite, charcoal, ink, color pencil, pastel, scratchboard, watercolor pencils and sketchbook. Responsible and safe studio practices, timely completion of creative works, independent and collaborative work, and oral, written, and digital presentation, reflections, and critiques are all part of student evaluation.

Drawing 2 students will concentrate on creative interpretation of themes, advanced drawing techniques and a variety of media. The course emphasizes individual expression and development in diverse subjects, concepts and interpretation/analysis of ideas and aesthetic images. Through investigating different styles and techniques, students will create refined, meaningful drawings that demonstrate technical mastery and creative growth. The course will cover various drawing media, elements of art, and principles of design and art history relevant to each project. Some project ideas include still-life studies, figures, formal drawings, mixed media drawings, abstraction, expressive landscapes, emotional drawings and surrealism. Students learn to analyze works of art in terms of aesthetic significance, creative expression, historical and cultural components and critical interpretation. Art history is incorporated through presentations, research and group discussion. Oral and written critiques are part of student evaluation. Learning activities are structured around the California Content Standards for Visual Arts as detailed below.

Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions.

Mexican Folkloric Dance, or Folklórico, is one of the classes that makes up MVHS' student centered dance program, Dance Spectrum. This course is designed for students in 9th through 12th grade. This class participates in a hip hop routine with all Dance Spectrum dancers but mostly focuses on traditional Mexican dances that blend indigenous, European, and African influences, characterized by vibrant costumes, choreographed storytelling, and intense zapateado (footwork). Popular styles and traditional dances from the regions of Jalisco, Veracruz, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Guerrero, Yucatan, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, and Puebla are studied and taught by a master teacher. Some dances learned in class are performed at the end of each semester in the Dance Spectrum shows that feature dances from all dance classes at MVHS. Students in this class may perform at school and local community events throughout the school year. This class counts towards visual & performing arts credit, 10th grade PE credit, or elective credit.

Intermediate Dance is one of the classes that makes up MVHS' student centered dance program, Dance Spectrum. It is an intermediate dance level course for students in 9th through 12th grade. The dance styles learned and practiced throughout this course will include jazz, hip hop, contemporary, ballet, and modern dance. These genres are studied and then performed in student choreographed pieces at the end of each semester.

Jazz Dance is one of the classes that makes up MVHS' student centered dance program, Dance Spectrum. This course is designed for students in 9th through 12th grade. The dance styles learned throughout this course will include hip hop, jazz, ballet, and world dance. These genres are studied and then performed in student choreographed pieces at the end of each semester.

In this choir you will learn the techniques of vocal production, choral singing, ensemble skills and choral expression. The choir sings in 4-8 part harmony in a variety of genre from different periods in history. The choir performs at school concerts, local community events and travels internally annually. This choir performs in 75+ concerts a year, 40 of which fall in the last month of the first semester. Students will work on intonation, tone production, tone quality, breathing, diction, articulation, phrasing and increasing range. Students will also learn music reading, related music history, and the study of harmony. This class is audition based, fast paced, and musically very challenging. Students must be able to hold their own vocal line, one on a part, in 6 part harmony, sing scales and intervals with accurate pitch and demonstrate advanced stage presence before entering this class.

Marching Band is both a performing class and a training group. Musicians of all levels are welcome to participate. Older students may take this course to practice and develop their leadership skills. As an Eighth Period course, all rehearsals take place outside of the school day. 9th graders earn elective credit, and 10th-12th graders earn PE credit. We perform at home football games and competitions.

Orchestra is both a performing class and a training group. Musicians of all levels are welcome to participate. Older students may take this course to practice and develop their leadership skills.

Painting is an intro level course. Students who are present and engaged practice strategies to generate creative designs, and to sketch, make, and share their original painting art. As a class, we explore the elements of art and principles of design, visual culture, and safe, responsible use of a community painting studio. Students speak and write using course vocabulary, and they critically analyze artworks. Materials include water-based paints, brushes, palette, palette knife, and sketchbook. Responsible and safe studio practices, timely completion of creative works, independent and collaborative work, and oral, written, and digital presentation, reflections, and critiques are all part of student evaluation.

Photo 1 introduces students to photography as both an art form and a powerful tool for communication. Students develop foundational skills in digital and film-based photography while learning to see, compose, experiment, and make intentional visual decisions.

Photo II students will develop intermediate and advanced technical skills in both digital and film-based photography. Students will learn how to create interesting and compelling photographs by strengthening their understanding of composition, visual storytelling, and intentional photographic decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on the elements of art and principles of design, as well as creating visually successful photographs within the photographic frame and through thoughtful composition.

This is a class designed to apply the art of stagecraft by students who are interested in design, construction, painting, lighting, sound, management, and the many other forms of expression in this field. Each student will come to understand the fundamentals of stagecraft through group projects, demonstrations, and assignments. This class will also be responsible for running and maintaining the theatre complex for the other performing arts disciplines, the school, and the community.

Students create a portfolio of work to demonstrate inquiry through art and design and development of materials, processes, and ideas over the course of a year. Portfolios include works of art and design, process documentation, and written information about the work presented. In May, students submit portfolios for evaluation based on specific criteria, which include skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas and sustained investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision, guided by questions.

Symphonic Band is both a performing class and a training group. Musicians of all levels are welcome to participate. Older students may take this course to practice and develop their leadership skills.

In this choir you will learn the techniques of vocal production, choral singing, ensemble skills and choral expression. The choir sings in 3-6 part harmony in a variety of genre from different periods in history. The choir performs at school concerts, local community events and travels internally annually. This choir performs in 20 concerts a year. Students will work on intonation, tone production, tone quality, breathing, diction, articulation, phrasing and increasing range. Students will also learn music reading, related music history, and the study of harmony. This class is audition based, fast paced, and musically very challenging, Students must be able to hold their own vocal line, one on a part, in 4 part harmony, sing scales and intervals with accurate pitch and demonstrate advanced stage presence before entering this class.

Wind Ensemble is both a performing class and a training group. Wind Ensemble is our upper level Band class and enrollment is by audition only.

Winter Auxiliary represents two performance groups, Winter Percussion and Winter Color Guard. Each group has its own rehearsal and performance schedule. As an Eighth Period class, all rehearsals take place outside of the school day.