2011 Course Descriptions
Acting the Song - For 7th grader or older. 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. This course is for the summer music school student who is looking to take his or her musical theatre skills to the next level.
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.
Actor's Lab-Monologues - Students will be introduced to the monologue. Students will learn how to pick monologues that reflect their acting skills as well as how to choose a monologue to audition for a play. Students will use the skills they learned from the Actor's Lab including effective line delivery, movement for the stage and characterization techniques to perform their monologues. Students will leave the course having mastered at least three monologues.
A.R.T.E. Musical Theatre - 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 social 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.
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 II - For students that have taken Celtic Harp I
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 I - (5th and 6th grade). 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.
Colors of Music II - (7th grade and older).
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 1a - This hands-on class takes the student to new heights, moving the percussion student who wants to step up to playing the drumkit. We'll start with easy coordination exercises and will have the student jammin' to music in no time. This course requires the student to have a solid background in percussion basics regarding sticking and timekeeping, but does not require the student to know how to play the kit. That's our job! Are you ready for a challenge?
Drum Kit 1b - The continuation in learning to play "the drums." This class starts by teaching basic rock, country and jazz rhythms using music the student hears on the radio. we continue developing coordination between the hands and feet and by the end of the course, these drummers are ready for their own garage band. The class requires the student to be able to play very basic rhythms on the drumkit, and have a sold ability to keep time. Space may be limited in this course, so sign up soon!
Drum Kit II - Ok, you can play the drums, but do you really know how to keep rock solid time, and feel the groove? Well, if you want to further your studies on the drumkit, this course is for you. We take the intermediate percussion student and work on timekeeping within the rhythm section, and develop solid playing ability so the drummer is the driving force of the band. This course is restricted to intermediate and advanced percussion students. the student must have taken at least two percussion and one drum kit course, and be able to pass the required audition to be in this course. hey, nobody said it was going to be easy.
Flute Choir - For levels III & IV flute students.
Handbells I - For 5th and 6th grade students; no prior handbell experience required. Students ring three octave music.
Handbells II - For students with prior handbell experience and who can read 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.
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.
Mallet Percussion - Students will have hands on experience developing musical skills through the use of melodic percussion instruments. Students will learn melodic notes as well as simple melodies, learning basic ensemble music.
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.
Music and Metals - This class will use music (music that has a metals theme or metal as in Metalica) as inspiration to create small metal/metal like sculptures and jewelry. Other materials will also be incorporated like metallic paper and recycled metal. For 7th and 8th grade students.
Musical Theatre Junior - In Musical Theatre Junior students will explore musical theatre through singing, dancing, and acting a variety of songs. Students will explore creating a character based upon the lyrics of a song with an emphasis on characterization and movement. Students must be willing to perform individually as well as within a small group for this course.
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 I - The class for the beginning drummer in us all. Our journey begins with learning how to hold the sticks and tap to the rhythm of music the students hear everyday. We move on to counting and pretty soon, the student becomes a percussionist, learning how to count and read actual percussion music! You don't need any percussion background, but should be willing to work hard in this fast-paced class. The student will need to bring to class a pair of drumsticks, size 5B or 2B, and a practice pad to every class.
Percussion II - For students that have taken Percussion I. Students will continue their percussive studies of the snare drum picking up from Percussion I. Students will need a pair of Vic Firth 5A or 5B drumsticks as well as a Remo tunable practice pad.
Percussion Ensemble - For students that have taken Percussion I and Percussion II. Students will perform on traditional and non-traditional percussion instruments to create ensemble music. Percussion Ensemble will be open to ALL students with 2 years of experience at WCSMS. Prior percussion experience is not a requuirement.
Piano I - After the first week students will be begin to read treble and bass clef notes, will develop keyboarding skills, and play hands apart in C Major five finger position. Students will understand the note values: eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, dotted half notes, and whole notes. Students will play in the time signatures 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4. After week two, students will be able to identify the I and the V7 chords in C Major and begin to play songs utilizing these chords. Students will continue to drill note reading utilizing websites to develop accuracy and speed. Students will master phrasing and dynamics as they master the C major position
Piano II - for students with past piano experience; not for students who currently take piano lessons.
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.
The Art of Lettering - This class will teach students how to add emotion to their writings and art through the use of artistic lettering. Topics covered will include fonts, calligraphy, form, and composition. The students will complete several art projects and writing projects that will help them add creativity to their future work. The students will also create a digital font that they can use on their computers at home!
Visual Storytelling: Comic Books and Beyond - This class will emphasize using art as a storytelling medium. Topics covered will include Sequential Art, Japanese Sumi-e painting, Manga, and Comic Book Art. The student will complete various art projects while learning skills they can use to add narrative to their future artwork.
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.