Performing Arts

This is an introductory-level quarter-long dance class for all 7th grade students, emphasizing the development of skills in various styles and techniques such as ballet, hip-hop, and social dances. Students not only learn and discuss dance history but also explore the influence of dance in our everyday culture and mainstream media. In addition, students explore spatial awareness, partnering, and performance skills through lively movement-based games and activities, culminating in short pieces of their own choreography presented at the end of the quarter.

This single-semester class emphasizes the continued development of skill and technique in various dance styles such as jazz, ballet, and hip-hop while introducing contemporary and tap. Students also learn and discuss dance history and development, and the influence of dance in our modern-day culture. In addition, students explore the beginnings of improvisation and choreography individually and in groups, as well as participate in lively movement-based games and exercises. Eighth-grade dance students are required to perform in either the Winter Dance Concert or the Spring Dance Concert, depending on which semester they take the class, as an entry point into the world of dance performance.

The Dance 1 course for 9th grade students focuses on a variety of styles and techniques, including hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and more. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to the concepts and tools of beginning level large-group choreography and individual and partner improvisation. How do we create a dance? What do we need? How do we get started? Students of varying skill levels will have opportunities to begin building their own artistic style, using rhythms and music in creating works for the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts. The Dance 1 course also focuses on base-level technical and performance skills.

The Dance 2 course for 10th grade students builds on the foundational technique and skills of the Dance 1 course in a variety of styles including hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and more. Throughout the course, students will focus on developing more advanced skills and concepts of choreography, focusing on small groups (duets, trios, quartets). Students will continue to build a personal artistic voice, creating smaller, more personalized works for the Winter and Spring Dance Concerts. The Dance 2 course also focuses on elevating base-level technical and performance skills learned in Dance I. Students in this course have the opportunity to learn from guest teachers and take studio classes in the greater Los Angeles area.

The Dance 3 course for 11th grade students focuses on building on technique and skills of the Dance 2 course in a variety of styles including hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and more. Dance 3 is available for 11th grade students transferring into the dance program, those students who do not wish to audition for the Dance Company course, and those who have not yet reached the advanced level of technique, choreography, and performance skills of the Dance Company course. Throughout the course, students review and build upon choreography and performance skills, as well as continue to hone a personal artistic voice. Students in this course have the opportunity to learn from guest teachers and take studio classes in the greater Los Angeles area.

The Dance Company course for 11th and 12th grade students follows the same principles as the Dance 1 through 3 courses, but at a higher intensity and investment. The Dance Company focuses on an advanced level of technical training, as well as a specific concentration on choreography and performance. Students also take professional-level classes outside of the classroom setting and may have works created for them by outside choreographers. Students who audition and are accepted into the Dance Company class will also be asked to perform at school events such as the Family Barbecue and Admissions Open House, as well as have the opportunity to dance at local concerts and festivals. In addition, as a 12th grade student, requirements include involvement in producing the connective content for the Spring Dance Concert, as well as performing a culminating solo work in the performance.

Seventh Grade Drama introduces students to life onstage and all the imaginative possibilities that lie within. The quarter-long class addresses introductory concepts such as personal presentation, projection, movement and more, all with the goal of boosting confidence in front of an audience. Students discover their own avenues for expressing themselves and learn the tools used to effectively communicate a story. Through theater games, a variety of scripts and assorted exercises, students develop characters and learn to deliver performances in a fun and supportive environment.

Eighth Grade Drama is a further exploration of concepts presented in the 7th grade, with an additional emphasis on production. In the first quarter of this semester class, students focus on acting techniques needed for performance and apply them to improvised and scripted exercises. Additionally, students have an opportunity to learn the production components (such as lighting, sound, directing and more) involved in creating a show. Together the class produces a short play for public presentation and celebration of their achievements.

Drama explores the world of television and theater through many facets including acting technique, scene study, drama history, production elements and more. What is theater? How does the art form represent life? What role does it play in present society? The class dives into historical worlds and draws connections to our contemporary perspectives. Through improvisation, observation, character development and performance technique, the actor brings to life stories that are diverse and engaging. The course also examines the technical side of theatrical production, including space, lights, sound, makeup and more.

The Drama 2 course focuses on the individual actor’s artistry by exploring different acting techniques.  What is acting? How does an actor connect? Students will learn a variety of different acting styles and techniques including Meisner, Strasberg, Adler, Grotowski, and more. As a class, we strive to capture the present moment as an impetus for all stage life within a given reality and to examine emotional response as a basis for action. Students take a deep dive into their own personal experiences to explore truth in character. Through studying the artist’s process, the class builds a foundation for performance and each student develops an individual technique via diverse styles of scene study performance, acting exercises, storytelling, and improvisation. Over the course of the year, the students discover their own approach to developing and portraying characters onstage within a collaborative atmosphere.

The mission of Drama 3 is to empower students to produce original performance pieces and to reimagine existing works. Theatrical development is the art of sparking an idea, setting an intention, putting into action, designing an outcome, and presenting it to an audience.  How do you sculpt a piece that lands a message? From studying dramatic theory, diverse artistic forms and styles, the class acquires essential tools to initiate their own individual process in a collaborative setting. The driving force behind theatrical production is a study of human identity and the relationships between our immediate, local, and global selves. Students analyze the many ways to tell a story using spoken word, music, and movement across different forms, including adapting diverse sources to the stage, devising original pieces, exploring site-specific work, and experiencing performance art. The course culminates in an original theatrical demonstration of the students’ own devising with exhibitions of work throughout the year.

Drama 4 amalgamates theater training accrued over the years by applying skills to a production company model. Each student is an active collaborator, artist, visionary, and entrepreneur. Through script analysis and dramaturgical study , students propose creative choices through character/relationship study, design, and performance intent. Why this piece now? Through the partnership of artistry and business, this student-driven process  showcases individual acting techniques, inquiry, and the synthesis of ideas while actualizing a dramatic piece. Additionally, students will have opportunities to connect with the greater Los Angeles professional world by seeing and studying live performances and engaging in artistic collaborations. The company will have opportunities to produce and present its own works throughout the year.

In 7th Grade Vocal Music, students discover the unique joy and satisfaction that comes from creating music with other people. The quarter-long class gives an introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, including basic notation of music and rhythm. We develop an appreciation for music and connect it to everyday life by gaining familiarity with diverse musical styles, cultures and historical periods, including American popular music, Western classical music, and world music. Students learn basic vocal skills through ensemble singing with an emphasis on correct posture, breathing and proper vocal technique in order to gain self confidence and ease.

Eighth Grade Chorus students participate in a fun and supportive environment to further pursue an interest in singing and making music with others. In this semester class, the singers continue to develop knowledge of the elements of music and proper vocal technique, with emphasis placed on two-part and three-part singing of a variety of musical styles and genres. Students focus on understanding the changing voice and the development of a good choral sound, as well as critical listening, ear-training and sight-reading skills. The class frequently combines with the Eighth Grade Instrumental Music class to collaborate on special class projects, performances and recordings.

Chorus explores the wonders of choral/vocal music through a dedicated choir composed of talented singers from grade levels 9-12 aspiring towards various performances offered throughout the year. Students learn how to musically express themselves by focusing on skills such as breathing, posture, articulation, and diction and applying them to pieces rehearsed in class. Members of the choir may experience a repertoire ranging from early Renaissance to present day, celebrating the art of music both as an ensemble and as soloists. The cumulative work is presented at the Winter and Spring Music Concerts as well as at performances within the local community.

Vocal Ensemble is an advanced chamber choral ensemble for students in grades 9-12 who have some choral experience and wish to build on the foundation of their knowledge to improve their musicianship and performance skills. Singers are selected for their dedication and ability to blend and work well in a small group in a fun, fast-paced learning environment. The student gains greater proficiency in independent singing, artistic interpretation, musical understanding, and solo performance through performance of advanced literature from a broad range of styles, periods, and cultures including a cappella, classical, Broadway, jazz/pop and contemporary. This is a performance-based class, and participation in the Winter and Spring Music Concerts, school assemblies and Prep's Baccalaureate, as well as other performance opportunities that arise throughout the year, is required.

Prerequisite: interview and audition.

This class will give students the opportunity to learn the essential elements needed to be a musician. The course is open to students who have at least one year of experience playing an instrument. Students will learn music fundamentals such as music reading, theory, ear training, technique, and even improvisation. Students will have the opportunity to perform during the 8th Grade Art Share Day. Other potential performances may include the Jazz Coffee House, the Winter Music Concert, and the Spring Music Concert. The students may also collaborate and perform with the 8th Grade Vocal Music Class.

The Jazz Rock Ensemble performs music in a variety of different styles. The class focuses on learning and performing popular jazz and rock music from the 1960s to present day. Students who would like to join the Jazz Rock Ensemble should have an interest in improvising, an important component of the class. Although no previous jazz/rock experience is required, students should be proficient in playing their instrument. Students will develop skills in music reading, section playing, theory/harmony, and other essential concepts needed to play jazz and rock. Students are expected to perform in the Winter Concert as well as the Jazz Coffee House in the spring. 

The Flintridge Prep Jazz Band is centered on performing classic repertoire from various styles in jazz. Previous experience playing jazz is not required, although students should be proficient in playing their instrument. Students will develop their music reading, theory/harmonic knowledge, improvisation, section playing, and other fundamental aspects involved in playing in a jazz band. While students are expected to perform in the Winter Concert as well as the Jazz Coffee House in the spring, there may be additional performance opportunities including the Flintridge Prep Family BBQ, as well as off-campus performance opportunities around the community.

This course is open to students with at least two years of playing experience on an orchestral instrument. Students will focus on developing music reading, performance skills, technique, and other fundamental aspects involved in orchestral playing. The students will have the opportunity to perform for the Winter and the Spring concerts on campus. There may also be off-campus performance opportunities around the community. Beyond the orchestra class, all Prep students have the option to join the extracurricular Community Orchestra, which meets once weekly.

AP Music Theory is an advanced level music course. This course focuses on material taught in a first-year college level music theory course. The class is open to students in their junior and senior year. Students must pass an entrance exam prior to enrolling in the course. In order to pass the exam, students should have some knowledge of basic music theory concepts such as key signatures, major scales, and intervals. There are five musical areas that will be examined in the class: music fundamentals, harmonic and melodic analysis, ear training and sight singing, composition, and music terminology. AP Music Theory prepares the student for the AP Music Theory exam, which is taken in the late spring semester.

Students who enroll in this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam.