Southwood High School Band performing at football game

Arts

In This Section

Choir

Choir is a full-year class (recommended) that offers a variety of special opportunities to those who take both semesters of Choir. For those that have a schedule conflict, a semester commitment is allowed. Choir is considered a co-curricular class; the classwork prepares the singer for each performance that gives the singer the complete experience. A minimum of one concert performance is expected each semester.

The class time teaches students how to follow the music, learn their assigned vocal part, and develop basic skills in sight-reading music. During this COVID year, digital recordings of each voice part were made and available on Google Classroom for students to learn at home. Sight Reading Factory app was used to assist students in practicing and learning how to sight read rhythm and pitch using solfege. Typically, the music is taught during class time but memorization may take extra 'at home' practicing to get the best results. Therefore, there isn't much homework involved except when students need to make up work they've missed due to absences.

Extra-curricular opportunities require more time beyond the class period. Those opportunities typically have included ISSMA Vocal and Piano solo & ensemble contest (January-February), Wabash County Honor Choir (audition required; rehearsals and performance in March), All-State Honor Choir (September audition required; performance is typically in January), and possible national anthem performances at sporting events.

Why should my student join the choir?

Why should my student join the choir?

Choir uses a different type of learning from most other classes. It's a 'noisy' class atmosphere as we vocalize and learn our parts for each song. There are times that the teacher focuses on small group work and the rest of the class can study or work on their part individually with a practice recording. Every student is expected to participate in singing for the success of the class. They start as a 'whole'-singing unit, but are constantly encouraged and trained to develop vocal skills and confidence to try it 'alone'. (Hence, the extra offerings of contest and advanced choirs --which participation is encouraged, but optional in most cases).

Choir develops many life skills: memorization, stage poise and posture, confidence to be in front of an audience on a stage or performance setting, good vocal technique of diction and enunciation, ear-training, and social skills. In some cases, it has taught etiquette and personal hygiene. (The boys learn how to wear a tux and the girls learn how to wear stage makeup and fix their hair for a performance). Students become more mindful of looking and acting as a uniformed 'team' and understand their importance to the success of the group.

The older, experienced singers help lead and model their voices to the younger, new/beginning students. Most of all, we have fun doing it together, making mistakes and fixing them together; it breaks up their day, releases built-up tension, and creates special memories of our times together. There is rarely any 'homework' - except for the concert performance requirement each semester! Most everyone makes new friends in choir and become important to each other....especially if they continue to participate each year! Everyone improves at their own pace - everyone can learn to sing better and enjoy the process.

Visual Arts

Visual art courses are available for students in all grades and ability levels. Aside from art-making and learning the students will learn other life skills that will help them now and in the future. Visual arts give the students a way of expressing themselves that they cannot express in any other way.

Classes range from introductory to advanced levels and included both 2D and 3D art mediums. Southwood art students use Adobe software and other internet interactions to assist in their art experiences. Many hands-on art supplies and mediums are used as well, including everything from woodworking to oil painting.

Opportunities for students to enter art competitions are also available for those who chose to participate.

Questions?

Band

Information coming soon.