FMS VAPA

Fillmore Middle School Visual and Performing Arts

The FMS Visual and Performing Arts programs are committed to giving our students a better understanding of the world around them through their ability to express themselves. Each of our VAPA courses introduce students to the visual and performing arts as a whole equip basic skills and performance/production experience to help them more visually literate and to understand and appreciate the arts. All of our courses encourage hard work, discipline, teamwork, creativity, and persistence, consistent with what our students need to be successful in their future life goals.

The FMS VAPA department strives, not only to be heard by our community, but to be seen as well! A visible, active VAPA program takes a lot of effort and hard work from all of us – instructors, students, and parents – to keep creating, entertaining, and educating others through our performance. The many different courses we offer give students a full year of experience to draw upon for their continuing arts education.

Fine Arts

Media Arts

Instrumental Music

Theatre Arts

Art I
An Introduction to Art is a basic course in Art. Students are instructed in Color; how to create it and how to use it, complete with practical projects implementing that knowledge.

Students are then introduced to the basics of Drawing including shading and highlighting geometric forms. A variety of projects are used to ground and solidify these skills. We enter contests and learn to draw portraits using a variety of media.

Art II
Art I is a prerequisite for this course in expanded medias.

A variety of 3D projects are introduced with new materials. Students continue to use and expand the medias with which they are already familiar. We enter Art Contests and Art Shows.

Art III
Art II is a prerequisite for this course.

New materials and projects are introduced.

Students are encouraged to design their own projects around these new materials. Students incorporate the use of familiar materials with the new to create expanded works. We work more in-depth on portraits and individual projects. Art Theory is part of this class.

Students present their portfolio and critique their work as well as those of their classmates.

Media Arts I

Course Description: Media Arts I is an introductory course that aims to impart knowledge, foster a deeper understanding, and cultivate an appreciation of visual storytelling and media arts. Students will explore the foundational aspects of photography and video production's pre-production, production, and post-production processes through hands-on application combined with theory, history, and analysis. Students will write, produce, and edit their projects throughout the course, promoting teamwork and positive self-expression through the arts. Students will have opportunities to showcase their work, celebrate their creativity, and develop presentation and communication skills.

Advanced Media Arts

Advanced Media Arts is designed for 7th and 8th graders who have completed Media Arts I. Building upon the foundational knowledge and skills acquired in the introductory course, students will delve deeper into digital media and visual storytelling. This course will challenge students to further develop their creativity and technical expertise in video production and photography. Hands-on activities focus on students developing their unique voice and vision as a visual artist. Students will have opportunities to showcase their work, celebrate their creativity, and develop presentation and communication skills.

Beginning Band
Brass and Woodwinds, <1 year of music. Beginning Band is for students in their first or second year of band. They will either learn their instrument or refine what they know to prepare them for the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or to enter the High School Band by the end of the year.

Beginning Percussion
Drums, keyboards, tympani, auxiliary, hand drums, and drum kit. Students will need a Bell & Practice Pad Kit for this class. This class will prepare them for the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, or to enter the High School Band by the end of the year.

Concert Band
Large Ensemble Band, at least 2 years of elementary or 1 year of MS band experience required, 1 off-campus performance in Spring.

String Orchestra
Open to any students who desire to learn to play or continue learning an orchestral string instrument. Students will engage in both large and small ensemble performances, composition (music writing), while learning one of these instruments in the strings family: Violin, Viola, Cello, or Double Bass.

Symphonic Band
Large Ensemble Band, at least 2 years of elementary or 1 year of MS band experience required, many off-campus performances and special trips during the school year. They are the group representing the Bulldog Bands in any opportunities to travel out of the area!

Drama 1
Students will learn basic theatre terms and skills, from blocking and characterization, to motivation and projection. Students will participate in one performance per quarter, and participate in field trips to see live theatrical performances. Year-long course.

Drama Club

After school program for students to explore drama games and select and prepare their own shows and performances.

The Arts denote man's humanity
It defines man's soul
It expresses man's inner need to create
It marks the progress of a society and its culture

Without Art, eARTh is just "eh"

The Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) is committed to ensuring that every child, in every school in our county, has access to The Arts. We work with Arts and education partners to create equity and access to high quality Visual and Performing Arts education. The Visual and Performing Arts consist of Dance, Digital Media, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. The Arts teach our children more than just how to dance, sing, act, or paint; they facilitate students’ learning in all subject areas and foster creative thinking, problem solving, decision-making, individual responsibility, and teamwork. The Arts in education better prepare students for college and career by giving them the necessary skills to be successful and competitive in today’s global market. Whether as a participant, an educator, or an enthusiastic supporter, we continue to strive to bring arts to every student in Ventura County.

https://www.vcoe.org/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Content-Areas/Arts

CCSESA Arts Initiative

The visual and performing arts are an integral part of a comprehensive curriculum and are essential for learning in the 21st century. All California students from every culture, geographic region and socio-economic level deserve quality arts learning in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts as part of the core curriculum.