Fine and Performing Arts
The TUSD Fine and Performing Arts Department is committed to providing Arts education experiences for all K-12 students that foster creative exploration, build community relationships, and honor the universal thread of humanity.
Music (K-12)
Certified K-12 String Educators:
- Begin instruction in fourth grade with twice weekly lessons in learning the basic techniques in playing violin and reading music.
- Fifth grade students have the opportunity to learn to play violin, viola, cello, or bass. Instruction occurs 30-40 minutes twice weekly at each elementary school.
- Middle and High School students continue to build technical skills and musicality in regularly scheduled classes exploring challenging literature, playing concerts within their school, and competing with other schools at regional or state festivals.
Certified K-12 Band Educators:
- Begin instruction in fifth grade, teaching students to play a wind or percussion instrument(s). Instruction occurs 30-40 minutes twice weekly at each elementary school.
- Middle and High School students continue to build technical skills and musicality in regularly scheduled classes exploring challenging literature, playing concerts within their school, and competing with other schools at regional or state festivals.
Certified K-12 Music Educators:
- Begin instruction in teaching students to play a Mariachi instrument as well as vocal techniques.
- Middle and High School students continue to build technical skills and musicality in regularly scheduled classes exploring various Mariachi styles, performing within their school or in the community, and participating in the International Mariachi Festival
Certified K-12 Choral Music, General Music, OMA Educators:
Grades K-6:
- As part of the OMA curriculum, students learn to use their voice as their natural instrument while learning solfeggio and Kodaly hand signals. They perform at school and in the OMA Honor Choir at the end of the school year.
Middle and High School:
- Students continue to build technical skills and musicality in regularly scheduled classes exploring challenging literature, playing concerts within their school, and competing with other schools at regional or state festivals.
- In high school, students apply for the Arizona Seal of Arts Proficiency, honored at graduation with the state seal on their graduation certificate and wear the Fine Arts honor cord with their robe for graduation ceremonies.
OMA (PreK-6)
Certified K-12 music or visual arts teachers provide daily instruction to elementary students leading with their certified arts area. Core curriculum instruction (ELA, math, social studies, science) is enhanced through authentic hands-on arts integration experiences.
Visual Arts (6-12)
Certified K-12 Arts educators:
- Provide daily instruction in 2D and 3D visual arts.
- Provide opportunities for showcasing students' original artwork in school/public exhibits
Theatre (9-12)
Certified High School Theatre Arts educators:
- Lead daily class instruction in the study of theatrical works.
- Encourage student directing.
- Support creative playwriting and critical analysis.
- Collaborate with the choral music teacher to produce plays or musicals for school/public presentation.
Dance (6-12)
Certified Dance educators:
- Introduce dance in elementary schools through OMA's arts integration program, integrating dance with math and ELA standards (developing spatial awareness).
- Provide daily instruction in various forms of dance for high school students (ballet,modern, jazz, hip hop, folklorico).