Owings Mills High School

Mrs. Lisa Bennett, Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair

Ms. Maria Anagnostou

Mr. Victor Balmes

Courses Taught:  Fundamentals of Art, Photography 1/2, Photo Studio and Digital Arts

National Art Honor Society Advisor

Mr. Todd Conway

Courses Taught: Fundamentals of Art, Intermediate Art, Studio Practice, AP Studio Practice

Visual Art Courses Offered

Fundamentals of Art
(GT credit available w/ permission or recommendation)
Students will develop the foundational skills needed to communicate ideas visually while developing understandings about the contributions of various artists/craftsmen to their cultures. Emphasis is placed on observational drawing and exploring composition and design in the art of various cultures using drawing, painting, and 3-D media. Students will be encouraged to keep a sketchbook and a portfolio.  This is the gateway course for all other visual art courses offered at OMHS and is required before taking any other art course.

Intermediate Art
This course provides opportunities for students to refine skills developed in Fundamentals of Art. Students will study and critique artistic styles and trends and apply knowledge gained in their own work. Emphasis is placed on working from observation using drawing, painting, and 3-D media and incorporating imaginative ideas to begin developing a personal style. Students in this course will be required to maintain a sketchbook and a portfolio.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.

Studio Art Practice
This course provides flexibility in planning an independent program for the highly motivated, honors, or GT art student. Emphasis is on preparing a portfolio that reflects the development of a personal style and/or artistic focus. Opportunities to help students develop depth, breadth, and quality in creating artworks will be provided through the investigations of ideas and art problems, and the exploration and experiences in a variety of media. Students have the option of submitting their portfolio for review by the AP College Board. Career guidance and scholarship opportunities in the visual arts are provided.   Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art, as well as Intermediate Art.

AP Studio Art
This course is for students who want to continue the advanced level study begun in Studio. It provides flexibility for planning independent study and focuses on experiences that further develop personal artistic style through refinement in three areas of emphasis: 1) quality, 2) concentration in one or more areas of interest, and 3) breadth of experiences in exploring formal, technical, and expressive qualities of works. Students have the option of submitting their portfolios for review by the AP College Board. Career guidance and scholarship opportunities in the visual arts are provided.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art as well as Intermediate Art.

Digital Art
This course provides opportunities in career exploration in a variety of graphic arts fields. It develops the student's ability to use technology for visual communication and focus on art processes that develop awareness of the attitudes and disciplines required in the graphic arts field. Emphasis is placed on the development of skills and understandings in the following areas: drawing and design for illustration, advertising, and construction/display and the use of drawing and graphic arts applications on the computer.   Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.

Photography 1 & 2
In these courses students will have opportunities to learn the basic processes and techniques of photography which include elements of the 35mm and digital camera, composition in photography, and film processing.  This course will include dark room developing techniques and as well as digital photo editing.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.

Photo Studio and AP Photo Studio
In advanced courses, emphasis will be on composition, advanced techniques in digital and/or darkroom film processing, and presentation of artwork. Students will explore the purposes of photography and develop a portfolio of artwork.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art as well as Photography 1 & 2.

Design in Clay 1 & 2
Students will explore a variety of hand-building clay techniques using design criteria. Students will have opportunities to explore functional and non-functional clay works through an analysis of past and contemporary collections and apply their knowledge in design.  In Clay 2, students will solve a variety of design problems in clay to reflect personal expression. Students will study functional and non-functional artwork and apply their knowledge to the creation of personal work reflecting a variety of purposes.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art.

Design in Clay/Mixed Media Studio and AP 3D Design Studio
In advanced courses, emphasis is on an in-depth exploration of media and techniques as students are empowered to make more purposeful artistic decisions. Students will develop a portfolio of artworks that reflect their personal aesthetic.  Students must have successfully completed Fundamentals of Art, as well as Design in Clay 1 & 2.

AP Art History
Students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and present and from a variety of global cultures. In this course students engage in both visual and historical study about art and its contexts in order to prepare for the AP Art History Exam.  This is an entirely online course.


Art Honor Society

MUSIC AND DANCE-

Mrs. Lisa Bennett, Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair

Courses Taught- Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Marching Band, Piano 1

Tri M Music Honor Society Advisor

Mrs. Alison Matta Smith
[email protected]
Courses Taught, Guitar 1, Guitar 2, Guitar 3&4, Piano 1, Piano 2 and Piano 3&4, Marching Band
Tri-M Music Honor Society Advisor

Mr. Bishop Moore
[email protected]
Courses Taught: Concert Choir, Honors Chorale, Music & Audio Technology 1, Music & Audio Technology and Film Appreciation and Critic

Mrs. Christina Collins
[email protected]
Course Taught: Dance 1, Dance 2, Dance 3, Dance 4, Dance Company
Majorette Advisor

Music Courses Offered

Symphonic Orchestra (Honors and GT credit available)
This course is for students interested in instrumental ensemble music experience and who have the necessary background for the particular group. The course provides an opportunity for musical growth through the study and performance of a variety of instrumental literature. Students will develop skills and confidence in playing an individual part while working closely with others in a group.  Participation in a variety of performances is an expectation as a member of this group.

Symphonic Winds (Honors and GT credit available)
This course is for students interested in instrumental ensemble music experiences and who have the necessary background/experience for the particular group. The course provides an opportunity for musical growth through the study and performance of a variety of instrumental literature. Students will develop skills and confidence in playing an individual part while working closely with others in a group.  Participation in a variety of performances is an expectation as a member of this group. This course is for the wind players only.  (Percussionists should enroll in Percussion Ensemble) 

Honors Percussion Ensemble 
This course is for students interested in instrumental ensemble music experiences and who have the necessary background/experience for the particular group. The course provides an opportunity for musical growth through the study and performance of a variety of instrumental literature. Students will develop skills and confidence in playing an individual part while working closely with others in a group.  This course is designed for percussionists who were members of their concert band in middle school but is also open to students who can read music and have a performance background on any instrument.  Participation in a variety of performances is an expectation as a member of this group.

Concert Choir and Honors Chorale
The various choruses are offered to students interested in singing. The courses provide an opportunity for musical growth through the study and performance of a variety of vocal literature. Students will develop skills and confidence in singing an individual part while working closely with others in a group.  Students must be recommended for Honors Chorale by a music teacher.  Participation in a variety of performances is an expectation as a member of this group.

Class Piano 1, Piano 2 Honors, and GT Piano 3 & 4
In a group setting, students will acquire the basic skills required to play the piano. Reading music notation, theory, and music elements are taught in order to provide the skills necessary to pursue musical interests.   Students are able to audition directly into Piano 2 with the permission of the instructor.  Piano 2 students and higher are expected to perform in 2+ recitals during the year.

Guitar 1, Guitar 2 Honors, and GT Guitar 3 & 4
Students are given the opportunity to study music through performance on the guitar. They will learn to read musical notation as they acquire performance skills and play various styles of music.  Students are able to audition directly into Guitar 2 with the permission of the instructor.  Guitar 2 students and higher are expected to perform in 2+ recitals during the year.

Music and Audio Technology
Course content will include the latest innovations and advances in the field of Music Technology. Topics will include digital sampling, sequencing, original computer-generated compositions, MIDI, and multi-track recording. In a laboratory setting, students will use technology to compose, edit, arrange, perform, and record their own music. The ability to read music is not required. 

Film Appreciation and Critic Honors

This elective is open to students in Grades 10-12.  It offers students the opportunity to engage critically with visual text by addressing cinematic reading strategies and textual analysis.


Dance Courses Offered

Dance 1 (Introductory)
Dance I is an introductory movement course in the fundamentals of ballet, modern, and jazz. Each unit of study includes dance technique, history, anatomy, written/reading assignments, in-class evaluations, and a countywide final exam. Additional study includes cultural and social dance forms. This course will not satisfy the Grade 9 or 10 physical education requirement.  Performance in the spring Dance Showcase is an expectation for this course.

Dance 2 (Beginning)
Dance II is offered to students who have had Dance I or have one to three years of sufficient outside training. Units of study include ballet, modern, and jazz with further instruction in cultural and social forms, history, anatomy, improvisation, and composition. Students will have written/reading assignments, in-class evaluations, and a countywide final exam. There is one required performance in a dance concert. This course will not satisfy the Grade 9 or 10 physical education requirement.  Students may be able to audition directly into this course with the permission of the dance teacher. Performances, including participation in the spring Dance Showcase, is an expectation for this course.

Dance 3 (Intermediate)
Dance III continues the work in ballet, modern, and jazz techniques. Students will begin to focus on the development of performance skills. Anatomy, dance history, improvisation, and composition will enrich the course of study. Twentieth century theatrical and social dance will be explored experimentally and historically. Students will have written/reading assessments, in-class evaluations, and a countywide final exam. Students will perform in various concerts throughout the year. This course may be repeated for credit.  Performances, including participation in the spring Dance Showcase, is an expectation for this course.

Dance 4 (Intermediate/Advanced)
Dance IV is an intermediate/advanced course offered to students interested in progressing to an advanced level and gaining more performance experiences. Further development in ballet, modern, jazz, and historical, cultural, social forms is correlated with a concentration on performance. Students will have written/reading assignments, in-class evaluations, student/teacher assessments, a mid-term, and final exam. Students will perform throughout the year. This course may be repeated for credit.  Performances, including participation in the spring Dance Showcase, is an expectation for this course.

Dance Company GT/AA

Dance Company is an advanced performance course offered to students in Grades 10-12. Advanced development in ballet, modern and jazz correlates with a concentration on performance. Historical, cultural and social dance forms will be included in history and criticism activities.  Interdisiclinary work will be included in student projects.