Kathy Humbert - Department Chair
E-Mail:  kathyh@wcs.edu

Art I

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

Students explore areas of basic skills in drawing, painting and two and three-dimensional design.  The student is provided with experiences in creativity, techniques in drawing, clay, watercolor, acrylic and other media, an introduction to art history, and an understanding of art elements and principles.

Art II

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Art I

Art II builds on techniques and design concepts introduced in Art I.  Working at a more advanced level, students will explore personal expression in the design of original artworks using various drawing media, acrylic and watercolor paint, printmaking, clay, and 3-Dimensional media.  Key artists will be studied in terms of their artistic style and impact on art history.  It is highly recommended that students have at least a B average in Art I.

Art III Honors

Grade Level: 11-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Art II

Students are expected to use a variety of techniques, materials, and concepts to explore personal and aesthetic growth.  Emphasis is placed on drawing from observation, originality, visual discrimination, critiquing, and the role of art history.  First semester, students concentrate on the areas of drawing and the application of color and design principles.  Second semester, students develop teacher approved thematic units with emphasis on building a portfolio.  Art III Honors also works as a preliminary course for Studio Art AP to develop maturity of artwork.  Students should have at least a B average in Art II. 

Visual Arts

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Art I

This course explores black and white photography, art elements and principles, the history of photography and art production.  Emphasis is placed on using the camera, lighting effects and developing black and white film.  Art production emphasizes how to produce art for mass media, using various tools, materials and technology. A 35mm camera is required. 

Studio Art AP

Grade Level: 11-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Art III

Studio Art is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art for college level credit.  Students submit portfolios for college board national evaluation that reflect the areas of quality, concentration, and breadth.  Three major concerns are addressed in this class: quality in student’s work; student’s concentration on a particular interest or problem; and student’s need for experience in the formal, technical, and expressive means of the artist.  The program emphasizes making art an ongoing  process that encourages students to become focused, independent, inventive, and critical thinkers. Recommendation of previous Art teacher is required. 

Requirement for all three bands: Out-of-school time for rehearsals and performances.  Students must meet all requirements to be eligible for optional activities such as honor band, solo and ensemble competitions and trips.  This constitutes being a member in good standing of the Brentwood Band program.  BHS Marching Band rehearses after school on weekdays, and performs at football games, festivals and competitions and other events. 

Full information about Marching Band and other band activities is available in the Brentwood Band Handbook.

 

Concert Band

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

This ensemble develops basic playing skills, such as tone production, rhythmic proficiency, intonation, and technical ability, as well as preparation and performance of fine concert band literature. Out-of-school rehearsals are required, especially in preparation for concerts, programs, and festivals. Students in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to participate in the BHS Marching Band

Symphonic Band

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Concert Band

After Concert band, this class concentrates on the further development of individual and ensemble playing skill, with emphasis on the performance aspects of wind and percussion music and the rich heritage of bands, as well as the preparation of the finest band literature. Out-of-school rehearsals are required, especially in preparation for concerts, programs, and festivals. Students in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to participate in the BHS Marching Band.

Wind Ensemble

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Teacher Approval

This is a very select ensemble, which focuses on the preparation and performance of the finest of wind band literature and the rich heritage of bands. Great emphasis is placed on individual musical responsibility, in that students are one or two-on-a-part. Students must perform with the BHS Marching Band, several concert and community programs, and in concert festivals. Membership is by audition only.

Band: Percussion

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Prior experience playing percussion or Teacher Approval

This course is designed to expose students to the full range of percussion playing, including all the various aspects of the percussion family, including snare drum, bass drum, cymbals and accessory percussion, the full complement of mallet keyboard instruments, and timpani. Students, through both technique exercises and ensemble playing, will have the opportunity to perform in many different percussion roles, and thereby develop both individual and ensemble playing skill. Students in this class are strongly encouraged to participate in the BHS Marching Band. There will be outside-of-class time required for both rehearsal as well as concert performances.

Guitar

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

This class is geared toward the beginning guitarist, but will also be valuable to students with some experience playing the guitar that want to improve in the areas of music reading and chord structure. The coursework covers the basics of guitar playing, including chord strumming, single-note playing, and finger-picking styles, as well as music reading and the fundamentals of chord structure. Nylon-stringed instruments are recommended but steel-stringed guitars may be used.

Music History

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

This course, through a survey of musical forms and compositions from early through contemporary times and the historical and social elements that helped to shape them, offers an introduction to the understanding and appreciation of the broad range of musical creativity. Music of Western Europe from Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Impressionist periods will be introduced. Additionally, the history of American music, including Jazz, Musical Theater, and Rock and Roll will be studied.

AP Music Theory

Grade Level: 10 – 12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Students should have a fundamental background in music, including a basic understanding pitch and rhythmic notation, through piano, woodwind, brass, percussion, vocal, or guitar study; students with little or no formal music training will most likely find the pace and breadth of the class to be overwhelming.

Students in AP Music Theory will develop their ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The class will accomplish this through a progression of lessons and activities that will first cement the student’s understanding of the rudiments of musical language (i.e. notation, intervals, rhythm, and meter) and then develop his or her critical and creative awareness of musical forms and structures through score analysis, harmonic realization, and composition exercises. Though a wide variety of music will be used in this class, primary emphasis will be placed on common practice techniques of the Western music tradition.

Requirement for all choral classes:  Out of school times for rehearsals and performances.  All members of the choral department comprise the membership of the Grand Chorus.  The Grand Chorus performs in three major concerts annually and competes in District and State Choral Festivals.  Uniforms are required for performances.  Complete information including policies, procedures, and dates for choral events is available in the Choral Music Handbook.

Concert Choir (Men’s / Women’s)

Grade Level:  9-12

Credit: 1 – Full Year

Prerequisite course:  None

This is an entry level course into the Brentwood High School Choral Department.  The course focuses on intermediate vocal technique, music reading proficiency, and choral ensemble skills.  Students should exhibit a desire to develop healthy singing abilities and a desire to enhance their knowledge of comprehensive musicianship.  This ensemble performs in all concert programs and festivals.  Students perform at least one major work with full orchestra each year.  Out of school rehearsals are required before each concert of festival.

Advanced Women’s Chorus (Camerata)

Grade Level:  10-12

Credit:  1-Full Year

Prerequisite course:  Concert Choir

Camerata is an advance choral ensemble for women.  Students must read music proficiently and must demonstrate advanced vocal skills.  The course will focus on advanced vocal training, intermediate music theory, music dictation, and advanced reading skills.  Students will learn collegiate level music.  This ensemble performs in all concert programs and festivals.  Festivals may include local, state, and national competitions.  Students perform at least one major work with full orchestra each year.  Out of school rehearsals are required before each concert of festival. 

Membership is by audition only.

Chamber Singers

Grade level:  10-12

Credit:  1-Full Year

Prerequisite course:  Concert Choir

Chamber Singers is an advanced choral ensemble for mixed voices.  Students must read music proficiently and must demonstrate advanced vocal skills.  Great emphasis is placed on individual musicianship and opportunities are available for solo work.  Students will learn collegiate level music and will be prepared to sing in college ensembles upon graduation.  This ensemble performs in all concert programs and festivals.  This ensemble additionally performs at sporting events and local civic events.  Festivals may include local, state, and national competitions.  Students perform at least one major work with full orchestra each year.  Out of school rehearsals are required before each concert of festival. 

Membership is by audition only.

Mixed Jazz Ensemble

Grade level:  10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Prerequisite course:  Camerata or Chamber Singers

The mixed vocal jazz ensemble is a select group of 16 singers taken from the membership of Chamber Singers.  The group frequently includes a vocal percussionist.  Advanced choral skills are required.  Literature for the jazz ensemble will include vocal jazz music and contemporary a capella arrangements.  College preparatory music theory will be explored.  The students compete in various competitions and perform frequently throughout the year.  Out of school rehearsals are required before each concert of festival. 

Membership is by audition only.

Women’s Jazz Ensemble

Grade level:  10-12

Credit:  1-Full Year

Prerequisite course:  Camerata or Chamber Singers

The women’s vocal jazz ensemble is a select group of 16 singers taken from the membership of Chamber Singers and/or Camerata.  The group frequently includes a vocal percussionist.  Advanced choral skills are required.  Literature for the jazz ensemble will include vocal jazz music and contemporary a capella arrangements.  College preparatory music theory will be explored.  The students compete in various competitions and perform frequently throughout the year.  Out of school rehearsals are required before each concert of festival.  Membership is by audition only.

Theater Production

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

This course will allow those students interested in the technical facet of theatrical production to study and practice those skills and concepts that would form a basis for further, post-graduation study or work in the field.  Students will develop a demonstrable understanding of: the technology and specialized equipment required for lighting and audio design; the techniques employed in planning and organization of the construction, rigging, and running of that equipment in production; and, the tools, materials and techniques used to realize theatrical design and set construction techniques. Written evaluations will cover basic concepts and techniques. Students will also be assigned to crew productions and events, implementing the concepts covered in class. Successful application of concepts and skills learned will be significant in the success of the event.

Requirements for Theater Arts:  Out of school time is required to fulfill homework obligations.  Theater Arts II and III are required to perform for coffeehouses and other out of school activities.

Theater Arts I

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

Students study the fundamentals of acting and play production.  The different acting styles are studied with subsequent performances.  Each student must fulfill ten homework hours as part of the course credit. 

Theater Arts II

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Theater Arts I

Theater Arts II seeks to improve the students acting abilities and versatility in performing different genres of plays. 

Focus is placed on performance and many performing opportunities are available, including coffeehouses and one act plays.  Out of school time is required to fulfill homework obligations and performances.

Theater Arts III

Grade Level: 11-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Theater Arts II

Theater Arts III seeks to train further the student in areas of acting, directing, writing, and designing.  Focus is placed on technical theater skills as well as leadership skills as students plan and run the coffeehouses and design many of the technical elements of the shows.  Out of school time is required to fulfill homework obligations and performances.

Lifetime Wellness

Grade Level: 9-12

Credit: 1-Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: None

Lifetime Wellness provides students with information that enables them to make informed choices and decisions based on healthy attitudes. A new approach to physical education/health consistent with the national health goals of “A Healthy People 2000," Wellness stresses a lifelong process of positive lifestyle management that seeks to integrate the social, emotional, intellectual and physical self for a more productive, quality life style.  Sports activities and recreation are continued and complement the course.  Physical fitness activities such as aerobics, Line-dancing, volleyball, softball, badminton, table tennis, beginning weight training, basketball, flag football, and fitness games comprise 60% of the curriculum.  The other 40% is classroom units, such as disease prevention, mental health/stress management, nutrition, drug/alcohol/tobacco prevention, and first aid/CPR.  Recommended for 9^th graders

Weights and Kinesiology

Grade Level: 10-12

Credit: ½ or 1 Full Year

Recommended Prerequisite: Teacher approval

This is a weight training and conditioning class that includes intense weight training at a high tempo that will progressively increase in difficulty.  Included in this class will be power training exercises, stretching, calisthenics, running for speed development and conditioning, stations to develop quickness, and plyometrics.  Proper techniques and safety will be emphasized to prevent injuries.   

*Williamson County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age.