PERFORMING ARTS

CHORUS

Credits: 5 (Year) or 2.5 (Semester)

The chorus sings all types of music from Broadway to classical to popular. Performances include concerts and field trips to local schools and organizations. Occasional rehearsals (usually 2-3 per year) occur outside normal school hours, especially before the winter and spring concerts. This course may be taken for the full year, or for the fall or the spring semester for 2.5 credits only. Previous singing experience or knowledge is unnecessary. Students may take this class more than once.

BAND

Credits: 5.0 (Year) or 2.5 (Semester)

Students need not have previous experience playing a band instrument to enroll in this course. Performances include concerts and field trips to band festivals and local schools. Occasional rehearsals occur outside normal school hours (usually 2-3 per year), especially before the winter and spring concerts. This course may be taken for the full year, or of the fall or spring semester for 2.5 credits only.

Those who enroll in band are encouraged to participate in Marching Band, although it is not required. The Marching Band practices during the fall season outside of school hours and performs at competitions, festivals, sporting events, and parades. Rehearsals are scheduled so as to allow students who play a sport to participate in Marching Band.  Students may take this class more than once.

INTRODUCTION TO GUITAR

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

The students learn to play the acoustic guitar. This course will offer the student the opportunity to learn to read and comprehend the basic rudiments of music. At the same time, the student will achieve the level of proficiency one may obtain through successfully completing most of Book 1 of the Jerry Snyder Method for Guitar.

Students will be graded via written examinations on basic theory and by aural examinations on the proficiency on their instrument. Students must provide their own instruments. This class is offered to any student (grades 9-12) and may not be repeated.  Class size is limited.

GUITAR: INTERMEDIATE to ADVANCED

Credits: 2.5 (Semester) 

The next level of guitar playing after the introduction course. Students work on more difficult music along with advancing their overall technique on the guitar.

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Guitar

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

This course is designed to expose students to the constantly changing art of electronic music. Through the use of synthesizers, computers, and other electronic sound equipment, students learn to produce, modify, and control both electronic and acoustic sounds. Students receive basic training in playing electronic keyboards and music theory. The course is open to all students and no musical background is necessary. Students must have departmental approval to take this course more than once.

EXPLORING MUSIC

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

This course will focus on providing students with a basic understanding of the area of music. Students will examine the history and theory of music from antiquity to the modern era. The areas to be explored include historical periods and well known composers, as well as the basics of reading and understanding written music. Students may have an opportunity to create and perform musical works.

MUSIC IN FILM

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

This course reviews the history and development of film music through reading, lecture, and film viewing. Throughout the course, the class will study the process of film scoring and how music in film has evolved. In this class there will be many opportunities to discuss and evaluate how the music has changed and its relationship with the films. No prerequisites are required for this course.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MUSIC SL or HL

Credits: 5.0 (Year)

IB Music is a course designed to explore and truly understand the art of music. From studying the music of other cultures and time periods, to producing musical performances, the IB Music student will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of music. Students will develop a broad knowledge of many styles of music, and develop their potential as musicians.  Students do not need prior music experience to take the class.  Students enrolled in this course will complete to the best of their ability all of the IB assignments, projects and assessments, regardless of their registration in the IB final course assessment.

ELEMENTS OF DANCE

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

This course serves as a foundation in dance, providing students with the chance to engage in the elements of dance (body, space, time, energy).  Students will be introduced to multiple dance techniques, focusing on coordination of movement, flexibility, and strength.  The course provides a basic understanding and awareness of dance terminology, establishes proper body alignment and technique, as well as develop an expressive and creative voice through movement.  Focus will also be placed on the viewing of professional dance and learning how to interpret, analyze, and critique professional dance works.  The development of mind-body connection will also be explored throughout the semester.    

DANCE STYLES

Credits: 2.5 (Semester)

This course allows students to delve deeper into dance practices.  Students will look at multiple styles throughout the semester of this course, further studying elements of dance (body, space, time, and energy).  Each style unit will place a stronger emphasis on technique/body alignment and the continued development of each student's own individual choreographic expression.  Students will build on their ability to analyze and discuss dance through the use of video, group work, and discussion.  Additional focus will also be placed on developing mind-body connections through dance.  

SOMATIC MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Credits:  2.5 (Semester)

This course provides an opportunity for students to tap into the connection between the mind and body using multiple codified techniques and modalities.  Students will focus on mindfulness, breathwork, and self-awareness in an effort to survey their inner self, listen to the signals the body sends, and develop stress reduction practices.  While this course involves various movement techniques, it is open to students with any background of movement whether that be performing arts, athletics, martial arts, etc.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DANCE HL

Credits: 5.0 (Year)

The course focuses on the composition, performance, and analysis of dance, or “expressive movement,” which is practiced amongst people of various backgrounds, and for a variety of purposes, throughout the planet. Students create, participate in, and reflect upon dance forms and styles from a range of cultures and traditions, both familiar and unfamiliar.  Students enrolled in this course will complete to the best of their ability all of the IB assignments, projects and assessments, regardless of their registration in the IB final course assessment.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE THEATER SL

Credits:  5 (Year)

The IB Diploma Programme theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course.  It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors, and performers.  It emphasizes the importance of working both individually and as part of an ensemble.  It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process of inquiring, developing, presenting and evaluating.  Students are encouraged to work as inquisitive and imaginative artists, transforming ideas into action and communicating these to an audience.

Through the study of theatre, students strengthen their awareness of their own personal and cultural perspectives,  developing an appreciation of the diversity of theatre practices, their processes and their modes of presentation.  This enables students to discover and engage with different forms of theatre across time, development of both theatre and life skills; the building of confidence, imagination, creativity and a collaborative mindset.  Students enrolled in this course will complete to the best of their ability all of the IB assignments, projects and assessments, regardless of their registration in the IB final course assessment.