The CHAMPS Performing Arts Academy is oriented toward developing professional performers. This means training the gifted, motivated student so that he/she becomes a refined and responsive instrument attuned to the demands of the performing arts. An artist cannot be forced into maturity. The complex process requires time, good training and personal resources that include the serious involvement of the student and the parent.
It is our dream at CHAMPS Performing Arts Academy to create a world-class arts program with the highest of standards. It takes the efforts of administrators, teachers, students, parents, friends and lovers of the arts to make it a reality.
THE CONCEPT
The CHAMPS Performing Arts Academy was founded to meet the needs of young people who are interested in the arts. Its purpose is to give students with potential and ability the opportunity to acquire the proper instruction and professional training in the arts. The course of study aims to:
1) Train students in the arts
2) Prepare the student for continued study in the arts in colleges or professional schools or conservatories.
3) To prepare students for a teaching career in the arts.
4) To provide cultural enrichment that comes from an understanding and appreciation of the many facets of the arts
All students who have been accepted into the Performing Arts Academy are required to take 4 periods of their performing arts major, along with 4 or 5 periods of academic classes per day. All Performing Arts courses are required and sequential. No exceptions. All Academy students must maintain an academic average of C or above to remain in the Performing Arts Academy. If a student’s academic average drops below a C average, that student will be placed on probation until his/her grades are raised. During this probation period, the student is not allowed to perform in shows or attend field trips that are associated with the Performing Arts Academy. If a student does not raise his/her grades above a C average by the beginning the next quarter, her/she will be asked to leave the Academy. Academics are a priority in the Performing Arts Academy.
Performing Arts Academy students are not permitted to work professionally in the entertainment industry while they are students of CHAMPS Charter High School.
DRAMA ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS
The Drama Department is a professional training program for students talented in acting. The vocational purpose of the training is to develop the student's instrument and to teach skills and techniques on which the actor can rely. The focus is on Theatre preparation through courses in acting, voice and diction, physical techniques, Theatre history and script analysis, in order to prepare students for professional careers in stage, film and television, as well as entrance into Theatre, Speech and Communications Departments of colleges, universities and conservatories.
•Pass all of the required courses
•Drama Comprehensive Exam: Passing grade
DRAMA ACADEMY COURSES
All of the following courses are required and sequential
Active and consistent participation in class work is essential for completion of each course. Most courses require performance projects as well as written research/analytical assignments or projects.
Note: After school rehearsals are required for all performance classes.
Acting
Acting provides techniques derived primarily from the principles developed by Stanislavski. Students must complete and pass the full-year course of Acting in order to be promoted to the next year's level.
In the Freshman and Sophomore acting classes students explore and develop their instruments. They learn basic acting technique, beginning with work on self. These techniques are then applied to plays in scene work involving characters close to self.
The Junior acting class introduces the concept of extension of self; students must go outside of self for the source of creating character. Students work on character stretches that are far from self, in scenes from modern Theatre, children's Theatre, classical Theatre, absurdist Theatre, and farce.
Senior acting is the production year where the student actors apply their three years of acquired skills and techniques in working on scripted material with a director for invited audiences and public performances. Students learn ensemble acting and how to maintain a "life" on stage when they do not have lines. They work on large group scenes (four or more on stage at a time), in a fully mounted/professionally designed production, and on scenes for Showcase presented to invited casting directors and agents.
Voice and Diction
Voice and Diction training gives the actor an instrument capable of producing and projecting sound in a healthy manner, as well as articulating clearly in performance.
In the Freshman class the focus is on freeing the natural voice, increasing resonance, articulation of consonants and blends, proper placement, and ear training in addition to proper breathing, support and projection in voice production.
The Sophomore class includes all of the above, adding articulation of new consonants and shaping vowels and diphthongs. Students are introduced to Eastern Standard Speech (to expand their character options in addition to working on clarity of speech when using their own regionalisms).
The Junior class enhances all of the above (especially projection), introducing techniques for vocal text interpretation of verse and more advanced elevated speech. Students experiment with sound and are introduced to dialects.
Senior class prepares the vocal instrument for public performance. Breathing, projection, and support are done for specific scripted stage work. Work is also done on accents and
dialects for characters. In addition, each senior prepares a voice-over tape (in conjunction with Audition Technique class).
Physical Techniques Freshman class presents a series of exercises adapted from various styles of dance movement that are natural to all body types and designed to facilitate the execution of specific actions that require increased range of motion, considerable strength, and moderate coordination. A basic vocabulary of movement is introduced in conjunction with definite rhythmical patterns to expose students to a practical method used in obtaining knowledge of dance. The first year establishes a foundation for a basic technique in contemporary dance and tap dance.
Sophomore class furthers the student's experience of dance through the implementation of modern, jazz and rhythm tap dance
Junior class develops classical techniques, which promotes strength, flexibility, control, endurance, coordination, and artistic expression as well as expand one's knowledge of movement terminology and ballet terminology. Senior class concentrates on techniques that will help portray expressive movements that exhibit a performer with versatility and style. Students learn approaches to interpretation and identification with certain musical qualities. Focus is on Theatre Dance as a means of gaining experience with floor, spatial, and rhythmical patterns as well as design, character, and showmanship.
Improvisation. (Freshmen and Sophomores)
Improvisation stimulates and develops imagination, spontaneity, creative risk-taking, responsiveness and ensemble skills through individual as well as group Theatre and problem solving improvisation exercises.
Stage Craft. (Sophomores)
Stagecraft is an overview of Theatre for actors. Students become acquainted with the workings of professional Theatre. They learn actor and Theatre terminology, history of the development of acting principles, lines of authority in the Theatre, periodicals, books, and other source material about the field, professional Theatre organization, and an introduction to the business of Theatre. In addition, they learn to begin to think about plays as actors preparing for rehearsals or auditions. In the sophomore year, students acquire an overview of Theatre history that connects purpose, physical design, acting style, and plays performed throughout the ages.
Music Theory - Theory 1 (Sophomores)
This is the first in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. Topics in this course will include all major and minor keys, diatonic triads and their inversions, and the V7 chord and its inversions. Students will also begin four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Play Analysis for Character Study. (Juniors)
Play analysis teaches the actor an approach to analyze scripts for playing characters. Students learn how to: distinguish text from subtext, distinguish between literary analysis and acting analysis, analyze scripts as actor's "homework" to prepare for work on roles, find textual clues about characters, find textual clues for actors in Shakespeare verse and in farce/comedy scripts.
Make-up. (Juniors)
Make-up teaches the principles of facial anatomy, color, shading, as well as techniques for applying corrective, middle age, old age, character, and expressionistic make-up. Students learn to apply make-up on themselves and on classmates.
Voice - Musical Theater. (Juniors)
Musical theatre surveys the history of musical Theatre featuring behind-the-scenes work on Broadway musicals. Students learn the basics of sight-reading, breathing, and vocalizing. Students sing songs in groups, trios, duets, and solo from musicals to learn to apply all acting techniques to songs. Students work on at least one duet, one upbeat song, and one ballad during the term to learn to act a song.
Audition Technique. (Seniors)
Audition technique introduces and teaches practical application of the techniques necessary for successful auditioning for commercials, industrials, film, voice-overs, musicals, and stage. In addition, the actor learns how to work with the camera.
Career Management. (Seniors)
Career management equips actors with skills and knowledge as to how to be working actors. Students are introduced to various job opportunities in Theatre, film, and media where they can apply the skills and techniques they have learned in our program. Students acquire practical professional information about unions, agents, resumes, pictures, interviews, and their options after graduation. Students meet visiting working professionals from Theatre, film, television, and radio, who speak about their fields and answer students' questions.
DANCE ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS
Each Dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach with a double period ballet class and a double period modern class per day. Supplementary courses include, dance history for sophomores, choreography and Theatre dance for juniors, and career management for seniors. All courses are required and sequential. Students must participate in summer dance programs to maintain their level of training.
All instructors have danced professionally with major dance companies, Broadway shows, on television and in film.
DANCE ACADEMY COURSES Freshman Year
Ballet 1
The study of classical ballet with emphasis on the fundamental basics of technique. Ballet 1 students will have achieved correct body placement and alignment. They will have built muscle strength and flexibility as well as increasing self-discipline and artistic expression.
Modern 1
An introduction to the concept of modern dance through the technique developed by Martha Graham, Lester Horton and other dance masters.
Tap Dance 1
The study of the basics of this vernacular dance form. Students will be expected to master tap vocabulary, techniques of rhythmic clarity and use of weight shift, traditional steps such as the Shim Sham, Soft Shoe, and Time Steps, as well as learn different stylistic approaches from musical Theatre tap to rhythm tap.
Sophomore Year
Ballet 2 Applying technical foundations while increasing the physical and technical demands of classical ballet. Ballet vocabulary and terminology are expanded. Ballet 2 students are expected to master double pirouettes, and perform strong pointe work.
Modern 2
Further development of the Graham technique, Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham and other dance masters of modern dance. Emphasis is placed on increased technical strength and vocabulary.
Tap Dance 2
Further the development of musical theater and rhythm tap techniques. Study the art of tap improvisation, and the various styles of past and present day hoofers.
Dance History
An exploration of the history of both ballet and modern dance with an emphasis on guest artist/teachers who not only introduce various techniques, Limon, Taylor, Hawkins, Cunningham, and Tharp, but also teach repertory.
Drama A
In acting classes students explore and develop their instruments. They learn basic acting technique, beginning with work on self. These techniques are then applied to plays in scene work involving characters close to self.
Music Theory - Theory 1
This is the first in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. Topics in this course will include all major and minor keys, diatonic triads and their inversions, and the V7 chord and its inversions. Students will also begin four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Junior Year Ballet 3
The extension of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on virtuosity and preparation for the stage. Ballet 3 students are expected to know all terminology and maintain an intermediate to advanced level class.
Modern 3
The study of intermediate-advanced work added to previous work learned in Graham, Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham technique and other dance masters of modern dance in freshman and sophomore years. Also expected is the ability to execute complex technical and musical combinations with knowledge of stage and musical terms.
Tap Dance 3
Continue to master the art of improvisation with an emphasis on clarity and speed. Explore the musicianship of tap rhythms coupled with music from around the globe.
Theatre Dance
Jazz and Musical Theatre Technique. The study of American jazz techniques as used in commercial Theatre, film, and television.
Drama B
In acting class students explore and develop their instruments. They learn basic acting technique, beginning with work on self. These techniques are then applied to plays in scene work involving characters close to self. Music Theory 2
Prerequisite: Theory 1 or equivalent.
This course is the second in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. This course is a continuation of topics covered in theory 1 and also includes secondary dominants, modal borrowing, and an introduction to species counterpoint. Students will also continue to hone skills in four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Choreography Workshop
The study of basic rhythmic, spatial and dynamic materials used in the designing of dance. The study of composition, dynamics, musical and choreographic devices, styles and techniques as it applies to the choreographic art. Students will explore the fundamentals of choreography for film. From short simple works, the student/choreographer will progress to larger pieces and produce a complete work for evaluation by the dance faculty and formal presentation during the senior year at the annual Dance Showcase.
Senior Year
Ballet 4
Advanced study of classical ballet with an emphasis on stage technique and performance. Ballet 4 students are expected to maintain an advanced/professional level class and to perform the corresponding technique.
Modern 4
The study of advanced Graham, Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham and other dance masters of modern dance with an emphasis on stage technique and performance, and audition experience learned through experience in school auditions conducted by guest choreographers. Students are expected to be responsible for arranging after-school activities around needs of dance department and to know their own rehearsal schedules, costume fittings, and photography shoots.
Voice - Musical Theater.
Musical theatre surveys the history of musical Theatre featuring behind-the-scenes work on Broadway musicals. Students learn the basics of sight-reading, breathing, and vocalizing. Students sing songs in groups, trios, duets, and solo from musicals to learn to apply all acting techniques to songs. Students work on at least one duet, one upbeat song, and one ballad during the term to learn to act a song.
Career Management
The dancer's professional career, including contracts, unions, auditions, resumes, headshots, and self-produced concerts. Alternative careers within the field of dance are explored through the use of guest speakers.
MUSIC ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS
The Music Academy offers vocal music, music theory, piano, guitar, percussion, jazz band, and recording technology. Students in the Music Academy for the 2008-2009 school year, will receive a demanding college-level education. Our goal is to prepare our graduates for professional careers and the continuation of their studies at the nation's leading conservatories and universities. In addition to the rigorous coursework required to graduate, music students must pass individual performance exams and studio exams at the end of the third year. Due to limited campus space during this 2008-2009 school year, Instrumental classes such as string, winds, and brass, will not be offered until the 2009-2010 school year.
MUSIC ACADEMY COURSES
Freshman / Sophomore Year
VOCAL MUSIC COURSES Sightsinging 1
A required course. This entry-level course is designed for all incoming vocal students with little or no knowledge of the materials of music. All entering vocal majors must take and pass this course. Topics discussed include: notes, staff, treble and bass clefs, key signatures with up to four sharps and flats, corresponding scales, simple intervals, sol-fa system. Students will use this knowledge to sing simple melodic lines using the sol-fa system and learn to write simple melodies in the music language as they are played on an instrument of choice. Creative work will also be encouraged. This course is for one term and given in the fall.
Sightsinging 2
A required course. This is a continuation of Sightsinging 1 Students will continue sightsinging using the sol-fa system. They will also continue melodic dictation on the next level. By the end of the semester, all key signatures and major scales will have been covered. Interval dictation will be added. Students will also begin to learn about major, minor, augmented and diminished triads in all major keys and be able to sing them. Creative work will also be encouraged. This course is for one term and given in the spring.
VOCAL ENSEMBLES Elementary Chorus
A required introductory chorus for all freshmen. Students will study basic reading skills and methodologies that will prepare them for more advanced choral study. Standard repertoire will be studied and performed.
Mixed Chorus
An intermediate chorus. Students will advance reading and learning methods as well as musical comprehension that will be used in Senior Chorus. Portions of major works and standard choral repertoire will be studied and performed.
PIANO COURSES Beginning Piano
A required course for all freshmen and incoming sophomores. Students will study basic piano techniques, sight-reading and musical comprehension. These skills will serve as a foundation for their continued musical study.
Intermediate Piano
An elective course for students who wish to advance their basic piano skills. Sight-reading, simple transposition and analysis of intermediate works will be studied and performed.
MUSIC THEORY Theory 1
This is the first in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. Topics in this course will include all major and minor keys, diatonic triads and their inversions, and the V7 chord and its inversions. Students will also begin four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Theory 2
Prerequisite: Theory 1 or equivalent.
This course is the second in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. This course is a continuation of topics covered in theory 1 and also includes secondary dominants, modal borrowing, and an introduction to species counterpoint. Students will also continue to hone skills in four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Recording Technology
This course provides a comprehensive studio experience for all students including music production, engineering, musicianship, properties of sound, and the history of sound recording. Students also learn recording techniques via hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment. Open to all students. Provides students with hands-on experience using computers, keyboards, and synthesizers as a tool to create music. The course also offers a comprehensive study of the history of electronic music, MIDI, the properties of sound and basic recording technology.
Jazz Improvisation
Study of the basic approach to improvisation through the study and playing of compositions, chords, and scales. The study and understanding of jazz forms in the combo setting and a strong emphasis on time, meter, jazz swing feel, and the ability to work together. All instrumental and vocal students are invited and there is no audition required.
Tap Dance 1 & 2
The study of the basics of this vernacular dance form. Students will be expected to master tap vocabulary, techniques of rhythmic clarity and use of weight shift. They will explore the syncopation of rhythm tap and its musical significance.
Dance 1& 2
This class will present a series of exercises adapted from various styles of dance movement that are natural to all body types and designed to facilitate the execution of specific actions that require increased range of motion, considerable strength, and moderate coordination. A basic vocabulary of movement is introduced in conjunction with definite rhythmical patterns to expose students to a practical method used in obtaining knowledge of dance.
PROJECTED MUSIC COURSES 2009-2010 School Years
STRINGS COURSES
Strings 1
This course is open to beginning violin and viola students who have passed the preliminary audition on piano, guitar, or another instrument not ordinarily used in a symphony orchestra. It is a one-year course designed to acquaint students with the rudiments of violin or viola technique in the first position. Emphasis is on developing proper technique, pitch discrimination and posture.
Strings 2
This is a course open to beginning violin, cello or bass students who have passed the preliminary audition on piano or guitar, or on another instrument not ordinarily used in the symphony orchestra. It is a one-year course designed to acquaint students with the rudiments of cello or bass technique in the first position, later in higher positions as the students become more proficient. Emphasis is on developing proper technique, pitch discrimination, and posture.
Strings 3
This one-year course is open to violin and viola students who have complete Strings 1 or the equivalent. They will continue to expand their technique to include playing in all keys, using more advanced bow techniques, and they will learn to shift to positions two through five. Vibrato will be introduced in the second semester.
Strings 4
This one-year course is open to cello and bass students who have completed Strings 2 or the equivalent. They will continue to expand their technique to include playing in all keys, using more advanced bow techniques, and they will learn to shift up to the fourth position. Vibrato will be introduced in the second semester.
Strings 6
This two-semester course is open to string minors who have completed Strings 3, Strings 4, and Orchestra 5, and to string majors whose entrance exams indicate that they are at a comparable level of technical proficiency. Students will learn etudes and will do scale studies with the goal of giving them facility in playing over the entire range of their instruments. They will continue to shape their vibrates and to expand their bow techniques. In the second semester, they will add concertos or other solo works appropriate to their skills.
Strings 7
This two-semester course is a string ensemble repertoire class for higher intermediate and lower advanced students. They will perform at the Winter Musicale and the Spring Musicale.
String Ensemble 8
This two-semester course is open to the most advanced violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists. They will study and perform challenging works from the string ensemble repertoire with an emphasis on style and interpretation. They will perform in concerts throughout the year, including the Semi-Annual Concerts.
Theory 3
Prerequisite: Theory 1 and 2 or equivalent.
Third in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony, Theory 3 is a continuation of topics covered in Theory 1 and 2, and also includes modulation to related and distant keys, chromatic harmony, and introduction to 20th century compositional techniques. Students will continue to hone skills in four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
Girls' Chorus
Skills learned in this course will ultimately prepare students for membership in Senior Chorus. Through a wide variety of challenging repertoires for two- to eight-part treble chorus, students will expand range, improve sightreading ability, and develop vocal skills, which include posture, vocal placement, breathing, and intonation. One semester of this course satisfies one of the five chorus requirements for vocal majors.
Senior Chorus
The most advanced chorus that studies and performs major choral masterpieces. Entrance into the chorus is through audition and teacher recommendation.
Solo Voice
This class is for the advanced vocal student. Students will perform solo repertoire from major choral masterpieces with the Senior Chorus. Entrance is by audition only.
Opera Workshop
A year-long course with admission by audition or recommendation. An appropriate opera, operetta, or operatic excerpt will be studies in class, both solo and ensemble parts, and performed in a production in the spring term. After-school rehearsals are required.
Audition Prep
Vocal students examine the audition process in various aspects of the music and entertainment industry: opera, Theatre, recording, and commercial work; also planning for auditioning for admission to colleges and music conservatories. Business aspects of the music industry, and preparation and formatting of resumes and publicity material, will be taught. Regular mock auditions are conducted, with feedback from auditioners.
