VISUAL ARTS
The BUHS Fine and Practical Arts Department teaches the fundamentals of art in a variety of disciplines, including painting, drawing, ceramics and sculpture. We teach and stress visual thinking and creative problem solving. We emphasize the fundamental skills for college portfolio preparation as well as experimental work in all media. We encourage our students to become working artists in our community.
Through gallery and museum tours and visiting artists, we introduce the students to the work of artists - both past and present. We encourage collaborative work both within the department and throughout the school.
We encourage and support students in risk-taking as they move through the curriculum. We prepare them for independent study projects and require that in their fourth year they take Advanced Art Studies in the Community, which allows them to focus on one or two areas of study while working with a mentor in our community and culminates in a Senior Art Show. We display student artwork in the school, throughout the community, nationally and internationally.
Through gallery and museum tours and visiting artists, we introduce the students to the work of artists - both past and present. We encourage collaborative work both within the department and throughout the school.
We encourage and support students in risk-taking as they move through the curriculum. We prepare them for independent study projects and require that in their fourth year they take Advanced Art Studies in the Community, which allows them to focus on one or two areas of study while working with a mentor in our community and culminates in a Senior Art Show. We display student artwork in the school, throughout the community, nationally and internationally.
DIGITAL ARTS
The Digital Communication and Design strand in the VPA Academy builds a foundation in art and branches our students into a pathway to study photography, television production, computer graphic design, digital editing and filmmaking. During their senior year, students will complete a capstone course that will focus on independent studies in digital communication and participate in the Senior Art Show.
MUSIC ARTS: Instrumental or Vocal
The music department offers applied learning opportunities for vocal and instrumental musicians. Students in the VPA must select one of these two areas to focus their work.
Instrumental musicians take courses such as Honors Band, Jazz Band/Jazz Workshop. They commit themselves to a consistent regimen of practice and lessons and prepare auditions for district and All State music festivals. They are held to a higher performance standard than their peers and are required to connect with a private teacher.
Vocal musicians enroll in Honors Chorus and Madrigals and also establish a routine of practice and build aural and music reading skills. They also prepare auditions for music festival honors ensembles and participate in mini-recitals throughout each year.
All VPA music students must also enroll in the Music Theory class. In addition, they must complete one or two semesters of a music capstone course in their senior year. Those who are preparing for college/conservatory music auditions spend the first semester preparing the solos, scales and other requirements of the schools to which they plan to audition. In the second semester, students work to prepare a solo recital to be presented in the Spring.
Instrumental musicians take courses such as Honors Band, Jazz Band/Jazz Workshop. They commit themselves to a consistent regimen of practice and lessons and prepare auditions for district and All State music festivals. They are held to a higher performance standard than their peers and are required to connect with a private teacher.
Vocal musicians enroll in Honors Chorus and Madrigals and also establish a routine of practice and build aural and music reading skills. They also prepare auditions for music festival honors ensembles and participate in mini-recitals throughout each year.
All VPA music students must also enroll in the Music Theory class. In addition, they must complete one or two semesters of a music capstone course in their senior year. Those who are preparing for college/conservatory music auditions spend the first semester preparing the solos, scales and other requirements of the schools to which they plan to audition. In the second semester, students work to prepare a solo recital to be presented in the Spring.
THEATER ARTS
Student who choose to enter the Theater strand have a choice of two different pathways. In the first option the student would take Acting class and then progress through Directing as well as a Capstone at the end of their senior year. The second option is a broader approach which includes Intro to Performing Arts, Performing Arts 1& 2 as well as a Capstone. The second option is for students who want to broaden their perspectives in acting, dancing and circus.
Student in both pathways take other elective classes as well, such as Human Body Systems, Chorus, Filmmaking, Creative Writing, Speech and Argumentation, Sewing, or a visual arts course. The curriculum is cumulative, and is designed to give students the knowledge and training to use theater as their voice. Students will present a culminating project their senior year in their pathways Capstone.
The Theater strand is intended for individuals with a sincere desire to explore any aspect of theater design and production; areas covered in classes include drawing, sound, lighting, carpentry, costume design and construction, set design, art history, circus arts, dance, technical production and stage management. Students get instruction and hands on experience in these areas. Students are expected to become part of their school and community through the theater arts.
Student in both pathways take other elective classes as well, such as Human Body Systems, Chorus, Filmmaking, Creative Writing, Speech and Argumentation, Sewing, or a visual arts course. The curriculum is cumulative, and is designed to give students the knowledge and training to use theater as their voice. Students will present a culminating project their senior year in their pathways Capstone.
The Theater strand is intended for individuals with a sincere desire to explore any aspect of theater design and production; areas covered in classes include drawing, sound, lighting, carpentry, costume design and construction, set design, art history, circus arts, dance, technical production and stage management. Students get instruction and hands on experience in these areas. Students are expected to become part of their school and community through the theater arts.
BUHS and WRCC Program of Studies
The BUHS and WRCC Program of Studies will provide you with specific information about required and elective courses for the VPA Academy. Click on the button below to access the BUHS website and open the full Program of Studies with course descriptions.