Middle School Performing Arts
Pre-adolescent children are often uncomfortable on a stage performing in front of an audience, yet they are always successful and put on a great show when they do so. This results in a feeling of real accomplishment when they have overcome their trepidation and completed their performance. For that reason, we at Laguna Blanca believe participation in a Performing Arts class is a valuable component in a well-rounded Middle School education.
Fifth grade students who attended Laguna Blanca Lower School would have participated in the Lower School choral music program. In fifth grade, students transition out of the choral music program into an instrumental music program, with all students learning to play an instrument, which they will then continue to play in the sixth grade band the following year.
Seventh and eighth graders have a choice of Performing Arts, including Drama, Capoeira, Hip Hop Dance, Guitar, Beginning Band, Middle School Band, Advanced Video Production* (eighth grade only), Chorus (grades 7-12), and String Ensemble (grades 7-12), the latter four being year-long courses. Enrollment in some courses is limited due to considerations specific to those courses, and some courses need to achieve a minimum enrollment in order to be offered. Consequently, not everyone is guaranteed their first choice of courses.
*Students wishing to take Advanced Video Production as their eighth grade Performing Arts requirement need to take Middle School Digital Video Production, a Visual Arts course, as a prerequisite in seventh grade.
Fifth Grade Band
Full year – Grade 5
All fifth graders are included in the fifth grade Band. Students are exposed to band instruments, rhythm, and movement within the first three weeks. At that time instruments are chosen, then rented or bought, and we begin rehearsing as a group. The main focus is on developing playing, rehearsal, and practice skills. Content will include scales, articulations, dynamics, singing/scatting, and movement. Reading will be introduced toward the end of the year to prepare students for sixth grade Band. The class will include a performance in the fifth and sixth grade concert at the end of each semester.
Sixth Grade Band
Full year – Grade 6
All sixth graders are included in the sixth grade Band. The main focus of the class is to develop playing, reading, practice, rehearsal, and performance skills. Content will include reading, scales, articulations, dynamics, singing/scatting, movement, and some theory. The class will include a performance in the fifth and sixth grade concert at the end of each semester.
Beginning Band – Elective, Performing Arts Strand
One semester – Grades 7 or 8
Beginning Band is for beginning to intermediate musicians. Student must know how to play an instrument at a basic level upon entering. The main focus of the class is to develop playing, rehearsing, and practice skills. Content will include scales, articulations, styles, dynamics, groove, and movement. Reading will be introduced toward the end of the semester for those wishing to move into Middle School Band. The class culminates in a performance in the Middle School Performing Arts Revue at the end of the semester.
Middle School Band – Elective, Performing Arts Strand
Full year – Grades 7 or 8
Middle School Band is for intermediate to advanced Middle School musicians. Students must pass a reading and playing audition to enter. The main focus of the class is to develop playing, practice, rehearsing, reading, and performing skills. Content will include scales, articulations, styles, dynamics, groove, movement, stage presence, and theory. The class culminates in a performance in the Middle School Performing Arts Revue at the end of the semester.
Middle School Drama -- Elective, Performing Arts Strand
One semester -- Grades 7 or 8
This class will provide students with the basic framework of performance, including dealing with the anxieties of performance, the fundamentals of relaxation, the establishment of character, location and plot, and the basic structure of western drama. Rather than specific texts we will provide our own through writing, improvising, and adaptation. The class will culminate in a performance for friends and family where every student will be given the opportunity to showcase their work. Grading will be based upon attendance, participation, quizzes, preparation and dedication and artistic progress.
Guitar Class – Elective, Performing Arts Strand
One semester – Grades 7 or 8
This class is open to all students and includes bass guitar as well. The class emphasizes playing, strumming, picking, learning new chords and techniques, and singing for those inclined to do so. Students bring their own guitars and small amps if they have electric guitars. A performance is given at the end of each semester in the Middle School Performing Arts Revue.
Hip Hop Dance Class - Elective, Performing Arts Strand
One semester – Grades 7 or 8
Hip Hop Dance Class is a dance/movement class open to all students. Requirements include comfortable and appropriate clothing and shoes. Students will indeed get a workout. The class covers basic styles of hip hop, counting, performing techniques, and stage presence. The class includes a performance in the Middle School Performing Arts Revue at the end of each semester.
Middle School Digital Video Production – Elective, Visual Arts Strand
One Semester – Grades 7 or 8
(This class, which does not satisfy the one semester seventh/eighth grade Performing Arts requirement, is a prerequisite of the Advanced Video Production class available to eighth graders, which does satisfy the Performing Arts requirement.).
The main objective of this course is to impart to the students the various facets of visual storytelling. We will discuss the fundamentals of cinematography, the importance of content, previsualization, and storyboarding with the goal of developing technical skill and self-expression through digital and analog media. The students will be introduced to and explore digital video cameras, the non-linear editing program Adobe Premiere Elements 4, and how to interface with a computer. Organizational skills and time management are key factors to success in this course.
Advanced Video Production – Elective, Performing Arts Strand
Full year – Grade 8
This year long course is offered only to eighth grade students who have successfully completed Middle School Digital Video Production. This advanced course is a more in-depth study of technique and visual storytelling, with the students studying various genres (commercials, dramas, classics, adventure, sci-fi, and horror) to see how others have chosen to "tell" their stories. We will look into the many factors and the language of film that make film making unique in the visual and performing arts. There will be individual and group film projects, and students will be expected to be facile with Adobe Premiere Elements 4. Organizational skills and time management are key factors to success in this course.
