Performing Arts Department Overview

The performing arts allow us to celebrate and preserve our cultural heritage, explore the domain of expression and imagination, and discover new knowledge. At Indian Creek School, we strive to encourage artistic performance by helping students understand the truths and principles that underlie the role of the performing arts in human life through experiences that lead to creating, performing, and responding to the artistic process.

Over the course of their studies in the Upper School Performing Arts Department, students…

• CREATE: Students should be proficient in generating creative ideas, concepts, and feelings that influence performance in various contexts. Students should be proficient in evaluating and refining ideas to create new works of performing arts.

• PERFORM: Students should be able to select varied musical works to present based on technical skill and context. They should then be able to analyze the structure and context of varied musical works and apply knowledge to interpret implications for performance while developing personal interpretations that consider the creators’ intent. Students should also be able to perform expressively, with appropriate interpretation and technical accuracy.

• RESPOND: Students should be able to choose appropriate music for specific purposes and contexts and analyze the structure and context of varied musical works. They should be able to support an interpretation of a musical work that reflects the creators’/performers’ expressive intent.

• CONNECT: Students should be able to relate knowledge and personal experiences to make music and relate musical ideas and works to deepen understanding. They should be able to discern how the other arts, disciplines, contexts, and daily life inform creating, performing, and responding to music.

Band

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong .5 credit

Note: Students must provide their chosen instrument. Students interested in learning a new instrument should contact the Performing Arts department for guidance. Band is scheduled at the same time as X-Block STEM meetings, and students may not be in both STEM and Band.

This class covers a general historic timeline for various genres of music including contemporary and classical repertoire. Students perform representative pieces of music from these and other genres. Students work to extend their technical and musical abilities through individual and group instruction. Study of the basic elements of music theory and general musicianship serves as the focus of this class through instrumental performance. This course is intended for students with some experience on their instrument.

Chorus

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong .5 credit

Note: Chorus meets during the ensembles block.

In Chorus, students discover and experience the joy of singing in an ensemble. This course helps to develop young student voices and knowledge of choral music by teaching the basics of vocal pedagogy: breathing, placement, and diction. Rhythmic and ear training are fundamental. Students also study the basic elements of music theory, including tempo, chord progression, and other musical concepts. Students perform a diverse choral repertoire with ample opportunity for group performance and individual vocal growth for beginners and singers who have had previous experience in a choir.

Fall Play and Spring Musical

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 credit for each production

Note: Rehearsals take place during the morning enrichment block. Additional required rehearsals are scheduled outside of the school day

Students participating in the fall play or spring musical receive a .5 performing arts credit. No credit is awarded for participation in the tech crew.

Persuasive Rhetoric: Public Speaking and Presentation

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Semester .5 credit

Students practice and present public speaking techniques, including research, speech preparation, listening, and storytelling. Students demonstrate these skills through public speaking, speech writing, presentation and visuals preparation, panel discussion, presentations, and various projects.

Solo Choir

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong 1 credit

Note: Solo Choir meets during the scheduled blocks and, therefore, must be one of the six block selections. Students in the Solo Choir must audition and must also enroll in Chorus during the ensembles block.

This ensemble moves beyond the basic techniques of vocal pedagogy (breathing, placement, and diction) and challenges selected students beyond the scope of chorus class. More emphasis is put on part singing with fewer singers on a part. A cappella (unaccompanied) singing is a major part of this ensemble. To enhance abilities in this area, upper-level ear training, and rhythmic technique are assessed in an audition before enrollment in the course. A varied repertoire is explored, and numerous performance opportunities are included.

String Ensemble

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Yearlong .5 credit

Note: String Ensemble meets during the ensembles block Students must provide their chosen instrument. Students interested in learning a new instrument should contact the Performing Arts department for guidance

This class covers a general historical timeline for various genres of music, including contemporary and classical string repertoire. Students perform representative pieces of music from these and other genres. Students extend their technical and musical abilities through individual and group instruction. The study of the basic elements of music theory and general musicianship is the focus of this class through instrumental performance.