Performing Arts

In this course, students will learn the foundations of Ballet technique. Class will progress through a series of warm-ups, across the floor progressions, center phrase work, and choreographic exercises to increase strength, flexibility, musicality, creativity and kinesthetic awareness. This course is open to dancers of all levels. The group will participate in an informal performance during the school day at the end of the semester.

Music is a universal language, with its own vocabulary and symbols. Every musician, whether instrumentalist or vocalist, rock-and-roller or classicist, beginning or advanced, will benefit from a firm foundation in Music Theory. This course explores music through a study of its basic elements (melody, rhythm, harmony and form), giving students the language to speak in a more informed way about all types of music. Students will develop skills enabling them to read music and to interpret music that they hear and see. Students will listen to and analyze music from the Western Art Music tradition, contemporary popular music and cultures from around the world. This course is strongly recommended for anyone participating in a music ensemble at Nobles. This course may only be taken once.

The AP Music Theory course is designed to develop students' ability to recognize, understand, and describe the materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The elements of music composition (rhythm, melody, harmony, texture and form) will be reinforced through an integrated approach in five skill areas: Written, Aural, Analytical, Sight-Singing, and Composition. Regular assessments in these areas will prepare students for the AP Music Theory Exam in May. This course is essential for any student wishing to do serious musical composition or formal study of music in college. This course may only be taken once.

This full year course will introduce students to acting, dance, and vocal music. In the first semester, students will spend one third of the semester focusing on each of the three disciplines, with a different teacher respectively. In the second semester, students will focus on one of the three disciplines to further their training and experiences. This course is open to all upper school students as a way to acquire a basic understanding of aspects of theatre, music, and dance, and no prior experience is required.

Acting One participants will learn and apply the basic language of script analysis and rehearsal techniques. Movement and vocal work will be emphasized, to develop the actors' ability to play a wide range of characters as vividly and believably as possible. Acting One students focus on scenes and monologues from contemporary American plays. This course may only be taken once.

Acting II builds on the foundations laid in Acting I. Students take on longer, more in-depth scene work, exploring a diverse mix of dramatic material from both contemporary and classical plays. Projects culminate in short performances for members of the Nobles community. This course may only be taken once.

For the first half of this course, students will learn and practice how to create theatre on the page. All class members will read about how accomplished playwrights practice their craft, draft their own scenes, and perform their classmates' work. By March break, each student will complete a one-act play. From late March to June, the groups’ focus shifts to the process of directing. Topics will include text analysis and interpretation, leadership of the design team and cast, the rehearsal process, and staging. Students will engage in several practical projects in these areas.

The purpose of this course is to acclimate students to the basics of technical theatre and the process of realizing a theatrical designer’s vision. Through working on specific aspects of the NTC productions, students will gain a stronger understanding of the principles, theories, and practical applications of the production process, and they will grow better equipped to work in collaboration with a creative team and designers. Students will gain an understanding of scenic, paints, and proper rigging techniques, develop creative ideas, collaboration, and problem-solve to develop a clear vision for a successful theatrical production. This class is an active class where students will work on building, painting, and creating aspects of the theatre productions for the season.

Students engage in an in-depth exploration of theatrical design by focusing on one core design discipline per semester. Each offering of the course centers on either Scenic, Lighting, Costume, or Sound Design, allowing students to study the complete design process in a concentrated and sustained way. Working from a dramatic script, students follow the full arc of a theatrical production from first read to opening night, learning how designers analyze text, conduct research, generate and articulate a cohesive design concept, and translate that concept into practical design solutions. Emphasis is placed on visual and aural storytelling, collaboration with a director, and the creation of professional-level design documentation, including sketches, renderings, drafting, cueing, and production paperwork appropriate to the discipline being studied. Through theoretical productions and applied design exercises, students develop critical skills in script analysis, conceptual thinking, research, and technical communication, gaining a clear understanding of how individual design choices support the overall production and move a show from idea to realized performance.

This course IS scheduled during M-Block.

Students engage in an in-depth exploration of theatrical design by focusing on one core design discipline per semester. Each offering of the course centers on either Scenic, Lighting, Costume, or Sound Design, allowing students to study the complete design process in a concentrated and sustained way. Working from a dramatic script, students follow the full arc of a theatrical production from first read to opening night, learning how designers analyze text, conduct research, generate and articulate a cohesive design concept, and translate that concept into practical design solutions. Emphasis is placed on visual and aural storytelling, collaboration with a director, and the creation of professional-level design documentation, including sketches, renderings, drafting, cueing, and production paperwork appropriate to the discipline being studied. Through theoretical productions and applied design exercises, students develop critical skills in script analysis, conceptual thinking, research, and technical communication, gaining a clear understanding of how individual design choices support the overall production and move a show from idea to realized performance.

This course IS scheduled during M-Block.

The Nobles Concert Band is open to wind players, percussionists, and a small number of keyboard players. Ensemble members must be able to read music and have at least one year of experience on their instrument. Initial placement auditions are used to determine seating and part assignments.

The Concert Band rehearses twice a week and performs a wide range of concert band literature, exploring various musical styles and genres. Repertoire is selected with attention to the instrumentation and skill level of the ensemble. The band performs in the Winter and Spring Concerts and may also perform at school assemblies.

There is a strong emphasis on music reading skills, rehearsal technique, and ensemble musicianship. This course may be taken multiple times. Musicians in the Concert Band are strongly encouraged to study privately on their instrument and are encouraged to audition for the Massachusetts Eastern District Music Festival.

Based on placement auditions, select members of the Concert Band may be invited to split their time with the Nobles Symphony Orchestra. Students typically participate in Concert Band for the full academic year and must do so in order to be eligible to participate in a tour.

The Nobles Symphony Orchestra is open to all Upper School string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass) and selected members of Concert Band who know how to read music and have at least three years of experience playing their instruments, The Orchestra will rehearse two periods per week to prepare repertoire of varying styles, with emphasis placed on international and European Classical music. The group performs in at least two major concerts at Nobles each year, and has established a touring program which has included concert tours in Bermuda, Montreal, New York City, Santa Marta (Colombia), and Germany. Orchestra Members are encouraged to audition for the Massachusetts Eastern District Festivals. Musicians in this group are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. Students typically participate in the Orchestra for the full year and must do so in order to be eligible to participate in a tour.

This ensemble rehearses twice a week during the academic day and performs music using a wide array of percussion instruments and techniques. The group performs in two major concerts and also gives occasional informal performances. Selected members of the drum ensemble will occasionally be asked to rehearse and perform in collaboration with other ensembles.

Students who play guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, or sing are welcome to join this group. This ensemble rehearses twice a week during the academic day and emphasizes both rhythm and lead techniques. Members must have at least one year of experience on their instruments. Students learn material both by ear and by use of traditional notation. All players may be given solo opportunities. The RockPerformance Ensemble performs in the two major concerts and occasionally in other settings.

Contemporary Vocal Ensemble is a mixed vocal ensemble open to singers in the Upper School with some singing experience. Emphasis is placed upon basic singing techniques, good rehearsal habits, music reading, and aural skills. The group rehearses twice a week and focuses on contemporary vocal music ranging from genres such as Broadway, popular music, Jazz, and choral music from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The Contemporary Vocal Ensemble performs in two major concerts a year, and will sometimes collaborate with the Chamber Singers and other Nobles vocal ensembles.

Chamber Singers is a select, auditioned vocal ensemble that performs choral music of many genres, spanning the centuries. Representative repertoire includes works from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods, as well as challenging contemporary works by diverse composers. Students will learn advanced musical skills and proper choral/vocal technique. The group performs in at least two major concerts at Nobles each year, and has established a touring program which has included concert tours in Bermuda, Montreal, New York City, Santa Marta, (Colombia), and Germany. Members of the Chamber Singers are encouraged to audition for the Massachusetts Eastern District Chorus. Students typically participate in Chamber Singers for the full year and must do so in order to be eligible to participate in a tour.

Jazz Band is a creative ensemble offering guided exploration through the broadest range of music built by combining groove or swing, personal expression, and improvisation. Ensemble members must know how to read music and have at least one year of experience playing their instruments. The group meets one day a week during community time and develops a varied repertoire in collaboration with the director. In the process students are exposed to examples from the masters in a wide variety of styles and learn about listening, their instruments’ roles in the ensemble, improvisation and the construction and accompaniment of solos, arranging and compositional techniques, basics of jazz chord/scale theory, ear training, and conventions of performance practice. Musicians in this group are strongly encouraged to study privately. The group performs in at least two major concerts at Nobles each year, assembly, and has established a touring program which brought the ensemble to Havana, Cuba in 2024. Students normally participate in this ensemble for the full year and must do so in order to be eligible to participate in a tour.

All students are welcome to take private music lessons at Nobles through the Applied Music Program (AMP). The AMP offers on-campus private lessons on wind, brass, string and percussion instruments, as well as voice, piano, guitar and electric bass, and jazz improvisation. Lessons take place every 7 school days during study halls/free periods. The cost for lessons is not covered by tuition and is billed separately. Families receiving financial aid automatically qualify for proportional support for the AMP fees. There are approximately 21 lessons a year.

Academic credit is not available for music lessons.

Students may take beginner lessons on a new instrument through the program, provided that the student has access to an instrument, or continue to take lessons if the student has prior experience through another program/teacher. Students participating in music ensembles at Nobles are also strongly encouraged to take private lessons in their instrument.

Nobles' treble close-harmony a cappella group rehearses one day a week during community time and performs a challenging repertoire of contemporary a cappella music. The Greensleeves give frequent performances at morning assembly and at special events as well as Nobles’ choral concerts. They also perform at area a cappella festivals.

Nobles' tenor and bass close-harmony a cappella group rehearses one day a week during community time and performs a challenging repertoire of contemporary a cappella music. The Nobleonians give frequent performances at morning assembly and at special events as well as Nobles’ choral concerts. They also perform at area a cappella festivals.

The Honors Chamber Ensemble is designed for advanced, experienced instrumentalists eager to explore a diverse repertoire, including European classical music and other genres. The group meets one day a week during community time. Participation is by audition only and is open to musicians from all instrument families, including winds, percussion, piano, and strings.

Nobles' Advanced Contemporary Dance Ensemble is designed for experienced dancers who are well-versed in contemporary dance forms. This group will rehearse once per week during community time and will create new choreographic work to perform twice per year. This group will perform in the Fall Dance Concert, morning assemblies, and possibly other outside of school events.

In this course, students will explore the creative process of making dances. Students will study elements of composition, including time, space, sound, theme, and more. Dancers will create work both individually and collaboratively, and will share their choreography via informal performance opportunities throughout the semester.

Nobles' co-ed Gospel and Multi-cultural ensemble open to all students and faculty and staff regardless of prior singing experience. The group rehearses one evening per week. Imani performs in two major concerts each year, morning assembly, and other outside of school events.