Welcome to the Academy for the Advanced Achievement in the Arts! Known as the "4A" Academy, students from all branches of the Fine Arts are invited to join. The four A's also each represent a pillar of the arts:
- Dramatic Arts
- Visual Arts
- Vocal Arts
- Instrumental Arts
4A Academy Faculty
- Gerard Madrinan -- Academy Director/Band Director -- madrinang@pcsb.org
- Steve Harris -- Jazz Band Director/Orchestra Director/Music Technology/Theory/Keyboard -- harrisstev@pcsb.org
- Lauren Brautigam -- Choral Director/Guitar -- brautigamL@pcsb.org
- Tim Hart -- Theater Director/Dramatic Arts/Improv/Theater Tech -- hartt@pcsb.org
- Todd Leisek -- Visual Arts/2D & 3D Art -- leisekt@pcsb.org
- Blaine Barden -- Visual Arts/Photography/2D Art -- bardenb@pcsb.org
- Jane Lucas -- Principal -- Lucasm@pcsb.org
Do not hesitate to contact us with questions; we would love to hear from you!
What is required to be a student memeber in the 4A Academy?
- Current e-mail address and mobile phone number on file with Mr. Madrinan
- Participation in a visual or performing arts program at SHS
Students will also have the opportunity to purchase a 4A Academy Graduation Stole at the end of their senior year! Click here for photo!
In order to be a member of the 4A Academy, students must be enrolled in at least one of the following courses:
- Drama: Intro to Drama, Theater I-IV, Musical Theater I-III, Improvisation, Technical Design & Production
- Visual: Creating 2D/3D Art, Photography I-II, Studio, Portoflio, AP 2D/3D, AP Art/Drawing
- Vocal: Women’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, Warhawk Singers, Seminole Singers
- Instrumental: Band, Orchestra, Jazz, Sound Engineering, Theory, Guitar, Keyboard, Color Guard
The 4A Academy offers courses of various levels from beginning/entry to advanced/elite. These courses specialize in the concentration of their specific Pillar. Some are co-curricular, meaning their grade is based on in-class assessments and after school rehearsals/performances. Some courses possess a lab fee, and others utilize fundraising where parents and students work with an outside school booster organization.
Our Mission Statement: To facilitate leadership and learning, not only in the field of art, but also in putting artistic creativity to use to help foster growth and connection with community.
To apply for the 4A Academy, click any of the pictures below, download the application, and complete and email to Mr. Madrinan at madrinang@pcsb.org!
Dramatic Arts
The Drama department at SHS is second to none. Boasting many distinctions, it offers students the opportunity to gain valuable experience both onstage and off.
Drama Classes offered at SHS are as follows:
NUMBER | GRADE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT |
| PREREQUISITE |
9-12 | Intro to Drama | 1 |
| None | |
9-12 | Theatre I | 1 | ^ | None (must also take Mus Thea) | |
10-12 | Theatre II | 1 | * | Comprehensive Theatre I | |
11-12 | Theatre III | 1 | Q * | Comprehensive Theatre II | |
11-12 | Theatre IV | 1 | Q * | Comprehensive Theatre III | |
10-12 | Improvisation | 1 |
| None | |
9-12 | Musical Theatre I | 1 | $$ * | None | |
10-12 | Musical Theatre II | 1 | $$ * | Musical Theatre I | |
11-12 | Musical Theatre III | 1 | $$ * | Musical Theatre II |
Q = Quality Point Course |
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$$ = Possible costume rental fee of $50 - $125 |
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^ = Paired course Must take both Comprehensive & Musical Theatre |
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* = Level II & up in Comp. Theatre & Musical Theatre are by Audition Only | |||
Comprehensive Theatre is a course that is offered at the end of the day for all the Musical Theatre students who choose to take a second period of drama. You may choose to take Musical Theatre alone, but if you choose to enroll in two periods of drama, sign up for Musical Theatre and Comprehensive Theatre. Students who take both courses must commit to being involved in productions and after school activities. Intro to Drama is for students interested in taking an overview course of theatre. This course explores all areas of theatre, including beginning stage craft, acting, and improvisation.
For questions or more information about the Theater Department at the 4A Academy, please contact:
Lily Palmer -- Theater Director/Dramatic Arts/Improv/Theater Tech -- palmerLi@pcsb.org
Visual Arts
The Visual Arts Department at Seminole High School proudly boasts students whose work is displayed throughout the County and beyond.
Visual Arts classes offered at SHS are as follows:
NUMBER | GRADE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT |
| PREREQUISITE |
11-12 | AP Studio Art: 3/D Design | 1 | $$$ | Portfolio 3 Dev: Three Dimen. Hon. | |
11-12 | AP Art/Drawing Portfolio | 1 | $$$ | Portfolio 1 Dev: Drawing Hon. | |
11-12 | AP Studio Art: 2/D Design Port. | 1 | $$$ | Portfolio 2 Dev: Two Dimen. Hon. | |
9-12 | Creating 2 Dimensional Art | 1/2 | $ | None | |
9-12 | Creating 3 Dimensional Art | 1/2 | $ | None | |
11-12 | Two-Dimensional Studio Art 2 | 1 | $$ | Creating 2-D Art or Creating 3-D Art | |
10-12 | Creative Photography I | 1 | * | Creating 2-D or 3-D Art/Digital camera (not phone) | |
11-12 | Creative Photography II | 1 | $$ | Creat. Photo I/Digital camera (not phone) | |
10-12 | Digital Art Imaging 1 | 1 | $$ | Creating 2-D Art or Creating 3-D Art | |
11-12 | Digital Art Imaging 2 | 1 | $$ | Digital Art Imaging 1 | |
10-12 | Three-Dimensional Studio Art 2 | 1 | $$ | Creating 2-D Art or Creating 3-D Art | |
11-12 | Portfolio 1 Dev: Drawing Hon | 1 | $$ | Two-Dimensional Studio Art 2 | |
11-12 | Portfolio 2 Dev: Two Dimen. Hon | 1 | $$ | Two-Dimensional Studio Art 2 | |
11-12 | Portfolio 3 Dev: Three Dimen. H | 1 | $$ | Three-Dimensional Studio Art 2 |
All AP Art classes are required to do a portfolio - which is your exam
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For questions or more information about the Visual Arts at the 4A Academy, please contact:
Kelley Maier -- Visual Arts/2D & 3D Art -- maierkeL@pcsb.org
Blaine Barden -- Visual Arts/Photography/2D Art -- bardenb@pcsb.org
Vocal Arts
Vocal Music at Seminole has a rich history of student successes at the school, district, and state levels. Chorus students participate in many events, including the Disney Candlelight Processional, Music Performance Assessments, All County Chorus, Fall and Spring Concerts, and Community Performances and Fundraisers.
Vocal Music classes offered are as follows:
NUMBER | GRADE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT |
| PREREQUISITE |
1303300M | 9-12 | Chorus I - IV(Male Chorus) | 1 | $ | Sequential order |
1303300F | 9-12 | Chorus I - IV(Female Chorus) | 1 | $ | Sequential order |
1303310W | 10-12 | Chorus II-IV mixed (Warhawk Singers) | 1 | $ | Chorus I |
1303320S | 10-12 | Chorus III-IV mixed (Seminole Singers) |
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| Chorus I & II |
$ = All Chorus classes require a uniform
For questions or more information about the Chorus Program at the 4A Academy, please contact:
Lauren Brautigam -- Choral Director/Guitar -- brautigamL@pcsb.org
Instrumental Arts
The Instrumental Arts Program at SHS encompasses multiple disciplines of musicianship. Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Bands, Orchestra, Keyboard, and Guitar classes, along with Marching Band, Color Guard, and Indoor Percussion offer students options in furthering their musical education while simultaneously enhancing their academic education. Many of Seminole's instrumental and color guard programs are nationally renowned, award-winning ensembles that have travelled the nation, performing and competing with the best bands the country has to offer.
Instrumental Arts classes offered are as follows:
NUMBER | GRADE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT |
| PREREQUISITE |
1302300S | 9-12 | Band I - IV (Symphonic) | 1 | $ | Sequential order |
1302300M | 9-12 | Band I - IV (Marching) * | 1 | $ | Sequential order |
13043000 | 9-12 | Music Tech & Sound Engineering 1 | 1 |
| Music Reading Skill & Experience |
13043100 | 9-12 | Music Tech & Sound Engineering 2 | 1 | Q | Music Tech 1 |
13043200 | 9-12 | Music Tech & Sound Engineering 3 | 1 | Q | Music Tech 2 |
13053000 | 9-12 | Eurythmics I - IV (Color/Winter Guard) * | 1 |
| Sequential order |
13013200 | 9-12 | Guitar 1 (Must own or rent an acoustic guitar) | 1 | $$ | None |
13013300 | 9-12 | Guitar 2 (Must own or rent an acoustic guitar) | 1 | $$ | Guitar 1 |
13024200 | 9-12 | Instrumental Tech I - III (Percussion) * | 1 |
| Sequential order |
13024500 | 9-12 | Instrumental Tech IV (Percussion) * | 1 | Q | Instru Tech III (Percussion) |
13025000 | 9-12 | Jazz Ensemble 1 | 1 | + | Director Approval |
13025100 | 9-12 | Jazz Ensemble 2 | 1 | + | Jazz Ensemble 1 |
13013600 | 9-12 | Keyboard I (Piano) - III | 1 |
| None, Sequential order |
13013900 | 9-12 | Keyboard IV (Piano) | 1 | Q | Keyboard III (Piano) |
13003000 | 9-12 | Music Theory I | 1 |
| Music Reading Skill & Experience |
13003100 | 9-12 | Music Theory II | 1 | Q | Music Theory I |
13003300 | 10-12 | Adv Pl Music Theory | 1 | Q ^ | Music Theory III |
13023600 | 9-12 | Orchestra I - IV | 1 |
| Middle School Orch/sequential order |
Course offerings are based on the number of student requests. If not enough requests for a course, it will be cancelled.
Q = Quality Point Course |
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* = Active participation in Marching Band and/or Winter Guard required |
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+ = Director/teacher Approval |
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$$ = Purchase of textbook required. Students must bring in an acoustic guitar or |
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rent a school instrument |
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Music Techniques is a course for those students who want two periods of band. Students practice independently for the entire period with the guidance of the teacher.
All Wind Ensemble & Instrumental Tech Classes are required to participate in after school rehearsals, and meet one of the criteria below by the first week of school:
- Have participated in an 8th grade Instrumental or Vocal music course
- Have documented at least 3 months of weekly private percussion lessons and be able to verify
- Have been approved by the Director(s) by way of a playing audition and interview
All 9th graders will be placed in Symphonic Band unless otherwise specified by the director.
Classes are not required to participate in Marching Band but after school rehearsals are required.
Symphonic & Wind Ensemble have some mandatory rehearsals after school, and go on overnight trips in the spring. Fundraising is an expectation of membership.
For questions or more information about the Instrumental Program at the 4A Academy, please contact:
Gerard Madrinan -- Academy Director/Band Director -- madrinang@pcsb.org
Steve Harris -- Jazz Band Director/Orchestra Director/Music Technology/Theory/Keyboard -- harrisstev@pcsb.org
Lauren Brautigam -- Choral Director/Guitar -- brautigamL@pcsb.org
