PERFORMING ARTS COURSES PERFORMING ARTS COURSES

Honors Dance 4 (Dance Company) (year-long) (9-12)

Performance required.

Prerequisite: Company members are required to formally re-audition each year and undergo an individual evaluation to ensure appropriate placement.

Dance Company is a rep performance class for our most advanced and dedicated dancers, selected by audition or by invitation. Through a series of short-term residencies with some of the most accomplished artists in the business today, students maintain a rigorous technical foundation and create and perform commissioned choreographic works. The challenging nature of this course prepares students for college-level dance programs and careers in the arts. Students have the choice of receiving credit for Physical Education or Performing Arts when taking this class. If a student chooses to take P.E. credit, they must choose another arts class and must still attend class when involved in an after-school sport.

Dance Master Class: Dancing at the College Level (semester-long)(11-12)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

This workshop is designed specifically for Juniors and Seniors who understand that a high level of skill and artistry can strengthen their college applications and even further for those who want to move on to that vital next step in their path toward becoming professional dancers. In this course, students will go through the process of college selection, the creation of a solo piece, guidance in the completion and submission of applications, and development of the tools for a successful audition. The program will be tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, so whether the student is considering a full-time arts conservatory or pursuing a minor in Dance along with their academic major at a university, each student will have the resources to meet their needs.

Vocal Music

Middle School Vocal Ensemble (yearlong) (7-8) (Eighth Period)

Performance required.

The Middle School Vocal Ensemble class is intended to instill a love for singing among its students, and to set the foundation for future singing at Windward; no audition is required. The Middle School Vocal Ensemble class is designed to introduce to each student the fundamentals of vocal technique, ensemble performance technique, and music-reading skills. The ensemble will sing a variety of selections ranging from traditional choral repertoire to pop songs to musical theatre to folk songs from around the world. The group performs at the Winter Concert, Spring Music Festival and Coffee House events. Attendance at all scheduled performances is a requirement for the class.

Upper School Vocal Ensemble (yearlong) (9-12) (Eighth Period)

Performance required.

The Upper School Vocal Ensemble class further develops the student’s ability to sing confidently and collaboratively in an ensemble setting while also allowing first-time singers to explore their singing voice in a safe and welcoming environment; no audition is required. The Upper School Vocal Ensemble class is designed to develop each student’s understanding of individual vocal technique, ensemble performance technique, and music-reading skills. The ensemble will sing a variety of selections ranging from traditional choral repertoire to folk music from different cultures around the world, and from jazz selections to pop songs to musical theatre to folk songs from around the world. The group performs at the Winter Concert, Spring Music Festival, Coffee House events, and various other on-campus or off-campus performances as needed. Attendance at all scheduled performances is a requirement for the class.

Honors Advanced Vocal Ensemble: Windward Chromatics (year-long) (10-12)

Performance required. Enrollment cap: 16 students.

Prerequisite: At least one year of Middle or Upper School Vocal Ensemble or permission of instructor. All students in the Advanced Vocal Ensemble are required to audition; the audition takes place in February.

The Windward Chromatics is our most advanced vocal ensemble and is designed to develop in each student a high level of musicianship skills, vocal technique, and ensemble performance technique; in addition, the Chromatics is expected to perform a wide variety of choral styles from classical masterworks and musical theatre to vocal jazz and collegiate-style a cappella pop repertoire and choral traditions from all around the world. The group performs at the Winter Concert, Spring Music Festival, Coffee House events, and various other on-campus or off-campus performances as needed. Attendance at all scheduled performances is a requirement for the class.

AP Music Theory (year-long) (11-12)

This course is designed to equip students to take the AP Music Theory exam that is administered by the College Board in May. The course is designed to: 1) increase understanding and fluency with regard to the building blocks of musical notation, including rhythm, meter, pitch, keys, modes, intervals, chords, and harmonic function; 2) introduce the fundamentals of musical analysis and compositional processes, including harmonic function, motivic development, counterpoint, and formal structure; 3) develop aural musical skills, including aural identification and written dictation of rhythms, melodies and chords, and extending to aural analysis of basic stylistic and structural features; 4) develop fluency and confidence in sight-singing; and 5) increase awareness of the applicability of analytical skills to the appreciation and understanding of a variety of musical styles.