The Visual and Performing Arts department offers both magnet and elective courses in the disciplines of Visual Art, Dance, Theater Arts - including acting, film, musical theater and technical theater, and music - including vocal music, and instrumental music in band and orchestra. Classes are taught by accomplished teachers who are also working professionals in their disciplines. Students may take many classes as electives while some classes are specific requirements for magnet students. The department is supported by various active parent booster groups including Spartan Arts, which supports all the disciplines and North Springs Theatre Community which focuses support to drama, technical theatre, film, and musical theatre students. Academic programs include:
The Visual Art department is designed to provide a learning atmosphere which nurtures the emerging student artist through a disciplinary-based curriculum which includes not only art production, but art criticism, aesthetics, and art history. Students receive a strong appreciation for the arts and a broad cultural understanding, which provides them with a meaningful artistic experience and an environment for growth. The department manages the school's Champlin Art Gallery, offering students the opportunity to exhibit and at times sell their work. Three advanced placement classes are offered in Studio Art: 2D Design, 3D Design, and Drawing. Students interested in applying to the Visual Art Magnet are required to submit a portfolio for review and class placement. Students enter and exhibit at many juried shows throughout the year, are often selected to participate in the prestigious Governors Honors Program and may be inducted into the National Art Honor Society.
The Dance Department introduces students to an entirely new and expressive world of dance. Students may audition for our magnet program or take dance courses for elective credit in one of our three professional dance studios. Through innovative teaching techniques, guest artists and workshops, the program allows each student to reach his or her potential with participation in our Dance Company class at the highest level. Grounded in the rich traditions of dance, our discipline-based curriculum teaches multiple dance forms (ballet, modern or contemporary, jazz and world dance)choreography, improvisation, and dance history. Students are encouraged to explore their creative and artistic talents through performance opportunities, such as Project Dance and the Spring Dance Show. Our program and dancers represent a vital part of the exceptional education and talent that makes North Springs Charter High School so unique.
The Theatre Arts Department is committed to seeing both the novice and seasoned actor succeed to the best of his/her ability on and off stage. Taught by professionals, students learn through hands-on experiences the techniques needed to succeed in the professional and collegiate world. The Theatre Department's facilities include a 500-seat Proscenium Theatre and a smaller 50-seat Studio Theatre. The curriculum areas offered include acting, technical theatre and film/broadcasting. North Springs is well known for its outstanding theatre performances which always includes a spring musical. After participating in at least two NSCHS shows, students are eligible for induction to the International Thespian Society. Our Thespians regularly participate in the Georgia Thespian Conference and Georgia Theatre Conference, in addition to other competitions and learning opportunities.
Technical Theatre students take part in the annual conference of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, part of the Association of Performing Arts & Entertainment Professionals, and gain valuable experience in the world of professional technical theatre.
Film students create outstanding short films which are screened at the annual spring NSCHS Student Film Festival known as Show US Your Shorts! They also create work for the Fall Horror Film Fest and produce the school's weekly news show, The Show with No Name.
For more information, please visit the NSCHS Drama Department website.
The music program includes vocal (chorus) and instrumental music (band and orchestra) and allows students to be in touch with themselves intellectually and artistically and enjoy a more humanized educational environment. Students are provided a developmental, sequential, and productive music education program that encourages self-directed learning and creativity to prepare them to study music on the post secondary level if they desire.
Chorus students develop musicianship through the systematic study of sight singing, ear training, and music vocabulary. Choral ensembles are prepared to achieve the highest possible level of beautiful tone mixed with sensitive artistry. Students are provided additional opportunities to develop skills through voice, piano, and theory labs. Choral students have many opportunities to showcase their talents through numerous performances and competitions. Students may be inducted into Tri-M the National Music Honor Society.
In our band program, woodwind, brass and percussion band master classes are open to all grade levels with no prerequisites and provide an opportunity for students to practice individually and to receive one-on-one instruction and are perfect for the student who is switching instruments or who is beginning an instrument for the first time. Concert Band students must have at least one year of band experience before enrolling; Concert Band serves as an intermediate ensemble before the audition-only more advanced Wind Ensemble. Guitar classes are also offered. Band performance opportunities include annual fall and spring concerts, competitions, the Spartan Marching Band, the Tropical Winds Steel Drum Band, Jazz Band, Pit Orchestra and numerous requests for various school and community events. Magnet programs are offered in band and orchestra only and both band and orchestra students may be eligible for induction into Tri-M National Music Honor Society.
The orchestra program at North Springs begins with Concert Orchestra and is a performance class for students who have prior string instrument experience, String Master classes offer one-on-one instruction. Students who have demonstrated string instrument proficiency are encouraged to audition for the Advanced Orchestra and or Chamber Music Ensemble. Students perform at several concerts and competitions throughout the year and smaller ensembles are frequently asked to play at school and community events.
Musical Theatre enables students to learn repertoire of the musical theatre genre, as well as musical theatre history, choreography, vocals, and production concepts. Open to all 10th-12th graders, the course culminates in a performance showcase. This course is offered by the music department.
