Secondary Fine Arts
Opportunities for middle and high school students to participate in the arts continue to grow. The Williamson County Schools (WCS) strings programs have been recognized as among the fastest growing in the United States.
Dance
Dance provides students an inclusive, collaborative, and reflective environment to explore the ways in which movement can benefit all areas of life, physically, emotionally, and socially. A growing program in WCS, courses including Introduction to Dance, Intermediate, Advanced, and IB Dance are offered at some of our WCS high schools. Open to beginners interested in learning movement as a means of expression and to seasoned performers looking to navigate the creative process in a more analytical and rigorous way, there is an option for all. Students may adjudicate into any level through their school options based on experience and personal goals. Please contact your specific school to learn more.
Music
Middle school students can choose to continue their explorations in music through an assortment of general music opportunities, or they can begin an intensive study in music through a variety of course offerings including band, orchestra and choir. Band and orchestra programs begin in sixth grade with no instrumental training needed to participate. The courses offered vary by school. High school courses offer a wide variety of skill-based courses in band, orchestra and choir. Students can find a home in award-winning music ensembles both during the day and after school whether they intend to pursue music as a career or simply enjoy performing with an ensemble. WCS also offers courses in guitar, piano, music theory and AP music theory depending on the school.
Theatre
Theatre courses begin as a nine-week course in sixth through eighth grade, though some schools will offer more intensive studies through semester or year-long programs. High school theatre courses range from Theatre I-IV as well as Theatre Productions. Theatre classes help develop student self-esteem and self-awareness. Students build confidence and collaborative skills through participating in acting onstage, directing, play study and theatre history. The high schools and middle schools put on multiple plays and musicals throughout the year, many of which are open audition for the entire school.
Visual Art
Visual Art is available generally as a nine-week course in sixth through eighth grade, though some schools will offer more intensive studies through semester or year-long programs. Some middle school programs will provide the education which allows students to enter directly in the Visual Art II program at the high school level. Contact the high school art teacher for specific information. High school art courses begin with Visual Art I, a general overview of studio production. Students can then select to focus on two-dimensional art (drawing, painting, printmaking, etc.) or three-dimensional art (sculpture and ceramics). WCS offers Advanced Placement courses in both Studio Art and Art History.
Fine Arts Events in WCS
WCS Art Throwdown
The WCS Art Throwdown Competition is an event for Middle School and High School Visual Art students. Each year, there is a different theme, allowing students to compete in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Teams work together to create artworks that fit the theme. Along the way, there are twists and turns that challenge their creativity. Prizes are awarded to overall winners in each category. The top scoring middle school team and high school team are recognized as winner of the event.
Williamson County Honors Series
The Williamson County Honors Series features top-performing students from both Williamson County Schools and Franklin Special School District in band, orchestra and choir. Students spend one to two days with a guest clinician, learning high-level music to perform at a free concert for the community. These events give students the opportunity to connect with top-performing conductors, opening opportunities and doors for students and showcasing all the talent and musical ability in the district. Past clinicians have included university conductors and conductors from prestigious professional and community ensembles including the Nashville Symphony.
WCS Art Show at The Frist
The WCS Art Show at the Frist is an annual event hosted by the Frist Art Museum. Students from every grade level within WCS are selected by their schools to have their artwork displayed at the Frist Art Museum for two weeks. This event is the largest art exhibit for WCS, featuring more than 400 pieces of artwork from around the county.
Williamson County Schools Fine Arts Showcase
This event takes place in the spring semester of each school year. It showcases the incredible growth shown by our very best students in the disciplines of Dance, Digital Art, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art, as well as featuring the teachers who helped them along their journey.