Upper School Arts

AP Art History offers students the opportunity to study extensively the history of art from ancient times to the present day.  An array of resources will be used during the course such as: texts, additional readings, technical opportunities, CD’s, videos, slides, individual and class field trips to museums, personal research and presentations. Development of analytical skills in the description and comparison of artwork will be encouraged via discussion and writing opportunities throughout the course.

Art Foundations is designed to expose students to the fundamental components of 2-D design, 3-D design, color, and technology.  The two-dimensional components of Art Foundations include the study of painting, drawing, printmaking, and graphics.  Three-dimensional study includes ceramics, shallow relief, and sculpture with a variety of materials.  The study of color emphasizes the theories of Joseph Albers.  The fourth component of the course is the application of technology to create art.  The elements and principles of design, composition, and observation are emphasized.  Students study the history of art and use a variety of media with the goal of discovering their own creative voices and artistic abilities.  In addition to art supplies, materials for the course include A Primer of Visual Literacy published by MIT Press, Discovering Art History by Davis Publications, Prentice Hall's The Art Teacher's Book of Lists, The Oxford Dictionary of Art by Oxford University Press, and other books.  Additional supplementary materials include high quality art posters, software programs, DVDs, and slides.

Prerequisite:  Art Foundations or special permission by means of a portfolio review

2-D Design is an art course designed to instruct students in the fundamental components of two-dimensional visual art, which include painting, drawing, printmaking, graphics, color, and technology.  Elements of two-dimensional design, composition, and observation are emphasized.

Students study the history of art and use a variety of media with the goal of discovering their own creative voices and artistic abilities. Students who wish to further refine their two-dimensional art skills may take 2-D Design II and 2-D Design III.  Students may take 2-D design courses for honors credit. 

Honors students begin to fulfill portfolio requirements as outlined by the College Board in preparation for Advanced Placement Art.  In addition to art supplies, materials for the course include Point and Line to Plane published by the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation, Anatomy:  A Complete Guide for Artists from Dover publications, and other print resources.

Additional supplementary materials include high quality art posters, software programs, DVDs, and slides.

Prerequisite:  Art Foundations or special permission by means of a portfolio review

3-D design is an art course designed to instruct students in the fundamental components of sculptural art.  Typical themes include form, function, composition, content, and presentation. Students study the history of art and use a variety of media and technologies. 

A portfolio of prep work and exploration of ideas is developed during the course.  A visual portfolio is formally documented in either 35mm slide format or on CD-R depending on the future educational needs and desires of individual students.

Students who wish to further refine their three-dimensional art skills may take 3-D Design II and 3-D Design III.  Students may take 3-D design courses for honors credit. Honors students begin to fulfill portfolio requirements as outlined by the College Board in preparation for Advanced Placement Art. 

In addition to art supplies, materials for the course include Ceramics by Hoffman Press, Creating Welded Sculpture by Dover Publications, Pottery on the Wheel published by Noonday Press, and other print resources.  Additional supplementary materials include high quality art posters, software programs, DVDs, and slides.

Prerequisite:  Honors 2-D Design or special permission by means of a portfolio review

Advanced Placement Studio Art: 2-D Design is designed for the serious art student who wishes to create a portfolio to meet the College Board requirements for the AP Studio Art: 2-D Exam. Students must create and demonstrate an in-depth investigation of all three elements of portfolio development which include quality, concentration, and breadth.

Students must select five quality images for presentation that depict mastery in concept, composition, and execution of two-dimensional design; twelve quality images that demonstrate breadth with a variety of ideas, techniques, problem solving, and a range of media; and twelve personal images that are cohesive.

In addition, students must write a comprehensive statement concerning their chosen concentration. Work created in previous art classes may be eligible for inclusion as determined by critique and in conference with the instructor. Participation in Teaching Gallery Shows is mandatory as are field trips to local museums.  Materials are determined by student need.

Prerequisite:  Honors 3-D Design or special permission by means of a portfolio review 

Advanced Placement Studio Art: 3-D Design is designed for the serious art student who wishes to create a portfolio to meet the College Board requirements for the AP Studio Art: 3-D Exam. Students must create and demonstrate an in-depth investigation of all three elements of portfolio development which include quality, concentration, and breadth.

Students must select five quality images for presentation that depict mastery in concept, composition, and execution of sculpture; twelve quality images that  demonstrate breadth with a variety of ideas, techniques, problem solving, and a range of media; and twelve personal images that are cohesive. In addition, students must write a comprehensive statement concerning their chosen concentration.

Work created in previous art classes may be eligible for inclusion as determined by critique and in conference with the instructor. Participation in Teaching Gallery Shows is mandatory as are field trips to local museums.  Materials are determined by student need.

Prerequisite:  Honors 2-D Design or special permission by means of a portfolio review

Advanced Placement Studio Art: Drawing is designed for the serious art student who wishes to create a portfolio to meet the College Board requirements for the AP Studio Art: Drawing Exam. Students must create and demonstrate an in-depth investigation of all three elements of portfolio development which include quality, concentration, and breadth.

Students must select five quality images for presentation that depict mastery in concept, composition, and execution of drawing; twelve quality images that that demonstrate breadth with a variety of ideas, techniques, problem solving, and a range of media; and twelve personal images that are cohesive. In addition, students must write a comprehensive statement concerning their chosen concentration.

Work created in previous art classes may be eligible for inclusion as determined by critique and in conference with the instructor. Participation in Teaching Gallery Shows is mandatory as are field trips to local museums.  Materials are determined by student need.

Prerequisite:  One year of experience in choir or special permission.

A Capella Choir is a performance-oriented class for upper school students in grades nine through twelve.  Advanced sight-reading and vocal techniques are stressed during rehearsal as well as correct performance of difficult literature. Participation in choir involves multiple performances, auditions, and competitions throughout the year.

Private voice instruction is suggested but not required.  Students who have completed at least one year of A Capella Choir may enroll for honors credit.  Honors A Capella Choir students are required to audition for TPSMEA; write program notes for each of the concerts presented during the year; and attend and review one professional, community, or otherwise approved classical concert per semester.

Students use materials from selected music training books and musical scores appropriate for their skill level.  The instructor uses the Texas UIL Prescribed Music List as a guide for literature choices.

Theatre Production introduces students to the stage production process with emphasis on such specific technical aspects as set construction, design theory, and acoustics. Other topics of study include lighting, costume, and make-up design as well as stage and house management.

Students study the principles of planning and preparation and present ideas through sketches, drafts, and models. Shop safety and proper use of tools are emphasized as students learn proper techniques of stage carpentry. Students work on a production or running crew for at least one Oakridge production.

As performances vary from year to year, Theatre Production may be repeated for credit as Theatre Production II.  Honors credit may be earned in Theatre Production II and requires a greater evening time commitment for tech rehearsals.

Acting is a beginning course which provides students with the fundamentals of acting.  Students learn improvisation techniques, understand and follow stage directions, and practice voice and body control. Emphasis is placed on character analysis.   

Students prepare scripted works throughout the year which they perform for friends, family, and the school community.  Acting students audition for the fall play and the spring musical.  Students not directly involved in major Oakridge productions attend at least one performance and submit a written critique.  Scripts are selected from a variety of catalogs such as Baker's Plays, Dramatist's Play Service, and Samuel French.  

Acting is a beginning course which provides students with the fundamentals of acting.  Students learn improvisation techniques, understand and follow stage directions, and practice voice and body control. Emphasis is placed on character analysis.   

Students prepare scripted works throughout the year which they perform for friends, family, and the school community.  Acting students audition for the fall play and the spring musical.  Students not directly involved in major Oakridge productions attend at least one performance and submit a written critique.  Scripts are selected from a variety of catalogs such as Baker's Plays, Dramatist's Play Service, and Samuel French.  

Prerequisite:  Two years of experience or special permission

Students in grades nine through twelve may choose to continue their study of strings in the Advanced String Orchestra course. This advanced class is designed to meet the needs of violin, viola, cello or bass students with (ideally) several years of experience. 

The curriculum is designed to further develop students’ existing techniques such as finger dexterity, ear training, shifting and vibrato.  Additionally, it is designed to bring depth and maturity to the sound of the group through scales, exercises, and music selections of varying styles.

The orchestra usually performs at least six times per school year.   Sources for the course include Essentials for Strings Scale Book, Essential Technique 2000 Book 3, Advanced Technique, and advanced string orchestra pieces from the orchestra literature.

AP Music Theory, taken in the senior year, is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Music Theory exam in the spring.  This course is for the student who wishes to delve into the analytical side of music and is highly recommended for students considering a major in music at the university level; it is open, however, to any student with a keen interest in music. 

Topics covered include, but are not limited to, solfege, scales/modes, key signatures, sight reading, notation, candences, transposition, and nonchord tones. In addition, students will compose a Four Part Chorale and an arrangement for orchestra that must include a minimum of eight instruments. 

Primary texts for the course include Kostka and Payne’s Tonal Harmony with an Introduction to Twentieth-Century Music, 6th edition and Ottman’s Music for Sight-Singing, 7th edition.