MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Instrument Lessons

Students in 4th-12th grade learn how to play and care for their instruments in a small group setting.  Choices of instruments include all woodwinds, brass, percussion and strings.  Instruments may be rented or purchased through various sources.  Students must have their own music stand.  Practice 30 minutes per day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

M101     Recorder Lesson ($200 per year) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

Students in 3rd grade learn to play and read music on the treble staff.  This easy-to-play instrument prepares students for playing band instruments and holds an important place in early music history.  A recorder and lesson book will be provided but the student must have their own music stand.

 

M102     Woodwind Lesson ($200 per year) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

All woodwinds, except for the flute and piccolo, produce their tone through a reed attached to the mouthpiece.  Woodwinds require both the right and left hands to be involved with the fingering of notes and will tend to play the higher melodic and fast moving lines in the band music.  Woodwinds include:  clarinet, flute, saxophone, oboe, and piccolo.  Students must rent or purchase their own instruments.    Co-requisite:  M201 BAND

 

 M103     Brass Lesson ($200 per year) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

The brass instruments use a metal mouthpiece against the lips to produce a tone.  Aside from the trumpet, which will often play the melody in the band, the lower brass instruments create the brass section necessary to a full sounding band.  Brass includes: trumpet, french horn, trombone, and tuba.  Students must rent or purchase their own instruments.    Co-requisite:  M201 BAND

 

M104     Percussion Lesson ($200 per year) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

The percussion instruments make sound by striking one object against another in a rhythmic pattern.  Both hands are used to hold sticks or mallets.  Percussion instruments are vital to a complete band.  Percussion includes: snare drum, and the bells (a large xylophone).  Students must rent or purchase their own instruments.    Co-requisite:  M201 BAND

 

M105     String Lesson ($200 per year) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

The string instruments produce their tone from a bow being moved across the strings.  They are available in different sizes to suit the size of the student.  Children will be measured and matched with the proper instrument for their size.  The program emphasizes bow control and music reading.  String students will play with the orchestra when appropriate playing and reading levels are reached.  String instruments include:  violin, viola, cello, and string bass.  Students must rent or purchase their own instruments.

 

Band and Orchestra Programs

Band and Orchestra are the performance groups for students who play instruments.  Students are encouraged to move to a performance group as soon as they have reached the appropriate playing and reading levels.  All Band and Orchestra students must be taking lessons during the academic year, either at the Fine Arts 1 Co-op or privately.

 

M201     Band ($72 per year) – Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

Students taking instrument lessons play standard band literature together, in preparation for two concerts per year.  Emphasis is on the development of teamwork, musicianship, and musical interpretation.  Co-requisite: M102, M103, M104 INSTRUMENT LESSON

 

M202     Orchestra ($72 per year) – by permission of instructor

Students taking string lessons play in the appropriate level of orchestra, in preparation for two concerts per year.  Emphasis is on bow control and music reading.

 

Vocal Performance and Instruction

Students will learn good vocal technique including posture, breathing, tone production, diction, intonation, and expression.  Sight-reading and music theory are taught systematically, with the goal of developing independent musicians who understand the elements of music. 

 

M301     Choirs ($72 per year)

 

                Concert Choir -  Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

Students will receive instruction in the performance of music in three and four part harmony with accompaniment.  They will perform in two concerts per year.

 

                 Vocal Ensemble  – 5^th grade and up, by audition only

This smaller, more challenging vocal group will receive more individualized vocal and ear training to perform challenging music in three or four part harmony with or without accompaniment.  They will perform in two concerts per year.  Students from the Concert Choir will be placed in this group by the instructor.

 

M302     Voice Lesson ($144 per year) - 4^th grade and up, by audition only

Students will focus on vocal production and technique in a small group setting.

 

M303     Vocal Ensemble ($56 per year) – 5^th grade and up, by audition only

This smaller, more challenging vocal group will receive more individualized vocal and ear training to perform challenging music in three or four part harmony with or without accompaniment.  They will perform in two concerts per year.

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 ART DEPARTMENT

 

A101    General Art ($88 per year+ $25 materials fee) - Open to all students, 4^th-12^th grades

A traditional art/art history class using a variety of mediums, introducing students to a range of techniques and art forms.  Beginning with basic art concepts and skills, students will progress through the program, building upon previously mastered material, and relating their growing understanding to accepted works of art.  Content will vary in a multi-year cycle.

 

A201     Intermediate/Advanced Drawing ($88 per year+ $25 materials fee) - 5^th -12^th grade and permission of instructor

An in-depth study of the many drawing techniques used by all artists to observe and record what is seen by the human eye.  Learning the correct approach to drawing will help the young artist to slow down, see ordinary objects differently and notice details often overlooked.  It will also provide a firm foundation for future ventures into other mediums.

 

A203     Drawing and Graphic Art ($88 per year+ $25 materials fee) - 5^th -12^th grade and permission of instructor

A drawing class in caricatures and graphic art offered to seriously silly cartoonists and daring drawers.  Self-motivated and self-disciplined students with a love of drawing are welcome!  (No parental pressure, please.)  The medium will be mostly markers on paper, pen and ink, and a little pencil perhaps.

 

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PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

 

D101     Theater Games ($144 per year includes materials fee)

4^th – 6^th grades open to all students, 7^th-12^th grades with permission of instructor

An introduction to drama using play to build basic principles of performance.  Voice, movement, language skills, improvisation, concentration, imagination, and memory work are some of the components of this fast paced, cooperative and very active class. Class time will be used to develop technique, encourage critical thinking, learn honest emotional and physical expression, and to create good vocal production, as well as build an ensemble.  Students will be acting throughout the year and all during class.

 

D102     Worship Dance ($144 per year includes materials fee)

4^th - 12^th grades, instructor will separate classes by age/ability from the students enrolled.

Students will learn and develop expression through the use of the body.  They will increase their range of motion, acquire a movement vocabulary, and learn to internalize music and rhythm.  Each class will begin with preparation of the body for dance (warm-up and stretching) in conjunction with instruction in basic dance techniques.  Correct body mechanics will be emphasized which includes body placement, use of gravity and leverage, isolation and sequencing of body parts, and applied kinesiology.

 

 

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Enrichment classes are offered to "enhance" and not replace your course of home study.  The Fine Arts classes for all registered students are scheduled first.  Once this is complete, the Enrichment classes are scheduled so that the largest number of interested students can attend.  Since these classes are taught by volunteer co-op parents, they are FREE of charge.  Materials fees may be collected by the individual teachers.  See description for details

 

ENGLISH

 

E201    Writing & Literature

A variety of genre will be covered to both broaden and enhance our reading.  Participation will include reading, discussion and writing assignments.  Please see booklist below.  These selections are not set in stone and discussion between FABoard, parents, and teacher are always welcomed and encouraged.  Literature may include, but not be limited to:

·       The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis)

·       Till We Have Faces (

·       Robert Frost Selected Poetry

·       The Old Man and the Sea

·       Heart of Darkness

·       Lord of the Rings

·       A Separate Peace

·       Pygmalion

·       A Severe Mercy

·       The Trojan War

·       The Importance of Being Earnest