Performing Arts
Faculty
|
Catherine DeVos Music |
594-2827 (VM) | CDeVos@piedmont.k12.ca.us |
|
Amy Moorhead Dance |
594-2771 (VM) | AMoorhead@piedmont.k12.ca.us |
|
Andria Mullan Music |
594-2626 x#413 (VM) | AMullan@piedmont.k12.ca.us |
|
Joe Piazza Music |
594-2642 (VM) | JPiazza@piedmont.k12.ca.us website |
| Department Office Phone | 594-2844 |
(VM) = Voice Mail only
* Numbers with asterisks cannot be dialed directly. Dial 594-2626, and at the prompt press the pound sign (#) and the extension number without further waiting.
Course Descriptions
Symphonic Band
5260
(Year) (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisite: Advanced 7th/8th Grade Band or recommendation of instructor.
A concert band experience for wind and percussion musicians, including several required performances. Pep Band is also a component of this course and all students enrolled in the Symphonic Band also are members of the Pep Band. Students will perform in concerts, tour, and festival settings and have the opportunity to participate in chamber music ensembles. Students will be encouraged to develop their performing and listening skills by playing a variety of musical styles ranging from popular to classical.
String Orchestra
5265
(Year) (9, 10, 11, 12)
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Instructor
A diverse instrumental experience for advanced string musicians. A variety of musical styles will be studied, culminating in several required performances throughout the year. Collaboration with the Band and A Cappella Choirs for one or more concerts is part of the curriculum.
A Cappella Choir (Advanced)
5270
(Year) (10, 11, 12)
Prerequisite: Vocal ability, prior choral experience and/or permission of teacher
An advanced choir experience open to all students desiring to sing with an award-winning nationally recognized choir. Students participate in choral concerts, fully staged Broadway musicals, tours and competitions while exploring all types of music, ranging from classical to a popular repertoire. The Highlander Men's and Women's Choir, as well as the Troubadours, are auditioned and selected from the A Cappella Choir. In general, students will be grouped within A Cappella Choir according to experience, grade level and voice type based on teacher recommendation.
A Cappella Choir
5272 (Girls) / 5273 (Boys)
(Year) (9, 10, 11, 12)
Designed for soprano and alto voices, this is a beginning choral music class with an emphasis on the study of vocal techniques and the reading of music. Students will perform with the A Cappella Choir in concerts and stage productions and will have the opportunity to advance to A Cappella (Advanced) after this foundation year.
AP Music*
5280 (Advanced Placement)
(Year) (11, 12)
Prerequisite: Ability to read music in treble and bass clef, and approval of instructor
Students must have instrumental or vocal experience for this course in harmony, chordal structure, form and design of music. It includes a historical survey of music literature, with study of the style of master composers. Emphasis is on music theory and analysis as a basis for composition. Students prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in Music Theory; the AP exam is optional.
(AP Music is offered every other year and so will not be offered in 2012-2013.)
Acting I—Principles of Characterization
5267
(Year) (9,10,11,12)
Acting I offers students the opportunity to learn the basics of acting for the theatre. Presentations of monologues and scenes are required as are improvisational work, character development, and participation in theatre games and exercises alone and in groups. Various methods of acting are explored. Students learn basic theatre history and work with dramatic and comedic, contemporary and Shakespearean scenes. In general, students become better listeners and speakers.
Acting II—Style and Performance
5268
(Year) (10,11,12)
This second year of acting expands upon the principles of characterization learned in Acting 1-2. Students will study, prepare and perform various acting styles in scenes from Greek tragedy, contemporary realism, Shaw and Wilde's British comedies of the early 1900's, and Tennessee Williams' plays. Students learn audition techniques and cold reading strategies, and they write and perform their own monologues.
Acting III/IV—Play Performance
5269 Acting III / 5277 Acting IV
(Year) (11, 12)
Prerequisite: B- or above in Acting II and approval of teacher.
The third and fourth years of acting focus on play for performance. Students learn proper audition techniques and participate in plays from rehearsals through performance. Students also participate in the backstage areas of theatre as they publicize, assistant direct, and work with props, costumes and sets for each production. Often, students also choose to also produce, write, direct or act in a production of their own.
Dance
5283 Dance I* / 5284 Dance II*
(Year) (10, 11, 12)
Dance II Prerequisite: P.E. Dance, Dance I, or permission from the instructor
Dancers continue to build technical strength and mastery of the following dance genres: jazz, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, Broadway, historic, ballroom, and world dance. Audition techniques as well as performance preparation and dramatic expression are emphasized. A variety of choreographers are studied as students' own choreographic skills develop sophistication and a growing awareness of theme. Dance I and II students are required to participate in the annual dance concert for which they will have the opportunity to choreograph original works on student dancers. They will also perform ensemble, solo and/or principal roles in dance works choreographed by the instructor, other students and/or guest choreographers.
*Dance I or Dance II may be used to satisfy 10 credits of breadth requirement (Creative Arts)
