Visual & Performing Arts

Visual and Performing Arts Department Courses

Photography: 
Digital photography, Advanced digital Photography, 
AP Photography, Art of video

Ceramics:
Ceramics beginning, Advanced and AP

Art: 
Art, advanced and AP art.

Drama:
Cinema and Society, drama, Advanced drama, Tech Theater

Dance:
Intro to Dance, Advanced Dance

Music: 
Choir chamber and concert, chorus
Jazz ensemble,Wind ensemble, Concert band, Symphonic band 

Aragon Vocal Ensembles!
Aragon has three vocal ensembles, which makes us the largest singing department in the entire district.  
Our three choirs include an all-female​ Women’s Ensemble​, a ​Chamber Singers​ for advanced musicians, and the only all-male ​Men’s Ensemble ​ in​ the entire district.  
Every year, our groups are invited to perform at local businesses and singing festivals.  
We toured internationally in countries including Ireland, Italy & China and at local attractions like Great America and Disneyland.
Our singing community also features three student-led a cappella groups for singers to pursue their passions in this genre.
Whether you actively sing or want to start, our vocal groups are the perfect classes to join! For questions, contact Mr. John Chen at ​jchen@smuhsd.org​ for more information.  

Join Aragon Jazz!
The Aragon Jazz Program boasts two fantastic jazz performance groups: Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble.
Jazz Band is a beginning/intermediate ensemble where any musician can participate, no matter the past experience or selected instrument. We take everyone, from singers, percussionists, and instrumentalists. The class is currently a zero period class (meets at 7 am) and will fulfill full Visual and Performing Arts Credit.
The Jazz Ensemble is an audition-only advanced ensemble. The instrumentation is more specific and is limited to: saxophones, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, drums, vibes, piano, percussion, and vocals. This class is during the school day and also fulfills the Visual and Performing Arts Credit.
The Aragon Jazz Program has had the reputation of being one of the best in the Bay Area. We have been featured at festivals and concerts local and in various other countries and locations! So, come join our Jazz Family, it is the place where you can play Jazz, have fun and be yourself!
Interested? Questions? Contact Mr. Kevin Gallagher at ​kgallagher@smuhsd.org​ for more information.

Be a Part of Band!
The Aragon Band Program is the largest in the San Mateo Union High School District, and currently includes: Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
The Aragon Concert Band is an intermediate Ensemble which is 100% freshmen! All incoming 8th graders should expect to be placed into this class right out of middle school, no audition needed. This is the ensemble to warm students up to the Aragon Music and School-wide traditions, expectations and high level of performance. This is not a beginning class, therefore students are expected to have at least 1 year of prior playing experience with a band instrument. All students will receive Visual and Performing Arts credit for this class.
The Aragon Symphonic Band is a more advanced group than the Concert Band. The class will be a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Those in Concert Band should expect to move directly into this class during their second year of class. This class will be the largest class and therefore diversify the music choices, performing classic pieces, pop pieces, concert music and more!
The Aragon Wind Ensemble is the most advanced group of the trio of band opportunities, which requires auditions for all musicians. This class performs advanced high school level music as well as college level music, and has performed all over California and the world! The performance level is much higher and advanced in music selection!
The instrumentation is as follows: flute, clarinet, oboe, bass clarinet, bassoon, alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone instruments (such as euphonium), tuba, string bass, and various percussion. Interested? Questions? Contact Mr. Kevin Gallagher at ​kgallagher@smuhsd.org​ for more information.

Aragon has two amazing orchestras: a String Orchestra for beginning/intermediate musicians, and Chamber Orchestra for advanced players.

• String Orchestra is composed of incoming students and the freshman class.​   String Orchestra helps new students warm up to Aragon music and traditions, such as our fun holiday potlucks. As it is a beginning/intermediate class, there is no audition but 1 year of playing is required.
• Chamber Orchestra is the advanced orchestra at Aragon. This ensemble performs​       full orchestra repertoire with Winds and Percussion. The orchestra has lots of events planned, including concerts and the adjudicated Festival Performances. Chamber Orchestra is by audition only, musicians who served a year in String Orchestra will have audition priority.

Every year, our groups are invited to perform at local businesses and singing festivals.
During the past year we have been invited to perform at ​many festivals and community functions.   
Our orchestras also tour with the choirs. We have toured places like China, Ireland, and Italy, along with going to local attractions like Great America and Disneyland. Each class has their own orchestra councill, so everyone has a chance to get involved. 
We frequently invite guest string quartets and professional string coaches to help our student musicians perfect their techniques and learn about music as a profession.
Whether you are just learning or have played before, orchestra is the perfect class for you to join! Questions? Contact Mr. John Chen at jchen@smuhsd.org​  for more information.​