“The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading,
writing, and arithmetic…music, dance, painting, and theater are all keys
that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment.”
– William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education
At
Gilpin County Schools we believe in educating the “whole child” and
that a well-rounded education provides children with the essential tools
for successful futures. Beginning as early as preschool we provide
enrichment programs in the arts to all students.
Visual Art Program
The Gilpin County School Visual Arts program is driven by the four Colorado State Standards for Visual Arts:
- Observe and Learn to Comprehend
- Envision and Critique to Reflect
- Invent and Discover to Create
- Relate and Connect to Transfer
At the Pre-K level, students are encouraged explore art materials, and develop their beginning abilities. In the Elementary grades 1st-5th,
learning targets are tied to the state standards progress from simple
to more complex in the areas of creative problem solving, skill
development in drawing, painting, collage, digital art processes,
ceramics, and sculpture, as well as art criticism, aesthetics, and art
history.
Middle School through High School students focus on their individual artistic development and personal style
in drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture,
incorporating the use of art in technology throughout. The students’
artistic development is evaluated on their performance levels toward
specific learning targets in the areas of creative problem solving,
skill development in drawing, painting, digital art processes,
composition, spatial relationships, ceramics, and sculpture, as well as
art criticism, aesthetics, and art history. In the High School students
can progress to the AP Art level, which involves developing a portfolio
based on a personal focus in art, as well as a skill-based lessons.
Throughout Middle School and High School students are challenged to
expand their personal thinking about the possibilities for art in a
changing world.
Open Art Studio
Open Studio is a chance for students from 3rd through 12th grade
to work on individual projects in the Art Room. Students are expected
to show independent effort on their projects and develop personal plans
for their art productions.
Theater Arts
Theater
Arts are a universal force in the everyday life of people around the
world. This force connects each new generation to those who have been
before. Therefore, the Gilpin County School District Theater Arts
Program involves students of all ages from the Elementary, Middle School
and High School. Our annual spring theater production is worked on
throughout the year as an extracurricular offering. As students
collaborate to create dances, music, theatrical productions, and set
design, they learn how to express themselves and how to communicate with
others.
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Curt Halsted
Music Program
The
Music Program is based on the state performance level standards and
expand on these by allowing the more advanced classes to make choices in
the music selection, utilize improvisation and the addition of
choreography for middle school. Students perform twice yearly in the
Winter and Spring Arts Festivals.
At the Pre-K level the music
program focuses on rhythms, dance, moving to rhythms and beats, and
learning to sing simple melodies.
At the 1st and 2nd
grades (including Montessori) we study music from around the world, the
four instrumentation groups; brass, woodwind, percussion and strings,
and learn to recognize different styles of music, and singing basic
melodies.
In the 3rd grades we continue the study of
world music, and dig deeper into the study of the four instrumentation
groups; brass, woodwind, percussion and strings. Students begin reading
notation and learning the staffs and basic rhythms and note values. We
discuss different styles of music, and begin to sing more complex pieces
of music. Recorders are introduced at this grade level, which helps to
enhance reading of music notation and rhythms, and introduce harmony.
For the Montessori 3rd – 5th grade class we incorporate elements from the three grade levels with certain alterations for the mix of age groups.
In the 4th
grade we continue to study world music and delve further into
understanding the cultural differences and similarities of the various
musical styles. We also begin an advanced correlation between reading
notations and playing the written music, continue to study more advanced
rhythms, and begin discussing interpretations written in the music.
Harmony is also discussed on a more advanced level and we begin to work
with triads in the recorder sessions of the classes.
In 5th
grade we begin to discuss the influence of human development around the
planet – from the early migrations to the modern era where technology
has created a more integrated world. We discuss how music from around
the world has influenced the music students’ know today. In 5th
grade we also begin to utilize rounds and harmony in our group songs,
implement dynamics and interpretation at a higher level, and continue to
expand on the understanding of notation. Students are given the
opportunity to participate in song selection for their concert
performances, which provides them with ownership over their learning.
Additionally, the classics and various styles of “American Music” will
be discussed.
Middle School & High School Band:
In
Middle and High School band is offered as an elective. However,
students study music based on the state standards for general music
study for their grade level. Additionally, we implement some of the
standards that are based on receiving a performance degree.
In
Middle School, reading of musical notation and rhythms are a main focus,
as well as interpretation, blend and musicality. Pieces that are chosen
for our concerts are usually more advanced in nature and involve having
the students work to a higher level of accomplishment.
In High
School, advanced notation is studied as is sight reading and
improvisation. This is a performance-based class. Students are often
organized into subgroups for performance purposes. Many different styles
of music are studied to help expand the musicians’ repertoire and
understanding of musical styles and genres. Musical interpretation and
styling also become an integral part of the performance at this time.
Reading skills and the understanding of musical structure such as scales
and key signature relationships are taken to an advanced level.
Citizenship has also become part of the course as the band now performs
its own separate concerts during our Winter and Spring Arts Festivals
and have taken the initiative to perform these concerts not just for a
grade but for charitable causes that help to benefit the members of our
community.
Middle & High School Choir:
In
Middle & High School Choir is offered as an elective However,
students study music based on the state standards for general music
study for their grade level. Additionally, we implement some of the
standards that are based on receiving a performance degree.
Students
focus on harmonies, rhythms, blend and interpretation. Musical notation
of rhythm and meter are also studied to help give the students a more
in depth understanding of the written music that they will be
performing. Dance is introduced so that they may experience the
standards of the performance level degree. Students are offered the
opportunity to participate in song selection, providing them with
ownership over their learning.