Performing Arts

PERFORMING ARTS PHILOSOPHY

Our Vision

• To develop innovative musicians, actors, and dancers

• To use the performing arts curriculum to encourage curious and empowered learners

• To use the performing arts as a tool in building compassionate citizens

Our Mission

• Provide an inclusive student-centered community in the performing arts classroom

• Foster academic growth, resilience, and achievement in music, theater, and dance experiences. Provide opportunities for students to embrace challenges in the Arts

• Create a sense of belonging in the performing arts classroom

• Use the performing arts as a pathway for students to positively impact their world 

• Create art for art's sake

Course Name: Jazz Ensemble

Course #: 654   

Level: Honors  

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 6

Jazz Ensemble is a performance-based course in which students who play traditional Jazz Ensemble instruments (Saxophone, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Drum Set, Vibes, Guitar, Piano, Bass) develop individual jazz technique and ensemble (large group) rehearsal and performing skills through the study of traditional jazz ensemble, jazz improvisation, and composition/arranging.  

This course includes performances in and outside of the school day including evening concerts, and school/community events. Students will be required to audition for this ensemble before being placed in this class.  Audition material will be distributed one month prior to the audition date. 

Course Name: Band

Course #: 609/655

Level: CP/Honors

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 6

Band is a performance-based course in which students who play traditional band instruments (woodwind, brass, percussion, double bass) will develop instrumental technique, rehearsal etiquette, and performance skills through the study of traditional concert band literature, pep band music, and ceremony music.  

Students will be assessed on performances in and outside of the school day including evening concerts, festivals, athletic events and school/community events. Honors students will be assigned semester papers and will take quizzes and exams. 

Course Name: Orchestra   

Course Number: 686/682

Level: CP/Honors

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 6

Orchestra is a performance-based course in which students who play traditional string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) develop individual instrumental technique and ensemble (large group) rehearsal and performing skills through the study of traditional, symphonic pop, and chamber orchestra literature. 

Students will be assessed through individual and group performances.  Performances in and outside the school day including evening concerts and school/community events are required and part of the curriculum. Honors students will be assigned semester papers and will take quizzes and exams. 

Course Name: Chorus

Course #: 917/676

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 6

Chorus is a performance-based course designed for students who have an interest in learning about and performing choral music in a large ensemble. Students in this ensemble will develop individual vocal techniques and ensemble (large group) rehearsal and performing skills through the study of traditional choral literature. Students will also develop musicianship skills.  

Students will be assessed through individual and group performances. Performances in and outside the school day including evening concerts and school/community events are part of the curriculum. Honors students will be assigned semester papers and will take quizzes and exams. 

Course Name: Pop/Rock Ensemble

Course #: 965/966

Level: Honors/CP  

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

Pop/Rock Ensemble is a performance-based course in which students who play contemporary musical instruments ( Drum Set, Guitar, Piano, Electric Bass, Voice) develop individual technique and ensemble (large group) rehearsal and performing skills through the study of a contemporary ensemble, improvisation, and composition/arranging.  

Students will be assessed through individual and group performances.  Performances in and outside the school day including evening concerts and school/community events are required and part of the curriculum. Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.

Course Name: Guitar

Course Number: 689/617

Level: CP/H        

Grade Level: 9-12       

Credits: 3

This course is open to students who wish to learn how to play the guitar. Students will develop skills including playing basic open chords, power chords, and bar chords. Students will be able to play basic chord progressions and read guitar tablature by the end of this course. This course may be taken more than once. 

Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.  

Course Name: Guitar 2

Course Number: 992

Level: H       

Grade Level: 9-12      

Credits: 3

This course is open to students who wish to continue their work on the guitar after taking Guitar 1. Students will refine their playing skills and play more difficult repertoire. 

Students will be assessed through individual and group projects. The prerequisite to this course is Guitar I. 

Course Name: Music Technology I  

Course Number: 665/672 

Level: CP/H  

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

Students will work in the iMac lab to compose music using music software: Garage Band, Logic, and Sibelius. Students will analyze song forms and develop songwriting skills through sequencing and editing sound loops. Students will transcribe pop and hip-hop beats into music software and create sound effect tracks for video clips. 

Assessment is through individual and group projects. No prior music experience is necessary for this course. Honors students must present their work.

Course Name: Music Technology II

Course #: 675   

Level: H  

Grade Level: 10-12

Credits: 3

Students will work in the iMac lab to develop recording, editing, and mixing techniques by recording live and studio performances. Students will also learn how to set up and tear down a full PA system, and develop compositional skills including overdubbing, sampling, and basic pop beat composition. Students will use beat pads to transcribe pop and hip-hop beats. 

Students will be assessed through individual and group projects. The prerequisite to this course is Music Technology I. 

Course Name: Piano

Course # :688/616

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

Students with any level of playing experience, from beginners to advanced, will develop piano playing skills, learn to read music notation, key signatures, basic chord theory, and develop effective practice strategies. Students will analyze and play music from a variety of genres.

Students will be assessed through performance of scales, teacher-selected material, self-selected material, quizzes, and class theory work. Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.  

Course Name: Piano 2

Course # : 913

Level: H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course is open to students who wish to continue their work on the piano after taking Piano 1. Students will refine their playing skills and play more difficult repertoire. 

Students will be assessed through individual and group projects. The prerequisite to this course is Piano I. 

Course Name: AP Music Theory

Course #: 750

Level: AP

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 6

Students will develop an understanding of musical structure with emphasis on recognizing and comprehending melodic and rhythmic patterns, harmonic functions, form, and compositional technique. A variety of musical examples including classical, jazz, folk, and music beyond the Western tradition will be studied. 

Students will be assessed through homework, traditional tests and quizzes, and performances on their instrument. Students enrolling in this course should have prior knowledge including reading fluency and a strong grounding in music fundamentals and terminology on their instrument or voice.

Course Name: Music Theory Honors

Course #: 605

Level: H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

Students will develop an understanding of musical structure with emphasis on recognizing and comprehending melodic and rhythmic patterns, harmonic functions, form, and compositional technique. A variety of musical examples including classical, jazz, folk, and music beyond the Western tradition will be studied. 

Students will be assessed through homework, traditional tests and quizzes, and performances on their instrument. Students enrolling in this course should have prior knowledge including reading fluency and a strong grounding in music fundamentals and terminology on their instrument or voice.

Course Name: Learn to Jam

Course #: 606/607

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course provides instruction to teach musicians of various skill levels how to improvise and play music spontaneously with others by focusing on fundamental musical concepts like chord progressions, scales, rhythmic patterns, and listening skills, allowing them to participate in jam sessions across different genres and musical styles, building confidence in creating music on the spot. Students will be assessed through individual and group performances.  Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.

Course Name: Acting I

Course #: 699/914

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

A dynamic and engaging workshop format designed to develop and strengthen acting, public speaking, observation, and listening skills through exercises in creative movement, improvisation, pantomime, and playbuilding. The central focus of this beginning level class is to build a cohesive ensemble as we reflect and build on our own inner resources as an actor. 

This is an active class where students will be expected to perform monologues and scenes. 

Course Name: Acting II     

Course #: 697

Level: H

Grade Level: 9-12      

Credits: 3

The workshop format continues in this class intended for the serious student of Acting. Using the fundamentals taught in Acting I, the actor will analyze, research, and perform pieces from important genres and periods in theatre history. Works to be studied and performed cover Greek Theatre, Shakespeare, Realism, Absurdism, Theatre for Young Audiences, and Contemporary to name a few. Classroom exercises focus on the physical and vocal actor, meaning students will take part in extensive warm-ups and exercises designed to improve technique and expand their range. Students will gain experience in monologue and scene work as well as get the chance to write, direct, and design their own pieces. 

The final project will be student-driven and include some type of performance (e.g. a published piece performed for peers, a children’s play performed for younger students, or even a self-written piece). The prerequisite for this course is Acting 1. 

Course Name: Theatre Design & Production 

Course #: 671/679

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course explores the duties of stage designers and technicians and their contribution to the total effect of a dramatic production. Topics covered will include design research and principles; scene shop organization; painting and construction techniques; equipment use and maintenance; practical application of technology; elements of set, lighting, sound, props, costume, and makeup design and production; stage management; and theatre safety. Projects in this course will incorporate both academic study and hands-on applications of knowledge and skills. Essential Question: How does a Director approach putting a play into production? What are some things a costume designer must consider when creating a design? What is “blocking” and how do we use it to tell the story we want to tell? 

Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.  

Course Name: Theatre Design & Production 2

Course #: 915

Level: H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course is open to students who wish to continue their work on Theatre Design after taking Theatre Design & Production 1. Students will get into more in-depth study of light and sound board and stage management.

Students will be assessed through performance tasks, projects, and stage design. The prerequisite to this course is Theatre and Production Design I. 

Course Name: Dance

Course #: 687/678

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12         

Credits: 3

This fast-paced and high-energy course is an introduction to dance Styles designed for anyone from beginner to advanced. Students will be active in each class from beginning to end as they explore a wide range of styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Latin, Zumba, and Contemporary to name a few. The class will learn choreography and gain technique and vocabulary in different areas. By the end of the semester, students will be able to lead warm-ups and stretching sessions as well as create their own choreography to teach to their peers. Essential Questions: What are the 5 basic positions in Ballet and why are they important? What does a choreographer have to consider when creating a new routine? What are some elements in Hip-Hop and when did they gain popularity? Why is it important to always warm up and stretch properly? 

Honors credit requires one independent project, one outside performance attendance, and one class presentation per semester.  

Course Name: Dance 2

Course #: 916

Level: H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course is open to students who wish to continue their work on their Dance skills after taking Dance 1. Students will get into more in-depth study dance genres, incorporating more leading of class warm-ups and choreography design.

Students will be assessed through performance tasks, projects, and choreography. The prerequisite to this course is Dance I. 

Course Name: Public Speaking

Course #: 684/685

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Emphasis is on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. They will practice interview and presentation skills. Upon completion, students should be able to prepare and deliver well-organized speeches and participate in group discussion with appropriate audiovisual support. Students should also demonstrate the speaking, listening, and interpersonal skills necessary to be effective communicators in academic settings, in the workplace, and in the community. Activities and projects include podcasting, TV interviewing, speech writing, tutorial videos and more.

This is an active class where students will be expected to present individually and with groups.

Course Name: History of Musical Theater

Course #: 612/611

Level: CP/H

Grade Level: 9-12

Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of musical theater in America. Students will watch and analyze musicals and their influence on culture and society.