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Visual and Performing Arts Academy�At Westwood High School

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WHAT ACADEMIES ARE AVAILABLE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

Business & Industry
Health Science
Public Services
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Visual and Performing Arts

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WHY DO STUDENTS CHOOSE AN ACADEMY?

Try out courses in a career field of interest
Opportunities to visit and learn from business partners in that field
Through Academies students can earn state required endorsement for graduation
Better prepared to know what to study after high school

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HOW MANY ACADEMY CLASSES ARE REQUIRED?

Before you graduate, you will take at least 3 courses for at least 4 credits
These courses will be in the same Program of Study

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PROGRAMS OF STUDY

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WHAT PROGRAMS OF STUDY ARE AVAILABLE IN THE VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY AT WHS?

Band
Choir
Dance
Music Studies
Orchestra
Piano

Theatre (Performance)
Theatre (Technical)
Visual Art

All five high schools in Round Rock ISD (Cedar Ridge, McNeil, Round Rock, Stony Point, and Westwood) offer fine arts programs of study. The State of Texas House Bill 5 has put in place an endorsement for Arts and Humanities. Pathways include: Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art. Our coherent sequence for the Arts and Humanities endorsement is based on the following:

* Visual Art – Four credits of Visual Art: Art I plus any combination of the offerings in Art II, III, and IV (painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, 2D/3D AP design, etc.), as long as at least one Level III or IV course is included)

* Performing Arts – Four credits of sequential classes in up to two of the following strands: Music, Theatre or Dance, as long as at least one Level III or IV course is included. (For example, a student might take courses in both Theatre and Dance, or courses in both Music and Theatre.)

In addition to the pathways of study in visual and performing arts that are offered at all five of our high schools, there are unique courses offered for students at Cedar Ridge High School and Westwood High School. These programs increase course choices and allow students to study some subjects in greater depth. Areas of specialized courses are in visual art, music, theatre, and dance. These unique courses include, but are not limited to, instruction in Ballet, Tap Dance, Jazz Dance, and Piano Performance.

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Courses:

Depending on Audition: Band I, II, III, IV
Instrumental Ensemble I, II, III, IV

Ensembles:

Wind Ensemble
Wind Symphony
Symphonic Band
Concert Band

BAND

Band programs in Round Rock ISD (RRISD) are widely recognized for excellence! Band is a fully curricular academic enrichment course, and the curriculum is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as required by SB 815 and the Texas Education Agency. Instruction in brass, woodwinds, and percussion typically begins in Grade 6 in our district, and we strongly encourage students to enjoy a continuous and sequential band experience through high school and beyond. Beginners are typically taught in homogeneous instrument classes, although they combine as a full band for at least two performances during the year. The focus in the first year is on developing correct playing fundamentals, ear training, and music literacy. When students reach seventh grade, they are placed in a full band setting.

Middle School Band performances may include fall, winter, and spring concerts, along with the RRISD Festival of Bands, University Interscholastic League contests, and occasional performances around the community. Students are also encouraged to perform solos and in ensembles at the RRISD Solo and Ensemble Festival in the spring. On occasion, middle school bands do travel to perform at various festivals across the state. Some of the middle schools also have jazz ensembles available either as an available class or as an extracurricular opportunity.

RRISD High School Bands are a vibrant component in the life of the school and the community. In the fall, students participate in marching band, which is an extracurricular component of the “curricular” band experience. Marching bands rehearse outside normal school hours, while the curricular TEKS-based musical instruction takes place during the band periods during the school day. Marching bands perform at all football games, and also participate in University Interscholastic League competition as well as other competitive festivals. The RRISD marching bands are highly competitive, and perform sophisticated music with complex visual drills enhanced by our color guards.

Concert Bands perform multiple concerts throughout the year, as well as UIL and other competitive festivals. The bands periodically take a major trip, but will travel in-state most years to festivals or special events. Jazz Ensemble is offered as an additional option at most campuses, either as a curricular course or as an extracurricular opportunity. Most students participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest in February. Some students also perform in full orchestra either for concerts or contests. The band and orchestra directors work collaboratively to provide this special enrichment opportunity.

Band students in grades six through twelve are highly encouraged to take private lessons as a part of the optional Individual Music Instruction Program. Financial aid is available to students for this specialized instruction, provided in large part by our very active band booster organizations.

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Courses:

Depending on Audition: Choir I, II, III, IV
Vocal Ensemble I, II, III, IV

Ensembles:

Chamber
Chorale
Select Women
Concert Men / Women

CHOIR

Round Rock ISD is proud of its strong choir middle school and high school choir programs. Choir is a fully curricular academic enrichment course, and the curriculum is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as required by SB 815 and the Texas Education Agency. Although students may join choir at any time during their secondary school career, we strongly encourage them to start in sixth grade and enjoy a continuous and sequential vocal music experience through high school and beyond. In sixth grade, or at any beginner level, the focus is on developing correct fundamentals, vocal safety, music literacy and ear training, and a love for singing alone and with others. We strongly encourage boys to join choir at an early age, and our directors guide them through their voice changes.

Middle School performances may include fall, winter, and spring concerts, along with district wide contests, Texas Music Educators Association auditions, University Interscholastic League contests and occasional performances around the community. Students are also encouraged to perform solos and in ensembles at the RRISD Solo and Ensemble Festival in the spring. On occasion, middle school choirs travel to perform at various festivals across the state.

RRISD high school choirs are highly involved in the life of the school and the community, and perform multiple concerts and special variety shows throughout the year, as well as University Interscholastic League contests and other competitive festivals. There are numerous vocal ensembles, including mixed choirs, men’s choirs, women’s choirs, and show choirs, and sometimes madrigals, as well as numerous small ensembles. Many choir students also participate in musical theatre productions, which on most campuses happen every other year. Our choirs periodically take a major trip, but travel in-state most years to festivals or special events. Most students participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest in February and have the opportunity to compete in the Texas Music Educators Association district auditions and possibly move on to All Region, Pre-Area, Area and State.

Choir students in grades six through twelve are highly encouraged to take private lessons as a part of the optional Individual Music Instruction Program. Financial aid is available to students for this specialized instruction.

Our choirs are widely recognized across Texas and beyond and typically receive numerous honors and accolades for excellence in performance.

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Dance I-IV
Advanced Dance I
Tap, Ballet, Jazz and Modern/Contemporary/Level I-IV
Movement for Athletes

Performance Teams:

SunDancers
Warrior Pride
Color Guard I-IV

*audition required for all teams and placement class/prerequisite for upper-level courses. No placement needed for level 1 courses.

DANCE

The dance programs in Round Rock ISD (RRISD) are known statewide as the innovators for dance in public education. Many times our dance programs set the standard for the state of Texas and provide outstanding examples of instruction of the art of dance. Our programs are fully curricular academic enrichment courses, and the curriculum is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

RRISD dance programs begin at the middle school level where each of our 10 middle schools offer dance classes. Dance meets the physical education requirement for middle school students, and Level 1 in high school. The curriculum in RRISD combines the art of dance with other disciplines to provide opportunities for students to dance and study healthy living. In the fall, each middle school participates in the district dance event, INTERSECTION and in the spring, a campus show.

Round Rock ISD high school dance programs are full of opportunities for a dancer. Vibrant and highly competitive dance teams are on each campus and provide a team approach to the study of dance. Dance teams participate in activites each year including football season performances, contests, and spring shows. Each campus offers Dance I-IV and our Visual and Performing Arts Academies offer a specialized opportunity to study ballet, jazz, and tap during the school day. Students receive a fine arts and/or physical education credit for dance. Our dance students are encouraged to study each discipline, choreograph, and audition for summer intensive programs to continue their knowledge of dance.

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Depending on Audition:

Orchestra I, II, III, IV

Ensembles:

Symphony Orchestra
Philharmonic Orchestra
Concert Orchestra
Camerata
Beginning Orchestra

ORCHESTRA

Round Rock ISD (RRISD) is known across the state for its outstanding Orchestra program! Orchestra is a fully curricular academic enrichment course, and the curriculum is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as required by SB 815 and the Texas Education Agency. Instruction in violin, viola, cello, and string bass typically begins in Grade 6 in our district, and we strongly encourage students to enjoy a continuous and sequential orchestra experience through high school and beyond. In sixth grade, the focus is on developing correct fundamentals, music literacy, and a love for the instrument. Beginners typically perform at least two concerts during the year.

Middle School orchestra performances may include fall, winter, and spring concerts, along with University Interscholastic League contests and occasional performances around the community. Students are also encouraged to perform solos and in ensembles at the RRISD Solo and Ensemble Festival in the spring. On occasion, middle school orchestras do travel to perform at various festivals across the state. Some of the middle schools also have mariachi ensembles available either as an available class or as an extracurricular opportunity. On some campuses, students combine with wind and percussion students for “full orchestra” performances.

Our Harp program is managed through the Orchestra departments on each campus. Students taking private lessons on harp also participate in the orchestra, and in many cases have the opportunity to use school-owned harps.

RRISD high school orchestras are a vibrant component in the life of the school and the community, and perform multiple concerts throughout the year, as well as University Interscholastic League contests and other competitive festivals. Our orchestras periodically take a major trip, but travel in-state most years to festivals or special events. Most students participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest in February. Most of the students have the opportunity to also perform in “full orchestra” when winds and percussion join with them for concerts or competitive performances. The band and orchestra directors work collaboratively to provide this special enrichment opportunity.

Orchestra students in grades six through twelve are highly encouraged to take private lessons as a part of the optional Individual Music Instruction Program. Financial aid is available to students for this specialized instruction.

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Courses:

AP Music Theory
IB Music

MUSIC STUDIES

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Courses:

Piano I (no prior experience)
Piano I Advanced (prior experience)
Piano II-IV

PIANO

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Courses:

Theatre Production I-IV OR
Musical Theatre I-IV

THEATRE (PERFORMANCE)

Round Rock ISD is proud of its strong theatre programs. Theatre is a fully curricular academic enrichment course, and the curriculum is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as required by SB 815 and the Texas Education Agency. Although students may join theatre at any time during their secondary school career, we strongly encourage them to start in sixth grade and enjoy a continuous and sequential theatrical experience through high school and beyond. The award-winning Theatre Arts program of Round Rock ISD provides opportunities for students to develop their creative talents.

Classroom training and campus theatrical productions allow students to explore and create through the development of acting skills, physical movement, use of make-up, costuming, lighting, sound, set design and construction.

Middle School performances may include fall, winter, and spring productions, along with district wide contests, festivals and occasional performances around the community.

RRISD high school theatre students and faculty are highly involved in the life of the school and the community, and craft a full season of shows as well as University Interscholastic League (UIL) contests and other competitive festivals.

Our theatre programs are widely recognized across Texas and beyond and typically receive numerous honors and accolades for excellence in performance.

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Courses:

Technical Theatre I-IV

THEATRE (TECHNICAL)

Round Rock ISD is proud of its strong theatre programs. Theatre is a fully curricular academic enrichment course, and the curriculum is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills as required by SB 815 and the Texas Education Agency. Although students may join theatre at any time during their secondary school career, we strongly encourage them to start in sixth grade and enjoy a continuous and sequential theatrical experience through high school and beyond. The award-winning Theatre Arts program of Round Rock ISD provides opportunities for students to develop their creative talents.

Classroom training and campus theatrical productions allow students to explore and create through the development of acting skills, physical movement, use of make-up, costuming, lighting, sound, set design and construction.

Middle School performances may include fall, winter, and spring productions, along with district wide contests, festivals and occasional performances around the community.

RRISD high school theatre students and faculty are highly involved in the life of the school and the community, and craft a full season of shows as well as University Interscholastic League (UIL) contests and other competitive festivals.

Our theatre programs are widely recognized across Texas and beyond and typically receive numerous honors and accolades for excellence in performance.

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Courses:

Art I OR Art I Advanced OR Art II-IV in
Drawing OR Painting OR Ceramics OR

Sculpture OR Pre-AP Studio Art OR AP

2D Design Portfolio OR AP Drawing Portfolio OR AP 3D Design OR

Art & Media Communication I-II OR
AP Art History

VISUAL ART

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Band
Choir
Dance
Orchestra
Music Studies
Piano

Theatre (Performance)
Theatre (Technical)
Visual Art

Visual & Performing Arts ACADEMY at WHS