The Performing Arts Department teaches skills and promotes understanding and exploration of creativity and talents. Students are exposed to a diversity of art forms, building understanding and appreciation for performance art. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for further academic studies in the arts, as well as having gained a life-long appreciation for the performing arts.
The Concert Band is a large ensemble of wind and string players, which will be dedicated to the performance of concert material. As a Concert Band they will perform at two concerts over the course of the year. The group may also perform at festivals around the area such as the CMEA Festival. The class will cover the basics of reading music, musical styles, performance practice, and music theory.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: none
This course is a performance-based class, focusing on concert and pep band music. The class will learn techniques such as performing in an ensemble, solo techniques, and advanced theory. As the Wind Ensemble they will perform in three concerts over the course of the year. The group may also perform at festivals around the area such as the CMEA festival. As a Pep Band, the group will be required to play at home football games in the fall.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Concert Band instructor or audition for incoming freshman and transfer students. Minimum three years of experience in band recommended.
The Orchestra is for advanced string instruments, including violin, viola, cello, and double bass. This class is a more intense study of music, focusing on major works by classical composers. Students will work on developing sight-reading skills and advanced string techniques. There will also be a deeper look into music theory. The Orchestra will perform at three concerts over the course of the year, as well as festivals around the area.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Recommendation of Concert Band instructor or audition for incoming freshman and transfer students. Minimum three years of experience in band recommended.
This course is a performance-based, advanced class that comprises our jazz band, Jazz in the AM. The class meets before the regular school day four days a week at 7:30 a.m. A student may join the Jazz Band only through an audition that is held during the spring semester each year. The Jazz Band will perform at several concerts and selected athletic events during the year. The class will cover the basics of reading music, musical styles, performance practice, music theory and solo performance. The Jazz Band travels to a variety of locations, which in the past have included Disneyland, Reno, and the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival. Jazz Band does not satisfy the 6 class per semester requirement.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester).
This course is an introductory class for the beginning guitar players. No experience is necessary, although the course is designed such that students with more experience will be enriched by class exercises that will challenge them individually. The class covers correct posture, playing technique, and basic music theory, including scales, chords, sightreading skills and rhythm. While the course will follow a beginning method book, it will also be supplemented with learning a variety of songs including Rock and Pop music from the early sixties to modern times. Students will learn how to improvise, play by ear, as well as create their own songs. Upon completion of this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge of how to learn new songs on their own. This class will give one performance at the end of the year.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: none
The Vocal Ensemble is a women's choir for singers interested in gaining more experience. The course will focus on the preparation and performance of two- and three-part choral repertoire. Students will develop their skills as individual and ensemble singers. The Vocal Ensemble performs three times a year on and off campus. Emphasis is placed on proper production and technique, ear training, score reading, and music theory.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: none
The Concert Choir is a large, mixed choir for both men and women that focuses on the preparation and performance of advanced choral repertoire. Students will develop their skills as both individual and ensemble singers. Concert Choir performs 4-5 times throughout the year both on campus and off. Emphasis will be placed on proper vocal production and technique, ear training, score reading, and music theory.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester) or Vocab Ensemble teacher recommendation
This course is a performance-based, advanced class that comprises our vocal jazz ensemble, Kind of Blue. The class meets after the regular school day four days a week at 2:45 p.m. and will focus on the preparation and performance of advanced jazz repertoire. Kind of Blue performs extensively at concerts, school events, and state-wide jazz festivals. Students will develop their skills as both individual and ensemble singers. Emphasis will be placed on proper vocal production and technique, ear training, score reading, and music theory. Jazz Choir does not satisfy the 6 class per semester requirement.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester)
This music performance class features Exodus, the school rock band comprised of some of the school's finest musicians and singers. The main focus of the band is to provide engaging and inspiring music at school and community-wide liturgies. In addition, over the past several years, the group has expanded its musical repertoire and performed at a variety of other venues, including the school's annual Black and Gold Gala held at the Fairmont Hotel. Exodus is a unique group of professional quality musicians that is rarely found in a high school setting. Exodus does not satisfy the 6 class per semester requirement.
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester)
This course is designed to introduce the student to the world of drama and the techniques of performance. Through careful study, creative exercises, and rehearsal and performance, each student will increase dramatic skills and discover new ones. Upon completion of the course, the student will have a greater appreciation for theater as an entertaining, thought-provoking, and challenging art form.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: none
This course is a continuation of Drama Performance 1 and is designed to help acting students explore drama by expanding their acting training and discovering new aspects of theater, including playwriting and directing. Students will be exposed to various techniques and acting styles by Stanislavski, Meisner, Spolin, Strasberg, and Adler. All exercises with emphasize character development and believability in imaginary circumstances. Through careful study, scene performances, and creative exploration, each student will gain new knowledge and develop into a more complete performer.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Drama Performance 1 or Drama2/Acting teacher approval
This course is a continuation of Drama Performance 1, with an emphasis on film. Students will be exposed to different types of film, including gangster, Western, science fiction, horror, classic and contemporary comedy, and Academy Award winning drama. Students will learn about story and character structure, cinematography, art direction, symbolism, and film genre analysis in this overview of the history of American cinema.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Drama Performance 1
This year long course is a continuation of DP 2 Acting and will cover script analysis, actor preparation, and expansion of vocal, physical, and emotional acting techniques. Advanced scene study, monologues, and classical acting styles, including Shakespeare, will be covered. There will be a strong emphasis on preparing the student for college auditions and entering the professional acting world.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Drama Performance 2 - Recommended and DC approval
This course is a performance-based class for the advanced actor and writer who specializes in improvisation and is ready to explore the world of sketch comedy writing, playwriting, production, and performance. Students in this course make up our sketch comedy group, Pardon My French, and meet after school four days a week at 2:45 pm. Students will study different formats of improvisation and sketch comedy from some of the most respected comedy theatres in the United States. Sketch Comedy does not satisfy the 6 class per semester course load requirement and does not satisfy the UC/CSU art entrance requirement.
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester)
This class is designed to introduce students to jazz, lyrical, theatre, and hip hop dance styles. Dance technique and combinations will be taught. Basic dance history, choreography, and audition technique are covered along with performance skills.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: None
This course is a continuation of Dance Performance 1 and will cover jazz, lyrical, ballet, and theatre dance styles. Dance technique and combinations will be taught, as will be theater and ballet dance history, choreography, and audition technique.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Dance Performance 1. Instructor assigns students to particular sections according to ability and experience.
Advanced Dance is for the advanced dancer who is ready to be challenged both mentally and physically through dance. Students will study dance performance, choreography, and dance history. As the school's dance team, The Royals, the group performs at various athletic events, rallies, and recitals, including the school's annual Black and Gold Gala.
UC/CSU approved course
Prerequisite: Audition required (spring semester). Freshmen enrolled in this yearlong class receive a waiver for Physical Development 1. Seniors enrolled in this yearlong class receive a waiver for Physical Development 2.
AP Music Theory is designed for students who are considering pursuing music in college. The curriculum covers the music theory that would typically be undertaken in a freshman-level college course. One goal of this class is to prepare students to pass the AP Music Theory exam in May.
UC/CSU approved course
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP examination in May.
Prerequisite: Qualifying performance on the department's AP readiness exam.
Department Chair
Doug Santana