Courses

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  1. LOGIC SCHOOL
    Logic School students select one fine arts class for the full year and are encouraged to stay in that fine art through Logic School. Logic students perform in the school’s annual Christmas, Spring and Benefit program. (See calendar and syllabi.) A student may not sign up for electives or fine arts before reenrolling.
    1. VISUAL ART
      The goal in visual art is to learn art skills and techniques so that the student may create works of art that reflect the Great Creator. Drawing skills are a major focus, drawing from life, and copying "master" drawings are emphasized. Students also study other media including watercolor and acrylic painting, clay and sculpture, and art history. Students must purchase and maintain a weekly sketchbook and exhibit their work at Christmas and Benefit programs.
    2. BAND
      The goal of our band program is to glorify God by playing skillfully and to support our school and community with performances. Students perform at in-school pep rallies, the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert and the Benefit. Students will learn to perform solos and ensembles. Students are encouraged to compete for the South Texas Honor Band. Students need to supply their own instruments unless school-owned instruments are available to rent. Additionally, a tuner for wind players and a metronome for percussionists are recommended.
    3. CLASSICAL GUITAR ENSEMBLE 
      In this class, the student will read music, learn the fundamentals of guitar technique, and perform artistically. Students work through musical pieces and performances. This course focuses on large ensemble playing. As students advance, they will progress to small ensembles as well as solo performances. This ensemble performs in the school's Christmas Concert, Spring Concert and the Benefit program. Students are responsible for supplying their own guitar.
    4. ORCHESTRA
      Beginning orchestra is designed to help students learn techniques and musicianship through stringed instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass). Students perform in the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert and the Benefit program. Students are responsible for supplying their own instrument.
    5. VOCAL MUSIC 
      This class is a combination of vocal technique and musicianship, using music literature of numerous genres. Students will learn music literacy, including music notation and sightreading. The focus is on blend and group singing, but students will also have solo opportunities. Students perform in the Christmas Concert, Spring Concert and the Benefit program.
  2. RHETORIC SCHOOL 
    Freshmen and sophomore students must take at least one core fine arts course. Junior and senior students are highly encouraged to continue in their fine arts area, and many upper-class students will take on leadership opportunities. A student may not sign up for electives or fine arts before reenrolling.
    1. VISUAL ART (for Fine Art Credit)
      (Prerequisite: Logic Visual Art or application) The goal in Rhetoric Art is to improve art skills and introduce new and more advanced techniques so the student may glorify God by creating works of beauty. Drawing skills are emphasized, along with a variety of painting, sculpting, and mixed media techniques. Art history is included in the curriculum. Students must purchase and submit a weekly sketchbook drawing and enter work in several competitions, including TAPPS.
    2. BAND (For Fine Art Credit)
      (Prerequisite: Logic Band or audition) Rhetoric Band’s purpose is to play to the glory of God and to serve our school. Rhetoric band students perform at football games and pep rallies, and Veterans Day, Christmas, Spring and Benefit programs. Rhetoric band students compete in TAPPS contests. Students supply their own instruments (some school-owned instruments are available for rent).
    3. CLASSICAL GUITAR ENSEMBLE (For Fine Art Credit)
      (Prerequisite: Logic Classical Guitar or audition) In this class we emphasize the ability to read music, develop technique; and express musical thought. These goals are achieved through studying from the methods of the guitar masters and through performances. The student should be aware this class is reading intensive. This ensemble performs in the Christmas, Spring and Benefit programs. TAPPS Ensemble performance is required for all students at this level. Juniors and seniors will also compete with a solo piece. Students supply their own guitar.
    4. ORCHESTRA (For Fine Art Credit)
      (Prerequisite: Logic Orchestra or audition) Rhetoric orchestra students continue the techniques and musicianship skills learned in Logic School. Students must perform at Veterans Day, Christmas, Spring and Benefit programs. Rhetoric orchestra students compete in TAPPS contests. Students supply their own instrument.
    5. VOCAL MUSIC/MUSICAL THEATRE (For Fine Art Credit)
      Vocal music students concentrate on acquiring and fine-tuning vocal skills, reading music at sight, and performing choral pieces at Veterans Day, Christmas, Spring and Benefit programs, as well as TAPPS contests. Vocal music students are encouraged to participate in musical theatre productions, as either chorus ensemble members or auditioned characters.
  3. RHETORIC SCHOOL ELECTIVES
    All Rhetoric students are eligible for additional Fine Arts electives as schedules allow. All of these electives are in addition to, and are not a substitute for, the required fine arts credit for grades 9 and 10.
    1. AP ART HISTORY (10th–12th)
      This course is an introductory college-level art history course. Students cultivate their understanding of art history through analyzing works of art and placing them in historical context as they explore concepts like cultural interactions, theories and interpretations of art, the impact of materials, processes, and techniques on art and art making, and understanding purpose and audience in historical analysis. (.5 elective credit)
    2. AP MUSIC THEORY (11th–12th)
      (Prerequisite: instructor’s approval) Music theory, one of the seven liberal arts of the Middle Ages, is the study of the relationships between musical harmonies. This course will give students the opportunity to study these relationships through ear training, sight-singing, counterpoint studies, score reading, score analysis, and composing. As an AP course, the level of commitment and involvement is intensive, to meet the College Board Advanced Placement guidelines. This course prepares students for the AP exam and college music theory placement exams. (1 elective credit with AP course GPA enhancement).
    3. AUDIO ENGINEERING (10th–12th)
      This class teaches a basic understanding of electricity and acoustical physics. The students should expect to work “labs” in which classroom study is used at various events throughout the school year. Examples of these are Logic and Rhetoric assemblies, fine arts concerts, performances (plays and musicals), Eaglefest, Christmas programs, Benefit, etc. Performance at these events will be graded. Space is limited due to the nature of the class. For this limited-availability class, selection is determined based on a written application and interview. (.5 elective credit)
    4. CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 
      This class will explore challenging repertoire, including chamber music. Students in chamber orchestra will have additional performance opportunities, including playing for the musical. Students who plan on auditioning for Region Orchestra are encouraged to sign up for this class. An interview with the orchestra instructor is required. (.5 elective credit)
    5. ELECTIVE JAZZ ENSEMBLE
      (Prerequisite: instructor’s approval or audition) Jazz ensemble will focus on learning jazz technique and skills, including improvisation. It is an adventurous and exciting playing environment in which the students grow their musicianship and appreciation for playing with other musicians. Students also participate in TAPPS instrumental competitions and play several concerts both on and off campus. (.5 elective credit)
    6. ELECTIVE MUSICOLOGY
      Musicology (the study of music) will give students the opportunity to study music history, various styles of music, music theory, and music composition. Music theory, one of the seven liberal arts of the Middle Ages, is the study of the relationships between musical harmonies. The main objective for the student is not just to interpret music—that is the task of the performer—but to communicate fluently in the language of music. (.5 elective credit)