Performing Arts Classes
Performing Arts Courses
DRAMA
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Students work in pairs and small groups to learn skills in team building, communication, public speaking, improv, comedy, character development, and audition technique. Drama also covers important theatre history, including Greek Theatre, Italian Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare, and Chicano Theatre.
DRAMA ADVANCED
Grade: 10-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA
Prerequisite: Audition Only
In this intensive course, actors develop a deeper understanding of drama from different cultural and historical perspectives through playwriting, scene study, monologues, directing, emotional development, and performance technique. This class changes every year, may be repeated for credit.
DANCE
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Course covers the basic steps, vocabulary, and variations of dance in jazz, which is a common form of dance used in musical theater and commercial and entertainment industries, with its roots in social dance and heavily influenced by African-American traditions. Students learn basic techniques based on ballet and modern dance. Through daily warm-ups and exercises, students gain strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination. Musicality and performance skills are taught through a series of dance combinations. Students complete vocabulary quizzes, written assignments, and a final project.
DANCE INTERMEDIATE
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA
Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in Beginning Dance or permission of teacher.
As the students progress and mature, jazz style movements increase in difficulty and creativity. Class format increases with additional center work, across the floor technique, and more complex jazz combinations. Additional dance styles of jazz are explored such as theatrical and lyrical. This class also 26 accepts adult jazz students who are looking for a high level challenge. Prerequisite: Beginner jazz; Knowledge of ballet.
DANCE ADVANCED
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA
Prerequisite: Permission of teacher
The class will move at a faster pace and at an intermediate and/or advanced technical level. Every 5 weeks a new style of dance will be introduced and a 2 ½- 4 minute routine will be taught and staged, much like in a professional dance company. Throughout the class we will discuss audition tactics and preparation in order to prepare you major dance performances. This class will culminate with an end of the semester showcase. The class also includes an introduction to Dance Composition, technique and theory, across-the-floor, 3 minute staged dance, journals, and video presentation. This will also culminate in a student produced production of original works. DRAMA Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA. Students work in pairs and small groups to learn skills in team building, communication, public speaking, improv, comedy, character development, and audition technique. Drama also covers important theatre history, including Greek Theatre, Italian Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare, and Chicano Theatre. DRAMA ADVANCED Grade: 10-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA. Prerequisite: Audition Only In this intensive course, actors develop a deeper understanding of drama from different cultural and historical perspectives through playwriting, scene study, monologues, directing, emotional development, and performance technique. This class changes every year, may be repeated for credit.
CHORUS
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
The choir class is open to female students and is wonderful class designed to feature literature for the female voices. The literature featured will highlight music of all styles and periods including the Renaissance, Classical, Baroque, World Music, Jazz and current Pop styles. Students will also learn supportive skills in sight singing and music theory fundamentals. No audition is required, all singers of welcome. No formal singing experience is required only a desire to do your best and become an integral part of an exciting singing experience. This is an excellent class for the beginning to advance singer. Opportunities are provided for personal vocal development through solos and the opportunity to audition for Regional, State and National Level Honor Choirs. A performance calendar indicating the 4-5 evening performance dates is provided in August. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. Students purchase their own prescribed performance clothes. Financial assistance is available upon request. This class may be repeated for credit.
CHAMBER SINGERS
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Prerequisite: Audition Only
The Chamber Singers is a “Mixed” ensemble made up of both male and female singers, and enrollment is only through audition. Past singing experience is expected but not required. 9-12 grade men are eligible to audition while only 10-12 grade women are eligible to audition. The audition consists of singing a required song, and sight singing an 8 bar example. Students are selected on their vocal skills not their past vocal accomplishments and may sing a different voice part than they have in the past to assure proper balance in the group. Opportunities are provided for personal vocal development through solos and the opportunity to audition for the Regional, State and National Honor Choirs. Private voice lessons are strongly encouraged. Literature performed will feature selections from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, World Music, Jazz and current Pop idioms. A performance calendar of evening performances is provided in August indicating all performance dates. Attendance at all performances is mandatory. All students must purchase their own prescribed performance clothes. Financial assistance is provided upon request. This class may be repeated for credit. This is a college level course and grades will appear on students’ permanent college transcript. Students are required to be concurrently enrolled through the College of San Mateo.
CONCERT BAND
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Prerequisite: One year of previous band experience.
Beginners accepted only with teacher approval. Students will perform a variety of Concert musical styles from various time periods within a band setting. There will be multiple in class performances and outside of class performances. Instrumentation consists of various brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Students are required to have taken band for at least one year prior to joining Intermediate band. No Audition is necessary to join Concert Band.
SYMPHONIC BAND
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Prerequisite: Consent of teacher via audition.
Any student with at least one year of band experience is eligible to join the Symphonic Band. Students will perform a variety of Concert musical styles from various time periods within a band setting. There will be multiple in class performances and outside of class performances. Instrumentation consists of various brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. Students are required to audition in order to be admitted in the class. This is a college level course and grades will appear on students’ permanent college transcript. Students are required to be concurrently enrolled through the College of San Mateo.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA.
Prerequisite: Consent of teacher via audition.
Students will perform a variety of advanced music such as: Jazz, Latin, Rock, Funk and Contemporary music styles. There will be multiple in class performances and outside of class performances. Instrumentation consists of various Trumpets, Trombones, Saxes, Guitar, Bass, Vibrophone, Piano, Latin Percussion and Drum set. Students are required to audition in order to be admitted in the class.
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Grade: 9-12 Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits 28 UC/CSU: Yes; “f” - VAPA. .
Prerequisite: Audition Only
This class is an exciting opportunity for an intermediate to advance string player to perform thrilling music at an exceptional level of excellence. Students in 9-12th grade are eligible but should have previous string performance skills. 9 th grade string players are encourage to first enroll in the Hillsdale String Orchestra their first year here at Hillsdale but are still welcome to audition. The audition consists of playing designated scales, performing a designated orchestral excerpt and sight reading. Chamber Orchestra members will have the challenge of performing exceptional standard String Orchestra literature as well as contemporary and world music ranging from levels 3-5 of the state performance standards. Students are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. The level of literature performed will demand a great deal from the players and additional weekly practice outside of class time along with private lessons is advisable. A performance calendar for the 5-6 evening performance dates is available to the students in August and attendance at all performances is mandatory. Students are expected to purchase their own prescribed performance outfit. Financial assistance is provided upon request. This class may be repeated for credit and most students do so. This is a college level course and grades will appear on students’ permanent college transcript. Students are required to be concurrently enrolled through the College of San Mateo.
STRING ORCHESTRA
Grade: 9-12
Duration/Credit Year / 10 Credits
UC/CSU: Yes; “e” - VAPA.
String Orchestra performs orchestral and chamber music in a variety of genres, including classical, folk, pop, and jazz. Students will have opportunities to perform solos, conduct, and write music; and improve techniques including sight reading, playing more in upper positions, different types of bow articulation. This year, students in String Orchestra will also combine with members of Concert Band for full orchestra music. At least one year of experience playing a string instrument is required.