• Class offerings subject to sufficient enrollment.

    ART 1 (P) (Any grade level eligible)
    Prerequisite(s): None
    This course is designed to provide the beginning art student with an understanding and an appreciation of traditional and contemporary art forms. The course will emphasize the basic Elements of Art and Principles of Design while addressing the five California Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1) Artistic Perception, 2) Creative Expression, 3) Historical and Cultural Context, 4) Aesthetic Valuing and 5) Connections, Relationships and Application. The students will be introduced to artistic experiences utilizing a variety of media and techniques. Historical aspects and an appreciation of the arts are incorporated into each area of study.

    ART 2 (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Art 1 P or teacher recommendation.
    This course is designed to provide the continuing art student with an understanding and an appreciation of traditional and contemporary art forms. The course will emphasize the basic Elements of Art and Principles of Design while addressing the five California Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1) Artistic Perception, 2) Creative Expression, 3) Historical and Cultural Context, 4) Aesthetic Valuing and 5) Connections, Relationships and Application. The students will continue to develop their artistic experiences utilizing a variety of media and techniques. Historical aspects and an appreciation of the arts are incorporated into each area of study.

    ART 3 (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Art 2 P or teacher recommendation       
    This course is designed to provide the continuing art student with an even deeper understanding and an appreciation of traditional and contemporary art forms. The course will emphasize the basic Elements of Art and Principles of Design while addressing the five California Visual and Performing Arts Standards: 1) Artistic Perception, 2) Creative Expression, 3) Historical and Cultural Context, 4) Aesthetic Valuing and 5) Connections, Relationships and Application. The students will continue to be introduced to new artistic experiences as well as utilizing their artistic repertoire. Historical aspects and an appreciation of the arts are incorporated into each area of study.

    ART HISTORY AP (P)
    Prerequisite(s): None.  Strongly recommended to have completed World History or its equivalent with a grade of B or better.   
    The AP Art History course is equivalent to a two-semester introductory art history survey course in college.  Designed to prepare students for the AP Art History exam late Spring semester, the course covers the entire span of human history through a rigorous and critical engagement with the artifacts our species has created.  Through reading, writing, listening, and speaking, coupled above all with critical perceptual analysis, students will be immersed in the entirety of artistic expression of the world’s diverse cultures.  The AP Art History exam and course have been completely redesigned for 2015-2016, with the inclusion of diverse cultural traditions other than the western and European being the primary reason for the change.  All cultures make art, and all students should have access to it in a variety of meaningful and appropriate ways.

    STUDIO ART 2D DESIGN AP (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Grade of "A" in Art 1 and instructor's approval
    This portfolio is intended to address two-dimensional (2-D) design issues. Design involves purposeful decision-making about how to use the elements and principles of art in an integrative way. For this portfolio, students are asked to demonstrate mastery of 2-D design through any two-dimensional medium or process, including, but not limited to: graphic design, digital imaging, photography, collage, drawing, painting, and printmaking.

    A CAPPELLA CHOIR (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Admission to this group is granted only by the instructor. At least one year of previous choir experience is preferred.
    A Cappella Choir is the intermediate level choral ensemble at SEMHS. This choir performs both for the school and the community. There are performances and rehearsals that take place after school hours.  Performances include assemblies, festivals, and concerts.

    AEOLIAN CHOIR (P)
    Prerequisite(s):  This course is open to all students.
    The Aeolian Choir is the beginning level choral ensemble at SEMHS. This choir performs both for the school and the community. There are performances and rehearsals that take place after school hours.  Performances include assemblies, festivals, and concerts.  

    CHAMBER CHOIR (P) 
    Prerequisite(s): Admission to this group is granted by the instructor only. At least one year of previous choir experience is preferred.
    A Chamber Choir is the advanced level choral ensemble at SEMHS. This choir performs both for the school and the community. There are performances and rehearsals that take place after school hours.  Performances include assemblies, festivals, and several concerts.

    DRAMA 1 (P)
    Prerequisite(s):  None
    Drama 1 provides students with an opportunity to develop poise and personality by engaging in dramatic activities.  The course includes studying dramatic literature as well as giving sound training in the techniques of good acting, listening and theatrical design.

    DRAMA 2, 3, 4, (P)
    Prerequisite(s):  Drama 1 or instructor's approval.
    These courses are open to students who show promise of further improvement in their dramatic ability.  In these courses more extensive reading of plays is done, and play production is practiced.  In addition to the regular class schedule, the class has extra-curricular requirements, especially during all-school play productions.  These intensive rehearsal periods require the actors' and staff members' after-school time.

    BEGINNING INSTRUMENTS / JUNIOR BAND
    Prerequisite(s):  None.
    Class instruction begins with the very basic fundamentals of note reading and instrumental techniques; also a small amount of music theory is gradually introduced. It is advisable to own or rent your own instrument.  However, the Music Department has a few instruments which may include Sousaphones, double basses, percussion and French horns, which may be used in class.  After school practices and activities may be scheduled.

    SENIOR BAND (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor
    Although this course meets on a regular class schedule, it has extra-curricular activities that require after-school time.  Individual and group practices before or after school are scheduled. Performance is essential.  Attendance to rehearsal and performance is required.

    CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE (P)
    Prerequisite(s): Two years high school performance experience or successful audition.
    Jazz Ensemble is a performance based class in instrumental music. Only highly advanced students would be eligible, as the repertoire is technically very demanding. Students cover jazz styles including: ragtime, Dixieland, blues, swing, big band, be-bop, techno, fusion, rock, Latin, funk and popular styles of today. Students are encouraged to solo and work on improvisations modeling famous artists studied in class. Students take a written final on Jazz History and present an oral presentation along with a written paper on a famous artist covered in class that they then have to research further. Performances are numerous and attendance to all events is mandatory.

    PIANO 1 (P)
    Prerequisite(s):  None
    Piano 1 is designed to provide musical experiences in keyboard performances and appreciation for piano literature and performance through listening.  For those students participating in other musical groups, this course offers an opportunity to further musical training.  Emphasis is placed on reading music notation, and attaining familiarity with basic music history and a variety of musical styles, including classical music, American Jazz and Musical Theater. Hands-on direct instruction and guided practice are a central part of the course.

    GUITAR

    Prerequisite(s):  None.
    Guitar is a two-semester course which gives students a foundation in guitar performance with a strong emphasis on reading and interpreting music notation.  Students will have in-class performance opportunities and will learn to appreciate music from a wide variety of styles and cultures.

    DANCE PROP PRODUCTION (P)
    Prerequisite(s):  Successful audition or instructor approval
    Dance Prop Production involves student participation in various aspects of movement and equipment techniques. The student will obtain aesthetic perception and valuing, creative expression, and will study the heritage and history of dance. Those goals will be accomplished by various activities and performance throughout the course. Expression of movement style, equipment techniques and forms will take place through creative development of space, time, and force. The students will also focus on the ability to work in a group situation while developing performance and composition skills. This course is for members of Flags, Tall Flags, Drill Team, Drum Majors, Banners, and/or Rifles. This course is aligned to the State of California Visual & Performing Arts Standards.