VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS
Palestine ISD has a variety of options for your child from pre-k through high school. Students are offered everything they need to experience and explore creative self-expression on their campuses. Students are able to participate in programs and activities to provide fundamental knowledge and skills to ensure they have a strong foundation to nurture creativity and a life long love of the ARTS. Research indicates students show more substantial growth in reading scores after two years of music education over their peers who have less music instruction. There is also significant gains in how the brains of students process speech over their peers with less music instruction. Students involved in music are more likely to graduate high school and continue on to college.
Elementary Programs
Your elementary aged child has the opportunity to explore and learn about the ARTS in dedicated art and music rooms on each campus. It is the goal of the Palestine ISD Fine Arts program to showcase the work and achievements of students in the ARTS as soon as they begin their learning journey. Student work is displayed and showcased in the district, on campuses and in the community.
Palestine ISD students receive art instruction beginning in Kindergarten. The K-6 program develops students’ visual literacy skills by using creativity to extend their imagination to create original works of art.
Elementary school students in Palestine ISD receive music instruction beginning in Kindergarten from a certified music teacher. The K-5 music program is designed to teach methods while instilling a lifelong love of music in our students. Our students are challenged to express their own creativity and master music skills through a variety of styles and cross-curricular experiences. Although performance is not the main focus of elementary music education in Palestine ISD, our students are afforded many opportunities to perform including grade–level programs and choir performances.
Dance class provide students of all levels of experience with the opportunity to explore some of the basic movement fundamentals: world dance, modern, and choreography. Students learn dance technique and kinesthetic awareness, movement vocabulary, choreography, creative expression, musicality, and dance history. Students are able to participate in several dance competitions. Some students also serve as members of the drill team during football season. Membership in the dance team is a full year commitment that includes performances at multiple competitions within the district and surrounding communities.
Junior High Programs
The PJH art program offers a comprehensive art education that provides students with many opportunities for creative expression. The art courses encompass defining, practicing, and applying art elements and principles of design. There is an emphasis on the creative process through two-dimensional compositional drawing and painting techniques.
The junior high band program offers comprehensive instrumental music education that provides opportunity for developing creativity, leadership, discipline, and musical skills. Elements of music history, performance, reading and writing music, and evaluation of music are included. Varying levels of instruction are offered and classes meet daily during regular school hours. Commitments outside of class will vary as students continue their journey into high school band.
The band directors work to foster a love and better understanding of music by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a well-rounded member of society. Band provides a catalyst for self-expression, greater sensitivity to others, creativity, and persistent.
The junior high choir program offers a comprehensive vocal music education that provides creative outlets for students who wish to learn to sing and move rhythmically. Elements of music history, performance, reading and writing music, and evaluation are included. Varying levels of instruction are offered. Choir classes meet daily during regular school hours. Rehearsals, competitions, and performances may be required before and after school, or evenings.
The junior high theatre arts program provides a creative outlet for students who wish to learn to act, direct, build sets, and develop confidence in creative and public speaking. Elements of theatre history, performance, reading and writing scripts, and evaluation are included. Varying levels of instruction are offered. Theatre classes meet daily during regular school hours. Rehearsals, competitions, and performances may be required before and after school or evenings.
High School Programs
The high school art program in Palestine ISD provides students with multiple opportunities for personalized creative expression through a variety of art experiences, techniques and media. The art teachers seek to prepare students to respond to the world around them with art, teaching them to be technically proficient through the manipulation of media. Students are encouraged to communicate their thoughts and ideas through art-making and find paths to self-discovery through art. Students have the opportunity to participate in VASE competitions as well as local shows and competitions.
In Palestine ISD, high school band students learn to prepare and perform music through a variety of rehearsal and performance opportunities such as marching band, concert band, jazz ensemble and small ensemble settings. Students participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students develop a mindset of pursuing excellence in both individual and group endeavors in a safe, healthy and positive environment. The students’ immersion in the discipline of music and music practice provides a catalyst for self-expression, greater sensitivity to others, creativity, persistence, and allows the student to experience the satisfaction of both the process of music making and the final product. Non-instrumental students may also be part of the marching band through participation in our Color Guard or Winter Guard programs.
Choir classes in Palestine ISD provide students with the opportunity to work on a variety of musical performing styles and techniques, and to improve self-expression through vocal performance activities. Course work emphasizes ensemble singing, music theory, listening, and performance. Classes may be composed of all males or females, or may be mixed according to the number and distribution of voices. Choral groups participate in UIL and TMEA competitions, and perform at campus and local events.
Dance classes in Palestine ISD provide students of all levels of experience with the opportunity to explore some of the basic movement fundamentals: world dance, modern, and choreography. Students learn dance technique and kinesthetic awareness, movement vocabulary, choreography, creative expression, musicality. Students are able to participate in dance competitions. Dance students also serve as members of the drill team during football season.
The award-winning theatre arts program in Palestine ISD provides opportunities for students to develop their creative talents in performance and technical theatre. Classroom training and campus theatrical productions allow students to explore and create through the development of acting skills, physical movement, use of make-up, costuming, lighting, sound, set design, and construction.