Performing Arts

Mission:

The Performing Arts program at Oakland Tech offers a-g Arts Instruction in Music, Dance and Theatre Arts. Students may also take Dance as their P.E. credit. With focus on process, rehearsal and performance, the Performing Arts program offers training in a broad spectrum of historical and  contemporary performance work.  Students study their specific creative discipline in depth, while given the opportunity for performance in school assemblies and evening performances. Field trips, guest artists and after-school program enhancements are an integral part of our thriving and acclaimed program.

Classes:

• Dance: Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced;
• Drama: 9th Grade, Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced:
• Jazz Band;
• Orchestra;
• Piano;
• Guitar;
• Digital Music Recording;
• Opera Piccola Internships in the Arts and Drama;
• Creative Writing/Spoken Word;
• Technical Theatre

Prerequisites and Requirements:

Sign up with Counselor for Beginning/First Year Courses; Intermediate and advanced coursework is available to second-year Performing Arts students through audition with the instructor; Performances require commitment to rehearsal and performance schedules, including some after-school commitment.

Co-Chairs:

Ms. Jessa Berkner, Room: Auditorium, jessabrie@gmail.com, 879-3050 x143. Ms. Sonja Travick, Dance Room, 879-3050 x319

Please click here to visit the Oakland Tech Performing Arts site.

Beginning/ Intermediate Dance P	UC, CSU Description: Exposes students to world dance forms including: West African, Afro-Brazilian. Hawaiian, Tahitian, North African/Middle Eastern, Afro-Caribbean, Chinese classical and folk, Mexican folkloric and Jazz techniques. Young men are also encouraged to enroll. Uniform consists of black leotard and black leggings or sweat pants for girls and white tee shirt and black sweat pants for boys.
Advanced Dance P	UC, CSU Prerequisites: One year of beg/intermediate dance or permission of instructor. Description: Students must have a 2.50 GPA and good citizenship in order to be enrolled in this class which will consist of the Oakland Techniques Multicultural Touring Company. Students train to tour the community performing valuable lecture demonstrations. Strong leadership and teaching skills are recommended as students will be required to perform at many school and community locations and teach master classes to younger peers upon request. Students enrolled in this course will be expected to attend weekly after-school rehearsals and master classes given by valuable artists-in-residence. Uniform is the same as above.
Drama P	UC, CSU Prerequisites : None Additional prerequisites for specific courses are listed with the course. Description: Techniques of analyzing character, listening critically, and speaking effectively are developed. The emphasis is on individual and group activities in movement, voice, diction, projection of ideas and emotions, preparation of original and published scene work, and study and discussion of theater history.
Advanced Drama P	UC, CSU Prerequisites: One year of high school drama study or consent of instructor. Must work well with others and open to new experiences. Description: Focus is on performance, production, acting styles, and philosophies.

Music

Jazz Band	UC, CSU This course is open to students that are interested in not only learning how to play jazz, but also in learning the history and theory of jazz music. Ensemble members must play one of the following instruments: clarinet, saxophone(s), trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar, drum set, or bass. Jazz Band performs at two evening concerts a school year. Remaining performance schedule TBA.
Orchestra	UC, CSU Open to all students who play standard orchestral instruments (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Clarinet and Percussion). Orchestra rehearses five days per week. The group performs two evening concerts each school year. The Orchestra also performs at various school functions and community events. Music history and theory will be studied as well.
Digital Recording	Introduction to basic techniques of multi-track recording. Session operating procedures, multiple microphone placement, track assignment, overdubbing, mixdown, and console and recorder operation included. Basic Keyboarding techniques are studied also. Programs: Reason, Pro Tools, Nuevo and Garage Band.
Piano (Beginning/Advanced)	UC, CSU Prerequisites: No prerequisite necessary for beginning piano, however, advanced piano student must have had beginning piano. Description: This course is designed to meet the needs of students with a special interest in piano performance. Musicianship/theory, correct hand positions, fingering, and other technical skills that are essential for piano performance are stressed. Recital performance is also an integral part of this course.