Performing Arts

SYMPHONIC BAND (870)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 9-12

Prerequisite:  Ability to perform NYSSMA level III solo.  

Creating, performing, responding, and connecting, the four strands of the NYS Music Standards, are the processes through which band students learn about music.  During this course, students compose and improvise musical passages; perform a variety of concert band and solo literature; analyze and critique compositions and performances; investigate the history of music; explore relationships between music and other disciplines; and use a variety of technologies to support their learning.  Throughout the course, instructional goals will be crafted to encourage students to build the skills needed to play music of increasing levels of complexity and variety. 

Requirements:  Class participation, preparation of assignments, and participation in all band performances.  In addition to these requirements, students will be encouraged to participate in jazz band, chamber groups, NYSSMA, pit orchestra, and community events (caroling, nursing homes, etc.).   

Drop policy:  When a student drops a music performance class, all other students in the class are affected.  The parts for each composition that is being studied must be reassigned or rewritten and then learned by students who remain in the class.  Until this is accomplished, the class’s progress is suspended.  In fairness to all students enrolled in performance classes, no student will be allowed to drop the class after October 15th unless s/he receives written permission from the principal.

HONORS BAND (872)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 9-12

Prerequisite:  Ability to perform NYSSMA level IV music.  The ensemble is by audition only. Initial entry into the group will require an empty position in the ensemble. 

Honors band students learn and perform advanced concert band and chamber music repertoire, study performance practices associated with a variety of musical styles, explore music theory concepts, reflect on relationships between music and other disciplines, investigate historical factors that influence our understanding of music and make it relevant to today’s world, and learn to conduct passages of music.

Projects related to performance, composition, conducting, and ensemble direction help students develop and reflect upon their achievements within each of the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise (i.e. Critical Thinking Engage Citizenship, Innovation, Leadership).  

Requirements:  Class participation, preparation of assignments, and participation in all concert band performances.  

In addition to course requirements, students will be encouraged to participate in school solo recitals, the NYSSMA Solo Festival, Area All-State Band or Symphony Orchestra, chamber music, jazz band, pit orchestra, music service events, and other musical experiences that challenge them to expand their musical skills, develop their creativity, provide leadership, and use music as a tool for contributing valued services to the school community.

Drop policy:  When a student drops a music performance class, all other students in the class are affected.  The parts for each composition that is being studied must be reassigned or rewritten and then learned by students who remain in the class.  Until this is accomplished, the class’s progress is suspended.  In fairness to all students enrolled in performance classes, no student will be allowed to drop the class after October 15th unless s/he receives written permission from the principal.

CONCERT CHOIR (881)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 9-12

Prerequisite:  Ability to perform NYSSMA level III music  

The Concert Choir curriculum is aligned with the New York Standards for Music Education.  Students enrolled in this course will perform, improvise and compose music, analyze and critique compositions and performances, explore relationships between music and other disciplines; and develop an understanding of a wide range of musical styles.

Requirements:  Class participation, preparation of assignments, and participation in all performances of the chorus.

Honors Opportunities: Solo and ensemble opportunities are made available for students seeking to develop their vocal skills. Extracurricular (auditioned) choruses meet weekly in the evening (B Sharps - men; Chorale - women.) Solo opportunities are available for the fall and spring solo recital as well as for those students preparing solos for the NYSSMA Solo Festival. Receiving a high score may allow a student to be eligible to participate in Area All-State  or All-State Chorus, as well as All-Eastern and/or National Honor Chorus. 

In addition, music-teacher sponsored honor choirs (OAKE and ACDA) offer an opportunity for students to travel and sing with other like-minded individuals. Whenever possible, selected students can join a massed choir and orchestra to  sing a major work at either Carnegie Hall or Avery Fisher Hall. Acceptance into these prestigious ensembles is through audition and requires a high degree of self-motivation as much of the music learning is done independently. These specific choral opportunities challenge our most serious singers to hone their singing and  musicianship skills.

Drop policy:  When a student drops a music performance class, all other students in the class are affected.  In fairness to all students enrolled in performance classes, no student will be allowed to drop the course after October 15th unless s/he receives written permission from the principal.

ORCHESTRA (860)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: Prior orchestra experience 

Creating, performing, responding, and connecting, the four strands of the NYS Music Standards, are the processes through which orchestra students learn about music.  During this course, students compose and improvise musical passages; perform a variety of string orchestra and solo literature; analyze and critique compositions and performances; investigate the cultural influence and history of music; explore relationships between music and other disciplines; and use a variety of technologies to support their learning.

Individual progress towards meaningful musical goals is emphasized; and the results are showcased in a digital portfolio that reflects each student’s achievement within each of the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise: Critical Thinking Engage Citizenship, Innovation, and Leadership. 

Requirements:   Class participation, preparation of assignments, and participation in winter and spring orchestra concerts.  By completing work beyond that which is required, students may earn an honors designation for this course in one of the following areas:  Performance, Composition, Service, Music History.

Drop policy:  When a student drops a music performance class, all other students in the class are affected.  The parts for each composition that is being studied must be reassigned or rewritten and then learned by students who remain in the class.  Until this is accomplished, the class’s progress is suspended.  In fairness to all students enrolled in performance classes, no student will be allowed to drop the class after October 15th unless s/he receives written permission from the principal.

HONORS ORCHESTRA (862)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 9-12

Prerequisite:  Prior orchestra experience and audition required

Honors Orchestra students perform original works from the orchestral repertoire, compose music, explore relationships between music and other disciplines, and build portfolios that reflect their achievements within each of the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise (i.e. Critical Thinking Engage Citizenship, Innovation, Leadership). 

Requirements:  Course requirements include class participation, preparation of assignments, and participation in winter and spring orchestra concerts.  Honors Students are expected to participate in school solo recitals, the NYSSMA Solo Festival, Area All-State Orchestra, chamber music, pit orchestra, music service events, or other musical experiences that challenge them to expand their musical skills, develop their creativity, provide leadership, and use music as a tool for contributing valued services to the school community.  By completing work beyond that which is required, students may earn an honors designation for this course in one of the following areas:  Performance, Composition, Service, Music History.

Drop policy:  When a student drops a music performance class, all other students in the class are affected.  The parts for each composition that is being studied must be reassigned or rewritten and then learned by students who remain in the class.  Until this is accomplished, the class’s progress is suspended.  In fairness to all students enrolled in performance classes, no student will be allowed to drop the class after October 15th unless s/he receives written permission from the principal.

AP MUSIC THEORY (851)

Full Year, 1 credit

Grades 10-12

Prerequisite:  Participation in Orchestra, Band, Chorus or Permission of the Instructor.

The content of this course is equivalent in scope and difficulty to a first-year college music theory course.  Topics include music notation, scales, modes, intervals, melodic development, harmonic progressions, non-harmonic tones, cadences, four-part harmony, and musical form.  Students are required to sight-sing and to notate music that is presented aurally.  The course typically requires three hours per week of homework, and additional time devoted to sight singing and dictation.  

Requirements:  Students are required to meet with the instructor for 120 minutes per cycle; the remainder of the course will take place online, requiring a high degree of self-motivation.  The course culminates in the AP Music Theory Examination and a student-designed composition project.

FUNDAMENTALS OF FILM DIRECTING (817)

One Semester, ½ credit

Grades 9-12

This course will explore the art and craft of directing for the stage with specific consideration of the major elements of the director’s work – play analysis, stage composition, visualization and blocking, rehearsal techniques, and the nature of collaboration. Please note that directing is a collaborative art and science, and this course will be run as a workshop. Though acting is not our primary focus, students will be called upon regularly to perform in other students’ directed scenes and projects. Our learning objectives: 1) To discuss the basic principles and procedures required of a stage director to mount a theatrical production. 2) To cultivate leadership skills necessary in the creation of an ensemble brought together for the purpose of play production. 3) To discover the role of the director as a collaborative storyteller and problem-solver able to articulate and shape the vision while embracing the creativity of the design team and actors. 4) To facilitate practical experience in the role of director through classroom exercises. Texts may include Thinking Like a Director (Michael Bloom), A Director’s Vision (Francis Hodge), Directing for the Stage (Gerry Converse). 

ACTING FUNDAMENTALS (819)

One Semester, ½ credit

Grades 9-12

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the basics of stage acting; no experience is required. Through individual and group exercises, improvisations, monologue and scene study, students will gain basic skills in acting, interpretation, visualization, and physicality, as well as a working vocabulary of theatre terms. Please note that Intro to Acting has been designed as a performance-based course; daily, active participation is required to develop acting potential. The class will culminate in a presentation of scenes and monologues.