Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Program prepares passionate, dedicated high school performers for college entrance and

careers in the performing arts. This program offers a four-year scoped and sequenced curricular program that

empowers students with the technical and interpretive tools to communicate effectively through their medium of

performance. Pius XI has a one-year fine arts requirement, as do many colleges and universities. One credit in

either Visual Arts, Performing Arts or a combination is required for graduation.

Download our Curriculum Guide for more details and graduation requirements.

Courses Offered

Choral Music

852 - PIUS XI CHORUS  1.0 credit 

Choir is open to all singers at any grade level without audition. Students will learn all of the technical skills they need to be confident about singing. The Pius Choir sings a wide variety of musical styles. This group participates in the Pius XI concert season and performs occasionally in the community. For freshmen, the path to discovering choral music begins here. In addition, other performing experiences are offered, such as State Honors Choir auditions, Solo and Ensemble Festival, choral festivals and voice master classes.

854 - CONCERT CHOIR  1.0 credit 

This choir is an advanced ensemble of juniors and seniors who have shown exceptional musical achievement. Challenging choral repertoire from all major style periods will be studied and performed. This group participates extensively in the Pius XI concert season and performs frequently in the community. PREREQUISITE: Pius XI Chorus

856 – CHAMBER CHOIR  1.0 credit 

Students in grades 10-12 and are also enrolled in at least one other choir are permitted to join this ensemble after completing the audition process (takes place at the end of the preceding school year). We will have auditions for next year’s Chamber Choir during Final Exam week in May. This group will focus on preparing contemporary a cappella pieces for the ICHSA competition. They will also perform at various community events throughout the year (including all choir concerts, WMSA, school sports games, and more).

PREREQUISITE: Must also be taking Concert Choir. All students interested in this class must complete an audition before being accepted.

Instrumental Music

861 - BEGINNING BAND  1.0 Credit 

Beginning Band is for any student interested in learning how to play one of the following band instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, or Tuba but without prior experience. This course develops performance and music reading skills in a supportive, enjoyable ensemble experience. No prior experience playing an instrument or reading music is required - we start at the very beginning and learn to read and play as we go. The Beginning Band will perform in concerts during the Pius XI instrumental concert season. Attendance at these performances is required as is daily practice at home.

863 PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE  1.0 credit 

This ensemble is for any student with at least one year of percussion experience on both mallet instruments and drums. This course develops an understanding and application of correct performance techniques on all percussion instruments. The percussion ensemble will perform as a drum line, as an ensemble, and as the percussion section of the Symphonic Band in concerts during the Pius XI instrumental concert season. All percussionists should sign up for Percussion Ensemble, as full band is part of the class experience. PREREQUISITE: One year of percussion experience.

862 - SYMPHONIC BAND  1.0 credit 

This ensemble is for any student with prior experience on a wind, brass or percussion instrument. This course offers instruction in advanced playing techniques and repertoire. Students will rehearse and perform music from a wide variety of styles while honing their ensemble skills. The Symphonic Band will perform in concerts during the Pius XI instrumental concert season, and at the District and State Solo/Ensemble Festival. Attendance at the performances is required as is daily practice at home. PREREQUISITE: Previous band experience or instructor’s consent.

868 - BEGINNING STRINGS  1.0 credit 

This ensemble is for any student interested in learning how to play one of the following bowed instruments: violin, viola, cello, or double bass. This course offers beginning, fundamental technical skills and music reading in a supportive, enjoyable ensemble experience. No prior playing experience is necessary. Students will be introduced to different styles of music including folk and classical. The Beginning Strings will perform in concerts during the Pius XI instrumental concert season. Attendance at these performances is required as is daily practice at home.

869 – INTERMEDIATE STRINGS & ORCHESTRA STRINGS  1.0 credit 

This ensemble is for any student with at least one year of experience (two years’ experience preferred) playing an orchestral string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or double bass). This course offers continuing instruction in fundamental and advanced technical skills and music reading in a supportive, enjoyable ensemble experience. Students will play in many styles of music including folk, classical, and contemporary, and will hone their ensemble skills. The Intermediate Strings and String Orchestra will perform in concerts during the Pius XI instrumental concert season and at the district solo and ensemble festival. PREREQUISITE: Previous experience or instructor’s consent.

858 - BEGINNING PIANO  1.0 credit 

This course is designed for any student interested in learning how to play Piano – no prior musical experience is necessary. Students will learn the fundamentals of piano technique as well as music theory in a combination of individualized and group instruction. A fun and supportive learning environment, this course is the perfect start for a student wanting to take a music class! If you are interested and do not own a Piano/Keyboard, please contact the instructor.

859 - INTERMEDIATE PIANO  1.0 credit 

Intermediate Piano is a level II class following Beginning Piano. Students will implement proper playing technique through the use of etudes, scales and repertoire. Students will also learn the correlation between repertoire and basic music theory such as melodies, harmonies, rhythm, form and textures. PREREQUISITE: Beginning Piano or basic piano/keyboard skills, the ability to read sheet music, at least one year’s worth of piano classes or lessons. Audition which includes solo, scales, etudes or consent of the instructor.

Dance

751 - DANCE 1  1.0 credit 

Using a ballet-based approach, Dance 1 explores movement as a creative art form. Students will become acquainted and develop a basic understanding of dance fundamentals including terminology, placement and strength. Through dance ensemble work and improvisation, students use creative and critical thinking skills to create and communicate meaning through dance movement. No previous dance experience is necessary. Students will also explore jazz, hip hop and modern styles. Students will be introduced to the history of ballet, jazz, and modern dance genres as well as explore a variety of career opportunities in dance. This is a two- semester course that includes a performance opportunity at the end of the year.

752 - DANCE 2  1.0 credit 

Dance 2 will emphasize the students’ acquisition of intermediate movement skills and refined motor control. Students learn to take responsibility for their personal health and to care for their dance instrument. Through dance ensemble work, students continue to explore improvisation, dance elements and composition as both dancer and choreographer. Further awareness is enhanced through the study of dance history, the exploration of dance through a variety of cultural contexts and dance as a career choice. PREREQUISITE: Audition

753 - DANCE 3  1.0 credit 

Dance 3 students demonstrate a commitment to attaining an intermediate level of technical skill and performing with greater fluency, precision and articulation as well as a commitment to a dancers’ personal fitness. Students will combine the use of improvisation, dance elements, choreographic principles and technical/theatrical elements to explore the creation of meaningful dance compositions. Students are encouraged to communicate personal feelings, thoughts, ideas and concepts through the skillful use of dance movement and in the presentation of their choreography. Students will also analyze and evaluate in a constructive manner the impact of their choreography and work of others. Students will continue their study of dance through cultural and historical viewpoints. Dance 3 will prepare dancers for the audition process and inform dancers of the occupational opportunities available after high school. PREREQUISITE: Audition

754 - DANCE 4  1.0 credit 

Dance 4 provides the student with the opportunity to develop an advanced level of dance technique and refine their skills as both performer and choreographer. This course is designed to prepare the student for continuing or pre-professional training in the disciplines of Dance. Students apply their creative and technical knowledge and skills through a variety of performance opportunities. Using expanded aesthetic criteria students analyze, synthesize and evaluate their choreography as well as works of others. Students will explore the current developments in dance and of the Twentieth Century. Studies include the purpose of dance, dance genres and styles, artistic conflicts and resolutions, innovations, social issues and significant contributors. Students will focus on the development and achievement of their personal dance goals. PREREQUISITE: Audition

755 - DANCE 5  1.0 credit 

Dance 5 provides the student with the opportunity to develop a pre-professional level of dance technique and learn repertoire in a professional dance atmosphere. This course is designed to prepare the student for continued dance training following high school in professional or collegiate dance programs. Students apply their advanced technical knowledge to create original works and perform professional level repertoire in a variety of performance opportunities. Studies include the purpose of dance, dance genres and styles, artistic

choices, and innovations as well as current dance topics and contributors. Students will focus on the development and achievement of their personal dance goals. PREREQUISITE: Audition and Experience

Theater

790 - BASIC IMPROVISATION  0.5 credit 

In this course, students will explore the creation of characters and scenes through games, free-form exercises and script writing. Emphasis will be placed on learning and mastering the fundamentals of improvisation

including: spontaneity, listening and responding to your partner, and making/accepting offers. Additionally, students will learn to critique and evaluate their own work and the work of their peers. Students

will demonstrate their mastery of these skills in a final class performance in front of an audience.

791 - ADVANCED IMPROVISATION  0.5 credit 

In this course, students will continue the exploration of character and improv techniques. Emphasis will be placed on developing the skills acquired during Basic Improvisation and expanding on them. The course will culminate in the production of an improvised show. PREREQUISITE: Basic Improv.

780 – ACTING 1  0.5 credit 

Acting 1 is a thorough, fundamental acting class. Students will explore the basic skills of acting as they learn how to create a truthful, sustained character in a scripted or improvised scene. The focus point of this class is the application of given circumstance, objective, action and obstacle in performing scenes from classic and contemporary plays. Students will explore thorough discussion and written work how plays reflect society and how they connect to their own lives. Hagen, Meisner, Stanislavsky, and Chekov techniques will be explored.

782 – ACTING 2  0.5 credit 

Acting 2 is a rigorous, practical acting class. Students will explore improvisation, scenes, monologues and plays as tools for unlocking truthful, spontaneous behavior and refining their skills as actors. Emphasis will be on physical and emotional characterization with the application of previous techniques (given circumstance, objective, action and obstacle, as well as new skills introduced. Laban Movements, Thought exercise, The Masks, and Stanislavski Techniques will be explored. Students will demonstrate their mastery in a final performance and talkback with an invited audience. PREREQUISITE: Acting 1.

783 – ACTING 3/4  0.5 credit 

Acting 3/4 can be taken twice, once as Acting 3 and once as Acting 4. 3/4 is a rigorous, practical acting class. Students will explore deep emotional character development and connection skills as actors. Emphasis will be on emotional characterization with the application of previous techniques (given circumstance, objective, action and obstacle, Laban, as well as new skills introduced. Students will demonstrate their mastery in a final performance and talkback. The Masks, and additional Stanislavski Techniques will be explored. PREREQUISITE: Acting 2 or instructor’s consent.

778 - TECHNICAL DESIGN IN THEATRE FUNDAMENTALS  0.5 credit 

The primary goal of this class is to provide access to terms, concepts, and design principle applications for theatrical scenery, costume, makeup/hair, sound, and lighting design. The students will contribute to the construction of sets and designs for all shows. The students will learn how to safely and properly use various construction tools, both power tools and hand tools. Additional volunteer time outside of the normal class time may be requested of the student. PREREQUISITE: Acting 1.

853 – MUSICAL THEATER  0.5 credit 

This performance-oriented, interdisciplinary course provides a fundamental introduction to the art of musical theater. Course content will focus on the development of foundational skills in singing, acting, and dancing. Students will explore through discussion and written work how musical theater reflects society and how musicals connect to their own lives. PREREQUISITE: Acting 1 or Chorus.