Theater

THEATER ARTS

Instruction in this course enables students to (1) improvise and write plays or scenes; (2) imaginatively express through feelings, moods, and characters, and (3) apply techniques involving voice, gesture, facial expression, and body movement to reproduce the subtleties of language and voice inflection in conveying emotion and meaning.  Students are introduced to warm-up activities for body and voice, including mime activities.  Students develop skills enabling them to speak clearly and expressively with (1) appropriate articulation, (2) pronunciation, (3) volume, (4) stress, (5) rate, (6) pitch, (7) inflection, and (8) intonation.  Using knowledge gained through the areas of technical theater and scripts, students focus on solving the problems faced by actors, directors, and technicians.  They also refine their abilities to collaborate on performances, and they learn to constructively evaluate their own and others’ efforts.

Study also includes activities from a variety of historical and cultural contexts.  Students develop critical thinking skills through studying examples of theater criticism followed by analyzing and evaluating live performances.  Career opportunities in the theater arts are also explored.

Course Length: Semester                      Weight Value: 0                             Credits: 1

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                       Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: None

THEATER PRODUCTION

Instruction in Theater Production is a co-curricular laboratory for exploration, development, and synthesis of all of the elements of theater.  Practical hands-on experiences in acting, directing, and stage craft are provided through the preparation and public performances of one or more plays.  The production of a play supplements the Theater Arts course that concentrates on theories, information, and techniques, by providing for the integration and implementation of those ideas and skills.  Although the course may meet during a regularly scheduled class period, the scope of activities may require additional time.  Consequently, the course may meet for a lengthened class period or outside of the school-day hours.  This course does not necessarily have to meet every day for an entire semester, as long as the total instruction time is at least equivalent to a regular semester course.  Specific time requirements greater than 250 minutes per week should be presented to students prior to enrollment.

Course Length: Semester                   Weight Value: 0                             Credits: 1

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                    Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: Theater Arts

ADVANCED THEATER ARTS/Theater Appreciation

Activities enable the student to:

•  improvise dialogue which produces characterizations in a variety of settings and forms;

• identify the physical, social, and psychological dimensions and qualities of characters in texts of plays;

•  create consistent characters from a variety of theatrical works, either in class or in informal productions demonstrating effective management of emotions as an individual and as a character;

• construct personal meaning from a variety of performances, including the self evaluation of personal work, which leads to further development of various skills and abilities;

• write scripts for theater , film, or television, both traditional and new forms;

• demonstrate analytical skills by explaining roles, explaining various forms of artistic expressions and interpretation and discussing their relationship to cultural values and historical contexts; and

• explore the historical tradition and the repertoire of the theater.

This course will include an understanding and appreciation of the theatre’s role in the modern world. It includes a seminar approach in discussion of the nature of theater, critical analysis of drama, the actor, the director, design and careers in the theater.  It also deals with professional, regional, community and educational theatre.  All discussions and work are related to current stage productions that students are required to attend.

Course Length: Semester                    Weight Value: 0                     Credits: 1

Grade Level: 10,11,12                           Diploma: Core 40, Honors (dual credit)

Prerequisites: Theater Arts or the completion of 4 Bishop Luers drama productions.

Choral Music

BEGINNING CHORUS

Students develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing.  The chorus may be composed of (1) male chorus, (2) female chorus, (3) mixed chorus, or any combination thereof.  Activities in this class create the development of quality repertoire in the diverse styles of choral literature appropriate in difficulty and range for the students.  Instruction is designed so that students are enabled to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Chorus classes provide instruction in creating, performing conduction, listening to, and analyzing, in addition to focusing on the specific subject matter.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  Students have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  A limited amount of time, outside of the school day, may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsals and music goals.  Students must participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom.

Course Length: Semester or year         Weight Value: 0              Credits:  1/semester

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                     Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: None

INTERMEDIATE CHORUS

This course provides students with opportunities to develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing.  The chorus may be composed of: (1) males chorus, (2) female chorus, (3) mixed chorus, or any combination thereof.  Activities create the development of quality repertoire in the diverse styles of choral literature which is appropriate in difficulty and range for the students.  Instruction is designed to enable students to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Chorus class provides instruction in creating, performing, conducting, listening to, and analyzing, in addition to focusing on the specific subject matter.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performance with the audience.  Students also have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  A limited amount of time, outside of the school day, may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and music goals.  Student must participate in performance opportunities , outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom.

Choral repertoire should be developmentally appropriate.  Additional emphasis is placed on sight reading, critical listening skills, and vocal technique.

Course Length: Semester or Year        Weight Value: 0          Credits: 1/semester

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                     Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: Beginning Chorus

ADVANCED CHORUS

Students taking Advanced Chorus develop musicianship and specific performance skills through ensemble and solo singing.  The chorus may be composed of (1) male chorus, (2) female chorus, (3) mixed chorus, or any combination thereof.  Activities create the development of a quality repertoire in the diverse styles of choral literature appropriate in difficulty and range for the students.  Instruction is designed to enable students to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Chorus classes provide instruction in creating, performing, conducting, listening to, and analyzing, in addition to focusing on the specific subject matter.  Students develop their ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  Students have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  A limited amount of time, outside of the school day, may be scheduled for dress rehearsals, and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsals and music goals.  Students must participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom.

The choral repertoire must be of the highest caliber.  Mastery of basic choral technique must be evident.  Areas of refinement include Acapulco singing, sight-reading, and critical listening skills.

Course Length: Semester or Year             Weight Value: 0        Credits: 1/semester

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12                              Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: Beginning Chorus, Intermediate Chorus

CHORAL CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

Student musicianship and specific performance skills in this course are enhanced through specialized small group instruction. The activities expend the repertoire of a specific genre.  Chamber ensemble classes provide instruction in creating, performing, listening to, and analyzing music in addition to focusing on specific subject matter.  Instruction is designed to enable students to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  A limited amount of time outside the school day may be scheduled for rehearsals and performances.  Public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsals and music goals.  Student must participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend the learning in the classroom.

Course Length:  Semester or Year           Weight Value: 0              Credit:  1/Semester

Grade Level:  10, 11, 12                            Diploma:  Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites:  Beginning Chorus, Intermediate Chorus, Show Choir or Advanced Choir

SHOW CHOIR                                

Show Choir studies and performs music of the pop/rock/jazz idiom.  Members must commit themselves to an extensive performance schedule.  Show Choir meets for five hours a week on average outside of the regular school day.  This course is by audition only.  Auditions are held in the spring of the year before school begins.  Auditions are open to all registered students (9-12).  This is a premiere-performing group.  There are financial and fundraising commitments to help subsidize this group.

Course length:Year                                    WeightValue:0                                                   Credits: 1/Semester

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                                

Prerequisites: Audition

Instrumental Music

BEGINNING CONCERT BAND

Students taking this course are provided with a balanced comprehensive study of music through the concert band, which develops skills in the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.  Instruction is designed to enable students to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Ensemble and solo activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including, but not limited to: (1)  tone production, (2) technical skills, (3) intonation, (4) music reading skills, (5) listening skills, (6) analyzing music, and (7) studying historically significant styles of literature.  Experiences include, but are not limited to, improvising, conducting, playing by ear, and sight-reading.  Students are given opportunities to develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.

Students also have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  Time outside of the school day may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals.  Students are required to participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom.  This includes performance with the Bishop Luers High School Pep Band.

Course Length: Semester or year         Weight Value: 0                  Credits: 1

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12                      Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: None

INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND

Students taking this course are provided with a balanced comprehensive study of music through the concert band, which develops skills in the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.  Instruction is designed so that students are enabled to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Ensemble and solo activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including, but not limited to: (1) tone production,, (2) technical skills, (3) intonation, (4) music reading skills, (5) listening skills, (6) analyzing music, and (7) studying historically significant styles of literature.

Experiences include, but are not limited to, improvising, conducting, playing by ear, and sight-reading.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience. Students also have opportunities to experience live performance by professionals during and outside of the school day.  Time outside of the school day may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals.  Students are required to participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom. This includes performance with the Bishop Luers High School Pep Band.

In addition, students perform, with expression and technical accuracy, a large and varied repertoire of concert band literature that is developmentally appropriate.  Evaluation of music and music performances is included.

Course length: Semester or Year          Weight Value: 0                Credits: 1/semester

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12                          Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: Beginning Concert Band

ADVANCED CONCERT BAND

Advanced Concert Band provides students with a balanced comprehensive study of music through the concert band, which develops skills in the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.  Instruction is designed so that students are enabled to connect, examine, imagine, define, try, extend, refine, and integrate music study into other subject areas.  Ensemble and solo activities are designed to develop elements of musicianship including, but not limited to: (1) tone production, (2) technical skills, (3) intonation, (4) music reading skills, (5) listening skills, (6) analyzing music, and (7) studying historically significant styles of literature.

Experiences include, but are not limited to, improvising, conducting; playing by ear; and sight-reading.  Students develop the ability to understand and convey the composer’s intent in order to connect the performer with the audience.  Students also have the opportunity to experience live performances by professionals during and outside of the school day.  Time outside of the school day may be scheduled for dress rehearsals and performances.  A limited number of public performances may serve as a culmination of daily rehearsal and musical goals.  Students are required to participate in performance opportunities, outside of the school day, that support and extend learning in the classroom. This includes performance with the Bishop Luers High School Pep Band.

Band repertoire must be of the highest caliber.  Mastery of advanced wind band technique must be evident.  Areas of refinement consist of advanced techniques including, but not limited to: (1) intonation, (2) balance and blend, (3) breathing, (4) tone production, (5) tone quality, (6) technique, (7) rhythm, (8) sight-reading, and (9) critical listening skills.  Evaluation of music and music performances is included.

Course length: Semester or Year          Weight Value:0                Credits: 1/semester

Grade Level: 11, 12                                Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: Beginning Concert Band, Intermediate Concert Band

Music Education

MUSIC HISTORY AND APPRECIATION

Students taking this course receive instruction designed to explore music and major musical style periods through understanding music in relation to both Western and Non-Western history and culture history and culture.  Activities include but are not limited to :  (1) listening to, analyzing, and describing music; (2) evaluating music and music performances; and (3) understanding relationships between music and the other arts, as well as disciplines outside of the arts.

Course Length: Semester          Weight Value: 0                                        Credits: 1

Grade Level: 10, 11, 12              Diploma: Core 40, Honors

Prerequisites: None