Performing Arts Courses

This course is designed for students with some experience in performance of wind, brass, or percussion instruments. Students learn to read music notation, rhythmic notation, terms and concepts associated with performing, and the fundamentals of performance on the instrument of their choice. This ensemble performs periodically at the school site and possibly off campus.

Students gain the knowledge and skills that enable them to sing all levels of music literature in a choir. This principle singing group performs at several concerts, festivals, or other events during the school year. Participation at all performances is required. All aspects of music literature are studied, ranging from early classics to contemporary music.

This course develops the knowledge of guitar techniques with an emphasis on learning to read music and developing the abilities to learn and understand the playing techniques used in playing the classical guitar.

Symphonic Band is a performance-based ensemble open to students who have prior experience on their instrument and the ability to read music. The ensemble consists of wind and brass instruments and percussion. Many styles of music are studied from classical to modern works. Study includes the care and cultivation of tone, building technique, responsible rehearsal habits, listening skills, and the ability to analyze and evaluate music and music performances. Several performances outside the school day may be required.

Students will learn how to use digital audio workstations, appropriate software and complete a wide range of projects including voice-over, original composition, multi-track recording in live and pre-recorded formats, as well as creating a portfolio of products that would be appropriate for job or college applications.

Prerequisite: One year of Symphonic / Concert Band, Choir or Guitar, or teacher approval.

This one-year course is embedded in the existing Symphonic Band and Concert Choir courses as part of the overall curriculum. In addition to the existing course of study, the IB students will be analyzing and creating written responses based on the Medium, Melody, Harmony, Meter, Form, Style and Context of a wide variety of music from western and non-western cultures and genres.

Students will also be prepared to analyze and respond to directed questions on the exam related to at least one major work over a two year period. Lastly, the students will hone their listening and critical thinking skills by listening and crafting written responses to examples of music from a wide variety of cultures and genres.

+ UC/CSU Honors (Weighted)

Prerequisite: Students must demonstrate proficiency in Choir, Guitar, or Band.

This course introduces and provides experience in all aspects of theatre arts. Students study basic principles of acting including character analysis, textual interpretation, voice, movement, collaboration, improvisation, and critical analysis of performance. Additionally, students gain a working knowledge of theatre history and the multiple forms of theatrical performance, as well as the technical aspects of theater and theatrical design. Special emphasis is placed on theatrical vocabulary and codes of conduct, as well as the creation, production, direction of monologues and scenes. ** This course can satisfy either CTE or VAPA.

This course focuses on styles of acting and performance and theatrical Production. Class work focuses on scene study (including research, direction, stage management, character analysis, setting analysis, and design) and monologues from various theatrical eras and genres. ** This course can satisfy either CTE or VAPA.

Prerequisite: Theatre Arts I

This course provides critical and theoretical opportunities for the student of theatre. Students focus on production elements including directing skills, playwriting, and stage management as well as acting technique using the students enrolled in Theatre 2 as the acting ensemble. This course integrates theatre skills for the career-oriented student featuring extensive amount of work in play/script analysis and the evolution of theatrical art, as well as the study of advanced acting techniques, character analysis, and auditioning methods. Students attend drama seminars, direct portions of a full-length play in the fall, study, explore and finally present a lesson on the historical and cultural content of theatre for a specific period in the winter, and produce several one act plays in the spring. Rehearsals for class projects and productions extend beyond the class, and students are expected to work outside of class time on a semi-regular basis.

Prerequisite: Theatre Arts II - Production and Performance

This class covers basic dance technique (ballet, modern and jazz dance), dance theory and history. In addition, students are exposed to a range of dance performance and choreographic structures, which are ultimately applied to the Choreography Project, where students create their own dances individually or in small groups. Students perform at two recitals throughout the year: Winter Recital (students demonstrate knowledge of dance technique and performance) and Spring Recital (students create and perform their own dances). The class involves specific dance technique and requires students to demonstrate knowledge of dance history and dance critique.

Folklorico Dance is a yearlong, performance-based course that expands students’ technical, historical, and cultural understanding of regional Mexican folk dance traditions. Students study footwork, skirt and zapateado technique, partner and formation work, and performance etiquette while mastering choreography from multiple Mexican states and cultural regions

Mariachi Ensemble 1 is a year-long course designed for student musicians interested in learning and performing Mariachi and related styles of music from Central and South America. Using instruments such as the Violin, Trumpet, Clarinet, Guitar, Vihuela, and Guitarron, students will develop musical and performance skills while exploring the history, culture and social relevance of Mariachi and related styles of music. Emphasis is placed on ensemble collaboration, aural skills development, reading standard notation and nomenclature, singing and stylistic expression.