Fine, Practical and Performing Arts
The mission of the Fine, Practical, and Performing Arts Department in the North Plainfield School District is to foster meaningful connections within the arts for all students through a diverse array of program offerings and creative opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. It is our hope that our students will develop into lifelong consumers, participants, and patrons of the arts.
Every student in each of our schools has the opportunity to express themselves through the arts. Classroom music and visual art are a part of the specialized curriculum from kindergarten to eighth grade. High school students are afforded a wide range of instruction and performing opportunities by choosing from a varied list of electives. Fine arts students participate in art shows at every level, such as the annual Environmental Art Show in Basking Ridge and Somerset County Teen Arts Festival at Raritan Valley Community College.
Each school presents at least two musical concerts per year, with additional performances for select ensembles featured throughout the year. Students are encouraged to audition for regional and statewide honors ensembles. The North Plainfield High School Marching Band offers competitive and spirited performances at competitions and community events around the state.
Our high school offers a comprehensive Practical Arts/21st Century Life and Career Skills programs, designed to promote hands-on learning for students interested in entering the workforce.
All of the above Fine, Practical, and Performing Arts programs are on display every spring during the District’s Art Show, held at the high school.
- Calendar of Events
- Dance Program
- Music Program
- Theater Program
- Visual Arts Program
- 21st Century Life and Career Skills
- Resources
Calendar of Events
2024-2025 Events
*All events begin at 7PM, unless otherwise noted*
- Sunday, November 3- Marching Band Championships @ The College of New Jersey
- Thursday and Friday, December 5/6- NPMS Musical
- Tuesday, December 10- NPMS/NPHS Band Concert
- Thursday, December 12- NPMS Choral Concert
- Tuesday, December 17- NPHS Choral Concert
- Monday, January 13- Stony Brook Winter Concert
- Thursday, January 16- West End Winter Concert
- Friday, January 17- NPHS Dance Concert
- Tuesday January 21- Somerset Choral Concert
- Thursday, January 23- East End Winter Concert
- Tuesday, January 28- Somerset Band Concert
- Thursday-Saturday, March 20-22- NPHS Musical
- Tuesday, April 8- District Art Show
- Monday, May 5- Somerset School Choral Concert
- Tuesday, May 6- Somerset School Band Concert
- Thursday, May 8- Java and Jazz
- Friday, May 9- NPHS Dance Concert
- Monday, May 12- Stony Brook Spring Concert
- Thursday, May 15- NPHS Choral Concert
- Monday, May 19- NPMS Choral Concert
- Tuesday, May 20- West End Spring Concert
- Wednesday, May 28- East End Spring Concert
- Wednesday, June 4- NPMS Band Concert
- Thursday, June 5- NPHS Band Concert
Dance Program
North Plainfield High School is proud to offer multiple levels of dance instruction, in addition to numerous co-curricular opportunities. Dance coursework is also available to students in Grade 8. The dance program inspires students to create, perform/produce, respond to, and connect with dance through a myriad of offerings. Students will perform in several concerts, showcasing all of their progress throughout the year. Students in our second-level course may be eligible for concurrent enrollment credit at Raritan Valley Community College.
Introduction to Dance Studies
This beginner course is designed to promote creativity through movement and to provide students with an overview of the subject area, including both an activity and an academic component. Students explore the world of dance including technique, basic theory, vocabulary, history, and body mechanics as a part of this foundation class. Various dance styles such as Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Latin, African, Hip Hop and Improvisation will be covered throughout the school year. Students develop knowledge and skills about proper body alignment, dance history, criticism, composition, cultural dance and performance art.
Dance Performance and Choreography
This course will expand upon knowledge learned in Dance Studies from a historical, choreographic and performance perspective. It is designed for the serious student of dance. The course will focus on advanced beginner to intermediate technical work, repertory, and the development of performance quality in the following genres of dance: ballet, modern, jazz, tap and hip hop. This course will acquaint students with the process of developing a strong performance quality, through the use of vocal, text, and body techniques. Work on auditioning techniques and professional career preparation and/ or college preparation will be addressed.
Co-curricular opportunities include:
Canuck Dance Company
National Honor Society for Dance Arts
Music Program
The Music Program in North Plainfield is designed to meet a wide range of student interests and abilities. Inclusive of all grades from Kindergarten through grade 12, the music program inspires students to create, perform, respond to, and connect with music through a myriad of offerings. We also strive to enhance the development of basic learning skills including memory, analytical thinking, listening, following directions, group interaction, and more. Numerous co-curricular programs at all levels provide students additional opportunities to pursue their passion!
High School Courses Include:
Mixed Chorus
No prerequisite is required other than a love of music. Repertoire ranges from classic choral literature to contemporary arrangements. There are two required concerts during the school year (Winter and Spring). There are opportunities to go on a trip to a professional musical event, such as a Broadway Show or the Metropolitan Opera. Pull out lessons are a component of this course.
Concert Choir
Membership in the Concert Choir is by audition. Repertoire includes challenging repertoire including A Cappella singing (without accompaniment). The Choir meets one evening a week. Members are required to attend two concerts during the school year (Winter and Spring) as well as other scheduled performance opportunities that are outlined in the course syllabus. Members are required to participate in competitions and festivals for which the group is enrolled. Weekly pull out lessons are a component of this course and are required for all members.
Concert Band
The concert band offers a variety of activities for students. Any student who has the ability to play an instrument is welcome to participate. Students may have the opportunity to perform in small ensembles. Besides class period rehearsals students are required to participate in small group pull-out lessons. The concert band performs at school concerts, assemblies, and community activities. All students are required to attend and perform at the winter (December) and spring (May) concerts
Intro to Music Composition
This course is an exploration of both the theory of music and modern composition techniques. Topics will include movie soundtrack composition, commercial composition, and arranging. Compositional skills will be enhanced with the use of notation, sequencing, and production software.
Co-curricular Activities Include:
Concert Band at all schools, Grades 4-8
Chorus at all schools, Grades 3-8
Jazz Band at all schools, Grades 5-12
Numerous chamber music and select ensemble opportunities
Marching Band (7-12)
Marching Band is available to all students in high school and to middle school band students, with teacher recommendation. Marching Band rehearsals begin in the summer, with band camp held in early August, with the season concluding in November. The band performs at all home and away football games, pep rallies, assemblies, and marching band competitions held throughout the state.
*To receive credit for Marching Band, students must complete 60 hours of participation.
Theater Program
North Plainfield School District offers coursework in theater for students in grades 8-12. In addition, there are numerous co-curricular performance and technical theater opportunities, including musical productions at North Plainfield Middle School (fall/winter) and North Plainfield High School (spring). The theater program inspires students to create, perform/produce, respond to, and connect with theater through a myriad of offerings.
High School Courses Include:
Introduction to Speech and Theater
This performance course will provide activities to develop skills in speaking and drama. Students will learn to improve their speaking abilities and gain confidence in performance through workshop activities, group discussion, monologue creation and performance, improvisations, tableaux, pantomimes, scenes study, vocal workshops, performance, and the writing and production of plays.
Principles of Acting
This performance course will include the history of theater and develop, through workshop exercises, dramatic techniques in acting from improvisation to play production. Students will perform skits, monologues, scenes, and plays to enjoy the art of acting. Students will enhance their experience through co-curricular theater opportunities.
Advanced Theater Workshop and Seminar
This performance course is an advanced class covering the processes of play production, theater history, stage design, scenery, props/costumes, sound effects, methods of acting, performance, production, and evaluation. To further their experience in theater, students will produce and perform plays for audiences and competitions. Students will enhance their experience through co-curricular theater opportunities.
Co-curricular opportunities include:
NPMS Musical
NPHS Musical
NPHS Drama Club
Visual Arts Program
The art program is designed to expose students to a plethora of art media. This includes; painting, sculpture, pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, digital art, watercolor, and much more. Students experience a well-rounded art education designed to make art a part of their lives in school and long after graduation. Inclusive of all grades from Kindergarten through grade 12, the art program inspires students to create, present/produce, respond to, and connect with art through a myriad of offerings.
High School Courses Include:
Art and Design
Students are exposed to a plethora of art media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolor, and plaster. Considerable time will be utilized improving drawing skills and working with the basic elements of design: line, shape, form, color and value, texture and space. Course requirements include quizzes, art projects, and reading and writing about art, artists, and art movements.
Drawing 1
This introductory course is designed for students to explore drawing techniques and concepts. It is also intended to develop expression and discipline in drawing through the use of materials. Students will establish their skills in observational drawing, discipline, patience, hand-eye coordination, and will also develop a practice and work ethic that is necessary to master the skills of drawing. Students will work with varied dry materials while developing their skills and documenting their progress through the use of a drawing portfolio.
Sculpture and Ceramics
Students will dive into the world of three-dimensional arts. The first semester students will learn the three hand building techniques and create 3D work with clay. The second semester will focus on 3-D works made with plaster, cardboard and wire. Students will understand different sculpture techniques and create relief sculptures, figurative works , utilitarian works with clay and more.
Drawing 2
Drawing 2 is an advanced course designed for students to further their individual technique. Students will exhibit mastery in observational drawing, discipline, patience, hand-eye coordination, and will also develop a practice and work ethic that is necessary to master the skills of drawing. Students will work with varied dry materials while developing their skills and documenting their progress through the use of a drawing portfolio.
Painting
In this course, students will take a deeper dive into color theory and the compositional techniques of painting. Students will expand their knowledge of acrylic paints and watercolor, and explore new mediums like oil painting and gouache.
Honors Studio
Students will explore themes and materials. Students will find their own artistic style and enhance their talents, with individualized coaching tailored to support student interest. The focus of this course is to build a portfolio for college admissions and career exploration.
Advanced Placement Studio Art
AP Studio Art is designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art, and as a means of obtaining college credit, college placement or both. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year to the College Board, Advanced Placement Program. The course requires the submission of a portfolio for assessment.
21st Century Life and Career Skills
Business and Technical Education
Digital Photography 1
Students will explore the foundations of digital photography as a visual fine art. Students will learn how to take photographs focusing on the elements of art through the study of composition, lighting techniques and photo editing methods. The course will emphasize and encourage individual creativity and personal expression. The course also explores past and present trends in photography. All students will complete a digital portfolio of their cumulative work.
Digital Photography 2
Students will continue to study advanced digital camera controls, enhancing their composition and photo editing methods using Adobe Photoshop. Students will explore digital photography as a fine art, studio & product photography, food photography, portraiture, mixed media, portfolio, exhibition and careers in the digital arts. Students will also research Art History and incorporate their findings into larger scale projects that will be presented to their peers. At the culmination of the course students will create a digital portfolio website showcasing their best work.
Graphic Design
In this introductory course, students will learn how to use graphic design as a tool for visual communication. Students will apply the principles of design and develop their typographic and image-making skill sets using technology and traditional media in order to create graphic design materials for a variety of uses.
Entrepreneurship
This course will introduce students to the skills necessary to become successful entrepreneurs as a business owner or employee. Students will learn what it is like to run one’s own business, what is involved in starting a business, fiscal/legal responsibilities of business ownership, and what problem-solving techniques are needed to be successful in business.
Marketing
This course is designed for students based on the knowledge that all careers incorporate marketing into their practices. Careers in marketing include selling, advertising, research, retail merchandising, entrepreneurship, marketing information systems, hospitality, travel and tourism, and technical sales. All of these careers require the basic marketing skill learned in this course. Topics include ethical decision-making, entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and an examination of trends in advertising and marketing.
Family and Consumer Sciences
The Family and Consumer Science program teaches life skills to students in grades 9-12. The following courses are offered at North Plainfield High School. Students will have the opportunity to learn in a hands on environment as well as earn college credits.
Introduction to Foods and Nutrition
This introductory course focuses on the fundamentals of nutrition, food preparation, meal planning, kitchen management, and consumer education. While preparing recipes in the foods lab kitchen, students develop basic food preparation skills using an assortment of kitchen tools and appliances.
Creative Sewing and Design
This course in basic sewing and design develops creativity through the planning and creating of textile craft projects and clothing. Practical and creative sewing skills are developed as students learn to hand sew, operate a sewing machine, and use sewing patterns. Students will design clothing and explore the fields of fashion design and merchandising.
Child Development I
This course focuses on the social, intellectual, and emotional development of children from prenatal through adolescence. Each student will be involved in planning and participating with an on-site preschool laboratory (nursery school). An awareness of parenthood is stressed.
Foundations of Education
This course is geared towards those interested in pursuing a career in education. Students will learn about career training and opportunities in education, recent developments in educational theory, and offer hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom. Participants in this course will be required to complete observations at various schools, and may be eligible to earn college credit through a partnership with Kean University.
Resources
Alfred Hadinger
Supervisor of Fine, Practical, and Performing Arts
908-769-6000 ex. 3154