-
DRAMA
Designed for general or college preparatory students. This introduction to theatre class is a fun project and performance based class with a primary focus on the development of acting skills including pantomime, improvisation, character development, interpretation, theatre appreciation, and scene work. Requires one evening performance at the end of the term.
-
ADVANCED DRAMA (Technical Emphasis)
Designed for general or college preparatory students. This course will include instruction in costume and makeup design and application; technical skills in stage direction, lighting and sound; set construction; and publicity. Students are required to attend practices and rehearsals before and after school, as well as performances held at night and on weekends. Enrollment in this class will be determined by application/portfolio submission each fall.
-
MUSICAL THEATER - Spring
This is a one-term course. The class will work together to define, promote, produce, research, and perform a musical during the spring term. Enrollment in the class will be determined through auditions each fall. Evening and weekend rehearsal and performances will be required.
-
DANCE
Introduces the basic skills in a variety of dance styles, including jazz, ballet, tap, and teaching musicality, physical skills, and the value of hard work and responsibility. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to participate in a dance performance at the end of the term as their final grade. There may be material costs associated with this course. Students will be given specific information within the first week of the course. Introduces the basic skills in a variety of dance styles, including jazz, ballet, tap, and teaching musicality, physical skills, and the value of hard work and responsibility. Grades are based on daily participation, attitude, effort, and skill. Members of the class are required to participate in a dance performance at the end of the term as their final grade. There may be material costs associated with this course. Students will be given specific information within the first week of the course.
-
ADVANCED DANCE
Designed for Advanced Dance students only. This class builds on the skills taught in Dance and Intermediate Dance. This course will provide instruction in a variety of dance forms including jazz, ballet, and stage dancing. Students will also learn dance terminology and history. Student choreography and teaching is stressed. Members of the class are required to participate in a dance performance at the end of the term as their final grade. There may be material costs associated with this course. Students will be given specific information within the first week of the course.
-
CONCERT CHOIR
Concert Choir is designed for less experienced singers. Choral music will be rehearsed and performed. In addition, vocalization, diction, breathing, note reading, basic vocal theory, group singing, solo singing, sight singing, and performance techniques will be studied. Attendance at after-school, evening, and weekend performances will be required.
-
BAND - Spring (Zero Period)
This class will be working on concert repertoire, music theory, and performance. Students are placed in one of two concert bands contingent on audition in the fall. Students participate in several concerts and music festivals.
-
COLOR GUARD
This ensemble adds the visual performance to the Marching Band’s music. Students learn a great deal of dance/body movement techniques. In the fall, Guard is part of the Marching Band. In the spring, Guard becomes a unique guard-only competitive team and competes in shows in the San Jose area from January through March. In the fall, the Guard attends all Marching Band practices and activities. In the spring, Color Guard rehearses 2 evenings a week as well as Saturdays. See the calendar at www.gbemeraldbrigade.org. The class is designed to teach students with little or no experience how to use good dance technique as well as perform with a flag, rifle, or saber.
-
JAZZ ENSEMBLE - Spring
During school day. Jazz Ensemble is an audition only class. The Jazz Band attends festivals which include overnight trips. Students will improvise and perform jazz solos in large and small ensembles. Jazz Band performs all forms of music including Latin, Funk, Swing. etc. The Jazz Band includes the top musicians in the instrumental music program. Students are graded on and expected to perform improvised solos in various styles. Some music theory knowledge of chords and key signatures is expected.
-
SYMPHONIC BAND - Spring
Required for all freshman band students. Students learn the California State Standards for music theory, music history, and also spend time exploring world music. The freshman will play their instruments with the Concert Band music concurrently being played. Students take field trips to the Mondavi Center to see performances. Students who wish to test out of the class may do so on instructor/administrator approval only. Students perform a solo recital at the end of the term.
-
INTERMEDIATE GUITAR
Study specific styles of guitar playing including Folk, Blues, and Classic Rock. This course places a larger emphasis on the understanding of music theory and development of improved sight reading skills. Improvisational skills are developed as students study the use of pentatonic scales, major and minor scales, and chord movements that utilize the guitar fingerboard well beyond open position. Students will learn the use of barre chords, color chords and inversions. Instructor approval contingent on one-on-one performance tryout with instructor.
-
BEGINNING PIANO
Beginning Piano is a one-term course designed for students who desire to acquire or develop piano keyboarding skills while engaged in music study. Students will learn to read music and will explore the elements of music theory. Students will develop an aesthetic appreciation of music, life-long learning disciplines, and motivations related to music, music etiquette, ear training, rhythm, dictation, and sight reading skills. Two public recitals and one concert attendance are required.
-
INTERMEDIATE THEATRE ARTS
This class provides serious acting students the opportunity to continue their training in characterization, advanced improvisation, movement, auditioning, scene work, script analysis and interpretation, directing, and theatre appreciation. Requires two evening performances throughout the term.
-
PROFESSIONAL DRAMA
This course will focus on advanced and college level acting and technical skills. Opportunities in directing, casting, and backstage production will be focused on throughout the class. Students will select and produce a number of one act plays. Career opportunities and advanced training will be explored. Evening and weekend rehearsal and performances will be required.
-
INTERMEDIATE DANCE
Designed to provide a continuing learning opportunity for those dance students who have had dance experience, but are not at a level of performance that enables them to participate in Advanced Dance. Any student who would like to challenge beginning dance must audition in the spring for the following year’s class. Members of the class are required to participate in a dance performance at the end of the term as their final grade. There may be material costs associated with this course. Students will be given specific information within the first week of the course.
-
CHAMBER CHOIR
This class is designed for the experienced singer. Students will rehearse and perform a cappella music of historically significant music, as well as contemporary selections. Ear training, theory, and sight singing will be studied. Attendance at after-school, evening, and weekend performances will be required.
-
MARCHING BAND - Fall (Zero Period)
Marching Band is MANDATORY for all band students. Includes physical activity. You must be a member of the fall ensembles in order to participate in any spring band classes. Band performs at all home football games, Saturday Competitions and includes overnight field trips. Students play individually and as a group for playing assessments. Band camp is required for all members. The band rehearses outside of school on Monday nights and Saturdays. Full schedule at www.GBEmeraldBrigade.org.
-
BRASS/WIND ENSEMBLE - Fall
Mandatory for Woodwind/Brass musicians; during school day. You must be concurrently enrolled in ‘0’ period Marching Band to take this class. Students learn the Marching Band field show and pep music. For all musicians that play a wind instrument. Students Participate in all Marching Band activities. Once the marching season is completed this ensemble will be working on concert ensemble music and will perform in one concert.
-
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE - Fall
Mandatory for Percussionists; during school day. You must be concurrently enrolled in 0 period Marching Band to take this class. This group is an audition only class and auditions take place at the end of the previous school year. Percussion Ensemble is for all percussionists or people wanting to learn percussion instruments. Participates in all Marching Band activities. Once the marching season is completed this ensemble will be working on concert percussion ensemble music.
-
GUITAR
Designed for the beginning guitar student at any grade level. Students will develop a variety of acoustic guitar techniques and skills, including reading music and tablature, playing chords, progressions, and finger picking techniques. Students will also develop skills to motivate lifelong learning of the instrument. Students must provide their own acoustic guitar.
-
ADVANCED GUITAR
This class is designed for the serious guitar player/performer. Students must have completed intermediate Guitar and have the approval of the instructor to move into Advanced Guitar. This class is a performance based class. Each student will prepare one lesson to share with the class, perform music of other musicians, learn to write their own music, and perform these selections in front of their peers/class. The class culminates in a concert performed for the school and community. This concert will be organized and developed by the students who will be performing.
-
ADVANCED PIANO
Designed for students who desire to advance their piano skills and furthering their music theory and music history education. Study of both music theory and history will go into much more depth than beginning piano. Students will continue their music education by studying ear training, rhythmic dictation and sight-reading. They will further their aesthetic appreciation of music, thus becoming life-long appreciators of music. A final public recital is required. Two public recitals and one concert attendance are required.
