Mountain Brook Schools
Grades 7-12
Instrumental Music Course Sequence
6th – 7th Grade Course
Level I Course
Sixth Grade Band/Beginning Band
7th – 8th Grade Course
Level II Course
Concert Band (prerequisite: Sixth Grade/Beginning Band)
8th – 9th Grade Course
Level III Course
Symphonic Band (prerequisite: Concert Band)
10th – 12th Grade Course
Level IV Course
Marching/Symphonic Band (prerequisite: Symphonic Band)
Mountain Brook Schools
Grades 7-12
Choral Music Course Sequence
Preliminary 7th – 9th Grade Courses (not for fine arts credit)
Rotating Elective Program: Music – 7th Grade
Lunch/Choir – 7th – 9th Grades
7th – 9th Grades
Level I Courses
Junior High Concert Choir
Keyboarding Music *
Level II Course
Junior High Honor Choir (prerequisite: Junior High Concert Choir)
10th – 12th Grades
Level I Course
Music Technology *
Level II Courses
Women’s Choir
Men’s Choir
Level III Course
Concert Choir
Level IV Courses (prerequisite: Level II or III Course)
Chamber Choir
Women’s Advanced Ensemble
* Semester courses
Mountain Brook Schools
Grades 7-12
Theatre Course Sequence
Preliminary 7th – 9th Grade Courses (not for fine arts credit)
Rotating Elective Program: Speech and Drama – 7th Grade
JUNA/Debate/Drama – 7th Grade
Speech/Drama/Debate – 8th and 9th Grades *
8th and 9th Grades
Level I Course
Introduction to Drama *
10th – 12th Grades
Levels I & II Courses
Theatre Arts I
Technical Theatre I *
Theatre Studies *
Film Studies *
Costume and Makeup *
Level III Courses (prerequisite: Level I or II course)
Theatre Arts II (Intro to Drama or Theatre Arts I)
Technical Theatre II (Technical Theatre I) *
Levels IV Courses (prerequisite: Level III course)
Theatre Arts III /IV (Theatre Arts II)
Technical Theatre III/IV (Technical Theatre II or Technical Theatre I with teacher
recommendation)
* Semester courses
Mountain Brook Schools
Grades 8-12
Visual Arts Course Sequence
8th and 9th Grades
Level I Courses *
Introduction to Art
Multimedia Art
Art I-A (prerequisite: Intro to Art)
Art I-B (prerequisite: Art I-A)
10th – 12th Grades
Level I Courses *
Art I-A
Photography I
Graphic Design I
Level II Courses (prerequisite: Level I Course) *
Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting (Art I-A or Intro to Art)
3 D Sculpture (Art I-A or Intro to Art)
2 D Design (Art I-A or Intro to Art)
Graphic Design II (Graphic Design I or Multimedia Art)
Photography II (Photography I)
Level III Courses (prerequisite: Level II Course) *
Advanced Drawing & Painting (Fundamentals of Drawing & Painting)
Advanced 3 D Sculpture (3 D Sculpture)
Advanced 2 D Design (2 D Design)
Advanced Graphic Design (Graphic Design II)
Advanced Photography (Photography II)
Level IV Courses (prerequisite: Level III Course or Level II Course with teacher
recommendation)
AP Drawing & Painting (Advanced Drawing & Painting)
AP 3 D Sculpture (Advanced 3 D Sculpture)
AP 2 D Design (Advanced 2 D Design)
AP Photography (Advanced Photography)
* Semester courses
Etiquette
Audience
When attending a performance or visiting a museum, gallery, or exhibit, the following rules of
courtesy should be observed by all audience members:
 Wear appropriate attire.
 Follow rules of the facility.
 Be attentive; refrain from talking and making inappropriate noises.
 Sit and become quiet when light or sound signals are given for performances.
 Remain quiet and seated during performances. (If necessary to leave the auditorium,
do so at intermissions, between acts of a play, or between musical selections.)
 Watch the conductor during a musical performance and applaud when appropriate.
 Refrain from touching works of art or production displays unless permitted.
 Refrain from photographing or videotaping performances or exhibits.
 Participate in all museum activities as directed by a docent or tour guide.
 Be aware of others when reviewing exhibits.
 Walk; do not run in museums, galleries, or performance halls.
 Speak quietly and avoid making loud noises in museums and galleries.
 Turn off electrical devices or turn to silent mode during a performance.
 Refrain from chewing gum and consuming food and drink during a performance and in
an exhibition space.
Performer and Rehearsal
Performer behavior begins before entering the concert or performance area and continues until
the performers exit. Tradition and heritage designate the appropriate manner for specialty groups
to present their performances. These are general courtesy rules that apply to all performers.
They include the following:
 Enter and exit in an orderly manner.
 Remain silent in concert formation prior to entering the performance area.
 Remain attentive to the conductor or director.
 Maintain correct posture while standing or sitting during a performance.
 Maintain proper performance etiquette, including refraining from chewing gum and
consuming food or drink.
 Be present and in place punctually for the beginning of rehearsal.
 Take care of personal necessities (water, rest room, etc.) before entering the rehearsal
room.
 Have all necessary music, instruments, supplies, props, and equipment in good condition
at every rehearsal.
 Practice part in order to be well prepared for every rehearsal.
 Follow all instructions given by the director, giving him/her full attention.
 Raise hands and be recognized before speaking when questions arise during breaks in
rehearsals.
 Watch one another in order to learn from and encourage each other.
 Respect school property, materials, and technology during rehearsal times.
Interdisciplinary Integration
The Fine Arts Curriculum becomes more relevant to students when there are purposeful
connections made between subjects. An interdisciplinary approach is one that applies
methodology from more than one subject area. These curriculum experiences allow students to
understand relationships between different areas of study. This process also helps to make
students’ education more meaningful and to encourage life-long learning.
Examples of specific experiences that relate to different areas of study:
CONTENT:
Art
Literature
Music and dance/movement
Architecture
Mathematics and systems of measurement
Religion
Philosophy
Systems of communication
History
Geography
Government and law
Education
Sociology (mores and customs)
Medicine
Science
Sports
SKILLS:
Writing
Researching
Speaking
Reading
Translating
Computing
Appreciating art, music and literature
Producing art and music
Analyzing
Interpreting
Evaluating
Memorizing
Interviewing
Composing
Reporting
Comparing cultural likenesses and differences
Listening
Recording (audiotape/videotape)
Interacting with peers in academic collaborative groups
Technology Integration
The Mountain Brook Schools Fine Arts Committee believes that technology should be integrated
into the Fine Arts curriculum at each grade level and in each department where appropriate. We
recognize that some skills must be taught in isolation, but research indicates that technology
should be used in authentic ways in all subject areas. This interdisciplinary approach helps to
facilitate learning that is effective, challenging, and engaging.