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Performing Arts • Music
Harpeth Hall believes that the arts are an integral component of education. Studies in the arts develop the
intellectual skills of perceptual awareness, critical analysis, and creative problem-solving. Arts courses convey knowledge and meaning not learned through the study of other subjects. At the same time, they refine and reinforce other basic educational skills. In many ways, arts courses closely duplicate the complexities of adult life, where there are seldom clear-cut choices or verifiable truths. In visual and performing arts courses, instructors emphasize active participation by students in the creative process. Solving problems creatively involves more than the acquisition of fundamental skills. It demands analysis and synthesis and calls upon the senses to think, feel, act, and evaluate. The fine arts program at Harpeth Hall encompasses a variety of disciplines: choral and instrumental music, theatre, studio art, art history, photography, digital video, and media arts. One full credit in fine arts is required for graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking a full-year fine arts class or by combining two semester courses. A student is encouraged to pursue intermediate- and advanced-level courses to the extent that she is interested. Arts courses at all levels are rigorous and demanding and are graded as such.
Bel Canto Choir Full year, one credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Formerly called Concert Choir, the Bel Canto Choir is open to all students. The choir presents a variety of concerts, both on and off campus. Repertoire includes choral literature from all musical periods and styles. Instructors emphasize concert preparation, vocal technique, sight reading, and ensemble skills in rehearsals. Students in this class are eligible to audition for the Tennessee Midstate and All-State choirs. As a performing arts elective, students are required to participate in all concerts.
Chamber Choir Full year, one credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with department approval The Chamber Choir is an audition-based small ensemble representing the school for engagements on and off campus. Students sing in various musical styles and develop their independent musicianship. Students in this class are expected to audition for Tennessee Midstate and All-State honor choirs and are required to participate in all concerts. One year of Bel Canto Choir or permission from the instructor is required to participate in the Chamber Choir.
Concert Orchestra Full year, one credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students The concert orchestra is a whole ensemble of strings. Students in this ensemble must have a minimum of two years of experience on their instruments or receive the instructor’s approval. This ensemble performs four concerts per year. Musical genres explored in this class include classical, rock, new-age, fiddle, renaissance, baroque, and romantic. Students are introduced to music theory and are exposed to many aspects of performance and history. The concert orchestra also competes at concert festivals, and students are eligible to audition for Tennessee Midstate and All-State orchestras.
Chamber Orchestra Full year, one credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with instructor approval The chamber orchestra is an auditioned, premier, small ensemble. Students in this ensemble are more advanced and must have a minimum of three years of experience on their instrument. This ensemble performs a minimum of four to six concerts per year and will compete at concert festivals and MTSBOA events. Students are expected to audition in Tennessee Midstate and All-State Orchestra ensembles and perform in solo and ensemble competitions. Musical genres explored in this class include classical, rock, new-age, fiddle, renaissance, baroque, and romantic. Students are introduced to more intensive music theory and are exposed to many aspects of performance and history.
Modern Band One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Modern band is designed for students with experience playing guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, brass, and/or woodwind instruments. This course examines a variety of contemporary musical styles, including pop, rock, country, and jazz. Students in modern band will also be introduced to improvisation, songwriting, and the recording arts. As a performing arts elective, students are expected to participate in all concerts. Students are admitted to the class with the approval of the teacher. No audition required.
AP Music Theory Full year, one credit; Open to students who have taken at least four semesters of music or with permission of the department The AP Music Theory course focuses on concepts and skills emphasized within introductory college music theory courses, intending to help students become sophisticated and thoughtful music listeners, performers, and composers. AP Music Theory students learn to recognize, understand, describe, and produce the basic elements and processes of performed and notated music. To become proficient with these skills, students must consistently practice applying course concepts through aural analysis, score analysis, sight singing, dictation, and composition. Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP Music Theory exam in May.
PERFORMING ARTS: THEATRE
Through the performing arts, girls discover their passion for the arts, develop creativity and confidence, achieve excellence, and make lifelong friends. In the theatre program, students can act and sing in many dramatic, musical, and comedy productions and participate behind the scenes — from lighting and sound to set building and stage management.
Acting I One semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students Students pack their acting toolkit by learning basic methods of acting through presentational and representational acting. They develop creativity and spontaneity through improvisations, basic movement for the stage, and using their voices and bodies for dramatic expression. Students explore physical acting, dialogue, listening and reacting, and finding moments that connect them to the story being told. Students work on monologues and scenes in class. Students also discover what makes good theatre by reading, analyzing, and attending local theatrical productions. For anyone who has always wanted to try acting, this is a wonderful way to try it out in a safe space.
Studio Theatre: Theatre in Practice Full year, one credit; Open to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students; Prerequisite: Acting I or with instructor approval Studio Theatre prepares students to create theatre beyond the classroom. Students begin by advancing their performance skills by studying period acting styles necessary for plays written or that take place before the 20th century. Topics may include Shakespeare, Moliere, Greek, and Restoration. During this acting unit, interested students will also have the opportunity to curate their “audition package” for colleges or professional auditions. In the next unit, students study the director’s role by delving into script analysis, casting, blocking, set and costume design, and rehearsal management. During the second semester, students will apply the knowledge learned in their first two units to produce their own work as playwrights, directors, costume designers, actors, or a combination thereof. This course will culminate in an Evening of One Acts, presented as part of Harpeth Hall and Montgomery Bell Academy’s Mainstage Theatre seasons. Students may take this course more than once during the upper school. If taken more than once, the course will be noted as: Studio Theatre II: Theatre in Practice.
Technical Theatre One Semester, one-half credit; Open to 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students This course is designed to introduce students to the technical aspects of theatre. Areas of focus will include scenic and theatrical design, lighting design and implementation, and basic audio systems. We will provide fundamental knowledge and practice the skills students need to perform hands-on support for Harpeth Hall performing arts productions, including music, dance, and theatre. This course will introduce theatre production spaces, shop tools, construction materials, special effects, and the overall management of a theatrical production and stage equipment. This course will have a backstage field-trip component each semester, which will provide an opportunity to observe professional backstage works, artistic choices, technical elements, and exposure to professional career paths in the technical theatre and production fields. Students may take this course more than once during the upper school. If taken more than once, the course will be noted as: Technical Theatre II.
