Art I (05154G01S15)
Credit: 1

Art I is an introductory art course designed to foster understanding, enjoyment, and use of art in everyday living. Emphasis is placed on the elements of art and the principles of design using various art techniques and materials to create two-dimensional and three- dimensional art works. Students will engage in drawing, painting, crafts, sculpture, and/or graphic arts to express ideas and create images. They will prepare and display their artwork as part of the artistic process.

Art II (05154)
Credit: 1 Prerequisite: Art I

Art II is an intermediate art course for students who desire to continue to develop their artistic abilities. Instruction is designed to improve their skills, creativity, vocabulary, imagination, and artistic growth. Focus is on art history and the use of that knowledge of artists, styles, movements, and cultures as inspiration to create art works. Students will begin to use technology and electronic media as artistic tools. They will prepare and display their artwork as part of the artistic process.

Art III (05154)
Credit: 1 Prerequisite: Art II

Art III continues to emphasize the development of abilities and skills in creating works of art using an expanded range of art media and processes. Advanced study and instruction in drawing and painting styles, theories, and techniques are emphasized. Career opportunities in the field of art through specific job related projects in the areas of advertising, fashion design, and illustration are explored. Students use technology to create and manipulate images. Selected works of art are added to a portfolio of their best products that can be used for exhibition and career opportunities. 

Art IV (05154)
Credit: 1 Prerequisite: Art III

Art IV affords students the opportunity to develop a personal direction in the production of their art work with a possible concentration in an area of interest. The course is designed to enable students to develop skill, confidence, and commitment and to demonstrate an advanced level of performance. The culmination is a display of work students have produced throughout their high school art program.

Art V (05154)
Credit: 1 Prerequisite: Art IV

Art V is designed for students who have a solid foundation in art fundamentals and are ready to pursue more complex and personalized artistic projects. This course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced art techniques, mediums, art history, and critical thinking, allowing students to develop a sophisticated and personal artistic voice.

Ceramics (05159)
Credit: 1 Prerequisite: Art I

Ceramics is the art or technology of making objects of clay and similar materials treated by firing. This is a hands on class designed for students who have an interest in working with clay. Students will learn basic and advanced hand building techniques and how to use the potter’s wheel. They will be introduced to a variety of decorating, glazing and firing techniques and will produce a number of fine pieces of pottery. Well thought out forms, designs and functional uses along with good craftsmanship are emphasized. There is a $20 fee for this course.

Band (05101) - Concert
Credit: 1

Students in grades 9-12 develop and strengthen skills on a band instrument of their choice, learning proper care of the instrument and becoming familiar with its technology. Music theory; ensemble skills; appropriate positions, tone production, and fingerings; and counting, reading, and performing increasingly difficult levels of music are emphasized. The course is performance- oriented and may require students to practice and/or perform at times outside of the regular school day.

Chorus I (05110)
Credit: 1

Chorus I is designed to develop the student’s vocal abilities. Areas covered in music include developing the voice, understanding musical terms, training the ear for listening, singing in harmony with the group, and learning basic choreography for specific selections. Chorus is a performance oriented group of mixed voices organized to give singers training in a variety of vocal forms and styles. Singers will perform an assigned vocal part in unison and in simple harmony. The overall goal is to enable students to read their part in choral music and to perform music in an appropriate style.

Chorus II (05110)
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Chorus I

This course forms an intermediate level chorus ensemble for men and women with good singing skills. Students will continue to develop and improve their singing techniques (breath control, posture, diction, tone production), as well as their sight-reading skills. Preparation of music for performance (of moderate difficulty, and mostly in three and four part settings) is a major course objective. Participation in concerts and various programs and extra rehearsals (as needed) are required. There are special dress requirements for concert appearances.

Vocal Ensemble (05111)
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Audition

In Vocal Ensemble, students will acquire refined musicianship skills in individual and ensemble performance. They will also continue to develop their ability to evaluate musical performances and to articulate preferences and choices through the use of cognitive skills and analytical thinking. Competency in solo/ensemble singing and the use of foreign languages will assist students in preparing for future musical/vocal development and career opportunities. Increasing awareness of the interrelatedness of music, the arts, and other disciplines will be emphasized.

Symphonic Band (05101)
Credit: 1

Symphonic Band is primarily a classroom ensemble. The instruments will be divided in a manner intended to facilitate appropriate development and challenge to each section. Students who participate in Symphonic Band will have had prior musical training and must be capable of performing as an ensemble. After-school practice may occasionally be required for concert preparation.

Music Appreciation/History/Theory (05116)
Credit: 1

This course covers the basics of music theory and technology and the appreciation of music as it relates to our society. Students will learn theory at an individualized pace through use of special software and through classroom lectures. They will learn how to use various types of technology to further their understanding of music and its applications to real world situations. Students will also be responsible for creating and maintaining the music website. No experience in music is required to take this course; however, students will be required to reach certain individualized benchmarks throughout the year. Students should be familiar with the use of the computer, as the software used in the class will allow each student to progress at his or her own pace.

Theatre I (05052)

Credit: 1

This course is designed to provide students with a survey of theatre arts, allowing students opportunities to experience and appreciate dramatic literature and participate in the creative processes of performance and production. The course emphasizes skill development and provides theatrical opportunities that enable students to determine personal areas of interest.

Theatre II ( 05059)

Prerequisite: Theatre I

Credit: 1

This course integrates and builds upon concepts and skills from Theatre I. Through various modes of expression and performance, students investigate dramatic literature, theatrical styles, and historical periods. Students will study and respond to a variety of theatre experiences that will refine their communicative, collaborative, analytical, interpretative, and problem-solving skills. Students will expand their artistic abilities and appreciation of the theatrical arts.

Advanced Acting (05055)
Prerequisite: Theatre II
Credit: 1

Advanced Acting builds upon concepts and skills from Theatre II. Through various modes of expression and performance, students investigate acting styles, character development, dramatic structure, conflict, and resolution. Students will study and respond to a variety of theatre experiences that will refine their skills Students will deepen their artistic abilities and appreciation of the theatrical arts.

Choreography (050051)
Prerequisite: None
Credit: 1

Offered at Rustburg High School 2024-2025 

This dynamic course is designed to introduce students to the art of choreography, providing a platform for creative expression, collaboration, and the development of essential dance skills.

Technical Theatre I (05056)

Credit: 1

This course introduces students to the principles and implementation of stage design as it applies to the basics of scenic, costume, sound, stage organization and lighting design. Students will also study the methods and materials of set construction.

Technical Theatre II (05056)

Prerequisite: Technical Theater I

Credit: 1

This course includes continued study of scenic, costume, sound, stage organization and lighting design. Students will explore different design techniques, methods of presenting design effectively, and an emphasis on using design as a tool to further express the drama.

AP Music Theory (05114)

Prerequisite: Recommendation based on the ability to read and write musical notation. Also, recommended concurrent enrollment in a music course, or private instruction on a musical instrument.

Credit: 1 (weighted)

This course introduces the student to musicianship, theory, musical materials and procedures. It integrates aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary composition, and to some extent, history and style. Musicianship skills such as dictation, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are also taught as part of the preparation for the Advanced Placement test in Music.