CORE ELECTIVES

LIVING THEATER:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                  5 credits

This is the recommended first course for all students interested in any aspect of theater

This course serves as an introduction to all phases of theater. As a general survey course, it exposes the student to dramatic literature, theatrical terminology, and basic acting terminology-. Students will study improvisation and character development. Technical theater is also introduced as students study construction of scenery, lighting, costume, and other design techniques. Throughout the course the students will engage in activities which will broaden their creativity and will have opportunities to exercise self-expression.

ACTORS STUDIO I: 10, 11, 12                                                                                          2.5 credits

PREPARATION: It is recommended that student has taken Living Theatre

Actors Studio I is a course in drama which is divided into two areas of study: the practical and the theoretical. The practical phase involves training in the fundamentals of voice production, the effect of costumes on body movement, and a variety of acting techniques. The theoretical area includes a study of character analysis and interpretation and fundamentals of dramatic criticism.

ACTORS STUDIO II:  EAST 11, 12; WEST 10, 11, 12                                                   2.5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Actors Studio I and Living Theatre

Actors Studio II includes a unit in Stage Management which prepares the student for the organizational aspects of production. It is primarily a course designed for the student who is a more serious actor and anticipates auditioning for a college theater program or expects to pursue acting beyond high school.  This course offers intensive exercises in characterization, concentration, dialects, imagination, and emotional recall. Close examination of Stanislavsky’s “method acting” prepares the student for practical application of the art of acting through the performance of a full-length play as the culminating activity of the course.

PLAY PRODUCTION:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                2.5 credits

Play Production is a drama course examining the technical aspects of theater. The areas to be studied include scenery production, stage makeup, stage lighting, costuming, properties, and sound. The course will include discussion of the production of a play from auditions through performance as well as the various areas of production management.

PLAY DIRECTING:  11, 12                                                                                            2.5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Actors Studio I and II and Living Theatre

In this course, students will gain insight into the purpose of a director and develop those skills which will enable them to direct a play artistically, create a concept for visual effect, establish an inner rhythm for performance, instruct actors, and fuse all contributing production elements into one harmonious whole. The students will direct scene projects and have the opportunity to apply to direct the all-school one-act plays.

MUSIC

   **  Unique elective at East

 CORE ELECTIVES

INSTRUMENTAL

EAST ORCHESTRA:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                        5 credits

Orchestra is for those students who play violin, viola, cello, or bass.  These students will perform at concerts and will have a small group lesson on the rotating music schedule.  The Orchestra wind and percussion players are members of the Wind Ensemble and rehearse separately during the Wind Ensemble period.  It is, therefore, necessary for the full symphonic orchestra (strings, winds, percussion) to rehearse after school or evenings prior to a performance.  Students will perform in concerts in and out of school.  Grading is based on:  participation, lessons, testing, and rehearsal and concert attendance.

WEST ORCHESTRA: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                        5 credits

West Orchestra is open to any student in grades 9-12 who plays a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass).  NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS!

EAST WIND ENSEMBLE:  10, 11, 12                                                                                   5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of audition

These outstanding instrumentalists are chosen by audition to study and perform music literature that is scored for the wind ensemble idiom.  The instrumentation is identical to that of a symphonic band, except that frequently there is only one player on the part.  Students in this organization perform at assembly programs, concerts, recitals, and state festivals.  A weekly small class ensemble is provided for students on a rotating schedule.  Students will perform in concerts in and out of school.  Grading is based on:  participation, lessons, testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

WEST WIND ENSEMBLE: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                               5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of an audition for students in grades 9-12

Incoming freshmen can audition based on a recommendation from their middle school band director.  If the student does not successfully complete the audition they may still take the Symphonic Band class.

EAST SYMPHONIC BAND:  10, 11, 12                                                                                 5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of audition

Auditions for Symphonic Band are held annually.  Students in this organization perform at assembly programs, concerts and recitals.  A weekly small class ensemble is provided for students on the rotating music lesson schedule.

WEST SYMPHONIC BAND: 9, 10, 11, 12                                                                            5 credits

The Symphonic Band at West is open to any interested student in grades 9-12 that has previous experience on a musical instrument (excluding guitar and piano).  NO AUDITION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CLASS!  West Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble (audition required), Pit Orchestra (director recommendation), Wire Choir and Small Ensembles are co-curricular activities that meet after the regular school day.

VOCAL

VOCAL WORKSHOP:  9, 10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                            5 credits

No audition is required to participate in this class.

Vocal Workshop is for men and women who enjoy singing for social as well as aesthetic reasons.  A balanced variety of vocal repertoire is experienced, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques.  Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness.  They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for, music as an art form, and music related careers.  Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula.  The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule.  Vocal Workshop will perform at concerts in and outside of school.  There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts.  Grading is based on:  class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

CHANSONS:  10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                                                  5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Audition and one year high school choral experience

Chansons is a balanced group of mature soprano and alto voices.  Octavos and major forms of the choral tradition for treble voices are studied, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques.  Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness.  They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for, music as an art form, and music related careers.  Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula.  The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule.  Chansons will perform at concerts in and outside of school.  There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts.  Grading is based on:  class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

CONCERT CHOIR:  10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                                      5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Audition and one year high school choral experience

Concert Choir is a balanced group of men and women with developed voices.  Octavos and major forms of the choral tradition are studied, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques.  Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness.  They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for, music as an art form, and music related careers.  Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula.  The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule.  Concert Choir will perform at concerts in and outside of school.  There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts.  Grading is based on: class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

EAST/WEST SINGERS:  10, 11, 12 (Full year course)                                                             5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Audition and one-year high school choral experience

Singers is a balanced group of men and women with the most highly developed voices. Octavos and major forms of the choral tradition are studied, stressing vocal, choral and sight-reading techniques.  Students will develop the knowledge and skills that strengthen their aesthetic musical awareness.  They will develop the ability to evaluate and demonstrate an appreciation for, music as an art form, and music related careers.  Students will develop an understanding of the potential for music in interdisciplinary relationship with all curricula.  The students will receive a sectional lesson on the rotating music schedule.  Singers will perform at concerts in and outside of school. There will be at least one after school rehearsal prior to the major concerts. Grading is based on:  class participation, lessons, written work, vocal testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.

CORE ELECTIVES

THEORY AND PRACTICE

AP MUSIC THEORY:  10, 11, 12                                                                                          5 credits

PREPARATION:  Successful completion of Music Theory I

The goal of AP Music Theory is to instill mastery of the basic elements of music and progress to creative tasks in composition, orchestration, harmonic analysis, and twentieth century compositional styles and techniques.  AP students are encouraged to participate in the AP Music theory test.  This class counts in weighted class rank.

MUSIC THEORY:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                                             5 credits

PREPARATION:  Should be able to read pitches and rhythms in treble or bass clefs

In this course, the student explores the basic elements of music theory and harmony.  The student's ability to hear and interpret pitch and rhythm is improved through music dictation and solfeggio (sight singing).  It is a helpful course for those students interested in becoming better performers and an essential course for those intending post high school musical study.

UNIQUE ELECTIVE AT EAST

FRESHMAN WIND ENSEMBLE:  9                                                                                     5 credits

PREPARATION:  Ability to play a wind instrument at the high school level

This ensemble is for the freshman student who plays a wind, brass, or percussion instrument, Freshman Wind Ensemble at East offers an opportunity to perform with others to improve musically, to explore new styles of music, and to express oneself creatively.  The wind ensemble rehearses daily as a class, and there is a weekly small group rotating music lesson lab.  Students will perform in concerts in and out of school.  Grading is based on:  participation, lessons, testing and rehearsal and concert attendance.  There is no audition requirement for this ensemble.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

The primary objectives of the music curriculum are to develop musical proficiency, to foster self expression through group activity, to encourage public performance, to acquire knowledge of careers in music, and to develop a lifelong appreciation of music.