Performing Arts

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 course will introduce students to acting, dance, and vocal music. Students will spend one third of the semester focusing on each of the three disciplines, with a different teacher respectively. Open to all upper school students as a way to acquire a basic understanding of aspects of theatre, music, and dance, we hope this course will spark an interest in one of the areas and serve as a springboard for students to then choose their next performing arts course. This class may only be taken once.

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.

The Nobles Concert Band is open to wind players, percussionists, and a few keyboard players. Members must know how to read music and have at least one year of experience playing their instruments. It rehearses twice a week and plays a variety of music, with a focus on various styles of concert band literature. The repertoire is chosen with regard to the size, instrumentation, and skill level of the ensemble. The Concert Band performs in the Winter and Spring Concerts and occasionally in assembly. There is a strong emphasis on reading and rehearsal technique. This course may be taken multiple times. Musicians in this group are strongly encouraged to take private lessons. Select members of the Concert Band are invited to audition for the Nobles Orchestra. Students typically participate in Concert Band for the full year and must do so in order to be eligible to participate in a tour.

Students normally participate in this ensemble for the full year.

The Nobles 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. 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 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.

This ensemble rehearses twice a week during the academic day and emphasizes both rhythm and lead techniques. Students learn material both by ear and by use of traditional guitar notation. All players are given solo opportunities. The Guitar Ensemble performs in major concerts and occasionally in other settings. Selected members of the Guitar Ensemble will occasionally be asked to rehearse and perform in collaboration with other ensembles.

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. By giving students a stronger understanding of the principles, theories, and practical applications of the production process, students 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, development of creative ideas, collaboration, and problem solving to develop a clear vision for a successful theatrical production. This class is an active class where you will work on building, painting, and creating aspects of the theatre productions for the season.

Students will be introduced to the four fundamental design disciplines of the theatre, focusing on scenic costume, lighting and sound design. By designing for theoretical productions, the class will travel through the production process from concept to completion of design paperwork. Students will develop skills in play analysis, concept generation, and practical research to develop the final design packet. PLEASE NOTE: this is not a construction/building class.

This course IS scheduled during M-Block.

This class introduces dancers to the tools for making their own dances. We will focus on music, time, space, concept and other elements of composition. Dancers will create work individually and collaboratively and will perform in the Fall Dance Concert.

Contemporary blends several types of dance into its own unique style. It includes elements of ballet, jazz, modern, and even hip hop. Dancers will learn a variety of approaches to physical expression and learn about the history of the form. Exercises focus on increasing technical skills, flexibility and strength, total body connectivity, and creative problem solving. Students will create a dance for performance either in assembly or a smaller venue.

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. The group meets one day a week in the academic day during a new, third M-Block , 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. The band performs in two concerts during the year and occasionally in assembly. This course may be taken multiple times. Musicians in this group are strongly encouraged to study privately.

Students normally participate in this ensemble for the full year.

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 weekly 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 22 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 the academic day 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 the academic day 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.

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.