Julian Middle School
Course Descriptions for the Arts
2016-2017 School Year
Arts Course Selection
Band
This class offers two levels of band. Band is available to all woodwind, brass, and
percussion students. Any student who has not previously participated in band will need
the band director’s approval to enroll. Recommendations for the level of band are
received from the previous year’s instructor. Students will be required to attend evening
performances.
Orchestra
Open to all orchestral string players (violin, viola, cello, bass) who have had at least ONE
year of instruction on their instrument. Orchestra is a large ensemble, highly active,
performance-based class that meets every day. Students in orchestra class continue to
develop basic musicianship, performance skills and string instrument technique through
the study of string ensemble literature. Students will experience performing a wide range
of musical styles from the traditional classical to more popular, contemporary works and
including world/folk music. Studies in fundamental music theory, music composition,
sound recording, and video production encourages orchestra students to take what they
learn and make music their own! Regular attendance and individual preparation (home
practice) for all ensemble rehearsals, small group pullout lessons and evening
performances is expected. Families are responsible for providing their child’s instrument
and any necessary accessories for both home and school use. NOTE: A limited stock of
the larger string instruments (cellos/basses) is available for school use only.
Chorus 7
The only requirement for this full year course is that you enjoy singing! In this class,
you will learn how to read music and grow your voice to its fullest potential. We perform
a wide variety of historical, popular, and cultural music from around the world. Evening
performances will occur throughout the year, including concerts at Julian and OPRF.
Find more information about the Julian choirs and listen to recordings at
http://www.op97.org/aseymour/.
Applied Arts 7
Interested in trading your textbook for a hammer and nails? Maybe you’d prefer an iPad
to a worksheet. Do you like to dream and draw? Well, in that case, Applied Arts might be
the right choice for you. Sign up to explore the world of art, and get hands-on experience
with a wide variety of tools and materials. Think, Create, and Reflect on art you can be
proud of!
Fine Arts 7
Do you enjoy working with your hands and perhaps getting a little messy? If so, Fine
Arts is the place to be. This class will take your imaginations and bring them to life using
art. You will accomplish this through the use of a variety of mediums ranging from pencil
to pastel, wood to clay and even digitally using iPads. In addition to working with these
materials, you will also learn about the history, analysis, and interpretation of art. When
we are all done, you will leave this class with a newfound appreciation for art as well as a
better understanding of yourself as an artist.
Speech, Drama, and Debate 7
This course can be taken for one, two or all three years you are at Julian.
In 6th Grade students are introduced to key concepts of public speaking, such as clarity,
energy, and appropriate audience participation. We write stories, speeches, monologues,
scenes and debates. We practice the best ways to present those materials and then we
present these to our class to get comfortable, both with being a performer and an audience
member.
In 7th Grade students focus their attention on different forms of theatre, speech and
debate and begin the critical work of discovering why these forms are used in society. We
study a wide range of spoken communication including improvisational theatre,
Shakespearean monologues, and puppetry. The class is equally good for those who took
Speech Drama Debate in 6th grade and for those trying it for the first time.
In 8th Grade students develop their own creative voice. The class revisits several of the
topics from 6th and 7th grade but more deeply and with more student directed work. The
class culminates in an independent project that mirrors the IB “personal project” at the
end of the Middle Years Program. This project may involve scenic or costume design,
playwriting, acting, puppetry, formal debate or a variety of other topics. The class is
equally good for those who have taken a year or two of Speech Drama Debate and those
trying it out for the first time.