Fine Arts Course Descriptions
8th Grade Art
Art includes historical, critical, and studio experiences involving both arts and crafts. Student projects will include drawing with pencil and pastels, painting with watercolors, printmaking, sculpture in two and three dimensions, textiles, and poster design. Students will develop an understanding of elements of design (line, color, shape, texture, form, space, and value) and principles of design (balance, unity, contrast, emphasis, movement, rhythm, proportion, and pattern). Students may purchase their crafts projects; costs will vary depending upon the choice or size of projects selected.
Visual Art & Culture
Visual Art & Culture is a survey of the visual arts as they occur in different times and civilizations in which they were produced. A broad range of visual art experiences will be offered based on art works and art styles of various culture and times in history. The concepts of aesthetics, art criticism, art history and art production are applied and reinforced through the program. Grades are determined by tests, worksheets and studio related activities. There is a $15 materials fee for this course.Applied Arts
A yearlong course designed to give the art student a foundation in the basic skills of the elements and principles of art. Students will work in various media including design, glass etching, textiles, mask making and ceramics. Class fees from $30 to $50 are possible if materials are chosen in addition to those provided.8th Grade Band
Skill levels and knowledge gained during their first year and will apply these previously learned concepts to the appropriate higher skill level objectives listed in the instrumental music curriculum. The entire year is devoted to developing and Students will be divided into two sections, percussion/woodwinds and brass, according to their instrumentation. Please select the appropriate section on the enrollment form. Students will improve upon the enlarging on theory skills, ear training, musical expression, technical maturity, and general attitude, which will result in a polished organization. Two or three public concerts will be presented during the year.9th Grade Concert Band
The Freshman Band is a course offering for students in the 9th grade to study music on wind and percussion instruments. Students are expected to provide their own instruments except in the case of large instruments, which can be rented through the band office at the cost of $70 per year.
Marching band is a required activity for all band members except for fall athletes. Marching rehearsals are after school from 3:30 pm until 5:00 pm and are a significant portion of the grade.
Members of Drum Line and Color Guard may also be required to attend additional sectional rehearsals. Band members who participate in a daily after-school RHS athletic program during the fall season are exempt from marching band requirements. These students' grades will be based on in-class activities during the first quarter.
Required performances for the Marching Band include all home football games, 3-4 competitions across the state, the Rolla Route 66 Marching Festival, and the Rolla Christmas Parade. Costs for the Marching Band include $35 for uniform fees and costs for shoes, t-shirt, gloves, flip folder, and lyre are also the responsibility of band members.
Following 1st quarter, the Freshman Band operates as a separate concert ensemble from the high school. Required performances include fall, winter, and spring concerts. Because performances outside of school are considered the testing element of our ensembles, attendance at regularly scheduled evening and weekend events is required of all members.Junior High Second Wind Band
The purpose of Second Wind is to allow students who could not enroll in band during the seventh grade the opportunity to take a band class that would allow them to catch up with their peers and be able to participate in the grade appropriate band the following year. This course would also allow a student who quit band and later regretted that decision to enroll again and get caught up.
The curriculum for Second Wind will come from the existing curriculum for Beginning Band and Eighth Grade Band. The material will be covered at a much quicker pace. First semester will be the equivalent to beginning band and second semester to eighth grade band. Second Wind Band will perform during at least two band concerts.
Second Wind is open to any student who wishes to learn to play an instrument. Before enrolling, each student must meet with the teacher to receive help in choosing an instrument on which the student will be most successful. Students are expected to provide their own instrument. The exception to that will be any student who chooses to rent one of the following school-owned instruments at the cost of $50.00 per semester:
- baritone
- tuba
- French horn
- tenor saxophone
- baritone saxophone
- bass clarinet
In addition, students must provide other supplies (book, cleaning kit, mouthpiece, etc) required in all beginning band classes. Students who enroll in Second Wind must commit to at least 15 minutes of home practice each night. Any student who falls behind in class may not be allowed to enroll in regular band the following year.