Performing Arts
Introduction to Acting is a course for students to study the concept of “ensemble” as the foundation of performance. Students will experience the core theatre components and explore their acting and technical preferences, including stage make-up and basic stage combat techniques.
Students taking this course will learn the fundamental skills of technical theatre. This will include shop and stage safety, as well as the basics of set and costume construction, lighting techniques and sound production.
Concert Band members will perform standard works for the high school band and learn fundamental skills in tone production, technique, rhythm, intonation, ensemble playing, sight-reading and musicianship while mastering Grade 2-4 Band Literature. This ensemble will perform public concerts in and outside of school and at the MSHSAA Large Group Festival. Public performances are a requirement of this class.
Jazz Band members will learn the concepts of playing in the jazz style (phrasing, improvisation, articulations, rhythm patterns, and blend). Jazz band classes are an extension of the regular band class. In order to develop the skills necessary to participate in Jazz Band, students must be concurrently enrolled in a band class (except for bass, guitar and piano players). The Jazz Band meets one evening per week.
Chorale provides female and male students with opportunities to develop their singing voice, acquire more competence in sightreading, tone production, intonation, rhythm and ensemble singing. Students will perform a variety of choral compositions of contrasting style, periods and cultures. This ensemble will perform graded public concerts in and outside of the school day. Students enrolled in this course must be aware of the requirements to attend and participate in ALL graded extra rehearsals and public performances.
Music Production & the Recording Arts
This one semester course covers a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, live sound reinforcement, contemporary music theory, and study recording reinforcement.
Intermediate Acting is a course designed for students who wish to develop the craft of acting. Students will work with modern acting theory through advanced scene study. We will study comedic acting, realism, and acting for the camera.
Advanced Drama is a laboratory setting designed for the student interested in all aspects of putting together a production. We will explore choosing a play, the auditioning and casting process, directing, set and costume design elements, stage management, and props. The final will be a performance for a live audience.
Symphonic Band members will perform standard works for the high school band and will further develop skills in tone production, technique, rhythm, intonation, ensemble playing, sight-reading and musicianship. This ensemble will perform public concerts in and outside of school and at the MSHSAA Large Group Festival. Public performances are a requirement of this class.
Concert Orchestra is for students who are interested in performing string orchestra literature. Music from all historical periods will be studied and performed. Fundamentals in scales, rhythm, intonation, shifting positions, ensemble playing and sight-reading will be learned along with performance techniques and musical style.
In this ensemble, students learn and perform advanced choral literature. Music from all historical periods will be studied and performed as well as music from various world cultures. Skills in tone production, intonation, rhythm, ensemble singing and sight-reading will be explored and refined through daily rehearsal. This ensemble will perform public concerts in and outside of school and at the MSHSAA Large Group Festival. Students enrolled in this course must be aware of the requirements to attend and participate in ALL graded extra rehearsals and public performances.
Music Theory is a class in which students learn the basic principles of music theory including scales, chords, 4-part writing, analysis, ear training and composition. Students taking this class must have some previous music background.
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting in the moment and in response to the stimuli of one's immediate environment, fellow actors and inner feelings. Students will learn the basic skills of improvisation for performance and will perform small group and individual scenes using various training techniques such as freeze improv, sketch comedy, stand up, and commedia dell'arte.
The Pioneer Pride Marching Band performs at school assemblies, all home football games (including home playoff games and the state final playoff game), and the Greentree Parade. All percussion students are required to complete an audition in April administered by Kirkwood band teachers to be considered for Marching Drumline the following year. Public performances are a requirement of this class.
Wind Ensemble members will perform standard works for the high school band while developing their skills in tone production, technique, rhythm, intonation, ensemble playing, sight-reading and musicianship while mastering Grade 3-5 Band Literature. This ensemble will perform public concerts in and outside of school and at the MSHSAA Large Group Festival. Public performances are a requirement of this class.
Symphonic Orchestra is for students who are interested in performing symphonic orchestra literature. Music from all historical periods will be studied and performed. Fundamentals in scales, rhythm, and intonation will be enhanced along with performance techniques and musical style. A demanding concentration of the subtleties of performance techniques and musical style is a focus for this group.
Students in Vocal Jazz Ensemble study and perform a wide range of classic and contemporary vocal styles in the vocal jazz idiom. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following concepts: extensive sight-reading at an upper level, practicing and using vocal improvisation, exploration of vocal jazz tone color/quality of production, public performance, studying of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic structure in vocal jazz and popular choral music. Public performances are presented throughout the year and at Major Jazz Festivals.