Chaparral
High School
Arts
At Chaparral High School, we believe in fostering creativity and imagination through a diverse range of arts offerings.
Our arts program is designed to inspire students to explore their talents and express themselves through various mediums. From visual arts to performing arts, students have the opportunity to participate in a wide array of activities. We believe that the arts play a crucial role in a child's education. They not only provide a creative outlet but also help students develop important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-confidence. We are proud to offer a comprehensive arts program that enriches the lives of our students and inspires them to reach their full potential.
Offerings
Band
There are many opportunities for our band instrumentalist in High School – students can participate in the Marching Band in the Fall semester – competing in and out of the state at competitions, football games, and pep assemblies. For our students that love digging into the concert literature – there are two ensemble (Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Honors) – all students will be placed in Symphonic Band and will later have the opportunity to audition for Wind Ensemble Honors. Wind Ensemble Honors will have an audition that will require students to prepare state level scales, etudes, and sight-reading. The concert ensembles perform at state level competition and possible spring trips out of state to compete. If Jazz is something that you enjoy – Jazz Band happens in the Spring at each of our high schools – students audition for chair placement and have the opportunity to compete in state competition and a possible spring tour for out of state competition. Are you a percussionist or colorguard member? There are classes for you too – percussion ensemble is for all our percussionist or those wishing to learn percussion and band auxiliary is for our colorguard members. Percussion Ensemble and Band Auxiliary generally occur in the Fall, but there are possible Spring opportunities as well. These two classes usually collaborate with the Marching Band (both percussion and band auxiliary) and with concert ensemble (percussion only) but can also have a course to support any winterguard competitive seasons. Please reach out to the band director for more information and suggestions for registration.
Choir
High School choir is a wonderful opportunity to take your choral skills to the next level. Student entering High School should register for Concert Choir but can request the opportunity to audition for a higher ensemble – Varsity Choir. Advanced Vocal Ensemble is for the top choral performers and the audition will have requirements that align with the state audition process – to include a solo, sight-reading and more. There are also opportunities for students to participate in Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, and Jazz Choir. Reach out to your school’s choral director to determine the best placement for your students. These ensembles to compete in local and possible out of state competition.
Dance
High School students have their first opportunity to participate in dance as a performing ensemble. There are multi-level dance opportunities for all student’s ability levels. There are 4 levels of dance courses – Dance 1 is for students first introduction to dance – no prior experience expected. After the preliminary Dance 1 course students will learn more in-depth techniques and dance knowledge in level 2 and 3 (if your child has dance experience – please connect with school dance instructor to audition into a higher dance class). Dance IV Honors and Honor Performance Dance Ensemble – students will need to audition into these classes as the highest level of performance ability and knowledge is needed for these classes. The higher-level classes may also participate in out of the state field trips for performance clinics and competitions.
Strings
Many opportunities for our String performers from the beginning level to the highest level of performance. If you are just entering high school, learning a new strings instrument, or just wanting to work on your technique – Concert Orchestra is the class for you. If you feel that you have built a strong foundation in your playing, then please reach out to the orchestra teacher at your school and ask to audition for Advanced Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra Honors. These courses will require you to prepare scales (major and melodic minor), etude/solo and sight reading. After your audition you will be placed in the ensemble that best matches your technical skill at that moment. Higher level ensemble will be competing at state and possible out of state competitions. In some of our high school we also offer guitar class (beginning and advanced) – this course will focus on classical guitar; advanced courses will explore possible electric opportunities.
Theatre
Chaparral Theatre is an award-winning, Gold Thespian Ranked program with the International Thespian Society, and recognized statewide for excellence in acting, lighting, costume, and set design.
Our program offers a path for every student, beginning with Theatre I or Tech Theatre I then advance to Theatre II, III, and Advanced Theatre Honors to grow as performers, or pursue Technical Theatre II to master set building, lighting, and sound through our CTE pathway. Along the way, students gain hands-on experience, participating at state and regional thespian festivals, and have opportunities to see Broadway tours, take field trips, and more.
By joining Chaparral Theatre, you'll become part of a nationally recognized program where creativity, professionalism, and excellence start in the classroom and then take center stage.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Artist have every possible avenue available to them when they hit High School. All artists begin with Studio Art – this class is the foundational class for all other visual art pathways. If you are a person who like to sculpt – then Sculpture/3D Design II is for you. It could be thought that you found that drawing and painting was your calling – so Drawing and Painting II – is the next step for you. Is photography your dream – then Photo/Digital Media II is your next step in your artistic journey. If fashion is your calling, we have one High School that offers fashion design. If graphic art is more your path – you can join the CTE path of Graphic Design. The option is unlimited for any path that interest your visual arts journey.
Other Music Opportunities
Are you interested in the arts but are not sure what is possible for someone who has not pursued the arts or maybe the offerings in a traditional setting are not speaking to you. We also offer Piano for beginners and intermediate students. This course is self-paced and much of the class will be preparing for performances based on the level of your current ability. Mariachi is another possibility – not all schools offer Mariachi now, but a conversation with the band, strings or guitar teacher could lead to a growth of that program and the possible full class. The first year would probably start as an after-school club. Do you just want to learn more about music – then Music Appreciation and History of Rock and Roll Music Industry, an Introduction are probably the course for you. It is a more traditional setting classroom experience – lecture format with listening exercises and group projects, but the course offers a historical approach to music.