Arts (Performing)

ACTING: 1704

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theater or consent of instructor. 

Grades 10-12


This course centers on the basic skills of acting. It includes the actor's internal preparation for playing a role and the development of his or her external techniques for projecting the role to the audience. Diction, body movement, pantomime and creative exercises in the use of imagination and improvisational activities are included. Projects include presentation of one-act plays. 

Memorization of scene work is an expectation of this class. Major Course Goals: The student will experience and explore various techniques used to create characters for the stage. 


INTRODUCTION TO THEATER: Theater Production 1,2: 1746

Grades 9-12

Students examine all aspects of theater arts. They learn about theater history and study the particulars of play production: acting, costuming, set construction, properties, make-up, sound, lights and publicity. They read and discuss plays; they evaluate live and filmed performances. This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of theater that is useful in enjoying theater both as a leisure-time activity and as a potential career. Major Course Goals: The student will gain understanding and experience in all aspects of theater including performance, technical skills and evaluation. 


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS CHOIRS

The Armstrong Choirs are open to all students in grades 9-12. Each level of choir prioritizes music reading, skill development and vocal technique. All ensembles perform high quality, balanced repertoire (sacred/secular, accompanied/acapella, historical/modern/global). Attendance is required for daily work, special rehearsals and all performances which may occur during and outside of the school day. Specific performance attire is required for each ensemble. Participation in the Armstrong Choirs demands quality teamwork and a high level of individual contribution to meet performance goals.


FRESHMAN CHOIR I & II: 7400/ 7401 

Prerequisite: None 

Grade 9

Membership is restricted to 9th grade singers. Classes are divided into two sections. The choirs meet every day and perform in the Winter and Spring Concerts. Attendance is required for assigned performances. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters during Freshman year. 


FRESHMAN CHOIR/FRESHMAN ORCHESTRA I & II:7442/ 7443

Prerequisite: None 

Grade 9

See course description under Freshman Choir. Must take with 7446-7447 Freshman Orchestra/ Freshman Choir. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 1/2 credit each


FRESHMAN CHOIR/FRESHMAN BAND I & II: 7440/ 7441 

Prerequisite: None 

Grade 9

See course description under Freshman Choir. Must take with 7444-7445 Freshman Band/Freshman Choir. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 1/2 credit each


VARSITY VIVACE CHOIR I & II: 7740/ 7741 

Prerequisite: None 

Grades 10-12

Vivace is non auditioned. The choir meets every day and performs in the Winter Concert, Masterworks, Region 6AA Contest and Spring Concerts. Attendance is required for assigned performances and choir activities. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters. 


VARSITY VIVACE CHOIR/CONCERT BAND I & II: 7840/7841 

See course description under Varsity Vivace. Must be taken with Concert Band/Varsity Vivace. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 1/2 credit each


VARSITY VIVACE CHOIR/PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA I & II:7713/ 7714 

See course description under Varsity Vivace. Must be taken with Philharmonic Orchestra/Varsity Vivace. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 1/2 credit each


VARSITY VOLO CHOIR I & II:7742/ 7743 

Grades 10-12

 Volo is non auditioned. The choir meets every day and performs in the Winter Concert, Masterworks, Region 6AA Contest and Spring Concerts. Attendance is required for assigned performances and choir activities. Participation is anticipated for both consecutive semesters. 


VARSITY VOLO CHOIR/CONCERT BAND I & II: 7842/ 7843 

See course description under Varsity Volo. Must be taken with Concert Band/Varsity Volo. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 1/2 credit credit each 


VARSITY VOLO CHOIR/PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA I & II: 7715/ 7716 

See course description under Varsity Volo. Must be taken with Philharmonic Orchestra/Varsity Volo. Students are responsible for all required coursework and performances in both courses. 

*Meets Arts Education requirement and/or additional elective credits for graduation. 1/2 credit each


CONCERT CHOIR I & II:7806/ 7807 

Prerequisite: Audition

Grades 11-12 

Members are required to audition. They are chosen for advanced musicianship, vocal ability and high quality workmanship. Members are required to participate in all public concerts, music contests and festivals, and performance tours.


CANTORI I & II: 7844/ 7845 

Prerequisite: Audition 

Grade 11-12

Members are required to audition. They are chosen for advanced musicianship, vocal ability, and high quality workmanship. Members are required to participate in all public concerts, music contests and festivals, and performance tours.


Course Descriptions Bands

At Robbinsdale Armstrong, students in grades 10-12 with background in band are enrolled in Concert Band or are accepted, by audition, into Symphonic Band. Band students in grade nine will be enrolled in the Freshman Band. Each band receives full credit. Each member is required to participate in all concert and contest performances and are required to perform several times in Pep Bands at athletic events. 


FRESHMAN BAND I & II: 7402/7403 

Grade 9

Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience 

Members are made up of ninth grade students, the group meets every day and performs at three concerts, pep band games and at graduation. Students attend two sectionals a quarter. Freshman Band students in choir alternate days between band and Freshman Choir. Attendance is required at assigned performances. Marching Band is optional, but students are encouraged to participate. 


CONCERT BAND I & II:7808/7809  

Prerequisite:10th-12th graders with prior band experience in high school. This band is the middle band made up mostly of 10th and 11th graders and some 12th grade students. The group performs in three school concerts, pep band and graduation. Sectionals are during class time. Students in this band may rotate with Varsity Choir. Attendance is required at assigned performances. Marching Band is optional, however students are encouraged to participate. 


FRESHMAN BAND/FRESHMAN CHOIR I & II: 7444/7445  

See description for Freshman Band. Must take with 7440-7441 Freshman Choir/Freshman Band. 1/2 credit each


CONCERT BAND/VARSITY VOLO OR VIVACE CHOIR I & II: 7801/7802 

Prerequisite: 10th-12th graders with prior band experience; this course generally meets 3rd period and students alternate days between Concert Band and the Men's or Women's Varsity Choir. 

See description for Concert Band.1/2 credit each 


SYMPHONIC Wind EnsembIe I& II: 7701/ 7702 

Prerequisite: Audition 

Grades 10-12

 Members are chosen for advanced musicianship in brass, woodwind or percussion and the ability to fully participate in preparing advanced band literature. In addition to school concerts, pep band and graduation, this top band at Armstrong performs at Orchestra Hall, Conference Festivals and Region VIAA Contests. Attendance is required at assigned performances. Members of Symphonic Band are required to participate in Marching Band in the Fall. 


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS ORCHESTRA 

At Robbinsdale Armstrong, the orchestras are open to students in grades 9-12. All 9th graders must register for Freshman Orchestra. Philharmonic Orchestra is open to students in grades 10-12 and the Symphony Orchestra is open by audition to 10th through 12th graders. Each orchestra stresses the development of music theory, familiarization with varying styles of orchestral literature and attaining a general knowledge of the current performing scene, as well as historical components of orchestral music. Each orchestra member is required to participate in all concerts, contest/festival performances, and sectionals.


FRESHMAN ORCHESTRA I & II: 7452/ 7453 

Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor 

Grade 9

Members are made up of ninth grade students, the group meets every day and performs in four concerts: a Fall Concert, a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert and the district Orchestra Rock Concert. Students also attend three sectional per semester, and students participate in a local solo-ensemble event. Attendance is required at assigned performances


 PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA I & II:7705/7706 

Prerequisite: Previous instrumental music experience or permission of instructor 

Grades 10-12

Members are made up of 10-12th grade students and meets every day and performs in four concerts: a Fall Concert, a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert and the district Orchestra Rock Concert. Students also attend three sectional per semester, and students participate in a regional solo-ensemble event. Students may rotate with 3rd hour Varsity Choirs. Attendance is required at assigned performances. 


SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA I & II:7703/7704

Prerequisite: Audition

Grades 10-12

Members are made up of the 10-12th grade students, students are chosen based on their ability to fully participate in preparing advanced orchestral literature. The group meets every day and performs in five concerts: a Fall Concert, the District Music Festival at Orchestra Hall, a Winter Concert, a Spring Concert and the district Orchestra Rock Concert. Students also attend three sectionals per semester, and students participate in the regional solo-ensemble event. Attendance is required at assigned performances. 


FRESHMAN ORCHESTRA/FRESHMAN CHOIR I & II:7446/7447 

Orchestra students are responsible for all course work, sectionals and performances of both courses. Must take with 7442-7443 Freshman Choir/Freshman Orchestra. 1/2 credit each


PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA/VARSITY VOLO OR VIVACE CHOIR I & II:7707/7708   

Prerequisite: 10th-12th graders with prior orchestra experience Students alternate days between Philharmonic Orchestra and the Men's or Women's Varsity Choir. See description for Philharmonic Orchestra. Must take with either 7715-7716 Varsity Volo Choir/ Philharmonic Orchestra or 7713-7714 Varsity Vivace Choir/Philharmonic Orchestra. 1/2 credit each


MUSIC CAFÉ: 7746  

This course is open to all students at Armstrong High School in grades 10 through 12. No past musical experience is required for this course. Registration may be limited. During the first half of 

the class, students will study and perform African drumming and other world music. The second half of the course features the following aspects of American music: acoustic guitar performance, Native American flute performance, film music study, and history of jazz and rock. Throughout this course we will examine different music career options available in today's society.


AP Music Theory - 7804 & 7805


Prerequisite: Previous musical experience

Grades: 11 & 12


About the Course

Learn to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music. You’ll develop skills by listening to, reading, writing, and performing a wide variety of music.

Topics of study include: pitch, rhythm, time signatures, key signatures, scales, triads, seventh chords, cadences, chord progressions, embellishments, melodic devices, modes, and form.

Skills taught include: (1) Identifying features of pitch, interval, scales and keys, chords, meter, rhythm, and other musical concepts in performed and notated music, (2) Singing a notated melody on sight, (3) Notating music that you hear, (4) Completing music based on cues, following common-practice style.