PERFORMING ARTS
MUSIC
The ability
to enjoy music and to participate on an individual or group level is an
integral part of daily life. The
elective courses in the music department are designed to appeal to varied
interests and levels. There is something
for everyone, from the casual listener to the future music major. Evening performances are required for all
performing ensembles.
An
extensive extracurricular performance program is offered in the areas of
instrumental music, jazz, vocal music, dance and drama.
FRESHMEN WOMEN’S CHORUS Grade 9 5
Credits
Students
will learn through performance of appropriate vocal music the principles of
good singing, including diction, sight-reading and tone production. Students will have limited out-of-school
commitments, performing in 3 concerts during the year. Freshmen Women’s Chorus is a non-auditioned
group, and membership is open to any female in grade 9.
CONCERT CHOIR Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
Students will learn
through performance of appropriate vocal music the principles of good singing,
including diction, sight-reading, and vocal production. Students will have limited out-of-school
commitments, performing in 3 concerts during the year. Concert Choir is a
non-auditioned group, and membership is open to any female in grades 10, 11,
and 12 and any male in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
CHORALE Grades 10, 11,
12 5 Credits
PREREQUISITE: Audition
The Chorale
is an auditioned curricular ensemble, and its students meet daily in one of two
class sections. Members of the Chorale
gain entry to the group through the spring placement auditions.
As the
second most challenging curricular choir at Roxbury, the Chorale will provide
singers with the opportunity to learn and perform challenging traditional and
contemporary choral works. A member of
the Chorale is expected to give the extra time necessary to help the group
become an outstanding musical ensemble.
CLASSIC SOUNDS HONORS Grades 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
PREREQUISITE: Audition
Classic
Sounds is for selected students with an ability and knowledge of singing
fundamentals. A major function is to
perform music of excellent technical quality.
Students will be auditioned in the spring of the previous year for placement
in Classic Sounds. The group will do a
number of performances both in and out of the school in addition to the 3
annual concerts. Some out-of-school
time will be required and students will receive honors credit.
BROADWAY AND Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 2 ½ Credits
THE MUSICAL THEATRE
This course
is designed for students who are presently singers, who want to pursue a
performance-based class in the area of Broadway Theatre. Students will explore the art of musical
theatre through performance, directing, listening, historical explorations and
practical application of classroom experiences. The curriculum will include student involvement in actual
directing, blocking, staging, acting, singing and all areas of the performance
of Broadway musicals. Students who
elect this class must be a member of one of the choir classes.
BASIC MUSIC THEORY Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
Music
Theory is a developmental course for students who are planning to further their
study of music either as a primary or secondary vocation.
ADVANCE PLACEMENT MUSIC THEORY Grades 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
PREREQUISITE: Basic Music Theory
and consultation with instructor
This course
is designed for the highly motivated, musically inclined student who possesses
an interest in pursuing music in college.
The ultimate goal of AP Music Theory is to develop a student’s ability
to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of
music that are heard or presented in a score.
The achievement of this of this goal is promoted by integrated
approaches to the student's development of:
Aural Skills through listening exercises, Sight-Singing Skills through
performance exercises, Written Skills through written exercises, Compositional
Skills through creative exercises, and Analytical Skills through analytical
exercises. The course will integrate
aspects of melody, harmony, texture, rhythm, form, musical analysis, elementary
composition, history and style. Musicianship
skills such as dictation, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony will be explored.
HONORS
WIND SYMPHONY Grades 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
Band is open to all students with an
interest or ability in a wind or percussion instrument. All students are placed in one of three
performing ensembles: Concert Band
Blue, Concert Band Gold, or Wind Symphony.
As part of this course a team of specialists on each family of
instruments teaches band students during the school day. Students will have limited out of school
commitments, performing in 4-5 concerts each year. Those students who are
placed in Wind Symphony will receive honors credit, as advanced level work is
required of all participants for entrance and participation.
The Ninth Symphony is open to all freshman students
with an interest or ability in a wind or percussion instrument. As part of this course a team of specialist
on each family of instruments teaches band students during the school day. Students will have limited out of school
commitments, performing in 4-5 concerts each year. This ensemble acts as an intensive training course to prepare
students for successful participation within the high school band program.
STRINGS Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 5 Credits
The string
class offers an opportunity for those students who play a string instrument and
wish to further their musical abilities.
Students will have limited out of school commitments, performing in 3-4
concerts each year. This course may be taken in addition to band or other music
courses.
DANCE
Dance is open to all students with an interest or ability in the art of dance. Dance is communicating through movement using time, space and energy. All students will be placed through an audition process in one of five ensembles: Expressions, Aspirations, Fusion, Synergy or Advanced Dance Ensemble. Students will explore the movement styles of modern, jazz and lyrical dance through technique classes. Study in dance history and terminology will provide the student with an appreciation for these dances. Students will have limited out of school commitments, performing in 2-3 concerts each year.