The Art of Expression
Sunset Middle provides each student with the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the arts. Along the way, passion and talents are unveiled as students are free to express themselves as individuals.
Art
Art is a nine-week class as part of our Fine Arts rotation at Sunset Middle School. Students explore different techniques and media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and clay. Students also learn to criticize and evaluate art works, created by themselves and other artists, as well as learn and use a basic vocabulary used by artists. See your counselor to sign up for art class.
Band
Sunset offers an extensive Instrumental Music program including a band at every grade level as well as a jazz ensemble. The sixth-grade band is a beginning-level class with an emphasis on proper playing technique and music reading.
The seventh-grade band is an intermediate-level class. This class also emphasizes proper playing technique and music reading, as well as scales and grade Level Two musical literature.
The eighth-grade band is an advanced-level class in which the students continue to develop their playing skills. Technique, music reading, and music theory are the focus as this group explores grade Level Three music.
In Jazz Band, tools of improvisation, including the blues, will be studied. A variety of musical styles, including Swing, Jazz-Rock, Latin, and Ballad, will be performed using a traditional “Big Band” instrumentation. Students may also play in a combo format. All instrumentalists in seventh and eighth grade are encouraged to participate. The jazz band is open to all instruments, not just the standard jazz instruments. The dates and times of rehearsals for Jazz band will be announced at a later date.
Chorus
Chorus is a year-round ensemble whose goal is to provide opportunities for students to perform literature from a variety of genres, time periods, and vocal styles with stylistic accuracy. In the rehearsal process, students will be challenged not only to be better score readers but also to aurally put together multiple vocal parts.
Multimedia
The Multimedia course is designed to develop and build on computer technology skills. Students will use a variety of computer software and web tools. Topics that will be covered are keyboarding, Google Drive, Microsoft Office, digital citizenship, Internet search skills, and coding. Students will participate in a variety of individual and group projects.
Orchestra
The goal of the Sunset Middle Orchestra is to help students learn life skills, create friendships, and give students a love of music through playing a string instrument.
The string orchestra program is open to students who are interested in playing or already play, the violin, viola, cello, or (upright/string) bass. The class will focus on introducing students to the instruments, as well as providing differentiated instruction for students with previous experience. Students with previous experience are encouraged to register for this course to be eligible for additional performance opportunities. Basics of their instrument, music notation, ear training, music history, basic musicianship, as well as teamwork are emphasized. These are the areas that will continue to be developed as a student continues through the strings program. Performances may range up to four per year.
