What is Ballet Class?

The study of any pas  (step) in classical ballet is approached gradually from its rough, schematic form to the expressive dance. The same gradation exists in the mastering of the whole art of the dance, from its first steps to the finished dance on stage.

The lesson does not unfold immediately as whole but develops through exercises at the barre and centre to adagio and allegro. Beginners start with exercises at the barre and center only in their simplest forms, without any variations.

Simple combinations at the barre are then brought to, and repeated in, the centre. Basic poses are studied. Further, easy adagio and port de bras are added. 

Complexity is brought in by combinations of movements, into which we introduce with the arms. In this manner we gradually come to the combined, complicated dance. All movements  in their most elementary form are done on relevé ( demi or point)  then turns and jumps are brought into combinations. 

Barré exercise takes about 30 min and includes combinations of: Plié, Battement Tendu,Battement Jeté, Ronds de Jambe Par TerreBattement Fondu, Battement Frappe, Rond de Jambe en l'Air,  Battement Developpé, Beating Battements and Grand Battements

Centre: Epaulement, 9 positions of the body, Aplomb, Port de Bras, Poses, Connecting and auxiliary  movements, Turns from positions and traveling( En Dehors and en Dedans),

Allegro is foundation of the dance, its intricacy and the bound of future perfection. The dance as a whole is built on allegro. It becomes more and more complicated as students master their basic technique.

- Based on A.V. Vaganova's "Basic Principles of Classical Ballet" 

Students Applying to Classical Ballet Should Consider the Following
Interests and Skill Sets:

Students enrolled in the Band Major experience music through studying music theory, composition, and performance. Band Majors develop skills to perform and create music both individually and collaboratively in order to showcase their talents and knowledge. Our students perform in seasonal concerts, competitions with local programs, and in-school showcases to display their efforts.

Within the program, the instrumental music department nurtures hard work, focus, and dedication to students at all levels of musicianship.

Majors Teacher: Ms. Barton & Ms. McWilliams

Students Applying to Concert Band Should Consider the Following
Interests and Skill Sets:

The Contemporary Dance Major is designed to meet the needs of the talented dancer who is considering a professional career in dance. The curriculum is centered on technical proficiency, artistic development, and academic ideologies as related to contemporary dance practices.

The program seeks to train dedicated dancers with attention to the whole being. Students consider their roles as dance artists, choreographers, philosophers, dance historians, and dance anthropologists. Students must participate in performances. Along with this exposure, they learn professional development tactics to sustain longevity in dance within their career at school and beyond. The Major is offered to students in grades sixth through twelfth.

Majors will be assessed and placed in their appropriate level according to their technical ability. Beginner dancers will be exposed to classical ballet as well as contemporary dance to build a strong technical foundation. Intermediate dancers will learn Horton and Graham techniques and begin to explore dance improvisation and composition with opportunities to explore choreography.All students will study modern and contemporary dance history, vocabulary and terminology. All Contemporary dance students will perform in the Winter Dance Presentation and the Spring Contemporary Dance Concert.

Our mission and goals all play an integral role in developing our students' knowledge of movement philosophies, vocabulary, styles, and dynamic range; they gain confidence and maturity as performing artists and become better prepared for careers in dance.

 Majors Teacher: Ms. Vogt

Students Applying to Contemporary Dance Should Consider the Following Interests and Skill Sets:

In the Orchestra Major, students develop an understanding of fundamental music concepts. These concepts include form, theory, and composition. The Instrumental Faculty embrace the individuality of the students’ talents and offer students opportunities to express their musical styles both in class and on stage.

There is emphasis on performance and professional experience.  Orchestra Majors perform in at least three concerts each school year, in addition to outreach and masterclass experience with professional musicians. 

All students entering sixth grade are placed in our Youth Orchestra Ensemble.  In Youth Orchestra, students learn and reinforce fundamentals of not only note/rhythm reading, but also good techniques of ensemble performance.  After this, students progress through the Symphony Orchestra and later onto our top performing group, Concert Orchestra. Placement in these groups is based on skill level.  

Our program is intensive and performance based, and prioritizes student performance in concerts and outreach events throughout the school year. Starting in the fall, majors perform a Halloween concert, followed by the Winter Concert.  At the end of February, students perform in our Black Excellence Concert and then the Music in Our Schools Month Concert in March. The school year ends with the Spring Concert and a Music in the Parks competition trip.  Students also perform for the high school graduation ceremony. 

Majors Teacher: Mr. Rosa

Students Applying to String Orchestra Should Consider the Following
Interests and Skill Sets:

In the Theatre Major, students refine the basic concepts of theatre arts and use various creative acting techniques to build confidence, stimulate imagination, and role play.

Through theatre games and various exercises, students lose their inhibitions and gain trust in themselves as well as their fellow Theatre Majors. Students also learn and utilize theatre vocabulary, and discuss various genres. In class discussions, they learn the timeline and origin of theatre using Greek Theatre for historical perspective. Students are trained in many aspects of theatre, including: stage make-up, costuming, and props.

Drama skills are refined through various creative drama techniques to build ensemble. They are taught to direct their focus, intent, and motivation to create and sustain a character. We focus on realistic acting, commanding an audience, and developing stage presence. Looking to the future, we also educate our students on how to audition and what is to be expected  from them when they are preparing for a performance. 

Theatre Majors utilize all of these skills learned throughout the year and apply them to a variety of performances. 

Students Applying to Theatre Should Consider the Following
Interests and Skill Sets:

Students enrolled in the Vocal Music Major learn repertoire from many genres of music and develop a respect and appreciation for the art of choral singing.  Through the refinement of their technique, students increase their ability to identify the components of musical sound and enhance their performing capabilities.Students become musically literate through the study of music theory and familiar with the choral traditions of many cultures and eras of music history.  Vocal Music Majors perform throughout the school year, and participation in these performances is required. Students perform both at school and in venues throughout the city of Philadelphia.

Vocal Music Majors progress through the choirs in the program by grade level. 

The Treble Choir is made up of all 6th grade Vocal Majors. In this ensemble, students learn the basic musicianship skills and vocal technique needed to progress through the program. Students also spend time learning the norms and expectations of both the school and the choral program.
 

The Junior Chorale is for vocal majors in 7th-9th grade and is our intermediate-level ensemble for mixed voices. Students build upon the foundational skills learned in Treble Choir while taking on the challenge of more advanced repertoire, often singing in three or four parts. Students also spend time learning about the changing voice and how to successfully continue singing through young adolescence.
 

The Senior Chorale is for vocal majors in the 9th-12th grade and is our advanced performing ensemble. This ensemble studies and performs repertoire at the highest level while also exploring individual vocal development and expression. Singers in this ensemble are eligible to audition for All-City Choir as well as for Concert Choir.
 

Concert Choir is our auditioned chamber ensemble for mixed voices, and students from all majors are eligible to audition.  Concert Choir performs and competes frequently, and members of the choir often must work outside of rehearsal to prepare the challenging and exciting repertoire. Concert Choir has won many prestigious honors including first place in the high school division of B101’s 2019 Christmas Choir Competition. 

All choirs perform in annual Winter and Spring Concerts as part of the vocal major. However, each choir also performs several times throughout the year at performances celebrating various occasions, often including Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Black Excellence Month, and Music in Our Schools Month. Attendance at all performances- during the school day, in the evening, and on weekends- is required for members of all choirs. 

Students Applying to Vocal Music Should Consider the Following
Interests and Skill Sets: