Visual & Performing Arts Department

The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Bishop Amat High School offers students a dynamic and creative environment to explore their talents and develop their artistic voice. With a wide range of UC/CSU-approved courses in music, dance, theater, visual arts, and digital media, students gain technical skills, cultural awareness, and personal confidence through performance, exhibition, and collaboration.

Whether performing in a choral ensemble, marching with the band, creating original artwork, dancing on stage, or producing the yearbook, students are challenged to think critically, express themselves authentically, and engage in the artistic process at both introductory and advanced levels. Our program fosters creativity, discipline, and appreciation for the arts—preparing students for college, careers, and a lifelong connection to the arts.

Courses

Band & Instrumental

INSTRUMENTS (CSU /UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) This course is open to ANY student interested in learning to play a wind or percussion instruments through reading, listening and analysis of music. Musical style, theory and musicianship will be developed through the study of music of past and present cultures. Additionally, the role and function of music in societies and careers will be covered. Students will apply their knowledge through performances at concerts and other school events. Enrollment is open to all students - membership in the Marching Band is NOT required. However, Marching Band members with no previous musical experience must take this course in addition to concurrent enrollment in Marching Dynamics. SUPPLY FEE CHARGED.

ADVANCED BAND (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Freshmen with teacher approval, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors: required for all band students) PREREQUISITE: Marching Band membership; ability to read music; TEACHER SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Students will participate in concert and marching band. Musical style, music theory, and advanced instrumental techniques will be studied. Concurrent enrollment in MARCHING DYNAMICS course is required. SUPPLY FEE CHARGED.MUSIC APPRECIATION (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) Students are introduced to the elements of music and are given an historical survey of music from the Middle Ages to the present. Emphasis is given to the listening experience of selected musical examples discussed in class. This course enables students to understand musical forms, and to analyze with distinction about music.

Choral

LANCER CHORUS (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors Seniors) Lancer Chorus is a one year course providing basic instruction in correct vocal production through daily vocal exercises as well as the preparation of choral music for use in concerts and festivals throughout the school year. Basic musicianship is developed through lecture, demonstration, and worksheets. The Lancer Choir is responsible for providing the music for school liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsals and performances outside of class time are a requirement of the course. SUPPLY FEE CHARGED. Freshman students must complete Freshman Composition during summer school prior to taking Lancer Chorus.

HONORS CHAMBER SINGERS (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) WEIGHTED PREREQUISITE: Ability to read music; Audition and TEACHER SIGNATURE REQUIRED 24This course provides advanced instruction in correct vocal production through daily vocal exercises as well as the preparation of choral music for use in concerts and festivals throughout the school year. Advanced musicianship is developed through lecture, demonstration, and worksheets. Advanced chorus students provide the music for school liturgies throughout the year. Rehearsals and performances outside of class time are a requirement of the course. SUPPLY FEE CHARGED. Freshman students must complete Freshman Composition during summer school prior to taking this course.

Dance

BEGINNING DANCE (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semesters; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) This course is designed to teach the fundamental elements of dance. Students develop and refine their physical condition, control of movement and technical expression through improvised and choreographed movement. Multiple dance forms such as jazz and ballet are explored. Analysis of historical and cultural connections to other art forms is studied. Students will be required to perform in front of an audience. Rehearsals outside of the scheduled class period are required. UNIFORM, MATERIALS AND COSTUME FEE REQUIRED.

INTERMEDIATE DANCE (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semesters; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITE: successful completion of Beginning Dance Advanced dance students build on the knowledge and skills gained in the beginning course. Students learn and perform highly developed and advanced dance moves. Students focus on increasing their dance skills incorporating their own 26choreography. Students apply a wide range of refined body movements, agility, and balance to their dance performances. An in-depth analysis of dance history as well as critique and research of the influences and impact of cultural dance is required. Students are required to perform in front of an audience. Rehearsals outside of the scheduled class period are required. Enrollment priority is given to students who have not yet met the Fine Arts requirement for graduation. UNIFORM, MATERIALS AND COSTUME FEE REQUIRED.

DANCE PRODUCTION (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semesters; Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITE: Advanced Dance background; AUDITION REQUIRED; teacher recommendation This course is designed to teach the advanced dance student how to be a better performer and how to view dance from a critical perspective. A variety of dance techniques including Ballet, Jazz and Lyrical will be incorporated and students are required to have a solid technical dance background in these areas. Competitions are mandatory, with an emphasis on teamwork. Two evening rehearsals per week in addition to early morning and some Saturday rehearsals are required during the school year. Participation at a professional dance studio, summer training camp, and two summer rehearsals per week are required during the summer. Freshmen selected for this course will earn P.E. credit while Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors may take this course for Fine Arts credit. UNIFORM, MATERIALS AND COSTUME FEE REQUIRED.

Theater

THEATER ARTS (CSU/UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Select Freshmen; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) Students will acquire skills and styles of acting and communication. Students will learn the history of drama as well as advanced acting techniques and production skills.

ADVANCED THEATER ARTS (semester elective; Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITE: Theatre Arts; TEACHER SIGNATURE REQUIRED Students who desire to continue their theater arts education will have the opportunity to develop writing, directing and technical skills, as well as, advanced acting techniques and production skills.

TECHNICAL THEATER & DESIGN (two semester elective; Freshmen; Sophomores; Juniors; Seniors) This hands-on course will introduce students to all areas of technical theater. The students in this course will be directly involved with the productions at school. They will learn how to design and construct sets, costume and make-up design, sound, lighting, create special effects, paint, and build props for productions. Students will learn specialized vocabulary and utilize this vocabulary in a practical application. Students will reflect on design elements found in school and outside productions with design analysis and critique. Students will apply and hone their skills by working directly on productions.

Visual Arts

ART I (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Select Freshmen; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) Students will learn the basic elements and principals of visual art forms by working with two-dimensional assignments. Exposure to such media as pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, pastels, and watercolors will be provided. Students will also receive an overview of art history and knowledge of art appreciation. Freshman students must complete Freshman Composition during summer school prior to taking this course. SUPPLY AND BOOK RENTAL FEE CHARGED.

ART II (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Select Sophomores; Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITES: B in Art I This special art course is for advanced art students. This multi-media class will build upon concepts and skills learned in Art I. Students are required to maintain a weekly sketchbook. An in-depth analysis and research of art history will be included. SUPPLY FEE CHARGED.

DIGITAL ART & DESIGN (two semester elective; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITE: C in Digital Literacy; B in Art I This class focuses on the artistic and technical aspects of Design. Student will learn visual communication techniques and create project sin Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Animate. It also emphasizes narrative media as a major aspect of Design. Students will explore advanced techniques and apply them to advanced design projects.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITES: C in Digital Literacy; B in Art I Students will experiment with digital photographic equipment, digital photographic manipulation, image making or manipulating equipment, elements of art and principles of design/art ideas and concepts to create photographic and/or digital art images. Professional design software such Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate and InDesign will be used. SUPPLY FEE, USB DRIVE, DIGITAL PHONE AND/OR SLR CAMERA REQUIRED.

AP STUDIO ART (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; selected Juniors, Seniors; WEIGHTED) PREREQUISITES: Art I; A- in Art II; TEACHER SIGNATURE REQUIRED. This art course is for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art. The quality and breadth of the artwork produced should reflect first year college level standards; therefore work outside the classroom and beyond the scheduled class period is essential. Reading and critical analysis with written and oral responses will be required. Maintaining a sketchbook is required. Students will submit a portfolio to the College Board for evaluation that may also be used for admission to an art college. SUMMER ASSIGNMENT REQUIRED. SUPPLY AND EXAM FEE CHARGED.

ART HISTORY (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) This course will allow students to analyze the historical development of visual art produced from the prehistoric period through contemporary time. Oral and written assignments requiring students to review and analyze works of art in historical context are a component of the course, enabling students to develop higher thinking skills.

AP ART HISTORY (CSU / UC VPA approved) (two semester elective; Sophomore, Junior, Senior; WEIGHTED) PREREQUISITE: B- in Honors English and History or B in English or History. This course is an in-depth analysis of the historical development of visual art produced during the prehistoric period to contemporary times. Oral and written assignments requiring students to review and analyze works of art in historical context are a component of this course and will enable the students to perform higher thinking skills and prepare for the Advanced Placement examination in May. EXAM FEE CHARGED

Yearbook

YEARBOOK (two semester elective; Select Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors) PREREQUISITE: TEACHER SIGNATURE REQUIRED. This course trains students in the skills necessary to produce an artistic and interesting school yearbook. Students are expected to have a strong English grade, be committed to after-school work, and have parental permission and transportation. The Freshmen composition may be taken during summer with grade of B or higher.

ADVANCED YEARBOOK (CSU/UC approved) (two semesters; Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) PREREQUISITE: A- in Yearbook and Yearbook Adviser Invitation Students are assigned lead roles and are responsible for the production of Tusitala. Students will expand on their skills and techniques of page layout, copywriting, editing, and desktop publishing. The focus will be on understanding a designer’s target audience and stimulating creativity through two-dimensional media. They will maintain the integrity of design through the editing process while collaborating and communicating with their colleagues on the yearbook staff.