Performing Arts

open to IV, V, VI forms

Semester-long Half-credit Elective

This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of music, starting with reading notes and rhythm. Students learn the basics of music notation and structure, construct melodies, and work with basic harmony. Regular ear-training exercises as well as music history listening assignments prepare students both to compose their own music and to analyze selected repertoire, ranging from the Baroque through the modern eras.

Open to all forms

Semester-long half-credit elective

This course is a studio instrumental music practice course designed to help students in the Orchestra and the Jazz Ensemble to progress in their technique. Comprising individual coaching and structured practice time, the course addresses all techniques and concepts that arise throughout the repertoire of the school’s two large performance ensembles. Students document and describe their practice over the course of each semester they are enrolled, and they participate in weekly evening rehearsals and concerts.

Open to IV, V, VI Form students, and III Form students with instructor permission

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course is designed for intermediate to advanced members of the Orchestra and/or Jazz Ensemble. Students are placed in groups of three to five members to study repertoire for their particular instrumentation. Typical examples of chamber music groups include, but are not limited to: string quartets, woodwind trios, brass quartets, piano trios, and other common configurations. The focus is on the study of appropriately challenging repertoire with the goal of developing the artistry of collaboration, including interpretation, communication, and unified, polished performances.

Open to IV, V, VI Form Students, and III Form students with instructor permission

Semester-long Half-credit elective

Learn how to play jazz, including reading ensemble parts, learning chords and scales, and how to accompany and solo in various rhythmic styles. This course is designed to support Jazz Combos and studio support for members of the jazz ensembles. This course may be repeated.

Open to IV, V, VI Form students

Prerequisite: Music Theory, or by permission of instructor

Music Composition course is a studio course that introduces students to the practice and art of writing and arranging music. The class uses a project-based format to provide the students with regular opportunities to write original melodies, harmony, and rhythms in a number of instrumental and vocal styles. Students also explore writing a piece of music for film. For past projects, students have written jazz pieces, vocal art songs, popular music, covers of existing songs, and even a symphony for orchestra. The class also introduces students to quality audio recording and mixing techniques.

Open to V & VI Form Students

Prerequisite: Music Theory

Yearlong course

This yearlong course is open to students who have demonstrated proficiency in the fundamentals of music (the ability to read and perform written music at a strong level; the possession of a working knowledge of all chord and scale types). Regular ear-training and part-writing assignments help students develop as composers; students produce original works on a monthly basis. Score analysis supplements readings as students develop interpretations of important repertoire, ranging from the medieval through the modern eras. Texts: Donald J. Grout and Claude V. Palisca, A History of Western Music; Stefan Kostka and Dorothy Payne, Tonal Harmony.

Open to all forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

Are you interested in improving your singing? Foundations of Singing is open to all students regardless of prior vocal experience and focuses on building individual vocal technique and choral singing skills. Students learn the basics of healthy singing through performance of a wide range of musical styles, weekly individual voice lessons, and sight singing and theory practice. Students perform with both Andrean Ensemble and Noxontones at Arts Weekend.

Open to all Forms by permission of instructor

Yearlong Course

Our Andrean Ensemble program challenges students with some previous vocal or choral experience. This course develops the complete singer through instruction in vocal development, sight-reading, ear training, music theory, and choral style. The Andrean Ensemble performs as the School's choral ensemble in the School Chapel, at off-campus events, and on tours. The Andrean Ensemble is open to all forms, but students must have instructor approval to join.

Open to All Forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

No experience necessary. This energetic and creative class puts the FUN in dance FUNdamentals! Dance Fundamentals helps students learn how to control their bodies while increasing flexibility, strength, coordination, agility, and balance.  It is the perfect class for the athlete-artist. By pairing the physicality of dance with the creativity of the art form, this class is fantastic cross-training for any athlete trying to take their skills to the next level or the artist looking for new ways to explore and express their art. With a focus on self-expression and creativity, this entry level dance class is designed for everyone! Classes explore the foundational aspects of various styles of dance and choreography, from contemporary to ballroom, and everything in-between. Jumps, turns, stretching, strength training, and choreographic principles make this a lively and dynamic class. 

Open to All Forms and Genders

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

The course is designed for the student-athlete to better prepare themselves for their sport of choice while incorporating the physical and artistic elements of dance. Strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, agility, and stamina will be key elements of this course. Twenty-five to fifty percent of class time will be spent honing sport-specific skills that are individualized for each student-athlete and each student will help guide their training with their specific goals. The remainder of class will be collaborative, energetic, creative, and fun group exercises that utilize the unique aspects of various styles of dance concepts to help improve athletic performance. The course will utilize the gym equipment (weights, TRX, kettlebells, etc.), the basketball courts and the dance studio, along with the outdoors (weather permitting) to maximize physical training. Students will learn jumps, turns and tricks, rhythms and coordinations in various styles of dance.  This is a physically demanding course with no previous dance experience necessary. It is a fast-paced course set to fun, contemporary, and energetic music. All student-athletes that are looking to take their training to the next level are encouraged to take this course. 

open to all forms

Semester-Long, Half-credit Elective

Prerequisite: Dance Fundamentals or permission of the instructor

Building on the foundation of students’ previous ballet experience, this course explores more advanced theories of classical ballet technique with a heavy focus on strengthening body mechanics. Students increase their ballet vocabulary and perform more complex and advanced ballet combinations as they continue to refine their use of:

• core control;
• movement quality;
• body placement; and
• aesthetic line.

Increasing strength, agility, coordination, flexibility and stamina is emphasized. The aim of the course is to develop the discipline to combine the physical demands of ballet with artistic freedom of expression.

open to all forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

Prerequisite: Dance Fundamentals or permission of the instructor

Building on the foundation of students’ previous modern dance experience, this course explores more advanced theories of modern and contemporary dance. Movement and creativity are highlighted with an emphasis on personal expression. Students practice floor exercises and center combinations designed to increase their:

• core strength;
• flexibility;
• use of weight and momentum;
• body isolation;
• improvisation; and
• freedom of movement.

Utilizing these tools, students develop their own personal styles through self-expression, movement and choreography, and ultimately have the opportunity to create their own choreographic piece.

Open to V & VI Form Students

Prerequisites: Intermediate/Advanced Ballet: Levels 3, 4 & 5, plus permission of instructor

Yearlong course

The structure of this course is a working model of the professional dance world; students experience what it means to be a professional artist in the field of dance. Students will continue their training in advanced classical ballet technique while discovering other aspects of the profession. Following a three-pronged approach to their dance training, students take a weekly technique class, skills & mastery class, and a choreographically focused class. Advanced Studies: Ballet gives students the structure to pursue their technical and artistic interests in classical ballet while developing specific dance-based projects that allow students the freedom to explore their own interests and self-expression. 

Open to V & VI Form Students

Prerequisites: Intermediate/Advanced Contemporary Dance: Levels 3, 4 & 5, plus permission of instructor

Yearlong course

This structure of this course is a working model of the professional dance world; students experience what it means to be a professional artist in the field of dance. Students will continue their training in advanced contemporary dance techniques while discovering other aspects of the profession. Following a three-pronged approach to their dance training students take a weekly technique class, skills & mastery class, and a choreographically focused class. Advanced Studies: Contemporary gives students the structure to pursue their technical and artistic interests in dance while developing specific dance-based projects that allow students the freedom to explore their own interests and self-expression. 

Open to all forms

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course exposes students to the essential aspects of acting, and emphasizes acting as technique rather than mere emoting. Through exercises, warm-ups, scenes, and monologues, students will explore:

• expanding vocal techniques;
• physical alignment and specificity;
• script analysis;
• active listening—provoking and reacting;
• line linkage; and
• theatrical improvisation.

The semester concludes with a performance of monologues for a small audience.

Open to IV, V & VI Form Students

Semester-long Half-credit elective

Prerequisite: Acting 1 or instructor permission

Essentially a continuation of the Acting 1 class, this course delves deeper into the techniques of acting, focusing on script and character analysis as well as directing and improvisation. Student work is more individual and performance more frequent. Some workshop highlights include stage combat, make-up application, and the First Folio technique of performing Shakespeare.

Time permitting, students attend at least one professional theatrical production during the course.

Open to IV, V & VI Form Students

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course will make it possible for students who excel and focus on one performance genre (singing, acting, dancing) to broaden the depth of their work in others artistic areas as well. Coursework will include body mechanics, movement quality, stage presence, improvisation, the Laban Technique, theatrical timing, scene study, healthy vocal habits, sight singing, and private voice lessons. The course will conclude with a final solo performance by each student comprised of two songs, a pre-choreographed dance and an improvised dance, and a theatrical monologue.

Open to IV, V & VI Form students

Semester-long Half-credit elective

This course focuses on the fundamentals of speaking in public. Coursework seeks to enhance students’ ability to use effective and engaging vocal dynamics and strategies, including:

• emphasis;
• pace;
• pitch;
• tone;
• volume; and
• clarity.

Assignments include:

• experimenting with famous speeches;
• conducting interviews;
• persuasive speaking using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence;
• Shakespearean sonnets; and
• impromptu speaking.

The course also explores techniques for calming and masking the nervous habits often provoked by public performance, and makes use of varying venues on campus for presentations.