Arts Courses
Visual Arts
- Ceramics I
- Ceramics II
- Ceramics III
- Ceramics IV
- Fine Arts I
- Fine Arts II
- Fine Arts III
- Fine Arts IV
- Photography and Design I
- Photography and Design II
- Photography and Design III
- Photography and Design IV
- Yearbook
- Film Studies & Production
- Art History
Ceramics I
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $20.00 per Semester
Course Overview: Ceramics I is an introduction to the clay process. Students will create a variety of forms in clay and use techniques of hand building. Explorations in line, form, functionality, texture, color, volume, and aesthetics will be investigated in clay and glazes. Several projects will be based on other cultures, art history, and modern artists. Emphasis will be on technical skill and design concepts, as well as reflection and analysis of choices made.
Ceramics II
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: Ceramics I
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $20.00 per Semester
Course Overview: Ceramics II is a basic studio course to further develop skills learned in Ceramics I. Focus is on development of introductory wheel throwing, motor skills and hand building skills. Projects will be similar to beginning clay with an elevated production, skill level, and analysis expected. Students will have the opportunity to be inspired by, sketch, and write about other cultures and historical artists. The class will be separated into two parts: one half will focus on the wheel while the other half works on hand building. Students will switch off at the quarter.
Ceramics III
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $40.00 per Year
Course Overview: There will be an array of projects that students will complete throughout the year. Students will have an extended amount of time for each project. Students have developed familiarity with clay, motor skills, and concepts of form and function. Investigations into culture and art history will be necessary, as an artist of the student’s choosing will inspire at least one project. Guidance and supervision of projects will be a factor throughout the term.
Ceramics IV
Grade Level: 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $40.00 per Year
Course Overview: Ceramics IV is specifically designed for ceramic students who are exploring career-related opportunities and want to continue to work on a more independent basis. The class is also designed to set students up with a specific area of focus chosen by the student and mentored by the instructor. Students will have the option to develop a portfolio for post-secondary opportunities.
Fine Arts I
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: If you love to draw and paint, this is the class for you! If being a creative person is important to you, please sign up! If you enjoy good music, hanging out with good people, and like making good art, find your Dixon Ticonderoga. Fine Arts I is designed to develop and broaden critical and creative thinking skills, understanding of and appreciation for the visual arts and culture, and increase students’ proficiency in visual art techniques and processes. Students are provided with general assignments but are encouraged to think outside of the box while meeting and exceeding their own expectations.
Fine Arts II
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Fine Arts I with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
College Credit: Up to 4 SOU credits (Art 133)
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: Students will explore different and more sophisticated approaches to drawing and painting while applying the elements and principles of design to develop skills and sensitivity to line, shape, color, value, texture, and composition. Opportunities for taking risks with artworks are provided with assignments such as experimental painting and mixed media/found object art exploration. Students will be expected to develop technical skills and their own styles of drawing. Students will have the opportunity to publicly display their art as well as go on field trips to art schools and museums. Fine Arts II runs concurrently with Southern Oregon University’s Art 133 class. Students can earn four Southern Oregon University College Credits while taking Fine Arts II.
Fine Arts III
Grade Level: 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Fine Arts II with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
College Credit: Up to 8 SOU credits (Art 199)
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: This advanced course’s primary goal is to promote a life of art making and appreciation. Students in this class will build a portfolio of work that is suitable for a job interview, college admission or the AP studio art test. A variety of mixed media, drawing, and painting techniques will be explored. Students will also have the opportunity to show their artwork in group and solo art shows and develop their own project as a truly independent artist. Fine Arts III runs concurrently with Southern Oregon Universities Art 199 class. Students can earn eight Southern Oregon University College Credits while taking Fine Arts III.
Fine Arts IV
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Fine Arts III with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Other: Advanced Placement option
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: In this class, you officially earn your wings as an independent artist. Much of the curriculum in this class is based around the primary goal of giving students the skills and confidence necessary to be a life-long artist or, at the bare minimum, a person who uses and appreciates art throughout their life. This year-long course is for highly motivated, committed students interested in the study of art. The course emphasizes making art as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed and critical decision making. Students enrolled in this class are required to complete a summer project and a considerable amount of work outside the classroom. Students in this class will build a portfolio of work that is suitable for a job interview, college admission, or the AP studio art test.
Photography and Design I
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $15.00 per Semester
Course Overview: If you love to take photos, this is the class for you. It is an introductory course in photography and graphic design intended to offer experiences with a wide range of media and techniques. Students will be exposed to drawing, painting, printmaking, lettering and typography, photography, and photoshop. Owning your own digital camera is helpful but not required for this course.
Photography and Design II
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Photography and Design I or Fine Arts I with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: In this course, students will further investigate concepts covered in Photography and Design I. Students will take lots of photos, learn how to shoot in manual mode for more creative control, explore advanced printmaking and computer generate art using the latest versions of Photoshop and Illustrator. Owning your own digital camera is helpful but not required for this course.
Photography and Design III
Grade Level: 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Photography and Design II with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: In this course, students will further investigate concepts covered in Photography and Design II. Plan to explore various media and techniques, as well as create many student-led projects. Students will have the opportunity to build a portfolio for AP Studio Art. Owning your own digital camera is helpful but not required for this course.
Photography and Design IV
Grade Level: 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Photography and Design III with Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $30.00 per Year
Course Overview: In this course, students will further investigate topics (photography, design, Photoshop and Illustrator) covered in Photography and Design III. Students will have the opportunity to create many independent, student-led projects and to complete an AP Studio Art portfolio. Visual communication, story-telling, and creativity will be the focus of our learning. Owning your own digital camera is helpful but not required for this course.
Yearbook
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year (Can be Repeated)
Pre-requisite: Application Submittal and Instructor Approval
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Overview: Yearbook students are responsible for recording the school year’s history through word and photography. Students will find opportunities to grow in journalistic interviewing, writing, layout, design, photography, and creative expression. Highly desirable skills for enrollment in the class include computer skills, photography, strong writing skills, an ability to meet deadlines, a willingness to meet and work with new people, and the ability to cooperate with fellow students. We act as a team, work hard and have lots of fun. Upon application to the class, staff members will be screened and selected by the advisor. Students are expected to enroll for the full year. Onehalf credit will be given for each semester.
Film Studies & Production
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester/Year
Pre-requisite: Instructor Approval
Credit: ½ - 1 Elective
Course Overview: Are you into film? Do you want to learn how to create your own? Join us in Film Studies & Production! This class will teach you the basics of filming, including camera use, shots and angles, and how to use sound and locations effectively. We study a variety of film genres, and you get the opportunity to create your own short films for class exhibition.
Art History
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $10.00 per Year
Course Overview: In this class, students will use art history as a starting point to gain a better understanding of different cultures, artistic periods, artists, and our artistic muse (inspiration). The class will start with cave painting and end with contemporary art. Students are required to keep a sketchbook, make a habit of drawing, and taking notes in it regularly. In this course, students will study major forms of artistic expression from a variety of cultures spanning the ancient world to the present. Students will also learn to look at and analyze works of art within their historical context and to articulate what they see or experience in a meaningful way.
Theatrical Arts
- Beginning Acting
- Improvisational Acting
- Performance Theatre
- Advanced Theatre Study
- Technical Theatre
- Playwriting
- Dance Performance Workshop
- Song Writing
Beginning Acting
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: Welcome to your rookie troupe! Whether you are a seasoned local actor or a totally freaked beginner, we will introduce you to the exciting world of live stage performance. Using a supportive troupe circle approach, you’ll be introduced to a variety of warm-ups and exercises designed to focus your mind and build confidence in your vocal and physical skills. You’ll write and perform original monologues and scenes, and the course will culminate in a showcase of original one-act plays written, rehearsed, directed, and performed by you!
Improvisational Acting
Grade Level: 9, 10, 1l, 12
Length of Course: Semester (can be repeated as space is available)
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: Students are given a basic knowledge of acting techniques, specifically the concept of developing and improving one’s craft through the art of improvisation. Various acting exercises will be explored with specific emphasis on character development, creating conflict, and working as a team.
Performance Theatre
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: Beginning Acting or Instructor Approval AND audition (auditions held annually in the spring)
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: You’re ready for the big step-up into performance theatre, a more advanced semester or year-long course which is repeatable for credit. Emphasizing a troupe approach to acting, writing, directing, children’s theatre, film, and one-act plays, you’ll get your chance to write, edit, direct, and perform in a variety of theatrical forms with a terrific troupe of supportive and crazy actors. Your original play will be done just in time for the annual Celebration of Literacy Children’s Theatre production. Your spot in the circle is waiting!
Advanced Theatre Study
Grade Level: 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: Performance Theatre AND Instructor Approval
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: This is our most challenging acting course, specifically designed for the student who wants to focus on acting technique. Warm-ups and exercises are designed to bring out expressiveness in the voice, body, and gestures. Through script analysis, in-depth character work, and explorations in accents, acting for stage, stage combat, and directing, the actor will gain skills, confidence, and expressiveness as well as a toolbox with which to create a thousand subtle characters.
Technical Theatre
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: Instructor Approval
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: This class is designed to build the basic skills necessary to put on all the magic in the Rose Theatre. Starting with tech badge and safety tests, students learn the fundamentals of stage lighting, sound design, set design and construction, prop design, and stage management. Tech students are also responsible for several after school events in the Rose Theatre, in which they will gain valuable experience with theatre clientele.
Playwriting
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: Hone your skills as a writer and observer in this class! We focus on all elements of writing a play, from brainstorming ideas and creating believable characters to writing a comprehensive plot and story arc. This is a workshop-style class, so you will submit your scripts to the group for reading and revision. You will even get to put on staged readings of your scripts, and submit them for consideration to our one act play festival if you choose. Whether you love being onstage or you prefer a quiet creative writing circle, this class is designed to bring out the best in you as a writer!
Dance Performance Workshop
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: You’re a dancer and you know it. You just have two left feet. Or, you’re an accomplished dancer who wants to explore the athletic and passionate challenges of the salsa, tango, and swing. Either way, your place in the Black Box is waiting for you in this class. This is a one-semester course that will take you from where you are and develop your sense of rhythm, grace, and fun in motion to a variety of dances: ballroom, swing, Latin, Stomp, Hip Hop and more. No experience necessary. After this semester class, you’ll never feel awkward on the dance floor again!
Song Writing
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Overview: Through use of creative games, well-established song craft tricks, technology, and a recording studio, we will work to unleash the unique songs in you. Develop your confidence with rhythm, melody, harmony, genre, and lyric writing so as to create catchy, tuneful songs. Grab that guitar, piano, or pencil, and start writing the soundtrack of your own life!
Vocal Arts
New Voice
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Meeting with Director (for peer singing partners)
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: (Fee subject to change)
Course Overview: This course is open to any and all singers! New Voice is a singing ensemble that focuses on connecting music with movement and/or choreography. Our special needs students are paired with “peer singing partners” and prepare pop and show tunes to perform at all evening school concerts.
Men of Note
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Meeting with Director
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: Shirt: $16.00 Men’s Tie/Suspenders: $40.00 (Fees subject to change)
Course Overview: This group of tenor and bass voices will study and perform a wide variety of choral music written specifically for their ranges and voice types. Singers study basic vocal technique, ensemble skills, music reading, and perform at school concerts and select festivals outside school hours.
Concert Choir
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: By Audition Only
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: Women: $64.00 Choir Dress (usually one time purchase)
All: $15.00 Choir T-shirt for informal performances
Men: $40.00 (tie/vest)
Also need own black long-sleeved dress shirt, black dress slacks, black dress shoes and black socks.
(Fees subject to change)
Course Overview: This advanced choir represents RHS at OSAA competitions and other festivals in addition to the school concerts. They perform advanced (often a cappella) music from various time periods, cultures, and styles. Periodically this group also fundraises to go on tour. Performances outside school hours are common.
Vocal Fusion
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: By Audition Only, must also be a member of Concert Choir
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $20.00 T-shirt (Fees subject to change)
Course Overview: This a cappella group performs more than any other vocal group at RHS. Students must first be accepted to Concert Choir to be considered for Vocal Fusion. The ensemble learns a significant amount of repertoire for their numerous performances, and singers are required to learn their own parts and practice outside of rehearsal. Group is limited to 14 members.
Cantamus
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Meeting with Director
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $64.00 Choir Dress (usually one time purchase)
$15.00 Choir T-shirt (Fees subject to change)
Course Overview: This group of treble voices will study and perform a wide variety of choral music written specifically for their ranges and voice types. Singers study basic vocal technique, ensemble skills, music reading, and perform at school concerts and select festivals outside school hours.
Music Theory
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: 1 year HS Band/Choir
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Overview: Students will develop the ability to recognize, understand and describe the materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. This goal will be achieved through integrated approaches to the student’s development of aural, sight-singing, written, composition, and analytical skills. Content to be covered includes (but is not limited to): melodic and harmonic dictation, realization of figured bass and roman numeral progressions, analysis of repertoire, sight-singing, functional harmony in four-voice texture, cadences, compositional processes, phrase structure, form, Rhythm and meter, and modulations to closely related keys.
Instrumental Arts
- Beginning Guitar
- Advanced Guitar
- Marching Ensemble
- Concert Band
- Symphonic Band
- Wind Ensemble
- AM Jazz
- Jazz Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
Beginning Guitar
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: None
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: None (limited number of school guitars available for borrowing, if a student brings an electric guitar, they must provide their own amp and headphones)
Course Overview: This class is for the person with little or no previous experience. Instruction includes chords, strumming patterns, finger picking, barre chords, and reading tablatures and staff notation. Playing assignments and a semester final recital in class are included.
Advanced Guitar
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester
Pre-requisite: Completion of beg. guitar at a competent level or passing the entrance pretest for skills.
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: None (Students need to provide their own guitar, acoustic or electric. If electric, must also have an amp and headphones.)
Course Overview: This course is open to students who can pass the entrance requirements and have their own instrument. It will be structured so that each student can explore the musical style of their choice. Students will be expected to perform weekly for the class and be able to work independently during the rest of the class time with limited instructor input (self-directed learning). There will be a recital for the public during each semester. Playing with the idea of performing being the end result will be stressed.
Marching Ensemble
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Fall Quarter (meets after school)
Pre-requisite: All members MUST attend August band camp
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $35.00 marching shoes (usually a one time purchase)
$15.00 uniform cleaning fee (annual)
$85.00 participation fee (annual)
$100.00 rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: The Roseburg Marching Ensemble is comprised of wind, percussion, pit, and colorguard performers from grades 9-12. The RME gives the most public performances of all the RHS bands and plays at every home football game as well as several marching band festivals. All members are required to attend the August band camp which lasts roughly two weeks. Members of Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble are required to participate in the RME. Members of RME must also be enrolled in a traditional band class that meets during the day.
Concert Band
Grade Level: 9
Length of course: Year
Pre-requisite: Must have at least two years experience on a band instrument or Director’s consent
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $100.00 maximum rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: Concert Band is a non-auditioned performance ensemble made up largely of Freshmen and Sophomores as well as some older students. This ensemble performs three to five times a year. The class will focus on the mechanics of tone production, balance, blend, and intonation, and will also cover some music theory and history.
Symphonic Band
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of course: Year
Pre-requisite: Must have at least two years experience on a band instrument or Director’s consent
Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $15.00 uniform cleaning fee
$100.00 maximum rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: The Symphonic Band is Roseburg High School’s second instrumental music ensemble. Members are Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. After their freshman year in Concert Band, these students complete a chair placement audition with Mr. Hansen to help determine their part in Symphonic Band. This ensemble puts on numerous concerts and participates in a few festivals each year. Members of the Symphonic Band continue to develop their musical and technical abilities in preparation for participation in the RHS Wind Ensemble.
Wind Ensemble
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Audition required. Must be enrolled in Marching Ensemble to participate Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $35.00 Men’s tux rental (annual)
$64.00 dress purchase (one time purchase) - Women
$100.00 maximum rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: The Wind Ensemble is Roseburg High School’s premier instrumental music ensemble. Members are typically Juniors and Seniors. All members must pass an audition with the Director. This ensemble puts on the most concerts and participates in more festivals than any other concert ensemble. A high level of musicianship and focus is necessary to be successful in this ensemble. Members are required to participate in Marching Ensemble in order to enroll in Wind Ensemble.
AM Jazz
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Spring Semester
Pre-requisite: Must have at least two years experience on a band instrument or Director’s consent
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $100.00 maximum rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: AM Jazz is RHS’ non-auditioned Jazz Band class. Although students need to have at least two years prior experience on their instrument, they do not need to have any past jazz experience. This class is open to all concert instruments including non-traditional jazz instruments (flute, clarinet, etc.) as well as rhythm section instruments (drums, piano, guitar, bass). AM Jazz explores the fundamentals of Jazz, Latin, and Funk music while exploring important concepts such as tone, rhythm, articulation, style, and improvisation. This group performs at several concerts a year and emphasizes the music of artists such as Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane. This class meets zero period three times a week after marching season is over, which is usually around early November.
Jazz Ensemble
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Year
Pre-requisite: Audition required. Must be enrolled in Marching Ensemble to participate Credit: 1 Elective
Course Fee: $100.00 maximum rental fee may apply if student uses school instrument (annual)
Course Overview: Jazz Ensemble is a group made up of only traditional jazz band instruments (trumpet, trombone, saxophone, rhythm section). This ensemble is one of the most traveled at RHS and performs regularly for the local community and also at various festivals. As one of RHS’ top groups, this ensemble rehearses and performs difficult literature of varying styles. Members are required to participate in Marching Ensemble in order to enroll in Jazz Ensemble.
Percussion Ensemble
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length of Course: Semester (Can be repeated)
Pre-requisite: Must have at least two years experience on percussion instruments or Director’s consent
Credit: ½ Elective
Course Fee: $15.00 mallet/stick fee - per semester
$15.00-64.00 uniform fee (based on band placement)
Course Overview: During Percussion Ensemble, students begin to study percussion literature that is more classical in nature. Repertoire might even include “novelty” pieces, which employ everything from buckets to balloons as instruments. Percussion Ensemble members also participate in Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble performances.