ARTS & HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Concert Band
Prerequisite: Completion of middle school band, audition, or interview
1 ½ Credit
Open to Grades: 9-10-11-12 (Wind players only)
Wind Players only
The Concert band is the primary ensemble of the Boyd County High School Instrumental Music
Program. This class gives students the opportunity to develop self-discipline, leadership skills, and
musical talent through participation in an instrumental ensemble. The Concert Band performs
several concerts throughout the year. Admission to band is based upon completion of middle
school band, and recommendation of the middle school director. In some cases, the high school
director may allow admittance based upon interview or audition. Students receive 1 credit for
participation in Concert Band.
Students who are enrolled in the Concert Band are required to participate in Marching Band. The
Marching Band rehearses in the late summer and during the first semester of school. The Marching
band performs at all home football games, some parades, and other community events throughout
the year. Students receive ½ a credit for participation in Marching Band. The fee for the combined
Concert/Marching Band is $100.00, which can be paid in installments. Fund-raisers are also
available to help with this fee.
Individual Technique – Instrumental Music
Prerequisites: Completion of middle school band, audition, or interview
1 credit Open to Grades 9-10-11-12 (Wind and Percussion band students)
This class is designed for those students who wish to go above and beyond what is expected of
the average band student. The individual technique class is ran much the same way a private
studio would be. Students will spend class time preparing for auditions, solos, small ensembles,
and other performances throughout the year.
Students who are enrolled in the Individual Technique students are required to participate in
the Marching Band and Concert Band classes. The Marching Band rehearses in the late summer
and during the first semester of school. The Marching band performs at all home football games,
parades, and, and various community performances throughout the year. Students receive ½ a
credit for participation in Marching Band. The fee for the combined Concert/Marching Band is
$100.00, which can be paid in installments. Fund-raisers are also available to help with this fee.
Jazz Band
Prerequisites: Completion of middle school band, audition, or interview
1 credit Open to Grades 9-10-11-12
Jazz Band is open to any student who is a member of the Boyd County High School Band Program
(Exceptions may be made at the directors discretion). Jazz Band will focus on the study and
performance of America’s only true art form (Jazz). Depending on the size of the class studies
may include imporvisation, large ensemble, and jazz combo Performance.
Students who are enrolled in the Jazz Band are required to participate in the Marching Band and
Concert Band classes. The Marching Band rehearses in the late summer and during the first
semester of school. The Marching band performs at all home football games, parades, and, and
various community performances throughout the year. Students receive ½ a credit for participation
in Marching Band. The fee for the combined Concert/Marching Band is $100.00, which can be paid
in installments. Fund-raisers are also available to help with this fee.
Beginning Guitar
Prerequisites: None
1 credit Open to Grades: 9-10-11-12
Beginning Guitar is open to any student a Boyd County High School. It is preferred that students be
true beginners (Meaning the student has never played the guitar.) Studies will include music
reading, tablature reading, music theory, solo performance, and ensemble performance.
• Please note this class will focus on the acoustic guitar.
• Students must have their own acoustic guitar.
• Students will be required to participate in performances that may occur outside of regular school
hours.
Percussion Ensemble
Prerequisite: Completion of middle school band, audition, or interview
1 ½ Credit
Open to Grades: 9-10-11-12 (Percussionists Only)
The Percussion Ensemble is the primary ensemble for percussionists at Boyd County High. This
class gives students the opportunity to develop self-discipline, leadership skills, and musical talent
through participation in an instrumental ensemble. The Percussion Ensemble performs several
concerts throughout the year. Admission to Percussion Ensemble is based upon completion of
middle school band, and recommendation of the middle school director. In some cases, the high
school director may allow admittance based upon interview or audition. Students receive 1 credit
for participation in Percussion Ensemble.
Students who are enrolled in the Percussion Ensemble are required to participate in Marching
Band. The Marching Band rehearses in the late summer and during the first semester of school.
The Marching band performs at all home football games, some parades, and community events
throughout the year. Students receive ½ a credit for participation in Marching Band. The fee for the
combined Concert/Marching Band is $100.00, which can be paid in installments. Fund-raisers are
also available to help with this fee.
VOCAL MUSIC
Freshmen Choir
Prerequisites: None
1 Credit Open to Grade: 9
This course requires no audition and is open to freshmen only. The class consists of learning basic
singing techniques, learning to read music and preparing selected songs for performance.
Mixed Choir
Prerequisites: None
1 Credit Open to Grades: 10-11-12
This is a beginning chorus without audition required for membership. In this class, emphasis is
placed on basic music theory, vocal production, and choral performance skills. This class serves as
a prerequisite for Select Chorus and Concert Choir. It should be understood that this class requires
a good attitude toward all, self-discipline in the classroom, attendance at a few performances
throughout the year, and a willingness to learn more about the proper techniques of singing.
Concert Choir and Select Choir
Prerequisite: Mixed Chorus and/or audition
1 Credit Open to grades: 10-11-12
These choirs continue the study of music theory, vocal production, and choral performance that
began in Mixed Chorus. These choirs perform more advanced literature and participate in more
performances throughout the school year. A vocal audition is required for membership in these
groups. It is generally required that students have been a member of a beginning choir for at least
one year, but an outstanding audition and the need for choral balance between parts may be cause
for an exception to the prerequisite.
Music Technology
Prerequisites: none
1 A/H Credit
Open to Grades 10-12
This course will present a variety of topics surrounding the integration of technology into various
musical settings. Students will learn how to record, edit, and mix various music samples (prerecorded and live). Students will also gain an understanding of basic recording/composing
technology including Garage band, Finale, and different portable recording systems. Students will
also learn the basics of live sound board production, microphone use, and basic light design. This
course will satisfy the Kentucky Arts/Humanities requirement for graduation.
VISUAL ARTS
Creative Art I
Prerequisites: None
1 Credit Open to Grades: 10-11
This course is designed for beginning art students. It serves as an introduction to the basic
principles of design, as well as techniques and materials used in the production of art, such as
drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and crafts. Appreciation and history will be integrated into
these studies with an emphasis on art as a creative expression that communicates objects, events,
ideas, and emotions. Art criticism techniques and jargon are used throughout the course.
Creative Art II
Prerequisite: General Art I
1 Credit Open to Grades: 11-12
This course is a continuation of General Art I, with an increased level of studies. Students taking
Art II should have the skills required to meet more demanding timelines and challenging projects.
More advanced techniques and a wider range of materials are covered. Problem solving and
increased understanding of communication through art are emphasized. More choices and
opportunities for experimentation are given to students concerning designs and projects.
Creative Art III & IV
Prerequisite: Art I, II, III
1 Credit Open to Grades: 11-12
This level is primarily intended for the more serious art student who may be considering a career in
the field of art. Independent research and development of individual style are main components of
this class. Increased problem solving, portfolio development, and the most advanced techniques
and materials are taught in these courses.
Visual Art – Independent Study
Prerequisite: Art I, II, III
1 Credit Open to Grades: 12 (by permission)
Independent Study enables students to explore a particular art form in more detail and depth than
other courses. Advancing skills, building confidence for professional showings or portfolio
submission, and gaining experience in public performances or displays are emphasized. Career
opportunities are explored.
Graphic Design
Prerequisite: Computer and Technology Applications
1 Credit Open to Grades: 10-12
This course is for students who are interested in pursuing graphic design as a major in college.
Focus will be on advertising and product and logo design through computer based programs such
as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Contemporary, cultural and historical design may be
integrated in various projects.
AP Music Theory
Prerequisites: See Accelerated/AP Policy
1 A/H Credit
Open to Grades 10-12
This course is designed to prepare students for the AP Music Examination for college credit. The
purpose of the AP Music Theory course is to develop a student’s ability to
recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that
are heard or presented in a score. The achievement of this goal may be best promoted
by integrated approaches to the student’s development of aural skills through listening exercises,
written skills through written exercises, compositional skills through creative exercises, and
analytical skills analytical exercises. This course will satisfy the Kentucky Art and Humanities
requirement for graduation.
Graphic Novel History and Design (State Code Visual Arts: Other 500719)
Prerequisites: 1 year of an art class recommended but not required
1 credit Open to Grades 10-12
This course will serve as an introduction to critical methods in popular culture studies, with a focus
on the graphic novel as cultural product and practice. Students will explore the ways in which
meanings emerge in several celebrated texts of the graphic novel genre, as well as some emerging
classics. Students will use Madden and Abels “Drawing Words and Writing Picutres” as the
primary text as well as explore the design techniques of Joe Kubert, Todd McFarlen, Burne
Hogarth, and Andrew Loomis. In this course, we will read several noteworthy graphic novels,
situating each in its historical, cultural, aesthetic and theoretical context. Students will write and
create graphic novels of their own using online Web 2.0 applications and ComicLife software that
can accommodate a wide range of drawing and artistic talent.
Intro to Theatre
Prerequisites: none
1 credit Open to Grades 10-12
This course is an introduction to theatre as an art form, including its historical and organizational
structures and satisfies the area studies-humanities for general education for Kentucky graduation.
By spending class and homework time thinking about philosophical assumptions, cultural practices
and historical moments different than our own (in Classical Greece, Elizabethan England, Medieval
Japan, Modern Europe, 20th century United States and elsewhere), students will connect
themselves to universal human impulses, gain perspective on the varieties of human expression
and experience and consider opportunities for contributing to their communities, both artistically
and civically. Students in this course would also be active in rehearsing and performing one play
each semester for the school and community.
MUSH 265 - History of Rock and Roll (Music History)
Prerequisites: Required ACT or Plan score
1 high school credit and 3 college credits if student is eligible for dual enrollment
Open to Grades 11-12
This course will present the history of Rock and Roll from 1950 – present. Students will research
the varying artists and styles of music that were born in the United States and spread across the
globe. This course will meet the Kentucky Arts/Humanities requirement for graduation. Students
will also receive 3 credit hours from Morehead State University that will fulfill their HUM 1 general
education requirement.