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Creative Arts, Performing

Recommendation: None

(UC approved “f”)        

Open to all students, this is the beginning choral ensemble of the A Cappella program with an emphasis on the study of choral music literature, vocal techniques and the reading of music from classical to contemporary, pop, jazz, and world.  Students perform in concerts and stage productions throughout the year including the annual PHS Acappella Revue, Holiday and Winter concert programs, and will have the opportunity to advance to Acappella Advanced after this foundation year.  Music reading skills, aural comprehension, and basic music theory concepts are stressed.  A donation for performance attire is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

Recommendation: Vocal ability, prior choral experience and/or permission of teacher

(UC approved “f”)    

An advanced choir experience open to all students desiring to sing with an award-winning nationally recognized choir.  Students participate in choral concerts, the annual PHS A Cappella Revue, tours and competitions, while exploring all types of music, ranging from classical to popular repertoire.  Students must complete A Cappella Girls, A Cappella Boys, or the equivalent.   Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of music theory and continue to develop sight reading skills and aural comprehension.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

Not Offered 2024-2025 School Year 

Recommendation: A Cappella Advanced Choir by audition and/or permission of the instructor by audition

(UC approved “f”)

An advanced choir experience open to all students desiring to sing with an award-winning nationally recognized choir. Students participate in choral concerts, the annual PHS A Cappella Revue, tours and competitions while exploring all types of music, ranging from classical to popular repertoire.  Students must complete A Cappella Girls or A Cappella Boys, and a year of A Cappella Advanced Choir or the equivalent.  Students are grouped with A Cappella Chamber Choir, according to experience, grade level and voice type.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

(UC approved “f”)                

This course introduces students to the fundamental skills and tools that will help them learn to be a confident speaker, listener and actor in theater and in life.  Students build self-awareness, develop their imagination and concentration, recognize their emotional truth, learn acting and character analysis and vocabulary, work in teams, and expand the ability to be fully present in their voice and body within live and filmed projects. Students will also be introduced to the business/managerial careers and will explore portfolio preparation associated with live performances.  No previous experience is required. 

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

Recommendation: Successful completion of Acting I with grade of C or higher

(UC approved “f”)    

This second year of acting expands upon the skills learned in Acting I within the performance and technical disciplines within live and filmed projects.  Students study, prepare and perform scenes in various acting styles such as Greek tragedy, contemporary realism, and Wilde’s British comedies.  Students continue learning audition techniques and cold reading strategies, and they write and perform their own monologues and scenes in order to make connections between their lives and society.          

  • Elective
  • Year-long

Recommendation: B- or above in Acting I or II, and approval of teacher 

(UC approved “f”)  

This course applies the skills in theatrical performance learned in Acting or Stage Production to create project-based performance in theater, musical theater, film and/or video production in the form of a fall and spring play.  Students will prepare audition or direction portfolios, learn business/managerial skills and participate in plays from rehearsals through performance as actors and/or backstage technicians for at least two productions.  They will also understand/develop a professional career plan. 

  • Elective
  • Year-long

Recommendation: B- or above in Acting I or II, and approval of teacher 

(UC approved “f”)  

This course applies the skills in theatrical performance learned in Acting or Stage Production to create project-based performance in theater, musical theater, film and/or video production in the form of a fall and spring play.  Students will prepare audition or direction portfolios, learn business/managerial skills and participate in plays from rehearsals through performance as actors and/or backstage technicians for at least two productions.  They will also understand/develop a professional career plan.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

AP Music Theory is offered every other year and will be next offered in 2025-2026.

Recommendation:  Ability to read music in treble and bass clef, and approval of instructor

(UC approved “f”)

Students must have instrumental or vocal experience for this course in music composition, harmony, scales, keys, intervals, formal analysis, ear training, and structure of music.  This course includes a historical survey of music literature, of the medieval, renaissance, classical, romantic, jazz and 20th century styles.  Students prepare for the Advanced Placement exam in Music Theory; the AP exam is optional.  Students write and perform a final composition or prepare a lecture on historical style, performance practice, or overview of a major work.

  • AP
  • Elective
  • Year-long

Recommendation:  Successful completion of a full year of both Beginning and Intermediate Dance.

All Advanced Dance class members are required to participate in the dance productions.  This class fulfills the Visual/Performing Arts OR the Physical Education requirement for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.

(UC approved “f”)    

New for 2024-2025: Juniors and seniors enrolled in Advanced Dance for two semesters have the opportunity to be inducted into National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program. (Note the prerequisites for enrollment in Advanced Dance.) The National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The Mission of the NHSDA is to recognize outstanding Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement in students studying dance in public and private schools in K-12 education, dance studios, performing arts organizations, and colleges / universities.

The Advanced dancers will focus primarily on performance preparation while continuing to strengthen technique and pursue mastery in multiple dance genres.  As part of the process of becoming more sophisticated choreographers, all advanced students will choreograph at least one complete dance piece, and all will perform in works choreographed by their peers as well as the instructor.  Audition techniques as well as performance preparation and dramatic expression are emphasized. All dance class members will be cast in the ensemble of the annual PHS/MHS musical, if they wish, without auditioning.  The musical is extracurricular and not a requirement of the dance class.  If interested in anything other than an ensemble of the musical, students will need to go through the audition process.  A donation towards costume and materials is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

This beginning dance class, if taken by freshmen, will fulfill students' Visual/Performing Arts requirement but not their Physical Education requirement.  If taken by 10th-12th graders, it fulfills Physical Education OR Visual/Performing Arts requirement.  

(UC approved “f”)

This course introduces students to the art of dance and is designed for all students with or without previous experience. The course covers the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, world dance, social dance, and musical theatre dance. Students will develop body awareness, proper alignment, motor efficiency, strength, flexibility, coordination, the ability to perform simple to more complex dance sequences, and the ability to memorize choreography. Students build skills in the execution of dance vocabulary, demonstrate an understanding of the processes and techniques used in creating and performing dance works, and ultimately create sequences of original choreography to be performed in both the Fall and Spring dance concerts, which showcase individual creativity.  All Beginning Dance class members will perform in the dance productions.  All dance class members will be cast in the ensemble of the annual PHS/MHS musical, if they wish, without auditioning. The musical is extracurricular and not a requirement of the dance class. If interested in anything other than an ensemble of the musical, students will need to go through the audition process. A donation towards costumes and materials is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

This beginning dance class, if taken by 9th graders, will fulfill your Visual/Performing Arts requirement but not their Physical Education requirement.  If taken by 10th-12th graders, it fulfills the Physical Education OR Visual/Performing Arts requirement.  

(UC approved “f”)    

This course introduces students to the art of dance and is designed for all students with or without previous experience. The course covers the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, world dance, social dance, and musical theatre dance. Students will develop body awareness, proper alignment, motor efficiency, strength, flexibility, coordination, the ability to perform simple to more complex dance sequences, and the ability to memorize choreography. Students build skills in the execution of dance vocabulary, demonstrate an understanding of the processes and techniques used in creating and performing dance works, and ultimately create original dance works to be performed in both the Fall and Spring dance concerts, which showcase individual creativity.  All Beginning Dance class members will perform in the dance productions. All dance class members will be cast in the ensemble of the annual PHS/MHS musical, if they wish, without auditioning. The musical is extracurricular and not a requirement of the dance class. If interested in anything other than an ensemble of the musical, students will need to go through the audition process. A donation towards costumes and materials is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Semester

Recommendation:  Successful completion of Beginning Dance or 9th grade PE with Ms. Moorhead.

This class fulfills the Visual/Performing Arts OR the Physical Education requirement for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.

(UC approved “f”)

This course emphasizes development of dance technique including strength, flexibility, alignment, movement quality, ability to perform more complex dance sequences, and dramatic expression in multiple dance genres such as jazz, contemporary, and ballet. Dancers will continue to increase their knowledge and skill level in hip hop, historical and world dance, yoga, and Pilates. Choreographic skills develop sophistication and a growing awareness of theme; students choreograph original, complete dance works to be performed in Fall and Spring dance concerts.  All Intermediate Dance class members will perform in the dance productions.  All dance class members will be cast in the ensemble of the annual PHS/MHS musical, if they wish, without auditioning.  The musical is extracurricular and not a requirement of the dance class.  If interested in anything other than an ensemble of the musical, students will need to go through the audition process.  A donation towards costumes and materials is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

(UC approved “f”)

This course will train students in the use and management of the various elements of technical production during a theatrical performance.  These elements include the basic construction techniques for stage property and scenery, the movement of sets, scenery or lighting equipment, the management and distribution of stage properties, directing, stage management etc.  Students will also be taught to manage the complex support tasks that are involved in a performance.  They will explore apprenticeship and career training.  This course can also integrate theater skills either for the career-oriented theater student, or for someone who wants to translate theater production skills into other careers (e.g. graphic design, writing, fashion, sound design, etc.).  Much of the class will be hands-on project-based learning tailored to the students’ interests and needs of the current productions with opportunities to explore apprenticeship and career training. 

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

Recommendation:  3 years of experience on your instrument and audition with instructor; Completion of one year of Symphonic Band or concurrent enrollment

(UC approved “f”)

This course provides students with an opportunity to explore multiple musical styles including swing, Latin, rock, and funk in a performance-based setting.  Students learn and practice jazz theory and improvisation and perform together in several concerts and festivals.  This course also provides learning opportunities in the areas of jazz and rock history, recording arts, and composing/arranging.  All instruments are encouraged to audition including guitar, bass, keyboard, and drum set.  If you are hoping to take this class, please contact the teacher for further information and recommendations regarding this course and audition information.  A donation for performance attire and instrument repair is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Year-long

10th grade only  Recommendation: Advanced 7th/8th Grade Orchestra or permission of instructor

(UC approved “f”)    

This course provides a diverse instrumental experience for advanced string musicians.  A variety of musical styles are studied, culminating in several required performances throughout the year.  Two concerts are performed with the Middle School in the Winter and Spring.  Participation in the school musical is an optional opportunity for students interested in collaborating with band and vocal musicians.  A donation for performance attire and instrument repair  is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Semester

Recommendation: Advanced 7th/8th Grade Orchestra or permission of instructor

(UC approved “f”)

This course provides a diverse instrumental experience for advanced string musicians.  A variety of musical styles are studied, culminating in several required performances throughout the year.  Two concerts are performed with the Middle School in the Winter and Spring.  Participation in the school musical is an optional opportunity for students interested in collaborating with band and vocal musicians.  A donation for instrument loans and instrument repair is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

Recommendation: Advanced 7th/8th Grade Band or recommendation of instructor

(UC approved “f”)

A concert band experience for wind and percussion musicians, including several required performances.  Pep Band is also a component of this course and all students enrolled in the Symphonic Band are also members of the Pep Band.  Students perform in concerts, tour, and festival settings, and have the opportunity to participate in chamber music ensembles.  Students are encouraged to develop their performing and listening skills by playing a variety of musical styles ranging from popular to classical.  A donation for performance attire and instrument repair is requested during online registration and can be made in Infinite Campus in the Fees section.

  • Elective
  • Open to 9th Graders
  • Year-long

Faculty

Amy Moorhead
Dance, Musical Theater
Trevor Meseroll
Music
Kim Taylor
Drama, website
Samantha Wilde
Orchestra