Fine Arts
Award-Winning Programs
From UIL championships to various state and national awards, the Fine Arts Department showcases young talents in art, band, choir, color guard, dance, and theatre. Individuals, as well as groups, are recognized annually for their accomplishments and each area provides the community with performances and demonstrations of what they have learned.
BHISD has earned the Best Communities in Music Education award for eight consecutive years. This national recognition is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students, pre-k through twelfth grade.
Fine Arts Staff
Kristen Elliott, Art
Cynthia Giles, Art
Chris Brannan, Band
Austin Brannon, Band
Andrew Kier, Band
Juan Rojas, Band
Dwight Watson, Band
Nikki Taleno, Choir
Chris Truitt, Choir
Lachele Stoeck, Dance
Sarah Kouba, Theatre
Chris Irwin, Theatre
Art
Students experiment and explore all types of 2D and 3D media in art classes. Self expression and learning drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital skills is the focus in Art I, while Art II and Art III Honors focuses on further development of those skills and preparing students for AP Art.
In the 2021-2022 school year our art students saw great success in the classroom as well as in local, regional, and statewide competitions. We took three pieces to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and also had three students who were chosen to compete in their Quick Draw Contest. Two students qualified at the V.A.S.E. regional event and went on to compete at the state level in San Marcos, TX. Two Barbers Hill art students were awarded college scholarships totaling $88,000.
Band
Marching Band Policies & Procedures
Freshman Parent Information Packet
Summer Marching Band Practice Flyer (pdf)
BAND
GRADE LEVEL: 9-12
1.0 Credit
Prerequisite: Active membership in band during prior school year and director approval.
Throughout the school year, the band will present numerous public performances. Each performance is important and attendance by the members on the band is required. Band members are expected to make all rehearsals and performances; band is a performance based class as described in the Curriculum Handbook. One year enrollment in band will earn one Fine Art credit and ½ P.E. credit. In addition to the band’s group activities, individual band members will have the opportunity to perform solo literature for their instruments and to perform in various chamber ensembles. These groups will perform at school and at UIL Solo and Ensemble contest. Band students also audition for various TMEA honor groups such as All-Region Band, All Region Jazz Ensemble, All-Region Orchestra and All-State Band. Being selected as a member of these organizations is among the highest honors a high school musician can attain.
Band Year-at-a-Glance
2023 - 2024 Band Schedule (pdf)
2023 Summer Marching Band Practice Flyer (pdf)
The Soaring Eagle Color Guard is an award-winning performing organization within the Soaring Eagle Band Program. They provide the visual element of the marching show by use of dance, flags, rifles, sabres, and props. Color Guard is considered a sport due to its physical and competitive aspects. Physical stamina is needed to put together movement, dance, and equipment work at the same time. The Soaring Eagle Color Guard fulfills BHHS graduation requirements. You can receive both P.E. and Fine Arts credit as a member of the Soaring Eagle Color Guard.
In the Spring the Soaring Eagle Color Guard splits into two teams that compete as members of the Texas Color Guard Circuit. The continued success and growth of the program has allowed both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams to compete at a high level. In 2021 the Soaring Eagle Color Guard was named the Texas Color Guard Circuit Area East Champion. In 2022, the inaugural year for the Junior Varsity team to compete, the JV earned 4th place at the Texas Color Guard Circuit East Championships. The Varsity Color Guard Advanced to the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships and placed 10th in the State.
Choir
In addition to participating in all TMEA and UIL competitions throughout the year, the Choral Department at Barbers Hill HS presents three concerts (Fall, Christmas and Pre-UIL) yearly, as well as an end-of year Pop Show and Swing Choir dinner concert. The Fall Musical in partnership with the theatre program is a highlight each year! We have the privilege of claiming multiple TMEA All-State Choir members AND UIL State Solo & Ensemble performers annually, and are consistent UIL Sweepstakes award recipients. There are six choirs, including auditioned and non-auditioned groups. We proudly have several voice teachers who offer private vocal lessons during choir classes.
Color Guard
The Soaring Eagle Color Guard is an award-winning performing organization within the Soaring Eagle Band Program. They provide the visual element of the marching show by use of dance, flags, rifles, sabres, and props. Color Guard is considered a sport due to its physical and competitive aspects. Physical stamina is needed to put together movement, dance, and equipment work at the same time. The Soaring Eagle Color Guard fulfills BHHS graduation requirements. You can receive both P.E. and Fine Arts credit as a member of the Soaring Eagle Color Guard.
In the Spring the Soaring Eagle Color Guard splits into two teams that compete as members of the Texas Color Guard Circuit. The continued success and growth of the program has allowed both Varsity and Junior Varsity teams to compete at a high level. In 2021 the Soaring Eagle Color Guard was named the Texas Color Guard Circuit Area East Champion. In 2022, the inaugural year for the Junior Varsity team to compete, the JV earned 4th place at the Texas Color Guard Circuit East Championships. The Varsity Color Guard Advanced to the Texas Color Guard Circuit State Championships and placed 10th in the State.
Dance
Syllabus and Class Expectations Dance 1-4
Dance Parents & Students:
Welcome to the sixth year of the Barbers Hill HS School Dance Program! I am so excited to see how this program has developed and I hope that it will continue to grow. Dance education helps students in so many ways. It provides students with a way of expressing themselves creatively and helps them gain confidence and body awareness. The dance program is designed to teach students fundamentals in dance and choreography, and to help students develop self-discipline and focus. Through dance, students come to appreciate rich and diverse cultures, beliefs, and societies. Thank you for being a part of this class! Some of the areas we will cover include:
- Modern/Contemporary
- Chreography
- Improvisation
- Jazz
- Performance
- Strength Training
- Ballet/Lyrical
- Musical Theater/Tap
- Fitness/Nutrition
- Dance History
- Hip Hop
- Physical
During the year expectations may change; flexibility will be important for students, parents and teachers. My hope is that I can give all of my dance students the best possible experience but in order to do that I need to make sure both parents and students are aware of the current expectations.
Day 1- To comply with social distancing requirements, students will be assigned a row and designated movement area.Until further notice, students will report to that area and will follow classroom procedures for dressing out and daily activities.
- LOCKERS WILL NOT be issued to individual students. Lockers will be assigned based on rows. Lockers will remain locked and only the teacher will be able to issue and access items inside the locker.
- Students should bring clothes in a large sealable 3-5 gallon ziploc type bag. This includes all personal items, including shoes.
- We will begin dressing out on August 25th***Students are expected to dress out every day in black ankle length jazz pants & a black fitted shirt. As this is a movement class, students must be dressed for movement. The 1st and 2nd time a student does not dress they will receive a daily grade of a 50, but only if they participate. The 3rd time a student does not dress they will receive a zero and the explanation will be noted in the grade book. This process starts over every 6 weeks.
- Students are expected to participate in all class activities and be willing to try new movements, accept critiques, and rehearse material learned in class.
- Students are expected to treat the dance room and locker area as a classroom. There is NO food, drinks, or gum allowed in the classroom. Only clear water is allowed.
- Students are expected to seek out any missed information when absent.
- Students are expected to turn in any written or choreographic assignment on time.
- Phones are not allowed in the dance room or gym.
ASSESSMENT: Assessment is an important part of instruction. A combination of teacher, peer, and self-assessment will be used. Grades will be recorded on a daily basis but then averaged and entered as a weekly grade. Participation & Dressing out will count as 60 % of the six weeks grades and written and/or performance assessment will make up the other 40%.
- Re-testing: Students may retest if they fail a written or performance test with a 69 or below.
- Tutorials: By appointment
- Absences: If a student is absent for more than ONE day they must meet with me to be given a make-up assignment. It could be written or performance based.
- Final Exam for Dance 1-4 Theater tech for our end of the year production
Students will begin dressing out on August 25th. Example: Academy Leggings Academy Tank
Dancewear: All students must wear ankle length black pants, (NOT TIGHTS). These are available at Academy, Walmart, Target and various other locations. Amazon carries a wide variety of black leggings. Please make sure that they are not see-through. The links above will take you to the correct items.
Shoes: Dancers may wear jazz shoes, ballet shoes, dance sneakers or they may go barefooted but they are not allowed to wear socks or street shoes/sneakers. The jazz shoes can be tan or black. Athletic shoes can be worn on workout days.
Hair: Will be pulled back and off of the face and neck.
Jewelry: All dangle earrings, bracelets, and long necklace should be removed. ID badges should be left in your assigned locker as well.
Lost or Stolen Items: If your clothes are misplaced or stolen you will only have one week to replace the items without getting points taken off your dress out grade. Our room can be very cold! Students may wear a black long sleeve t-shirt over the dance t-shirt with their jazz pants.
LOCKERS AND RESTROOMS:
Lockers will be assigned as stated in our classroom expectations. We will follow the district and campus policy for using the restroom.
CELL PHONES:
Cell phones are NOT permitted in the classroom/gym and should be locked up in your locker. Referrals will be assigned if this becomes a continuous issue.
WEBSITE:
Please check my webpage for more information about the class. If you have any questions, please contact me at lachele.stoeck@bhisd.net. I know this is going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Lachele Stoeck
Dance 1-4 & Varsity Dance Team
Barbers Hill High School
Phone: x2609
Email Address: Lachele.Stoeck@bhisd.net
Theatre
Barbers Hill Theatre (SALT DOME THEATRE) is open to any and all 9th-12th graders who have any interest in the inner workings of creating stage productions - whether it be on or off stage. Throughout the year, Salt Dome Theatre puts on large scale productions for our BHISD families and surrounding communities: Fall shows, Musicals (with our amazing Choir program), Short Programs, UIL One Act Play, UIL Prose & Poetry, and Senior Showcases to name a few. Salt Dome Theatre has enjoyed many successes surrounding UIL including multiple State wins, and 30 consecutive 1st placements at District. More than anything, SDT exists to provide any and every student with creative outlets that help them become flourishing artists and fully functioning members of society.
FINE ARTS
281-576-2221, ext. 1379
281-576-3356 Fax
9696 Eagle Dr.
Mont Belvieu, Texas 77523
HIGH SCHOOL
Director of Fine Arts
Head Band Director
Chris Brannan
Fine Arts Secretary
Hope Novosad