The Performing Arts Department serves all grades (9-12) and skill levels from the most basic to college prep in Music, Dance and Drama, Music History and Cultural Influence, Development of Technique and Performance. We are focused on offering experiences to young people that will result in them finding joy and excitement in creative endeavor. It is our hope that through various phases of the program students will be continuously brought into contact with the creative experience either directly or indirectly. Each student’s musical and artistic development is focused towards an appreciation of the arts that will last a lifetime.

We also offer special opportunities for students to practice and perform outside the normal school day for events both on and off campus. These opportunities often fall under the category of community service. While our band regularly travels to other communities for parades and concerts, as well as a performance at Disneyland in 2002, we are generally restricted to our city limits due to the rising cost of transportation. To facilitate these enrichment activities a great deal of energy must be expended by students, parents, and the teachers of our department in fundraising activities each year.

Our goals for the future include:

• Developing a reputation as a school that excels in the performing arts in the local, regional and statewide arena.
• Developing a comprehensive program that articulates to, and collaborates with both of our local colleges.
• Developing students that are leaders, creators, experts and innovators within the performing arts framework.

Additionally, our department depends greatly on monetary and in kind donations. In the past, we have received sizeable donations from Soroptimist International Chico. These donations have been integral to maintaining our high standard of education. Needs beyond our budgets include funds for travel, uniforms, costumes and enrichment programs and also include:

1. Sponsors of guest artists/ lecturers (est. $125).
2. Tickets to Chico Performances ($125 per class).
3. Tickets to CSUC Performances ($450 per class).
4. Purchase of sheet music for band or choir classes; a song could be purchased, dedicated and performed at one of our concerts. (est. $75).
5. Purchase your favorite piano book(s) for our beginning/ intermediate piano library ($10+)
6. Flat panel computer monitors for classroom computers($100).
7. Guitars for loan to economically disadvantaged students(new- $100 used-??).
8. Boxes of reeds for clarinet, alto/tenor/baritone saxophones. ($35).
9. Donation of food items for play productions and annual Spaghetti Dinner/Pops Concert in March (Cookies, Spaghetti Ingredients, French Bread, bottled water, soda, etc).
10. Gift certificates to Office Depot for ink cartridges ($30).
11. General use supplies for theatre productions (any amount!)
12. Scripts
13. Volunteers to drive to events (priceless).

Staff

• Mr. Holmes- Band, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar I and II
• Ms. Allspaugh- Choir, Piano I and II
• Ms. Jensen- Drama I and II, Theatre Production, IB Theatre Arts
• Ms. Fisher- Dance