• Fine Arts

  • Performing Arts

  • Band

    Archer offers four different band classes. Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony and Percussion Class. Most rising 9th graders participate in Concert Band. All percussion students are placed into Percussion Class. Percussion students are in a class of just percussionists! This allows us to work and develop percussion specific techniques. Students in band at Archer perform five concerts per year and are eligible to participate in our biennial trip to either Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando!

    For more information or if you are not currently enrolled in a band course, please email Mr. Wolfe at Brian.Wolfe@gcpsk12.org.

    Students currently enrolled in band, will have this course already listed as a pre-selected course.

    Chorus

    The Archer Chorus offers vocal training and performance opportunities at all levels, from beginning to advanced. In a typical school year, you will perform at 5 local concerts in addition to extra opportunities like singing at an Atlanta Braves game, Archer Football games, Disney World, Honor Chorus, All-State and more!

    For more information or if you wish to be considered for an upper-level course, please email Mr. Pitts at Michael.Pitts@gcpsk12.org.

    Dance

    Archer High School offers three courses in dance: Modern Dance (Introduction), Dance (Intermediate), and Ballet (Advanced). Most rising 9th graders are placed in Modern Dance, which is the introductory course. Modern dance is a pre-requisite to the other courses. Students in Modern Dance do not need any prior dance experience. If a student has prior dance experience, they can audition to be moved into a higher level. No matter the level, students learn a variety of genres of dance, with an emphasis on Ballet, Jazz, and Modern Technique. Students learn choreography and perform 3-4 dances in our Dance Concert at the end of each semester. There are two dance concerts - one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Students perform in the theater with lights and costumes, in order to have a full production experience. Additionally, students study Dance History and Anatomy. Students in Intermediate/Advanced levels have opportunities to participate in other activities, such as the Kennesaw State Dance Festival, Gwinnett County Dance Day, Dance Team, and student choreography. Students can participate in Archer High School's National Dance Honors Society as well.

    For more information or if you wish to be considered for an upper-level course, please email Mrs. Stinson at MaryBeth.Stinson@gcpsk12.org.

    Music Technology

    Music Tech is a class for students interested in learning to create different styles of music digitally via programs like Soundtrap, Garage Band, and Logic Pro X. The dedicated Mac lab is available to in-person students; digital students may participate from home. Keyboard skills are not required. In contrast to traditional ensembles like band, orchestra and chorus, there are no live performances or uniform requirements.

    For more information, please email Mr. Ferguson at Todd.Ferguson@gcpsk12.org

    Orchestra

    Archer High School offers four different levels of orchestra classes every day: Concert, Symphonia, Philharmonia, and Chamber. Most rising 9th graders are placed in Concert, where we spend the year working on mastery of the skills started in middle school—two octave scales, shifting, vibrato, tone production, and independent tuning. Students in Concert orchestra perform in five concerts per year and are eligible to participate in our biennial trip to Walt Disney World!

    For more information or if you are not currently enrolled in an orchestra course, please email Mrs. Bawcum at Meghan.Bawcum@gcpsk12.org.

    Students already enrolled in orchestra, will have this course already listed as a pre-selected course.

    Theater

    Theater Fundamentals

    Theatre Fundamentals is an introduction to the world of theatre! Students will learn basic acting skills, explore the history of theatre through fun and engaging projects, and learn the basics of technical theatre and design. Theatre Fundamentals is the prerequisite for Acting, Technical Theatre, and Advanced Drama.

    There are no pre-requisites for taking this course.

    For more information, please email Mr. Work at Brian.Work@gcpsk12.org.

    Acting

    The Acting class is a hands-on workshop where students learn about acting by exploring different performance styles, including movement, auditions, film, and Shakespeare. The Acting class also performs in a children’s play for cluster elementary schools. Students who have taken Theatre Fundamentals may audition for Acting.

    Theater Fundamentals is a prerequisite to take this course.

    If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Brian Work at brian.work@gcpsk12.org

    Technical Theater

    Technical Theatre is the class for anyone interested in what goes on behind the scenes of the theatre! In addition to learning about design, stage management, lighting, sound, and painting, students also assist in building sets, costumes, and props for the plays at Archer. Students who have taken Theatre Fundamentals may interview for Technical Theatre.

    If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Brian Work at brian.work@gcpsk12.org

    Advanced Drama

    The Advanced Drama class produces at least two full-scale productions each year, with students acting and crewing each show. In addition to these shows, students further their knowledge of theatre through script analysis and advanced acting workshops. Students who have taken Acting or Technical Theatre may audition for Advanced Drama.

    If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Brian Work at brian.work@gcpsk12.org

  • Visual Arts

  • Visual Arts and Composition

    The Visual Arts Comp I/Two-Dimensional art course explores concepts of image and makes use of techniques in drawing, printmaking, lettering, painting, and collage. The Visual Arts Comp II/Three-Dimensional course explores concepts and techniques of construction, assemblage, and media manipulation. Historical and contemporary developments in art are explored. The Visual Arts Comp I and II courses are prerequisites to all other Visual Arts courses.

    Each of these courses is one semester. Visual Arts Comp I is taught during the first semester and Visual Arts Comp 2 is taught during the second semester.

    There is no prerequisite for this course.

    For more information, please email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcpsk12.org.

     

    Drawing and Painting

    The prerequisite for this course is Visual Composition I & II. In Drawing and Painting, we spend the course of a year going doing an in-depth exploration of two-dimensional art media and conceptual development. We work with a variety of art media that includes pencil, charcoal, pastels, and paint.

    For more information or to sign-up for this course, please email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcpsk12.org.

     

    Crafts

    Crafts is a course that is designed to explore functional and decorative arts. The prerequisite for this course is Visual Composition I & II. In this course, we work with a variety of media like embroidery, crochet, sewing, pottery, bookmaking, batik, and bookmaking.

    For more information or to be signed up for this course, email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcpsk12.org

     

    AP Studio Art

    AP Studio Art is a college-level course that allows students to self direct their artistic voice to create a comprehensive art portfolio. Students who score well on the portfolio have the potential for college credit. The prerequisites for this course are Visual Arts and Composition I & II and at least one year of advanced art.

    For more information and to sign-up please email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcspk12.org

     

    AP Art History

    AP Studio Art is a college level course that provides an in depth exploration of art history from prehistoric art to contemporary art. AP Art History is a great option for students who wish to understand history through the lens of artmaking or for students who would like to pursue an art career. This course offers the opportunity for college level elective credit. There are no prerequisites for this course.

    For more information and to sign-up please email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcspk12.org

     

    Ceramics

    Ceramics is the art of working with clay. The prerequisite for this course is Visual Composition 1 and 2. In this class we will explore various methods for building with clay like pinch pots, coil pots, and throwing on the pottery wheel. We will create a variety of functional pots and sculptures out of clay.

    For more information and to sign-up please email Mrs. Walker at Chelsea.Walker@gcspk12.org

    Digital Design

    In Digital Design, we spend the course of a year doing an in-depth exploration of two-dimensional digital art media and conceptual development. We work with a variety of digital techniques using Photoshop, Illustrator, and animation.

    For more information and to sign-up please email Ms. Silverthorne at Ainslee.Silverthorne@gcspk12.org