Program of Studies Program of Studies 2018-19 | Page 13

musical theatre, film and video.
Class assignments and outside
tasks may include reading, writing,
choreographic work, rehearsals and
performance projects. Participation
in public performances may be
required.
Dance III/IV (1 credit)
Grades 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Dance II and approval
of the instructor
Students will build on the skills and
technique gained in Dance I and
Dance II. This course stresses the
development of strength, flexibility,
and endurance of the physical
body, the ability of students to work
cooperatively with others, and the
maturation of performance skills
including the range of dynamics,
projection and expression.
Also included are technical
requirements such as lighting, sets,
costuming, performance spaces,
and the documentation and
notation of dances. Out-of-school
rehearsals and performances are
required.
Performance and Repertory:
Dance Company (1 credit)
Grades 10, 11 and 12
Prerequisite: Dance I and an
audition in the spring
This is an opportunity for
experienced dancers to gain
performing and choreographic
experience. Students will refine
kinesthetic and spatial awareness
working toward greater musicality
and expressiveness with a variety
of choreographers. The company
will perform at Thornton Academy
as well as at other schools and
venues. Students will learn about
approaches to building a repertory
as well as the many technical
aspects of performance and
company management. Outside
rehearsal and performance time is
required. NOTE: This course may be
repeated for credit.
MUSIC
Thornton Academy’s music
program is among the finest in the
state, and offers student-musicians
the chance to participate in high
caliber ensembles with unique
and challenging performance
opportunities. Additional classes
are available that provide
opportunities to learn basic skills in
areas such as piano.
Piano Lab (0.5 credit)
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
Open to all who want to learn
piano, this class is taught on
MIDI keyboards with a computer
program to guide students through
the basics of reading music and the
proper techniques of playing the
piano. Students will learn how to
read and perform a variety of music
including classical, jazz and pop.
Learning to play the piano is the
perfect stepping-stone to playing
any instrument, as students will
learn theory that can be applied
to all music. As access to the
computer program is only available
during class, regular attendance is
critical to success in piano lab.
Music Technology (0.5 credit)
Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12
Students will learn the basic
elements of live sound, including
how to set up, mix and record
sound. The course begins with
students learning how to mix and
edit sound tracks in GarageBand
and includes projects using pre-
recorded tracks to add music to
movies, create original pieces
of music, write a rap and even a
ringtone for your phone! Setting
up and operating different analog
and digital mixing boards is part of
this class. A major project in this
class is organizing, planning and
successfully running a coffee house
event.
www.thorntonacademy.org
Music Theory I (0.5 credit)
Grades 9,10,11,12
Do- re- mi and A- B- C, it’s a very
nice place to start. If you can play
by ear, or have always wanted to
learn to read music but haven’t, you
need this class. Using technology
to aid you in your quest to learn to
read music, crack the code of those
little black dots on the mysterious
5 lines and 4 spaces. You will be
able to identify notes, play basic
rhythms, hear major and minor
chords, and more. Online tools
and paper resources will help as
you learn to read and associate
the written and aural music in this
class. You will learn a few piano
basics, how to read music and lots
of listening skills in basic music
theory
Music Theory II (0.5 credit)
Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite Music Theory I
This class offers an in-depth look
at music theory through analysis,
modulations, chord progressions,
transposition and more! There will
be a strong focus on melodic and
harmonic dictation. Students must
have already completed Music
Theory I and have a strong grasp of
key signatures and scales.
Music History in the World
(alternate years,offered ‘19-’20)
Level 1 (0.5 credit)
Grades 9,10,11,12
Travel around the globe and
through time to learn the stories
of the music and musicians of
the past and present! Spend time
listening to great works of the
Masters from the Medieval times
all the way through the Harlem
Renaissance and the birth of Jazz
in America! If you love history and
you love music, you will love this
class. Projects, papers and playlists
are among the assignments that
are required.
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