Overview

A Comprehensive Fine Arts Program
Brentwood Christian values exposure to the fine arts and seeks to offer a top-notch fine arts program. Band, Choir, and Art electives begin with entry into the fifth grade. Secondary students can add Drama and Journalism to their daily studies. Opportunities to participate are numerous:

• The school band and grade-level choirs are regular performers at school functions.
• The Drama department puts on a number of stage productions each year that are always well-received.
• Our Journalism classes produce a newspaper and yearbook that have won numerous state-level awards.
• Our honors choir "Encore" can be counted on to perform for a variety of events each year around the city and across Texas.

Many past and current students who had never thought of themselves as performers or artists have been known to remark that their participation in these activities was a highlight of their BCS experience.

Choir

5^th and 6^th Graders
5^th and 6^th graders have the option to take choir as an elective.  Each class meets every other day but combines to perform together at concerts.  The elementary choir performs in a Fall Concert, a Christmas Program, a Spring Concert and the Grandparent’s Day Program.  In addition to these performances, 6th graders will have the opportunity to compete in a contest in the Spring.

Jr. High Choir
JH Choir is made up of 7th and 8th graders.  They meet every other day for an hour and participate in three annual concerts and a contest in the Spring.  This class  focuses on good vocal techniques, singing in multiple parts, sight reading and music theory.

High School Choir
HS Choir is made up of 9th through 12th graders who audition for acceptance into the choir program.  This is a very rigorous course of learning new and challenging music all year long.  The choir sings in many annual concerts and competes in three contests in the spring.  This group has achieved numerous awards and recognition throughout the years.

Encore
Encore, the Honors Choir program, is made up of 10 – 13 students who are chosen based on auditions each spring.  This group sings at various occasions throughout the school year for churches, programs, contests, and many other events.  Students also are all members of the High School Choir.  Encore is considered an extra-curricular activity.

Band

5th Grade Beginning Band The 5th grade band is for beginning band students and does not require any prior musical knowledge or experience. Instrument options include flute, clarinet, saxophone, cornet, and trombone. The band performs a concert in the Fall and Spring and performs for Grandparent's Day and Elementary Graduation. 6th Grade Band The 6th grade band is made up of experienced musicians as well as beginners and performs at the Fall and Spring Concerts. Junior High Band The junior high band is made up of 7th and 8th grade experienced musicians. It performs at the Fall and Spring concerts and at least once a year for the residents at the Village Christian Apartments. Band members have the option of auditioning for the ATSSB Region Honor Band in the Fall. High School Band The high school band is made up of 9th-12th grade experienced musicians. It performs at the Fall and Spring concert, for Grandparents Day, and at least once a year for the residents at the Village Christian Apartments. Band members have the option of auditioning for the ATSSB Region Honor Band in the fall. The band participates in District and State Contests in the spring. The pep band performs at athletic and other school events. Jazz Band The jazz band is an optional ensemble open to all high school band members. It meets outside of regular school hours and performs at Fall and Spring concerts, as well as the District and State contests in the Spring.

Music

Music class for kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade is a place of song, movement, listening, acting, and much more. It's a place where children understand that music is a gift from God. Students learn about the elements of music and how to implement them: dynamics, tone color, tempo, beat/duration/rhythm, pitch, texture, form, and style. These elements are presented progressively so that each year is a building block for the next. Students learn to feel and move to beat and rhythm, match pitches and sing with solfege (do, re, mi, fa ..., play classroom instruments, play game songs, write music (grades 1-3), study music history (grade 3, specifically), and perform short musical plays.

Third grade performs three or four musical plays for their parents and younger classes that are able to attend. Songs from other cultures are a wonderful part of music in all four grade levels. Students sing many, many songs including devotional songs and hymns. Since much of music is learned through doing, it's not unusual to see students moving about with scarves, hoops, bean bags, or even paper plates.  K-3 music is a 'happening' place.

Art

Elementary 5^th and 6^th Grade
Elementary 5^th and 6^th grade students may select art as an elective.  It is offered on an every-other- day schedule. Student work is displayed during the year and encompasses a variety of subject matter and materials. The class introduces art elements and art principles both for use in creating work as will as viewing art.

Junior High
Junior High Art is a combined class of students in both 7th and 8th grade. The class is an elective and meets for one hour every other day. Students are challenged to learn the art elements and art principles and to use them as they create. They participate in discussions and critiques of their work, as well as the work of others and learn that art theories and concepts are based on principles underlying the world God created.

Art I
Art I is an introduction to art with an emphasis on art elements and art principles, it is designed so a student without an art background can learn basic foundational skills and vocabulary. Students meet for one hour every other day and concentrate on developing skills. Students primarily work in dry mediums, experimenting with the differences of materials. Art history is used to introduce techniques and open discussion to its role in influencing Christianity. Students are expected to view art work at museums, galleries, or student shows. Art I students may participate in TAPPS and are encouraged to submit at least one piece.

Art II
Art II has a prerequisite of Art I and is available to students in 10th through 12th grade. The class is offered on an every-other-day basis and is one hour in length. Students are expected to be able to use art elements and art principles in the creation of their work and when talking about works of art. Students are introduced to a broader range of mediums and techniques allowing them an opportunity to develop a direction of interest. Art History is used to discuss in greater depths various art techniques and allow continued discussion about the relationship of art and Christianity. Students are expected to view art work at museums, galleries, or students' shows. Art II students are expected to participate in TAPPS and are encouraged to submit one or more pieces in the competition.

Contract Art
Contract Art prerequisites include Art I, Art II, and teacher approval. Students must demonstrate a working knowledge of the art elements and art principles and be able to work independently. Students attend class for one hour every other day during an Art I or Art II time slot but generally require additional time outside of class to complete their work. Students write a proposal of work they will complete with deadlines and have it approved by the teacher. They critique their own work and the work of others and mentor students in Art I and Art II. It is expected that they will view at least two art displays in either museums or galleries, or will view other students' work and provide a written critique of the show. Contract students are required to participate in the TAPPS and TCSIT competitions and develop a personal portfolio.

Drama

High School Drama

Theatre Acting Class is made up of 9^th-12^th graders with various levels of experience in acting. The class is an introduction and overview of the basic skills required to understand fundamentals on and off of the stage. Students develop a wide range of skills which will transfer into any career.  Student also learn how theatre can be a part of God’s work in the world.


Theatre Arts is less of a class directed by the teacher and more:

Theatre Production Class is also made up of 9th-12th graders with little or no experience in theatre. This class offers work in actor training, production, and script analysis. Students will be introduced to contemporary acting process theories and be given opportunities for their application. Particular emphasis is given to character analysis and development as well as related group projects dealing with production and performances. Self-discipline, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to group efforts are critical for a student’s success in this class.

Jr. High Drama

7^th and 8^th grade – focuses mainly on basic acting skills, theatre history, reading and comprehending plays, basic stagecraft, and general technical aspects. Performances will be restricted to class time and will primarily include small group acting, monologues, duets, and improvisation. Due to the nature of the performance class, students need to be self-disciplined when using class time for rehearsing. Students are required to perform often in this class and will also learn to be good audience members, being attentive and respectful (listening quietly) when others are performing or presenting. Class participation is not only important; it is inevitable.