Performing Arts Classes
Band Courses:
Intermediate Band: This
course is ideal for band students who are interested in developing and
strengthening their basic instrumental skills. During the year students are
exposed to increasingly complex musical arrangements as they obtain greater
levels of experience and ability with their instruments. Students will gain a
greater appreciation and understanding of music as they are exposed to a
variety of musical genres as well as musical history and the role music plays
in all cultures and communities. Performances beyond the school day are a part
of the class. Required public performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring
concerts and festivals. Students are admitted to this class through audition.
This class may be repeated for credit.
Junior Varsity Band: This
class focuses upon providing band students with advanced training to improve
their instrumental playing skills. Advanced playing techniques are
progressively addressed as students increase their levels of expertise with
their instruments. Students will also have the opportunity to gain experience
in playing before an audience through public performances and individual and
group development activities. Performances beyond the school day are a part of
this class. Required public performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring
concerts and festivals. Students are admitted to this class through audition.
This class may be repeated for credit.
Varsity Band: McClintock’s award winning band is open to all students who qualify through audition and teacher approval. Participants in this class possess the highest level of skills one can expect in the high school performer. Throughout the year, Varsity Band students join with Orchestra students to form Varsity Band/Symphonic Band and Varsity Band/Wind Ensemble. These bands give a number of outside performances each year and outside practice and sectionals are required to maintain high standards of musical performance. Required performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring concerts and festivals. This class may be repeated for credit.
Choir Courses:
Women’s Chorale
(Choir 1-2): Female singers in all grade levels
are welcome to enroll in Women’s. This
class focuses on developing a foundation in vocal skills through the study of a
broad range of musical literature.
Theory, sight-singing and vocal technique are covered as students gain
experience in performing before an audience.
Evening performances are a mandatory part of this class, and include
Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts. There
is no prerequisite for this course. This class may be repeated for credit.
Men’s Chorale (Choir
1-2): Male singers in all grade levels are welcome to enroll in Men’s. This class focuses on developing a foundation
in vocal skills through the study of a broad range of musical literature. Theory, sight-singing and vocal technique are
covered as students gain experience in performing before an audience. Evening performances are a mandatory part of
this class, and include Fall, Winter and Spring Concerts. There is no prerequisite for this course.
This class may be repeated for credit.
Choraliers (Choir
3-4): Female singers of all grade levels are invited to audition for this
class. Here intermediate singers will further develop their music skills
through a study of increasingly complex musical literature. Theory, sight-singing,
ensemble and vocal techniques are covered as student’s skill levels improve
through practice, performance and constructive critique. Performances beyond
the school day are a part of this class and outside practice is expected.
Performances will include Fall, Winter and Spring concerts and festivals. An
audition is required for placement in this course. This class may be repeated
for credit.
A Cappella (Choir
5-6): This class is open to Sophomore, Junior and Senior students who possess
advanced vocal skills. In this class, advanced singers improve upon their
skills through their work in ensembles and as soloists. Theory, sight-singing
and advanced vocal techniques are emphasized as students gain performance
experience. Students also reinforce their understanding of vocal technique and
musical literature as they constructively analyze their performances. Outside
performances are required and will include Fall, Winter and Spring concerts and
festivals. A Cappella students are strongly encouraged to gain additional
performance experience by participating in the MHS musical and other choral
events. An audition is required for placement in this course. This is a touring
ensemble. This class may be repeated for credit.
Dance Courses:
McClintock dance offers five levels of training; Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Junior Dance Company, Impulse Dance Company. The department offers training in many genres of dance, community performances and out of state travel. For more information please contact Micah Kriston at mkriston@tempeunion.org.
Beginning Dance:
Beginning dance students are provided an overview of dance as a contemporary
art form. Basic skills, techniques and theoretical dance topics are covered at
the beginning level. Safety factors related to dance movement are stressed as
students acquire and demonstrate an understanding of correct body alignment,
anatomy and warm-ups for the prevention of injuries. Students will perform a
variety of modern, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and ballet dances as they learn the
technical aspects of dance production. Dance terminology, history, choreography
and improvisational techniques are introduced as well. A spring dance concert
is the capstone of the year and beginning dance students are heartily
encouraged to showcase their talents by participating and performing before our
audience of friends, family and community. All grade levels are welcome in this
class. Students exiting this class are encouraged to enroll in our Intermediate
Dance class or audition for a position in the Advanced or Performance Dance
classes.
Intermediate Dance:
Intermediate Dance builds upon the skills and knowledge attained in beginning
dance. Theoretical dance topics, terminology, history and dance styles such as
jazz, hip hop, modern, ballet and lyrical are covered at an intermediate level
as students hone their performance technique. Students will continue to work
with various styles of music while choreographing original dances that are
integrated into student designed productions during the year. As always, safety
is stressed while correct body alignment and proper warm-up techniques are practiced
to prevent injury. Fall and spring concerts provide the intermediate dance
student the opportunity to participate and perform before an audience of
friends, family and community. All grade levels are welcome in this class with
either Beginning Dance or an audition as a prerequisite. Students successfully
exiting this class will want to audition for placement in our Advanced or
Performance dance classes.
Advanced Dance:
Advanced Dance students continue to acquire skills and knowledge initially
introduced to them in the beginning and intermediate classes. Advanced
techniques are explored while students are engaged in an in-depth study of
production design, musical genres, dance history and styles. Safety is always a
priority in our classes and correct body alignment and warm-ups are practiced
to prevent injury. The advanced student takes on a more active role in
choreographing and staging dance concerts and provides leadership to the
beginning and intermediate dance students. Our well attended fall and spring
concerts afford advanced students the opportunity to display their talents
before an audience of friends, family and community. All grade levels are
welcome in this class with an audition as a prerequisite for placement. This
class may be repeated for credit. Advanced dance students successfully exiting
this class are encouraged to audition for placement in our highest level class,
Performance Dance.
Performance Dance: Performance Dance is our premier “Dance Company” dance class. Advanced dance techniques, styles, choreography, production design and technical theater skills are covered. Students take responsibility for concert design and choreography, costume and set design, rehearsals, publicity and all other aspects of presenting a dance concert. Injury prevention is of paramount importance and correct body alignment and warm-ups are always practiced. The performance dance student often serves as a mentor to less advanced students by providing assistance with technique, music selection, choreography and staging. Friends, family and members of the community look forward to the concerts that are presented throughout the year that showcase the talents of our most advanced dancers, Dance Company. All grade levels are welcome in this class with an audition as a prerequisite for placement. This class may be repeated for credit.
Drama Courses:
Basic Drama: The
Basic Drama class introduces students to the fundamentals of acting techniques
and methods. Theater vocabulary, literature and history are presented as students
are immersed in a variety of theatrical activities. Comedies, dramas, one-acts
and monologues are some of the areas students will participate in throughout
the year. Students are also acquainted with the behind-the scenes activities
that make theatrical productions come to life. Costuming, make-up, set design
and other stagecraft areas are covered to give the beginning student a
foundation in all areas of theater. Students of all grade levels are welcome in
this class. Students successfully exiting this class are encouraged to continue
their theater education by enrolling in Production and Performance and
Stagecraft.
Production and Performance: This
course builds upon the skills students acquired in the Basic Drama class.
Students will learn about the production aspects of make-up, costume, body
movement, voice, diction and line interpretation. Students in this class will
experience a progressively more complex series of theatrical productions such
as period plays, melodramas, children’s and Readers Theater. Emphasis is placed
upon the development of the performance ensemble to reinforce the teamwork
necessary for any successful theatrical production. The Production and
Performance student is heartily encouraged to participate in the M.H.S.
theatrical productions that are presented to the community during the year in
addition to the class related performances that are performed on and off
campus. Basic Drama and teacher recommendation are prerequisites for this
class. The students who find success in this class will want to continue to
develop their talents by enrolling on our Advanced Acting and Directing class.
Advanced Acting and
Directing: This class is open to drama students who are interested in
furthering their study of acting and directing. Training in character
development, analysis and stage direction techniques are covered to broaden the
students’ understanding of theatrical production. Students acquire directional
experience through their work with student actors by presenting productions in
a variety of venues. Comedy, drama, musical theater, playwriting and
experimental theater are covered in depth. Special projects are available for
the student desiring additional experience. Advanced Acting and Directing
students are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to further
showcase their talents by participating in our M.H.S. theater productions.
Stagecraft (1-2 and 3-4): The stagecraft classes provide students with background in the technical aspects of theatrical production. The first year (1-2) stagecraft student begins to learn how to help the director and playwright’s vision come to life as students gain knowledge of set design and construction, costuming, make-up, sound, lighting and all other technical aspects of theater production. First year students gain hands-on experience as they coordinate with second year stagecraft students to provide technical support to theatrical, musical and dance performance groups on our campus. Second year (3-4) stagecraft students earn leadership roles in their class as they gain additional experience in design and production. These students coordinate with student directors and writers to design and implement plans for the set design, lighting, sound, make-up and costume design crucial to the success of all theatrical productions. Second year students also gain experience as they provide support to non-theater “clients” such as MHS music and dance groups as well as the community groups who make use of our facility. Stagecraft 1-2 is a prerequisite for Stagecraft 3-4.
Guitar Courses:
Beginning Guitar:
Beginning guitar students are introduced to the fundamentals of musicianship as
they learn to play guitar. Music reading, fingering methods and performance
techniques are covered at the beginning level. Students will perform a variety
of classical and modern pieces as they gain skills with their instruments and
acquire an understanding of melody, harmony and rhythm. Music appreciation is
developed as they are exposed to music history and various musical styles and
composers. All grade levels are welcome in this class and little or no
experience in playing the guitar is required for admittance. Instruments will
be furnished as available. Students successfully exiting this class are
encouraged to enroll in our Intermediate Guitar class.
Intermediate Guitar:
Intermediate Guitar builds upon the abilities and knowledge attained in
beginning guitar. Students will continue to work with various styles of music
while further developing their performance skills as intermediate guitar
instrumentalists. Music reading, rhythm, melody and harmony continue to be
stressed. Students will have the opportunity to participate in public
performances throughout the year. All grade levels are welcome in this class
with either Beginning Guitar or an audition as a prerequisite. Instruments will
be furnished as available. Students successfully exiting this class will want
to audition for placement in our Advanced Guitar class.
Advanced Guitar: Advanced Guitar students continue to acquire skills and knowledge initially introduced to them in the beginning and intermediate classes. Advanced techniques are explored while students are engaged in an in-depth study of modern and classical literature, music history, composition and performance methods. Music reading is emphasized and participation in public performances is an integral part of the advanced guitar curriculum. All sophomore, junior and senior guitar players are welcome in this class with an audition as a prerequisite for placement. Instruments will be furnished as available.
Orchestra Courses:
Concert Strings Orchestra: This
course is ideal for orchestra students who are interested in developing and
strengthening advanced string playing techniques. The class is usually selected
by freshmen and sophomore orchestra students, but is open to all strings
players who feel they need to refine their skills on any stringed instrument
(viola, violin, cello or string bass). This class concentrates on techniques
such as shifting, vibrato and advanced bow control. Emphasis is also placed
upon ear training, sight-reading, major and minor scales and arpeggios and
knowledge of music and symbols. Performances beyond the school day are a part
of the class. Concert orchestra participates in at least four evening concerts
during the school year. Home practice is expected and private lessons are
encouraged. Students are admitted to this class through audition or instructor
permission. This class may be repeated for credit.
Symphony Orchestra:
McClintock's award winning Orchestra is open to advanced strings players in all
grades who qualify by audition and instructor approval. Technical and musical
skills learned in previous study are expanded in this class. Upper-level
playing technique is emphasized through the study of string and symphonic
orchestral (with wind players) literature, stressing musicianship, orchestral
bowing styles and ensemble playing. The Symphony Orchestra participates in at
least five evening concerts a year plus one festival, two competitions and a
tour. Sectionals and out-of-class rehearsals are a regular part of this class.
Students are encouraged to take private lessons, participate in Solo-Ensemble
festival and audition for All- Regional and All-State. This class may be
repeated for credit.
Chamber Orchestra: This is McClintock’s premier string orchestra performing group. It is designed for the advanced string player and is open to all students who qualify through audition and instructor approval. Participants in this class possess the highest level of skills one can expect in the high school string performer. Chamber Orchestra students have the opportunity to participate in string quartets and other chamber ensembles. This group may also join with Symphony Orchestra and wind players for a full orchestra experience to perform in concerts and festivals. Outside practice, rehearsals and performance are required. This class may be repeated for credit.