Fine Arts Academy

The Rain Fine and Performing Arts Academy seeks to provide an opportunity for artistic students to explore innovative and rewarding career paths in the arts. This will be accomplished through a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum which introduces the fundamental elements the individual disciplines, exposes students to art professionals currently working in their respected fields, and guides the individual student to collaborate with their peers in an effort to produce unified collaborative arts productions. Students will choose one of four pathways – Art, Band, Chorus, or Dance – with an ultimate goal to prepare students for careers within the fine and performing arts and promote life-long advocates of the arts. 

Pathways:

 Art, Band, Chorus, & Dance

 Career Opportunities:

 Actor

Model

Freelance Artist

Sound Technician

Costume Designer

Dance Studio Owner

Vocal Coach

Technical Director

Stage Manager

Set Designer

Makeup Artist

Band Director

Choral Director

Dance Instructor

Composer

Conductor

Music Editor

Choreographer

Director

Fine Arts Teacher

Playwright

 

Fine Arts-Band Program

Chorus

 

 

Block

 

 

Course

 

Prerequisite

1

Planning

 

2

Beg Chorus 1

9th and 10th grade students who have not had a previous high school choral course.

INT

Collaborative

Show Choir

Auditioned choral/dance students

3

Adv. Chorus 1-6

Auditioned choral students from the end of the previous school year.

4

Beg. Chorus 1

9th and 10th grade students who have not had a previous high school choral course.

 

 Spring Semester


 

Block

 

 

Course

 

Prerequisite

1

Planning

 

2

Intermediate Chorus

(Beg. Chorus 2)

9th and 10th grade students who have completed the Beginning Chorus course and passed the music proficiency exam to be eligible for Intermediate Chorus

INT

Collaborative

Show Choir

Auditioned choral/dance students

3

Adv. Chorus 1-6

Auditioned choral students from the end of the previous school year.

4

Beg. Chorus 1

9th and 10th grade students who have not had a previous high school choral course.

 

Chorus Course Selections

Beginning Chorus

This course will teach students the fundamentals of choral music. Students will learn basic music theory as well as how to sight-read basic music passages notated stepwise as well as in intervals of 2nds, 3rd, and 4ths.  Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform two selections as an ensemble in the Christmas Program in the fall semester or the Spring Concert in the spring semester. At the end of the semester, students will audition to progress to the Intermediate Chorus.

Intermediate Chorus

This course will continue to build upon the knowledge obtained in Beginning Chorus. Students will be able to sight-read music passages in all major keys and in all intervals. Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform a minimum of three selections as an ensemble in the Spring Concert. Students will be required to learn one song from the District Honor Choir during the spring semester and Alabama (from the AVA All-State song list) during the fall semester. Select fall semester Intermediate Chorus students may audition for the AVA All-State Choral Festival. At the end of the semester, students will audition to progress to the Advanced Chorus.

Advanced Chorus 1-6

This course will build upon the knowledge obtained in Intermediate Chorus (Beginning 2). Students will be able to sight-read music passages in all major keys and minor keys and in all intervals. Students will apply this knowledge to standard choral literature and perform a minimum of five selections of contrasting styles and time periods as an ensemble in the Spring Concert. Students will be required to audition for District Honor Choir during the spring semester. Select fall semester Advanced Chorus students will audition for the AVA All-State Choral Festival.

Academy Requirements

  • Must take a minimum of 6 semesters of Chorus
  • Must attend and perform in all choral performances unless excused prior to the day performance by Mr. Frye
  • Must maintain a C average in all courses
  • Must attend afterschool rehearsal when assigned
  • Must audition for District Honor Choir a minimum of two years.
  • Must audition for AVA All-State Festival a minimum of two years.
  • Must participate in District Solo and Ensemble

    o   Ensemble: as  assigned by the choir director

    o   Solo: Fall semester of senior year

  • Must audition for a minimum of one music scholarship

Band

Fall Semester

 

 

Block

 

 

Course

 

Prerequisite

1

Beginning Band

 

9th and 10th grade student who have not had a previous high school band course.

2

Percussion

9th and 10th grade student who have not had a previous high school band course.

INT

 

 

3

Planning

 

4

Marching Band

Advanced Band Students

 

Spring Semester

 

 

Block

 

 

Course

 

Prerequisite

1

Intermediate Band

Students who have successfully passed beginning band.

2

Percussion

Students who have successfully passed beginning band.

INT

 

 

3

Planning

 

4

Concert Band

Advanced Band Students

Beginning Band (Fall Semester ONLY)

At the end of the semester, student(s) must perform and show knowledge of understanding in the following ways:

  • Understand the terms of: Posture, Instrument Assembly, Buzzing, Phrase, Tempo, Articulation, Tone, Breathe Support, Mouthpiece, Warm-up, Embouchure, Time Signature, Whole, Half, Quarter Notes, Rest, Staff, Lines, Space, Clef, Instrument Families, Low & High Pitches, Melody, Harmony, and Beats
  • Understand and perform of whole, half, quarter, and rest.
  • Understand and perform of 4/4 time signature
  • Play musical selections using the first 5 notes in the Bb scale.

Intermediate Band (Spring Semester Only)

At the end of the semester, student(s) must perform and show knowledge of understanding in the following ways:

  • Concert F, Bb & Eb Major Scales
  • Understanding of whole, half, quarter, eighth and dotted half rhythms 
  • Understanding of 4/4, 2/4, and 3/4 time signatures   
  • Basic sight-reading

Marching and Concert Band (Advanced Band)

At the end of the semester, student(s) must perform and show knowledge of understanding in the following ways:

  • Understanding of intonation and basic pitch tendencies 
  • Understanding of sixteenth, dotted, and syncopated rhythms  
  • Understanding of 2/2 (cut time) and 6/8 time signatures

Band Course Seletions

Beginning Band

The Beginning Band class offers instruction on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments with a focus on the skills necessary for long-term student success. Fundamentals stressed include proper posture and playing position, development of characteristic tone quality and training in music literacy. The school is able to provide many of the larger and/or more expensive instruments. These include the oboe, bassoon, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Other instruments (i.e. flute, clarinet, saxophone and trumpet) should be provided for the student by their parents if at all possible. Please feel free to contact me for recommendations regarding instrument purchase or rental suggestions. This class is ideal for those who are interested in the Band (Instrumental) track in the Fine Arts Academy. Also, this class may also be ideal for those already with experience but who may need a review and reinforcement of music reading, playing fundamentals and technique that are vital for lasting musical development. No audition is required for placement in the Beginning Band. Attendance and discipline all that is necessary, as well as, the desire and motivation to study a musical instrument!

Intermediate Band

The Intermediate Band is for students who already have an understanding of basic music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction offers continued focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. This band meets daily as two separate classes (brass/percussion & woodwinds) that combine for performances. These groups will perform in the Winter and Spring Band Concerts. Placement in the level II Intermediate Band is by audition that includes the requirements above. 

Marching & Concert Band

The Intermediate Band is for students who already have an understanding of basic music reading, instrument assembly and maintenance, correct playing position and sound tone production. Instruction offers continued focus on the refinement of tone quality, technique, aural skills and music literacy. This band meets daily as two separate classes (brass/percussion & woodwinds) that combine for performances. These groups will perform in the Winter and Spring Band Concerts. Placement in the level II Intermediate Band is by audition that includes the requirements above. 

Academy Requirements

  • Must take a minimum of 6 semesters of Band
  • Must attend and perform in all band performances unless excused prior to the day performance by Mr. Forde
  • Must maintain a C average in all courses
  • Must attend all afterschool rehearsals unless excused by Mr. Forde
  • Must audition for District Honor Band a minimum of two years.
  • Must participate in all District and State Evaluations
  • Must audition for a minimum of one music scholarship 
Career and technical student organizations are integral, co-curricular components of each career and technical education course. These organizations serve as a means to enhance classroom instruction while helping students develop leadership abilities, expand workplacereadiness skills, and broaden opportunities for personal and professional growth.