CHS offers a four-year curriculum in visual art (Art I – Art IV). Student art at all four levels is exhibited locally and regionally in competitions and shows. Assignments build sequentially in technical difficulty and in complexity. Therefore, students must have Art I (or its equivalent) before taking Art II, etc. Instructor approval is required for advanced art courses. If transferring from another high school, students are encouraged to bring examples of their previous artwork for proper placement.

Art I
Students explore a wide variety of traditional media, building skills and enlarging their acquaintance with art elements (eg, line, shape, value) and the principles of good design. Accurate observation is emphasized. Both two- and three-dimensional work is produced, including gesture and contour drawing, white charcoal, glueline relief, collage, paper-mache, watercolor, colored pencil, etc.

Art II
Experience in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture is expanded and further developed. Additional media are introduced including black charcoal, clay modeling, linoleum and woodblock printmaking, oil painting, and 2-D collage assemblage. Career-minded students begin preparing work for inclusion in a portfolio.
Prerequisite: Art I

Art III
Students research the wide range of career opportunities in art. Added media include plaster carving, advanced painting, polyester lithography, color and gray-scale soft pastels, among others. Students planning to major in art in college assemble portfolios of their best work and are invited to attend National Portfolio Day sponsored by NACAD (National Association of Colleges of Art and Design) in the fall.
Prerequisite: Art II

Art IV
Art students continue to develop drawing skills, with emphasis on the human figure. They work on advanced assignments in oil painting, mobiles, photography, and large-scale work, such as murals and scenery for plays. They plan and supervise production of an annual “Senior Project.” Students with specific art interests are allowed to incorporate selected independent studies into their assignments for the year. 
Prerequisite: Art III

Vocal Music I
Vocal music class provides training in proper vocal technique and studies in music theory and sight-reading. The ensemble performs at two major concerts: the Christmas concert and the Spring concert. The group also performs at such events as school liturgies, masses at local parishes, and concerts at area schools. In addition, students have many optional opportunities to perform including the Alabama All-State Chorus, Honor Choir, and Solo/Ensemble contest. 

Vocal Music II
Vocal music II provides more advanced training in proper vocal technique and studies in music theory and sight-reading. The ensemble performs at two major concerts: the Christmas concert and the Spring concert. The group also performs at such events as school liturgies, masses at local parishes, and concerts at area schools. In addition, students have many optional opportunities to perform including the Alabama All-State Chorus, Honor Choir, and Solo/Ensemble contest. 

Drama
This course offers study in many aspects of “the theatre,” including theatre designs, theatre history, improvisation, stagecraft, stage lighting, theatrical makeup, scene design, props, and costumes. Students also study the body and voice and develop the skills necessary to perform before an audience. Students have the opportunity to perform in the community and at school functions. In addition, the class produces two major plays a year.

Concert Band
Concert band provides training in instrumental music and theory. Performances throughout the year include: Sacred Arts Concert, Graduation and participation in the Huntsville Christmas Parade.  The band also competes at the district, state and occasionally at the national level.   

AP Music Theory
AP Music Theory encompasses a study in harmonic structure of the 17^th and 18^th centuries through sight singing, ear training, keyboard study, score study and rhythmic and melodic dictation.  This course is offered periodically, as enrollment dictates.
                                                                                                                                 One Credit
 

Music Theory
Music Theory is designed to emphasize the theory of music, sight singing, and keyboard harmony.  Students will become proficient in analyzing works, notating original musical ideas, arranging pieces of music for instruments and/or voices, creating musical compositions in a variety of media and improvising simple accompaniments on the piano or other instruments.

One Credit