Art I    
½ unit             1 semester

This course will help the student find new strengths and preferences as ideas take form and skills develop.  Students will further explore the two-dimensional using “Learning to see” as a solid foundation on which to grow.  Using a large variety of mediums such as pencil, watercolor, color pencils and ink, students will solve two-dimensional problems.  This course is designed to “Open eyes” ad to “Learn to express.”

Art II  
1 unit              2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Art I

Art II is intended to aid in the development of an awareness of visual thinking and visual relationships and their application to visual problem solving. The elements of design, line shape, texture and nature and properties of color will all be examined for their expressive qualities and as compositional tools. 

Color and Design      
½ unit             1 semester

Pre-Requisite: Art I

Using the elements and principles of design in an integrative way, students will learn to demonstrate visual design as applied to a 2 dimensional surface.  Students will create work using but not limited to graphic design, photography, collage, fabric design, illustration, painting and printmaking.

AP Studio Art: Drawing/3D/2D      
1 unit              2 semesters

Requires teacher approval

Pre-Requisite: Art II

This Advanced Placement course is for highly motivated students interested in gaining college credit in the Visual Arts. It is designed to provide a wide range of creative experiences. The primary focus is the building of a portfolio capable of demonstrating the student’s ability to accomplish works in the various areas of visual arts media.

Drama I
½  unit                        1 semester

This introductory course gives the learner a broad experience in the theater arts. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of acting, theatre history, dramatic literature, directing, design, and play writing.  The emphasis, however, will be on acting in groups and as individuals.  This is a performance based class. Students will be expected to participate in a variety of classroom and public performances.

Advanced Drama
1 unit              2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Students have successfully completed Drama II or permission of instructor

This course is for the advanced actor.  Students will continue their work on acting in scenes, improvisations, and monologues.  The students will also learn the fundamentals of acting for film and television and audition techniques.  The class will put together several in-class student directed plays.  This is a performance based class.  Students will be expected to participate in a variety of classroom and public performances. 

Novice Debate
½ unit         1 semester

A course in novice debate focuses on listening, speaking, researching, and argumentations skills. The class covers developing confidence, the debate process, guidelines for becoming a better listener and speaker, understanding judging paradigms, and how to research and write arguments. The areas of study will include Policy Debate as well as Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Public Speaking
½ unit             1 semester

A course in public speaking focuses on listening, speaking, and presentation skills. This class covers developing confidence, the communication process, guidelines for becoming a better listener and speaker, understanding an audience, how to research and write a speech, and how to use visual aids to improve the presentation value of a speech. Areas of study include Informative and Persuasive Speaking as well as casual speaking and competitive speaking.

Advanced Speech & Debate
1 unit              2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Students have successfully Novice Debate.

This course is for students who have already taken Intro to Speech and Debate.
Students will continue to write, research, and deliver speeches from memory. Areas of focus will include: original oratory, prose/poetry, dramatic and humorous interpretation (individual and duet), monologue, and foreign and domestic extemporaneous speaking. Students will be expected to participate in the speech team’s after school practices and weekend tournaments. 

Band
1 unit              2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Students must have at least two years of prior band enrollment.

An advanced wind and percussion ensemble that performs concerts and participates in concert contests and festivals, at least up to the state level. Additional time outside of the school day may be required. Attendance is required at all performances and adjudicated rehearsals.  Members of the band will also participate in the HCP Basketball Pep Band, which performs at all home varsity girls and boys basketball games.  The band may also perform at scheduled pep assemblies and events.  

Orchestra
1 unit              2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Students must have at least two years of prior orchestra enrollment.

A string orchestra that works to develop and enhance students’ basic and advanced orchestral skills. Students also develop solo and ensemble performance skills. Students will participate in state, regional, and/or national contests.  Students will also perform concerts throughout the year.  This course may require before or after school rehearsals. 

Beginning Chorus with Music Theory Fundamentals
 1 unit             2 semesters

Beginning Choir with Music Theory Fundamentals includes incoming freshmen and currently enrolled HCP students who have not previously been in the choir program. Students will learn the foundations of music theory, sight-singing, and aural skills in a performance based class. The Beginning Chorus performs concerts throughout the year and at choral festival. This course may require before or after school rehearsals.

Advanced Chorus
1 unit             2 semesters

Chorus is for students enrolled at HCP that have had previous choir experience. Performer’s abilities in music theory, sight singing, aural skills, and diction are advanced in this performance based class. The Advanced Chorus performs in concerts throughout the year and at choral festival. This course may require before or after school rehearsals.

AP Music Theory
1 unit             2 semesters

Pre-Requisite: Permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in a performance based course. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors only.

This course will develop students’ musicianship through the in depth study of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, and composition. Sight-singing, aural skills, and dictation will also be covered. It is recommended that students have acquired thorough performance skills in voice or on an instrument prior to taking this course. This course is for motivated students and will require daily note taking and homework in order to progress student’s abilities.

For more information, contact department head Conde Currat.