The Rocky Bayou Christian School Fine Arts Department provides 5th-12th grade students the opportunity to develop and express their God-given gifts and talents through instrumental music, vocal music, visual arts, and theatrical talents. We strive to guide students in their pursuit of excellence, developing their gifts to glorify Him.
Band
We believe that students should enhance their individual potential to understand music as an art form, promote the use of music as a form of self-expression, value music as an aesthetic experience, and use music as an inspiring form of worship.
5th grade Beginning Band
Beginning band is offered starting in 5th grade. Students have the opportunity to learn a wind instrument and have class each day as part of their regular schedule. A students’ first introduction to instrumental arts is vital for learning proper technique, reading music, quality sound production, performance etiquette, and music enjoyment. 5th grade Beginning Band regularly participates in the FACCS Fine Arts competition earning Superior ratings. They also perform at the Fall and Spring concerts. At completion of this class, they will move to Intermediate Band in Middle School.
Middle School Beginning Band
Beginning Band is offered to students in grades 6-8 who wish to learn a musical instrument and who have no prior experience. This band meets every day as part of the regular schedule. Middle School Beginning Band performs at the Fall and Spring Concerts. Students will learn to read music, proper techniques, and performance skills. At completion of this class, they will move to Intermediate Band.
Middle School Intermediate Band
Intermediate Band is for students who have completed Beginning Band. Students will continue to further develop the instrumental skills they learned in their first year. Intermediate Band performs at the Fall and Spring concerts and has also participated in the FACCS competition. Students are eligible to participate in FBA All-County and All-State starting in 7th grade.
Middle School Concert Band
The RBCS Concert Band is a group of talented young musicians who wish to continue their instrumental music education. This band is for students who have played 3-4 years. They participate in the Fall and Spring concerts, Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, and Junior Fine Arts regional and state level each year. Concert Band consistently receives Superior and Excellent ratings at FACCS. They also perform at various community events. Students are eligible to participate in FBA All-County and All-State starting in 7th grade. Students in Concert Band are also members of the Marching Knights.
Academy Band Fundamentals
High school students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument who have no prior experience or would like to expand their knowledge by learning a second instrument. Students will learn how to read music and play a wind instrument. Band Fundamentals class performs at the Fall and Spring Concerts.
High School Symphonic Band
Symphonic Band is our High School Band. The band participates in the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (FACCS) Fine Arts Competition, Fall and Spring concerts, and many community events throughout the year. Symphonic members are eligible to audition for the Florida All-State and All-County bands. Students learn and perform high quality, varied styles of music in concert settings. The Symphonic Band consistently receives superior and excellent ratings at their assessment each year. The RBCS Symphonic Band has traveled to Orlando to participate in Disney Magic Music Days, Universal Studios Sound Design workshop, and also participated in a service project at Give Kids the World Village. The Symphonic Band performs in many community events each year such as National Day of Prayer. Symphonic Band students join together to form our Marching Knights.
Marching Knights
RBCS Marching Knights is comprised of all members of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and color guard. The Marching Knights perform a field show and perform as a pep band in the stands at home football games. The marching band also participates in the Homecoming parade and community Christmas parades.
Praise Bands
The Praise Bands are open to High School and Middle School students by audition only. They serve as worship leaders during weekly chapel. The band is set up as a contemporary worship ensemble.
Choral
At Rocky Bayou Christian School, we strive to develop 5th-12th grade students’ God-given talents through vocal music. Students will learn Christian life skills, such as discipline, camaraderie, and teamwork with their fellow choir members. The choral program also works to give students as many performance opportunities as possible to maximize their experience.
All choirs, grades 5-12, are competing choirs. They participate in FACCS (Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) fine arts competitions; both regional and state. They also participate in FVA (Florida Vocal Association) choir competitions, solo & ensemble, and All-County/All-State choral events.
Students in choir will also have the opportunity to be a part of other select ensembles that also participate at FVA and FACCS, such as Voix de Belles Ladies Ensemble (9th-12), Vocal Troupe Men’s Ensemble (9th-12th), and Jr. Lady Knights Ensemble (6th-8th). These select groups are pulled from the existing grade level choirs.
Beginning Choir
Open to all 5th graders, the RBCS Beginning Choir performs two formal concerts a year, Winter and Spring. The Beginning Choir also competes at the Jr. FACCS Regional Fine Arts Competition in the spring for which they have received consistent excellent and superior ratings and have qualified for state every year. They also entertain at various local and on-campus functions. In addition to performance opportunities, students also learn fundamental musicianship skills throughout the course.
Junior Knights Choir
The Junior Knights choir is open to all 6th-8th grade students. In addition to putting on two formal concerts a year, Winter and Spring, this choir also participates in the annual Fall Benefit Concert in conjunction with the band as part of the department’s fundraising program.
The Junior Knights Choir also competes at the Jr. FACCS Regional and State Fine Arts Competitions as well as FVA MPA Choral Competition for which they have received excellent and superior ratings consistently as well as placing at the state level. They also perform a short Christmas program at the Bob Hope Village Assisted Living Center in Shalimar in conjunction with Concert Band.
Selected students in this choir may have the opportunity to participate in the Jr. Lady Knights Ensemble which also competes at all competitions and participates in all concerts and has received superior ratings at competitions.
Concert Choir
Comprised of 9th-12th grade Academy students, the RBCS Concert Choir is for vocalists who desire to improve themselves as singers and musicians. The group covers numerous styles of literature, sight singing and basic theory knowledge.
The Concert Choir performs three formal concerts a year, one of which is the annual Fall Benefit Concert in conjunction with the band as part of the department’s fundraising program, as well as Christmas and Spring Concerts. The choir also competes at the FVA MPA and Sr. FACCS Fine Arts Competitions each spring for which they have received excellent and superior ratings and have also placed at the state level at FACCS. This group has also performed at Disney’s Candlelight Processional, the Big Barber Shop Concert, National Day of Prayer, and RBCS Grandparents Day.
Students enrolled in Concert Choir may have the opportunity to be selected to be in the Voix de Belles Ladies Ensemble or the Vocal Troupe Men’s Ensemble. These groups also participate in all competitions, concerts and other on/off-campus performances. Both groups have received excellent and superior ratings at both FVA and FACCS competitions and have also placed on the state level at FACCS.
Chamber Choir
This elite, audition only group ranging from 9-12 voices is open to 10th-12th grade students. The Chamber Choir performs in three formal concerts a year, the Fall Benefit Concert, Christmas and Spring concerts, and they also compete at FVA MPA Solo & Ensemble Competition district and state levels as well as at FVA Choir MPA and at the Sr. FACCS State Fine Arts Competition for which they have received consistent excellent and superior ratings and placed on the state level each year at FACCS.
This group has also performed at Disney’s Candlelight Processional, the Big Barber Shop Concert. The Chamber Choir also performs throughout the Okaloosa and Walton County Communities at various Chamber of Commerce events and other community events including, See You at the Pole, National Day of Prayer, and RBCS Grandparents Day.
All choirs are under the direction of Ms. Janet Tullos, Director of Fine Arts and Choral Activities. For more information on how to become a part of this award-winning choral program, please contact Ms. Tullos at tullosj@rbcs.org.
Visual Arts
We are committed to assisting our students in identifying and developing all of their God-given talents. Our Visual Arts department can help mold young artist’s talents and give all students an opportunity to develop a deep appreciation for both traditional and contemporary art.
Our Visual Arts department offers the following classes:
- 2-D Art: drawing, painting, cartooning, collage and linoleum printing
- 3-D Art: Styrofoam sculptures, paper mache, clay and ceramics
- Clayworks: regular and polymer clay design
- AP Art: college-preparatory 2-D design and drawing
- 5th Grade Art: experimentation with different techniques and forms
- Special Services Art: experimentation with different techniques and forms
Theater
The RBCS Theater Department provides students the opportunity to immerse themselves in their creative avenue of choice. Whether it is on stage in a leading role, backstage, lighting, or set building, the Theater Department strives to develop the God-given theatrical talents of all of our students. Students will learn discipline, dedication and teamwork through their efforts and will form strong friendships and bonds with their fellow castmates. The RBCS Theater Department assists students in finding internships and community performance opportunities to broaden their experience and strengthen their gifts.
Each school year, two major productions are performed at the Municipal Auditorium in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The fall production is a play and has historically included performances such as Secret Garden, Play on, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Good Doctor, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts, and The Diary of Anne Frank. The spring production is a musical and has historically included performances of My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Pirates of Penzance, Cinderella, and Bye Bye Birdie among others.
In addition to the main stage productions, students have the option of enrolling in the Drama course. Designed to be a one year course, students are taught fundamental theater techniques, vocabulary and history. The course allows less experienced students to get their feet wet through classroom exercises, scenes, and even one act plays!