2010 Course Descriptions
Acting the Song - Students will explore the acting side of singing a musical theatre piece. Students will learn to create a character based upon interpretation of lyrics with an emphasis on characterization and movement. (If possible I would prefer if the students have had some previous vocal singing experience such as voice one or two as well as have participated in the actors lab so that students have a basic knowledge of acting).
Actor's Lab - Intro to basic acting skills including effective line delivery, movement for the stage and characterization techniques, with an emphasis on improvisation and creative scene study.
A.R.T.E. Musical Theatre Dance - Students will explore all phases of theatre including acting, directing, improvisation, storytelling, choreography, movement, music. Students will take part in exercises, acting games and improvisation. Students will prepare two musical theatre production numbers to be performed as part of the A.R.T.E. summer showcase.
Ballroom Dance - Is a socaial partner dance. Students will learn the basics in the fox-trot, waltz, rumba, and cha cha. The dances combine grace and action which is exciting to all dancers. Bring jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or socks.
Ballet - Is a classical dance which is known for the dancer's graceful gestures, steps, and poses. Bring ballet slippers or socks.
Beginning Guitar - Introduction to the guitar includes care and handling, tuning, posture, hand positioning, easy entry-level music reading, beginning scale consisting of natural notes in first position, beginner’s chords, and right hand picking and strumming. History of the guitar and related styles of music also covered. No prerequisite. Guitar provided.
Beginning Piano - for students with no previous piano lessons. Materials to be covered will include 5-note position in the keys of C, G, and F major with 2-note chord accompaniment.
Brass - (trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone, tuba)
Celtic Harp I - Students will learn the basic parts of the harp and its history, and learn finger placement, hand position and plucking technique. Students will work on both solo and harp choir pieces and will play individually and as a group. Prerequisite: Students need to read both treble and bass clefs.
Celtic Harp Choir - Students will have the opportunity to continue with skills learned in Harp I. They will learn more repertoire and begin playing both block and arpeggiated chords. They will have the opportunity to play group pieces publicly.
Colors of Music - This class will explore a variety of music from classical to jazz, and students will interpret chosen selections in a series of abstract paintings. Color Theory, Art History and some movement will be included.
Conducting 101 - Basics of conducting, learning to read a score.
Creative Set and Costume Design - Students will imagine, sketch and develop their own 3-dimensional models of theatrical scenery and costumes.
Drum Circle - In our circle, there is respectful communication and everyone is involved. We use drums, percussion instruments, singing, improvisation and movement to explore traditional African and Caribbean music. Songs will be taught through aural tradition. Emphasis is on feeling the beat, listening to each other, learning to sing, move and play simultaneously.
Drum Kit I - For students who have completed percussion II. An audition may be required.
Drum Kit II - Must have completed Drum Kit I. An audition will be required.
Flute Choir - For levels III & IV flute students.
Global Music Through Singing Games & Movement - An exploration into various cultures through learning and playing their singing games.
Handbells - For level III or IV students; no prior handbell experience required. Students ring three octave music.
Instrument Repair - for grades 7 & up. Students will be taught emergency and minor repairs such as pad and spring replacement, reed adjusting, bridge reseating, and replacing strings.
Intermediate/Advanced Guitar - Continuing study of guitar includes introduction to major and minor scales, the accidentals in first position, more complex first position chords, more complex music reading exercises, as well as rhythm patterns; and an introduction to barre chords, tuning with natural harmonics, and right-hand finger-picking. Prerequisite: Beginning Guitar, and student should possess an instrument with which to practice with at home and have continued the study of the instrument since Beginning Guitar.
Intro to Directing Theatre - Students will be introduced to basic directing skills including script selection and interpretation and auditioning and casting a show. Throughout the course students will be put in the directors chair to direct their peers in performed monologues and scenes.
Jazz - Is a dance that involves moving the whole body to many styles of music. Bring jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or socks.
Jazz Workshop - for level III & IV woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard, guitar & bass students. Instrumentalists will experience a variety of jazz forms.
Mouthdrumming-Vocal Percussion - One of the outstanding features of contemporary a cappella vocal music is the addition of vocal percussion to create realistic reproductions of popular music without the use of instruments. Mouth Drumming will explore the techniques involved in creating vocal percussion parts to a cappella music - often known as “beat boxing”. Students must be willing to sing without accompaniment as a soloist or in small groups and improvise. Open to students in the last 2 years.
Music and its Makers - Come explore the journey that music has made. Find out where it has been, where it is now, and who has helped it along the way.
Music Learning Through Games - A chance to increase and sharpen your knowledge of composers, instruments, music symbols, thythmic and melodic notation through the use of board, card and listening games.
Music Theory - this class in the computer lab provides students with a solid background of music theory.
Paint the Four Seasons - This class will explore the music of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons"! We'll paint a series of four landscape paintings inspired by the music created to celebrate the seasons! This class will involve drawing, painting, music, and movement.
Percussion - designed for beginning & intermediate students, the rudiments and techniques of the snare drum will presented. The student needs a Remo drum pad and a pair of 2B or 5B wooden drum sticks.
Piano II - for students with past piano experience; not for students who currently take piano lessons.
Pictures at an Exhibition - This class will explore the 70’s Rock Band, Emerson Lake and Palmer’s version of “Pictures at an Exhibition.” This classical piece was written by Mussogsky, in memory of his close friend Victor Hartman, an artist/architect. We will explore collage, architecture, and sculptural book making in response to this great musical work! (7th and 8th grade)
Recorder I - for grades 5 & 6. Students will learn the basic elements of soprano recorder playing. Instruments will be provided.
Recorder II - for grades 7 & up or previous participation in Recorder I. Students will play soprano recorders and also have the opportunity to play alto, tenor, and bass recorders in small ensembles. Instruments will be provided.
Saxophone Choir - already had three years of lessons.
Show Choir - This choir will provide local performances during the summer session.
Song Writing - Students must have completed Music Theory. This class will offers students the opportunity to write melody lines with lyrics and chord progressions. Students will learn about chord progressions, chord inversions and part writing.
Strings - (violin, viola, cello, bass)
Strings, Rock and Rosin - Explore music from the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Led Zepplin and Coldplay, just to name a few. A chance to improve upon the art of improvisation and advance string technique not normally found in standard classical repertoire. (Must have at least 2 years of strings experience.)
Swing Dance - Is a fun up-beat social partner dance. Popular in the 1920's, this dance is becoming popular again! Just listening to swing music makes you want to get on your feet and dance! Bring jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or socks.
Tap - Is a dance in which the dancers express rhythm with their feet. This lively dancing is fun for all ages and any level of dance experience. Sneakers or hard-soled shoes are preferred.
Vocal I - (5th and 6th graders) learn and perform songs in English focusing on popular songs and American folk and patriotic songs. Students will learn basic warm-up skills, breathing techniques, and shaping of sounds.
Vocal II - for 7th grader and older. Students focus on vocal techniques and extending their vocal range. They will have the opportunity to sing in small and large groups and do solo work.
Woodwinds - (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone).
Yoga - Introduction to proper breathing, stretching and yoga postures in a class that will support the beginning yoga student.