Dance, Music, and Theatre - Center for Fine and Performing Arts

The Advanced Music Technology course will build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Music Technology and refine the student's ability to arrange and compose original music and scores for film, using a variety of hardware and software tools. A final portfolio demonstrating the student's music development throughout the year will be required.

The high school choral program offers various courses to develop a student's musical skills based on their level of ability. Classes in varsity choir, concert choir, men's choir, treble choir, or vocal ensemble allow students to learn a variety of vocal skills through the study of related choral literature. Students in these classes develop technical facility and proficient musicianship through a variety of performance experiences. Through group performances, solos, and ensembles, the student is exposed to standard choral repertoire encompassing various styles and periods of music. Some after-school rehearsals and performances are required of all students as a part of these courses. These courses may be taken more than once for credit.

Students who enroll in the high school orchestra develop technical and ensemble skills through the study of orchestral literature. Students receive fundamental training in the proper playing of a stringed instrument and performance and study literature commensurate with their level of ability. Members of this class form the representative string performing group for the school. Some after-school rehearsals and performances are required of all students as a part of these courses. These courses may be taken more than once for credit.

The content of "Company" is designed to provide students with a survey of the dance arts. Students will be studying ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance technique. Students will be introduced to dance vocabulary, choreographic concepts, and dance history. Students will also develop performance skills, conduct critique and analysis and begin to develop their dance portfolios.

The content of "Corps" is designed to integrate and build upon concepts and skills from Company level class. Students increase their range of physical skills through the disciplined study of dance technique. Students also develop performance and production skills. Students continue to expand their appreciation of the dance arts by further study of dance history and its contribution to society. Students are introduced to the diversity that exists within the art form and their personal aesthetic. Students continue to develop their dance portfolios.

The content of "Ensemble" is designed to further refine physical alignment and technical execution of dance patterns specific to each dance style studied. Students will develop rudimentary understanding of concepts necessary for dance composition. Students will also begin to examine anatomical and kinetic components of dance, injury prevention and nutrition. This course will also familiarize students with the various aspects of dance production; lighting, sound, and other technical skills. Students continue to develop their portfolios.

The content of "Artist" is to develop mastery of physical alignment and technical execution designed of dance patterns specific to each style. Students will further explore and implement concepts used in dance composition and continue to develop knowledge and understanding of anatomical and kinetic aspects of dance. Students will continue their study of dance history and will explore its impact and relevance to dance in the 21st century.

Students will be introduced to the process of movement invention while developing the skills for creating and communicating a series of planned movement phrases. Students will also explore different choreographic styles as they produce original choreographed projects for the class.

Students will be taught the necessary music fundamentals required to successfully play these instruments. Scales, music vocabulary, dynamics, technique, rhythmic skills and improvisation will be emphasized. All students will learn the beginning level technical and ensemble skills necessary for performance. Piano students will be required to furnish their own textbook and headphones. Some limited performance opportunities may be provided in these classes. These courses may be taken more than once for credit.

The high school band program offers various courses to develop the student's musical skills. Classes in 9th grade band, intermediate band, Advanced band, marching band or jazz band allow students to learn technical and ensemble skills through the study of related literature. Some after-school rehearsals and performances are required of all students as an integral part of these courses. These courses may be taken more than once for credit. Students must provide their own instruments or make arrangements with the teacher to rent school-owned equipment.

The student learns how to create a vision for a production and how to communicate that vision with the actors and the design teams who bring it to the stage or screen. The student selects plays and analyzes and edits the script. The student learns to develop calendars, scene designs, ground plans, story boards, and shooting techniques. The student will learn the technical vocabulary, direct for various theatrical stages, as well as for the camera, and develop techniques for optimal uses of performance space. The student studies differing types of theatre and the techniques and styles of important screen and stage directors.

Students study the collaborative efforts involved in creating the stage musical. In the process they fuse three areas of the arts: singing, dancing and acting.

Students explore advanced acting techniques, and extensively examine and analyze dramatic literature and theatre of the 20th century. Students will also be introduced to scenic design, costume design, script analysis and performance as it applies to the directorial processes and investigate basic directing techniques.