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Graduation requirements include credit in the Performing Arts, and students are encouraged to participate in Performing Arts courses throughout their Upper School years.
Upper School ensembles perform at the winter and spring concerts as well as other occasions throughout the year. Students earn credit for a year’s successful participation in a performing organization. The Upper School Chorus is an auditioned ensemble that studies and performs a wide variety of choral works, from the standard repertoire of works of the great masters to vocal jazz and folk music from throughout the world. Concert Band and Orchestra offer instrumentalists the opportunity to advance their technical proficiency and to develop the skills necessary for ensemble playing. Compositions learned, polished, and performed range from classical masterpieces to contemporary works and film scores. Rehearsals are supplemented by in-school group lessons on violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Smaller select ensembles, such as Chamber Ensemble, are formed as ability and interest warrant. Jazz Ensemble is open by audition to students interested in mastering the techniques of improvisation and performing masterpieces of jazz literature. The ensemble includes guitar, bass, and drums in addition to woodwind and brass instruments.
Academic music classes are offered on a rotating basis, with Music Survey, Music Theory I, one year and AP Music Theory the next. Music Survey explores music of many styles, periods, and cultures, and examines the role and importance of music in our lives. Music Theory I topics include sight singing and ear training, scales, intervals, key signatures, and other theory basics. AP Music Theory builds on this material and advances to four-part writing and analysis. The AP course is open to students with appropriate musical training by permission of the instructor and is the equivalent of a first-year college music theory course.
Creative Dramatics is a course that encourages creative expression, builds self-confidence, and strengthens communication skills through the use of theatrical exercises. Students improvise and practice acting techniques while learning basic theatrical terms and theater etiquette. Projects may include public performances of scenes and monologues.
Upper School dramatic productions are popular extra-curricular activities presented each spring. Recent years have seen fine performances of Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie, The Boyfriend, Arsenic and Old Lace, Harvey, The Female Odd Couple, and The Crucible.
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