Performing Art

Performing Arts Mission Statement

Performing Arts Department mission is to provide students, regardless of experience, the opportunity to cultivate their passions and develop the skills to become lifelong learners, confident collaborators and authentic Artists in Singing, Instrumental Music, Tech Theater, and Acting. We define an Artist as someone with strong skills, deep curiosity, passion, self-awareness, confidence without narcissism, self-motivation and generosity of spirit toward those around them. In a supportive and positive environment, we encourage students to reach their highest potential by role-modeling professionalism, imparting tangible tools, and exposing students to a wide range of works and genres from around the world. Among the life skills students explore are empathy, discipline, joy in discovery, communication, commitment, time management, listening, self-awareness, self-confidence, leadership, craft, and critical thinking. Performing Arts specific skills include releasing vocal and physical power, emotional connection, expression, pitch, rhythm, tone, script and score analysis, stagecraft and design, character creation, and fundamentals of directing. Our students thrive from a love of what they are doing and the clear knowledge they are tangibly progressing in their artistry.

Performing Arts Curriculum Trajectory

Our program gives students an initial foundation of shared professional vocabulary, techniques and expectations through which students develop the tools to become innovative thinkers, independent artists and collaborative performers. These concepts include empathy, discipline, communication, commitment, time management, listening, self-awareness, self-confidence and that growth comes through repetition and practice.

As they transition to more challenging work within a single class, by being part of an ensemble over several years, or through multiple main-stage productions, students continue to enlarge their world-view and grow their creative skills as they take on leadership roles within their discipline and community of fellow Artists. After applying their skills to class projects as well as public performance, students will have stimulated their intellectual curiosity, gained confidence in their performing abilities, created work they can take pride in, and developed a strong sense of their personal artistry.

MS Choir

Course Length: Year

Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8

Prerequisites: None

Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15-30 minutes

This course is designed to introduce students to choral ensemble singing. Good breathing and vocal technique, vowel placement, projection, and a basic understanding of musical elements will be addressed through performance of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Jazz and Popular styles. Teamwork, personal growth, and creative thinking are developed through rehearsal and performance. This is a performance-based class and outside of the school day performances will be required.
MS Guitar

Course Length: Quarter
Open to grades: 7, 8
Prerequisites: None
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15 minutes or less

This quarter-long class will serve players at the beginning level on the guitar. These players will be working on skills appropriate and challenging material for a strong and enjoyable experience. Students will learn guitar technique, picking, strumming, note reading, tablature, and music literacy.
MS Improvisation

Course Length: Quarter

Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8

Prerequisites: None

Estimated hours of homework per class period: 5 minutes

This course is designed for actors of all levels. The goal of this course is to grow student's acting skills, release the madness of their imaginations, and expose them to games and exercises in which they will build tons of characters and situations. The students will learn: basic acting vocabulary, improvisation games, voice work to sound different character-to-character, and they will increase their power and come at character-building in many ways. This class WILL NOT perform for the Middle School, and students will have fun and grow from creating characters and scenes with each other.
MS Intro to Instruments

This class will serve players in developing their musical skills on a chosen string, woodwind, or brass instrument. They will be working on the art of practice, technique, and playing with other instrument players. The hope is that a love of playing music will be gained through the course of the class. This elective will prepare students to move into one of the instrumental ensembles; Orchestra or Jazz Ensemble.

Instrument choices: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass
MS Jazz Ensemble

Course Length: Year (Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8

Prerequisite: Permission from Instructor by audition
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15 minutes

This ensemble consists of students playing at all levels on woodwinds, brass, and percussion. You will play with students who are equally interested in having a good time growing their skills and making great music. In this class, you will learn a variety of musical styles and genres including jazz, swing, and funk, and will learn to become more proficient on your instrument.
MS Musical Theater Performance

Course Length: Quarter

Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8

Prerequisites: None

Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15 minutes or less

This quarter-long class focuses on training beginning and intermediate performers to combine the elements of acting, dancing and singing into performing selections from the musical theater genre. MTP utilizes both individual and group work in a variety of short scenes and concentrates on character development through body language/dance and vocal inflection/tone. A variety of techniques and exercises will be employed and the historical and social contexts of musical theater will be explored as well. Ultimately, students will have a better sense and ability to create characters through music and dance. At the end of the quarter, students will perform their songs and scenes for an invited audience of parents and select middle school classes.
MS Orchestra

Course Length: Year

Open to Grades: 6-8

Prerequisites: Audition with Instructor
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15-30 minutes

This ensemble consists of students playing at all levels on strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. You will play with students who are equally interested in having a good time growing their skills and making great music. In this class, you will learn a variety of musical styles and genres and will learn to become more proficient on your instrument.
MS Percussion

Course Length: Quarter
Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8
Prerequisites: None
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15 minutes

MS Percussion is a beginning class open for students brand new to music. Students will play a variety of drums and many other percussion instruments. Students will be working on the art of practice, technique, and playing with other players. This is an exciting class, an opportunity for students to express themselves, and allows students to transition into the larger music ensembles if they wish.
MS Songwriting

Course Length: Quarter

Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8

Prerequisites: None
Estimated hours of homework per class period: 15 minutes

This quarter-long class is designed for students who want to compose their own music. Students will gain a strong foundation of the fundamentals of songwriting including music theory, lyric writing, harmony, music notation, and chords. Students will create their own songs, collaborate with classmates on projects, and develop their musical ear to further appreciate the music they love.
MS Swords, Words & Mayhem

Course Length: Quarter

Open to Grades: 6, 7, 8
Prerequisites: None

Estimated hours of homework per class period: 5-10 minutes

In this class students will be playing with Shakespeare as he was meant to be done: on their feet, sword in hand! Shakespeare wrote some of the greatest, darkest, most twisted, and most comic characters and words ever, and he’s meant to be acted, not read while confined in a desk. Students will learn Unarmed Combat and Broadsword Stage Combat as a way into that world (after all you never know when you’ll be attacked by a medieval sword-wielding Scotsman in an alley!). Fantastic scenes and monologues from Shakespeare will be played with, and students will look at fun and exciting ways to make the language and characters come ALIVE! Students’ will grow their focus, confidence, vocal power, acting skills and stretch their imaginations, bodies and voices. This class WILL NOT perform for the middle school.