Course Descriptions
ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS
Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music
Basics of the Musical Instrument Digital Interface system, its software, and the instruments commonly used with desktop MIDI workstations (synthesizers, digital samplers). MIDI sequencing, digital audio editing, and principles of digital syntheses.
INSTRUMENTS
Woodwinds
Clarinet, saxophone, flute. Beginning class instruction in accepted methods of tone production, embouchure building, fingerings, techniques, and attention to problems confronting the beginning woodwind player. Oboe, bassoon. Beginning class instruction in breath control, embouchure formation, intonation problems, making and adjusting double reeds.
Brasses
Trumpet, horn. Class instruction in development, tone production, breath control, and tonguing. Also, practical use of alternate fingerings and attention to special problems confronting the player. Trombone, baritone, tuba. Class instruction in development, tone production, breath control, and tonguing. Also, practical use of alternate fingerings and attention to special problems confronting the player.
Strings
Violin, viola, cello and bass. A survey of the fundamentals of tone production, bowing, fingerings, and positions. Special attention is given to the methods of tuning.
Percussion
Snare and bass drums, cymbals, traps. Class instruction includes playing of percussion instruments of indefinite pitch with special emphasis placed on performance on the snare drum. Notation methods and the roll receive special attention. Timpani, bells, xylophone, marimba. Class instruction on percussion instruments of definite pitch. Emphasis on correct mallet and hand position and tuning timpani.
VOCAL TRAINING
Elements of Vocal Technique
Introductory fundamentals lab designed to address the basic elements of singing (e.g., breath management, intonation, tone quality, phrasing). Song materials will be selected in consultation with the private instructor. Students will participate in periodic self-assessment and videotaped in-class performance.
Vocal Sight-Reading Techniques 1
Introductory course for singers to further develop listening skills, reading notation, concepts of rhythm, intervals, chord changes, time-feels, and grooves applied to singing lyrics and pitches simultaneously; sight-reading will include lead sheets, sheet music, and specific vocal arrangements.
Ear Training
Development of basic ear training skills through singing and dictation studies. Study of songs, intervals, and exercises in the major scales. Study of basic rhythm patterns.
CREATIVE WRITING
Introduction to Creative Writing
This is our Introduction to Creative Writing course. How to find ideas. Starting an ideas' book. Keeping notebooks. How to read as a writer. Brainstorming. Organizing material. We write poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and as a foundation for this we examine the work of masters.
Editing
This is our introduction to Editing writing. What is editing? Using a thesaurus. Finding the right word. Make every word count. Remove vague words. Replace repetitive words. Use compact words. Replace overworked words. Write with nouns and verbs. Improve verbs. Improve nouns. Use precise adjectives and adverbs. Use the active voice and much more.
Dance
Dance Composition
Dance composition is designed to provide students with a broad perspective on movement, choreography and composition, through the study of dance history and various choreographic techniques. Students will have the opportunity to create and perform their individual works in a student performance at the end of the summer.
Ballet
Ballet includes barre and floor movements and combinations for the classical ballet vocabulary, emphasizing proper alignment, strength, speed, endurance and flexibility. The course will include a study of ballet history and the objective criticism of dance. It will also explore connections to music, theater and art. Students will participate in a dance performance. The general principles of dance technique requires proper alignment, center point of balance, opposition balance, transfer of weight, specific rhythm patterns, turns and turning techniques.
Hip Hop Dance
Hip-Hop Dance is designed to provide students with a broad perspective on movement in the dance form of Hip-Hop. Students will also study the many different styles of dance that exist under the umbrella of Hip-Hop, For example, students will study popping, locking, snaking, waving and breaking, among others. The general principles of dance technique encompass turn-out, proper alignment, weight distribution, stance, transfer of weight, squareness, pull-up or lift, counter-pull, counter balance, aplomb and balance.
Jazz Dance
Jazz dance includes the development of barre and floor jazz technique from 20th and 21st century styles. Emphasis is on using ballet technique to produce strong, sharp movements, jumps and turns. Also included are originality, improvisation, and expression through syncopation of dance and music and grandiose body movements. Jazz history and connections to music are included. Students will participate in a dance performance. The general principles of dance technique requires proper alignment, center point of balance, opposition balance, transfer of weight, specific rhythm patterns, turns and turning techniques.
DRAMA/THEATRE
Introduction to Dramatic Arts
The nature and scope of drama, emphasizing drama as a natural form of self-expression, a creative discipline and a social art. Group experience; some of the crafts and techniques necessary in the preparation, production, presentation and performance of theatre.
Play Reading and Analysis
A practical examination of the principles and techniques involved in script analysis for theatre practitioners.
Acting: Fundamentals
Performance-based study of the art of acting. Scene study with an emphasis on characterization.
Voice and Speech: Fundamentals
Introduction to breath support, sound production, resonance, and articulation with an emphasis placed on freeing the voice.
Movement Studies: Fundamentals
Performance-based study of movement arts, through training, analysis and composition in a variety of movement techniques.
Directing: Fundamentals
A discovery of directing principles and techniques, including play selection, script analysis, casting, and working with actors.
Introduction to Stagecraft
Introduction to theatre production techniques including sets, props, lighting, sound, costumes, and stage management.
Design for Theatre: Fundamentals
Introduction to theatre design with emphasis on scenery, costumes, lights, and director/designer communication.
Stage Makeup
An introduction to the concept, materials and skills of theatrical makeup. Covers the art of two-dimensional and three-dimensional makeup techniques with emphasis on aging.
ENGINEERING AND PRODUCTION
Music Production and Engineering
This course explores the roles and responsibilities of music producers and engineers from idea inception to finished product. Included is an overview of studio technologies and basic recording procedures. This course is recommended for students considering the music production and engineering major or anyone desiring a broad overview of the field.
Principles of Record Production for Musicians
With the proliferation of low-cost, high-quality music technology, most musicians now have the means to make a commercial album without the support of a record label, and often are required to fill the role of producer and possibly engineer. This course surveys the general production process from concept through mastering, with an emphasis on self-produced independent projects. Students will develop detailed plans for a recording project.
From CC to MTV
Ever wish you could create chart-topping music videos? This class will help kick-start your career in music video industry. Learn the basics of music and video production including composition, storytelling, directing, acting, lighting, and editing. Show what you’re working with by producing an original video for your favorite jam.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Introduction to Photography, I
Beginning with basic camera operation, students learn the visual and technical elements that create a photograph.
Introduction to Photography, II
Directed toward developing a personal style of picture taking, this course includes dark-room experience in processing and printing black and white film.
GRAPHIC ART
Illustrious Illustrator
Bring your stories to life in this class where a picture paints a thousand words! Start with a story you’ve written, or your favorite poem or fairytale, then take it to another level with your own dazzling depictions. Follow the path of professional illustrators—start with sketches and transfer them using dry point etching. Your stories will be unforgettable after you unleash your inner illustrator through radical representations.
Introduction to Computer Art
Designed to introduce the student to using the computer for design in Quark Xpress, photo manipulation in Photoshop and illustration in Illustrator. Both for artist and non-artist, graphic arts or internet. Projects form basis of professional portfolio.
FILM/VIDEO/TV
Media Production I
Fundamentals of video production, including the techniques and the aesthetics of shooting, lighting, and editing. Emphasizes hands-on production experience, using small format video.
Image & Sound
A beginning course in problem-solving skills, image-sound, and sequencing relationships applied to basic expression through visual and audio media. Students explore the principles that guide the development of creative solutions and learn basic terminology used in production and critique.
Scriptwriting I
Writing for film, video, radio, and mixed media. Writing exercises in dramatic, informational, documentary and public service announcements and commercial formats.
Film Production I
16mm shooting, editing, and budgeting, using class members as production unit. Includes attention to the history and aesthetics of this format.
Documentary Production I
Explores theory and practice of documentary production through a series of short projects. Includes viewings and readings.
Media Technologies
Basic electronics theory, audio and video recording, synthesizing on audio or video signal, and signal processing.
Film and Video Art
A practical examination of the elemental codes and structures of film and video. Exercises in lighting, sequencing, sound, color, and composition. Viewings and readings.
SECOND LANGUAGE (AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE - ASL)
Beginning American Sign Language I
An introductory course in American Sign Language. It consists of a preparatory phase to attune students to communication in the manual-visual mode, followed by instruction and practice in vocabulary, sentence structure, elementary conversation, and literature.
Beginning American Sign Language II
Continuation of basic study of the language and culture; an opportunity to build receptive and expressive sign vocabulary; use of signing space; further use of nonmanual components of ASL grammar including facial expression and body postures, and introduction to conversational regulators.
Intermediate American Sign Language I
This course emphasizes further development of receptive and expressive skills. Introduction to language forms used in ASL poetry and to the features of culture as displayed in art and theater.
Intermediate American Sign Language II
This course consists of intensive use of expressive and receptive skills in complex grammatical structures, dialogues, and storytelling.
VISUAL ART
Drawing and Composition Workshop
Studio work: theoretical analysis and practical application of some of the components of a work of art: form, line, shape and value.
Painting Workshop
Studio work: texture, color, and space are studied.
Painting and Drawing Workshop
Studio work: basic techniques.
Figure Painting Workshop
Studio work: study of the human form in color.
Figure Structure Workshop
A study of the human figure in two and three dimensions working from a plaster model. Proportions of the skeleton and mechanism of motion are emphasized.
Commercial Art Workshop
Introductory studio experience in commercial visual communication. Design of a "commercial product" project: identification, idea selection, symbol creation, packaging structure and design. Layout designing and techniques, color, study, fonts, and drawing skills.
MARTIAL ART
COMING SOON!!!!!!