Visual and Performing Arts
Immerse yourself in the world of creativity and expression with the Visual and Fine Arts Program at James Lawson High.Our program offers a vibrant and supportive environment where aspiring artists can explore their passion and hone their craft. Choose from specialized tracks in Visual Arts, Performing Arts (Theatre, Dance, Music), and Media Arts, tailoring your high school experience to your artistic interests. You can benefit from the guidance of our experienced and dedicated faculty, accomplished artists and educators who are committed to nurturing your artistic potential.
Scholastic Visual Art Awards
- 2021-22 silvers and 2 honorable mentions
- 2020-21 gold; 1 silver; and 2 honorable mentions
- 2019-20 silvers and 2 honorable mentions
- Students also curated an art exhibition at Cheekwood Botanical Garden.
Performing Arts Awards
Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association
-
2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022- Orchestra received superior ratings in both concert and sight reading
-
2022-Concert Band received Excellent in concert and sight-reading
-
Middle Tennessee Vocal Association Commendations
Course Catalog
Concert Band
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Concert Band is open to beginners and experienced musicians. The band is a collective which explores traditional and contemporary repertoire. Sight reading, scales, music theory, ensemble playing, and musical games are implemented to improve each student’s musicianship. In addition to winter and spring concerts, the band performs at sporting events and also travels around the community putting on performances. We focus on becoming stronger musicians, better humans, and having fun! Participation in the Marching Band is required.
Modern Band (Rock Band)
Recommended Prerequisite: None
This program develops a modern approach to music education providing students with a unique opportunity to become performers, improvisers, and leaders while engaging with all of the genres of music that they love. Students will explore culturally significant artists and learn about their impact on music and society.
Jazz Band
Recommended Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Jazz Band is a performing ensembled focused on exploring improvisation, composition, and collective playing. The ensemble will perform various styles such as blues, bebop, trad jazz, funk, samba, and modern improvisation. The ensemble expands on traditional music theory exploring modern harmonic approaches to playing and improvising on any instrument. No previous Jazz experience is necessary.
Guitar
Recommended Prerequisite: None
Guitar is a performing ensemble solely dedicated to exploring the guitar. Guitar allows for a deep dive into guitar pedagogy and techniques. Students will learn how to read chord charts, tablature, and traditional notation. The ensemble will perform various genres such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, and country. Improvisation and composition are weaved into this deep dive into the Guitar world to create a well-rounded approach to music.
Mixed Chorus I-IV
Recommended Prerequisite: Instructor Approval
Mixed Chorus is a choir class open to anyone who is interested in learning how to sing in a choir. Basic music literacy skills are developed in this class through the singing of a varied repertoire of music. Attending and observing one after school performance per semester is required.
A Cappella Choir I-IV
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of Mixed Chorus I or Teacher Approval
A Cappella Choir is an intermediate level class designed for those that are passionate about choral music. In this class students will develop confidence in their music literacy, tonal memory, and collaboration. This class is open to any student that has previous experience in choir or has the teacher recommendation. Participation in after school rehearsals and concerts is required.
Chamber Choir I-IV
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of A Cappella I or Teacher Approval
Chamber Choir is an advanced auditioned ensemble that explores the vast choral selections in the Renaissance, Multicultural, Jazz, Pop, and Avant-Garde genres. Participation in after school rehearsals and concerts is required. Students in this ensemble demonstrate a high level of music literacy and vocal independence.
AP Music Theory
Recommended Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation
The AP Music Theory course is a comprehensive study of the elements of music and the organization of music composition with an emphasis on musical analysis, aural skills, and elementary music composition. The student’s ability to read and write musical notation is fundamental to this course. It is assumed that the student has acquired at least basic performance skills on an instrument or with their voice. This course is roughly the equivalent of the first semester of College Music Theory. Any student interested in pursuing a college degree in music should enroll in this course.
Dance Technique I
Recommended Prerequisite: None
The initial techniques and theoretical concepts of modern and jazz dance are explored. The study includes proper body alignment, fundamental skills, verbal and movement vocabulary, and dance history for beginners. This class is designed for beginners as an introduction to ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance.
Ballet II and III
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of Dance Technique I or Teacher Approval
This class is a continuing exploration of techniques and theoretical concepts of ballet with emphasis on precision of line and exactness of movement. Pointe work is introduced if appropriate. This class is for those continuing from Dance I who want to focus on Ballet and Modern Dance. The Ballet level II and III are combined to make one class
Jazz Dance II
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of Dance Technique I or Teacher Approval
This class is a continuing exploration of techniques and the theoretical concepts of jazz and tap dance. More advanced skills and vocabulary will be introduced and executed. Jazz II and III Are separate classes.
Jazz Dance III
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of Jazz Dance II or Teacher Approval
This class is a continuing exploration of techniques and the theoretical concepts of jazz and tap dance. More advanced skills and vocabulary will be introduced and executed. Jazz II and III are separate classes.
Jazz Dance Advanced
Recommended Prerequisite: By Audition and Teacher Approval
This course is designed for advanced dance students to continue developing the techniques of ballet, jazz, modern, and tap. The students will also learn faculty choreographed pieces to be performed in concert. In addition, the students have the opportunity to choreograph using dancers in the class. Participation in rehearsals and performances outside the school day is periodically required.
Orchestra I-IV
Recommended Prerequisite: Prior Experience on a String Instrument.
Orchestra is open to any student in grades 9-12 who has prior experience on a string instrument. Students will develop fundamental skills on their instrument playing intermediate string orchestra literature in after school rehearsals and evening performances. Participation in a Fall Retreat, Concert Performance Assessment and Spring Trip are required.
Advanced String Ensemble I-IV
Recommended Prerequisite: Teacher Approval
This is James Lawson High School’s premiere auditioned string orchestra. Students will develop independence on their instrument playing a wide spectrum of string orchestra literature in after school rehearsals and evening performances. Participation in a Fall Retreat, Concert Performance Assessment and Spring Trip are required.
Theatre Arts
Theatre Arts is an introduction to play production. Students will explore a variety of genres in theatre and gain a basic understanding of how theatre has evolved throughout history. Students will learn how to use original and scripted material to tell a story and create characterization, how design/technical elements can enhance performances, and how to build and implement those design/technical elements.
Tech Theatre and Design
Tech Theatre and Design is a hands-on class that will serve as the tech crew and set construction for the shows. This class is perfect for Engineering students who need a fine arts credit.
Beyond Theatre Arts (Theatre Arts II, III, IV)
Students who have a real interest in participating in the school productions are encouraged to sign up for the advanced levels of Theatre Arts. These classes are combined to serve as a play production workshop and will cover everything from auditions to the final curtain call. Students will explore the teachings of great acting coaches and directors such at Constantine Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Samford Miesner and will learn to create honest characters and "live realistically in imaginary circumstances," as Miesner would say. Outside class time is required of all students in the advanced classes.