Performing Arts

Music History provides students with a historical overview of Western music, beginning with Gregorian chant in the Dark Ages. Students study the music of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods, as well as that of the 20th century. The course starts with an exploration of the instruments of the orchestra. Time is spent mastering the vocabulary necessary to deal with the major composers while incorporating the cultural, artistic and historical events that shaped significant musical works of each period. The final part of the course involves studying contemporary musical genres such as jazz, rock and rap along with their historical influences. Advanced Music History continues this study by exploring the music of the Romantic era and the 20th century.

Music History provides students with a historical overview of Western music, beginning with Gregorian chant in the Dark Ages. Students study music of the Renaissance, Baroque, classical and Romantic periods, as well as that of the Twentieth Century. The course begins with students studying the instruments of the orchestra. Time is spent mastering the vocabulary necessary to deal with the major composers while incorporating the cultural, artistic and historical events which shaped the major musical works of each period. The final part of the course involves studying contemporary musical genres such as jazz, rock and rap as well as their historical influences. Advanced Music History continues the study of musical elements by exploring music of the Romantic era and the 20th century. There will also be more in-depth study of the musicians who played jazz.

In this course, students study the history of one of the few truly American art forms: musical theater. Through readings, class discussions and viewing footage of original stage musicals, students explore the historical evolution of the form by examining the ways representative artists approached the basic elements of the American musical.

AP Music Theory focuses on developing students’ abilities to understand and describe the basic elements of music, both aurally and in written form. Corresponding to the first semester of a typical college music theory sequence, students who take AP Theory strengthen their musicianship, improve their ability to communicate musical ideas to others and become better equipped to apply the fundamental concepts of tonal music to any style or genre that interests them.

Mixed Choir is our elite vocal ensemble, where students focus on learning and performing advanced choral repertoire. Full group and sectional rehearsals emphasize score study, ear training and ensemble vocal technique. This is a year-long course that performs in the winter and spring concerts.

Jazz Performance is a course for instrumentalists who would like to study the theory and technique of improvisation in a jazz style. Students study jazz harmony and form and play their instruments every day. This is a year-long course that performs in the winter and spring concerts.

In Chamber Ensemble, students explore a variety of chamber music styles and settings, with the goal of performing at the chamber concert each spring. It is open to all intermediate and advanced instrumental students, as well as singers who possess strong note-reading and harmony abilities. Informal and formal performance opportunities are available throughout the year.

This course introduces students to many facets of theater, including set design, staging, improvisation, acting, directing and performance. Discussions, group activities and feedback encourage students to think creatively with collaborating, problem-solving, and self-expression.

Why do we tell stories? This class explores the origins of theater through the ages, including classical theater of Ancient Greece and Rome; Shakespearean tragedies and histories; Kabuki; Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed; Dadaism; the origins of modern-day comedy from Commedia dell'Arte; and the social commentary of Molière. It examines how theater has been used through the ages to reflect society, open hearts and minds, and “hold a mirror up to nature.” This class is hands-on, and students get the chance to experience firsthand how these works looked, sounded and felt.

Acting and directing experience set the stage for confidence, leadership, and creativity, regardless of the career path one chooses. In this class, students learn how an actor approaches a text by breaking down a character’s emotions, motivations and actions. They discover how a director uses elements of blocking, set design and script analysis to tell a cohesive story. Students also have the opportunity to act in and direct scenes and monologues.

In Fundamentals of Theater Design, students expand their imaginations through an overview of the different disciplines and skills needed in technical theater and design. The class encompasses scenic, costume, lighting, sound and projection design through conceptual projects and practical activities in which students synthesize the design process and develop presentation skills. It introduces technical skills in scenic painting and set/prop construction, all while honing an eye for compositional design.

Skills are further honed in Advanced Theater Design. Students, in coordination with their teacher, help build the curriculum based on their interests. Past topics include scenic design, drafting and model building, projection and animation design, electrics and lighting design, and more. The class prepares students to find practical solutions to creative ideas and to develop a portfolio of finished work.

Yoga is a harmonizing practice that brings balance to body and mind through postures, breathwork, sun salutations, guided meditation and deep relaxation. Yoga I students learn how to safely practice classic yoga postures and gentle movement sequences while maintaining a connection to their breath. Emphasis is placed on developing self-awareness, maintaining a sense of ease, exploring a personalized approach to the practice and creating a solid foundation to build upon. In Yoga II, a wide variety of postures, concepts, movement sequences, breathing techniques, meditation and deep relaxation expands each student’s practice. Every class is customized to support the student's interests and needs.

Each student in Advanced Production Workshop is assigned a “job,” such as stage manager, assistant director, assistant costume designer or assistant set designer, and contributes in a meaningful way to the staging of the spring play, from conception to execution. In this advanced level course, students team up with the Theater & Dance Department faculty in a truly collaborative process.

Students who take Advanced Production Workshop for a second time are encouraged to specialize in a particular area of interest.

Any senior taking Advanced Production Workshop for a third time is offered the chance to go even deeper into a field of interest, taking on more responsibility and expanding that specific skill set. Students often share a co-creator job title with faculty for the spring production and see it as the capstone to their theatrical journey at CGPS.

This course, open to twelfth graders only, is one of the culminating experiences for theater students at CGPS. Students build upon the lessons learned in introductory classes to produce, design, direct and act in a collection of one-act plays. This class is an exciting opportunity for students to exercise their creative autonomy and see their independent artistic visions come to life.

Through playful movement improvisations and simple choreographic tasks, participants broaden their range of motion and understanding of what dance can be. Exploring different sources of inspiration such as images, poetry, current events and music, students create original choreography in a fun and nurturing environment. All genres, traditions and styles of dance are welcomed and celebrated. No previous dance experience is necessary.

Students may take Choreography more than once, building and expanding on their creative skills.

Modern dance, an ever-evolving art form rooted in rebellion, encourages self-expression through movement. Embracing a variety of styles, students gain an understanding of contemporary dance forms that have evolved from the modern dance tradition. Technical exercises designed to safely increase each dancer’s range of motion evolve into more complicated (and fun!) movement sequences. No previous movement experience is necessary; experienced dancers are welcome

Students may take Modern Dance & Contemporary Dance Technique more than once, deepening their technique.

Every good speech tells a story. This performance-oriented course strengthens students’ public speaking skills for a variety of situations: formal presentations, personal storytelling and persuasive speeches. Each student is empowered to be more articulate, confident and brave!

From constructing scenery to hanging stage lights, this entirely hands-on course develops the practical skills of technical theater. Students Learn to use power tools, paint wood to look like brick, build giant spiders, upholster diner booths, wire and hang lights, and more!