Upper School Performing Arts

Concert Band:  (Year-long course) A performance organization open to all interested students from beginning to advanced levels.  In addition to rehearsing as a group, the students will study a specific instrument. The Concert Band will perform throughout the year both on and off campus and may also provide opportunities to perform as a soloist.  The group performs standard concert band literature and other styles including:  classical, show tunes, marches, contemporary and pop/rock.

Jazz Band:  (Year-long course) A select performance group consisting of the standard jazz band instrumentation.  Students are selected by audition in the fall. Students auditioning on brass, saxophone, or percussion must be members of the Concert Band.  The repertoire performed includes:  big band, blues, swing, funk, Latin and rock. The Jazz Band performs several times throughout the year both on and off campus.

Concert Choir:  (Year-long course) This performance group is a non-select chorus which is open to all men and women interested in singing.  The group performs standard choral literature representing all styles of music. Concert Choir provides several opportunities to perform on and off campus throughout the year. This choir will also perform selections that will feature certain sections, such as songs just for the women or the men.

Vocal Ensemble:  (Year-long course) A smaller vocal group of select members. Interested students will audition to join this group. The Vocal Ensemble offers many opportunities to sing both on and off campus throughout the year.  The repertoire includes: a cappella selections, madrigals, contemporary music, and classical music. Vocal Ensemble members must also be members of the Concert Choir.

Music Theory:  (Trimester course) This one-trimester class is designed for serious music students who wish to enhance their knowledge through detailed analysis of music composition and basic compositional techniques. Students entering this course must have a good working knowledge of music reading and performing. Not offered every year; based on interest.

Stage Door Drama: (Summer 2010)This course was designed to offer Sanford School students the opportunity to fulfill the required course study to receive credit as a Performing Arts class. This is a high energy, fun filled acting class focusing on enhancing creativity, self expression, teamwork and self confidence.  Using theatre games, exercises, and music, students will learn and practice acting techniques such as improvisation, projection, stage direction, stage movement, and basic theatre/rehearsal etiquette.  We will then use these skills to progress into scene work, monologues, and audition technique. Notice that this course is one week for four hours per day.  Offered in summer school 2010.   

Public Speaking:  (Trimester course)This is a hands-on course, focusing on the most fundamental and practical speaking techniques, rather than parliamentary procedure, debate, or other specialized speaking skills.  Initially, we will isolate the primary vocal, visual and verbal skills, exploring articulation, pitch and inflection, gestures, eye contact, speech formats, and organization.  Students perform several exercises that are pertinent to each area.  Following this introduction, students will deliver several common types of speeches, including demonstration, informative, persuasive, and impromptu. Offered through the English department.

Upper School Curriculum

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