Performing Arts
The fine arts program at The Master's School offers a wide array of required and elective classes in art, music and drama. For Lower School students, weekly music classes in all grades are supplemented by instrumental lessons, ensembles, and choir for third through sixth graders. Children in fifth and sixth grades can join Middle School students for the annual play. A diverse program in the visual arts introduces children to a spectrum of artistic media and includes an introduction to great artists from the past.
In the Upper and Middle Schools, visual art subjects include drawing, painting, color theory, 2-D art, painting and poetry and portfolio development. Students are encouraged to submit their work for exhibitions and competitions in the school and community. The music department offers classes in music appreciation, composition and theory, with opportunities for private voice and instrumental lessons. The award-winning school chorus, select chamber choir and instrumental ensembles rehearse and perform throughout the year. The Master's School chorus excels each year at the CEMA Northern Regional Festival.
Students may elect to act in school plays, attend Drama Workshop or participate in our Dance Program which introduces students to the performance and technical aspects of the stage. Each year the Middle School presents a play and the Upper School puts on a major musical theater production. Writers' Workshop focuses on creative writing, culminating in the annual publication, Many Waters, a collection of original literary and artistic student work. Professional artists-in-residence teach classes in drawing, painting, music, film and poetry.
Performing Arts
Drama
Course Description
Students will learn how to be confident performers in this course as we study performance techniques such as enunciation, projection, and how to study and perform a certain a character. We will use vignettes and scenes to practice the techniques learned in class. In addition to the focus on acting and performing, the course with study the history of theatre as it began in ancient Greece and Rome and progressed to the Elizabethan era that gave us Shakespeare and eventually evolved to the theatre we see today. Students will study both dramatic and musical theatre as art forms and will also learn how the production elements of theatre, including directing, lighting costuming, etc., all play a significant role in pulling a show together.
Course Objectives
- Students will perform more confidently with honed skills in proper and effective stage presence, including enunciation, projection, body language, and gesturing.
- Students will be familiar with the production aspects of the theatre and be able to prepare for different hypothetical shows from different crew perspectives.
- Students will understand the progression of theatre through the ages, from where it began in its earliest forms in ancient Greece and Rome to its current forms, including both dramas and musical theatre.
- Students will be able to critically observe and appreciate the many aspects of a theatre that make it a work of art and means of creatively glorifying God.
- Students will combine their efforts and draw upon learned concepts in the course in order to stage and perform small vignettes and scenes and a larger 1-Act play.
Course Materials
1.5"-2" 3-ring binder
Pocket dividers or regular dividers
Grading
Semester 1 = Quarter 1 (50%) + Quarter 2 (50%)
Semester 2 = Quarter 3 (50%) + Quarter 4 (50%)
Semesters = Participation (40%) + Homework (40%) + Tests/Performances (20%)
Concert Choir
Grades: 9 - 12
Term: Full year
Credit: .50
Course Objectives
- Students will appreciate music, particularly choral music, both secular and sacred, as a creative means of worshipful expression to God.
- Students will understand and work as a team to learn and perform choral music, as though “working for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
- Students will recognize and understand key signatures, note names, and complex rhythmic values.
- Students will be able to sing a major and minor diatonic scale and a major chromatic scale on solfege and furthermore use the solfege syllables to sight read simple unison melodies and 2, 3, and 4-part harmonies.
- Students will perform secular and sacred pieces of various difficulties, ranging from 3-4-part harmonies.
Course Materials:
Always a PENCIL!!!
Required Text:
One-Minute Theory (Vol. 1) by Ronald Slabbinck and Holly Shaw-Slabbinck
Grading
Semester 1 = Quarter 1 (50%) + Quarter 2 (50%)
Semester 2 = Quarter 3 (50%) + Quarter 4 (50%)
Quarters: Participation (50%) + Quizzes (25%) + Concerts (25%)
The choir has two major performances, one at Christmas and one in spring. Minor performances are also scheduled throughout the year. The only requisite for participation is that the student must complete a successful audition by matching pitch with the piano and other voices.
Chamber Singers
Grades: 9 - 12
Term: Full year
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Student must audition with Director
This group is for those who wish to pursue the highest levels of singing and performance both as a soloist and in a small ensemble. Students involved can expect to prepare and present solo works before the class in a workshop / master class environment. The students will be given individual attention appropriate to their level of ability including vocal instruction, musical interpretation and stage deportment. Students involved will be given the opportunity to perform regularly throughout the year in the major school performances, Open Houses, local church services and various other opportunities at the approval of the instructor. Chamber Singers will take a trip each year to see a professional performance.
Worship Team Seminar
Grade: 9-12
Term: Full year
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Students must audition and teacher recommendation required
This course is a hands-on experience developing skills as a contemporary worship leader/group member. The course will pursue a study in the spiritual growth along with the artistic growth of the individuals. The members will be preparing to lead worship at chapel and other appropriate school assemblies. The class will rehearse weekly as a band/ ensemble; both instrumentalists and vocalists. Each member will be required to choose and lead the rehearsal and preparation of at least one worship song in order to develop their leadership and communication skills. Discussions will also focus on the attitude and response of the musician to the responsibility of leading others in the worship of God. Reading will include: The Heart of the Artist by Rory Noland.
Concert Band
Grades: 9 - 12
Term: Full year
Credit: .50
This class offers a diverse repertoire of music focusing on improving musical aptitude and faculty. This course is open to any student who plays a brass, wind or percussion instrument with an acceptable degree of proficiency. There are two major performances during the year along with performances at Open Houses, chapels, small concerts and adjudication festivals. Students wishing to participate in CMEA Regional/All-State Concert Band festivals must be in this class.
Dance & Instrumental
Voice Lessons
Private and group lessons are available to students at an additional cost. These usually meet after school. These lessons do not count toward graduation credits.
