Percy 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
TWO years 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 8
The only requirement for this course is that you enjoy singing! 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 at http://www.op97.org/aseymour/.
Applied Arts 8
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 8
Students will investigate the work of artists in the world today, how they work in their
studios, where they get their ideas and how they choose their materials. Students will
manage our art studio, learning new materials and techniques through mini lessons and
then have the choice of their own subjects and materials for longer-term projects.
Speech, Drama, and Debate 8
This is a year long elective that 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.