STEM, music electives added
In the upcoming school year, new fine arts electives are going to be available for student to take. Computer Assisted Design (CAD) 2, Architecture 2, and Music in Your Life will be available to students.
According to guidance counselor Larry Hensley, CAD 2 and Architecture 2 are continuations of the original classes. These will both be taught by Architecture teacher Lisa Collins.
The other new class will be Music in your Life. This will replace the current Digital Audio class and will be taught by music teacher Marc Bolden.
“This course will encompass parts of music history, philosophy of music, and world music. This class is for students who love and appreciate music, and wish to gain a better understanding,” Bolden said. “I am very excited about offering this course next year, and look forward to the student input to help mold the course over time.”
Cole Alban is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.
Music Advisory Council returns
The Music Advisory Council, a group of students representing all music ensembles, was resurrected on Feb. 20.
“The first Music Advisory Council [MAC] meeting went very well. There were about 20 students in attendance, and everyone contributed to the conversations at hand,” music director Marc Bolden said.
About five to six years ago, there was a council, but due to lack of involvement and student interest, the council was cancelled. Bolden recently decided to revive the program in order to help the music department.
“The goal of MAC is to discuss the present and future of the music department,” Bolden said.
Over the course of the program, Bolden plans on discussing activities the music department can do out of the classroom to build friendships and have fun with the department as a whole. He also plans on collaborating to find ways to lure students into becoming a part of the music department.
According to Bolden, “[The MAC] will allow the students to have a more uniformed voice when discussing issues in the department such as music, concert themes, outside performances, etc.”
MAC will continue to have weekly meetings throughout the year. Each meeting will have a certain topic about the present or future of the music department, and thoughts and ideas will be shared about that certain topic.
Meredith Haggerty is an In-Depth Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.