Music and Performing Arts

Symphonic Band #1700 (1 credit)

Symphonic Band is the premiere instrumental ensemble at the high school. Students in grades 10-12 rehearse and perform standards of concert band literature by the greatest composers of the genre as well as solid arrangements of popular music. The music is demanding and requires home practice. The group performs at the Winter Concert, Festival of the Arts and Commencement. Meets every other day (opposite Music Theory) for the entire year.

8/9 Concert Band # 1709/1712 (.5 credit)

The 8/9 Concert Band is the entry level band ensemble. The Concert Band performs at both the Winter Concert and the Festival of the Arts. The ensemble is available to students in grades 8 and 9. Interested students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may also take the course and should contact the Band Director personally before registering. The group rehearses Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. until the end of homeroom.

8/9 Mixed Chorus (.5 credit)

This is a vocal training course for the young singer. The students will learn the basic techniques to proper vocal production. The chorus will sing a variety of musical genres from classical to popular. Attendance at all concerts is required. Prerequisite: Vocal audition and teacher recommendation. Grade 8-9.

Concert Choir #1705 (1 credit)

This course offers the "serious" vocalist an opportunity to experience the harmony, rhythm and tone quality of classical as well as contemporary music literature. Meets every other day for the entire year. Students are required to attend all evening performances. Prerequisite: Student audition and/or teacher recommendation. Grades 10-12.

Show Choir #1706 (.5 credit)

This course offers the student the opportunity to perform a variety of contemporary music, including Broadway musicals, jazz, rock "n" roll (from the fifties to the present). Meets twice a week before school. Prerequisite: Student audition and/or teacher recommendation. Grades 10-12.

Music Theory #1710 (1 credit)

This course offers the student the opportunity to learn the fundamental rudiments of music. Through the use of teacher instruction, computer assisted instruction and practice time, the students will learn the following music skills/concepts: scales, rhythmic, melodic and choral structures, composition and ear training. The students will apply these concepts to their instrument as well as to the keyboard. Prerequisite: The student must be a member of a Springfield Music Organization - Concert Choir, Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Show Choir. Grade 10-12.

Musical Theatre #1715 (1 credit)

Musical Theatre class offers the students the opportunity to produce and perform a Broadway musical each semester. Students will develop self-directing and self-critquing skills as they refine their talents for performanced. Students will be required to perform for the public and will be assessed on their class participation, written pre-production assignments and final performance. Grade 9-12.

Theatre I #1720 (1 credit)

Theatre I is an introduction to acting and play production. Students will develop and refine physical characters as they interpret assigned scripts. Students will build and apply their peer and self- critiquing skills as they plan and prepare a final production. This performance based class will focus on the development of a full length children's play during the first semester and a full length contemporary dramatic production during the second semester. These productions will be performed during the school day. We welcome parents to join us. Grades 9-12

Theatre II #1722 (1 credit)

In Theatre II, the emphasis is on student directed one acts. Students in this class work in small groups to choose plays which they will produce. Students are responsible for the entire production. Acting directing, set design, costuming, make-up and advertising are all parts of the students' decision-making process. These on act plays will be presented both during the day and in the evening at the end of each semester. Parents and friends are welcome to attend. Prerequisite: A final grade of "B" or better in Theatre I or Musical Theatre. Grades 10-12.

Theatrical Art & Design #1721 (1 credit)

This course will focus on the process of "page to stage". Students' work will develop and evolve as they analyze various scripts and make their own artistic choices to create designs for stage productions. The class will observe past design work at Springfield an other secondary schools, as well as professional theater designs (through seeing one or more productions and visiting a scene shop). Students will be assessed on their ability to problem solve and create practical functional art and their ability to collaborate with classmates to achieve a thematic goal. Students will be required to maintain a sketchbook/journal to document their ideas and reflections of their learning. The work done in class will include but not be limited to the productions done by the Springfield High School drama students. Prerequisite: Art I, Theatre I or Musical Theatre. Grades 10-12.

American Music - The 20th Century #1730 (1 credit)

This course will provide the student with a historical background as well as the musical influences that have contributed to the American Music of the 20th Century. History of jazz, musical theater and rock and roll and a look at the 20th century composers of classical music (Stravinsky, Copland, Bernstein).