This auditioned ensemble offers students advanced instruction in multi-part singing. A varied repertoire of choral music is studied, and four concerts are performed. Enrolled students are eligible to audition for Dimensions Show Choir, Jazz Choir, All-State, and may participate in the Madrigal Dinner and State Solo/Ensemble Contest. Vocal lessons are included in the course curriculum.

Students will learn to improvise on stage, manage stage fright, evaluate improvisational performances, and participate in a night of improv for the public, through a variety of theatrical games and exercises. Public speaking techniques will also be covered and evaluated. All ability levels are welcome to participate; students need not have acted before.

A Cappella Choir                                                             
Credit:  1.0                                                                          
Offered to grades:  10-12

This non-auditioned ensemble offers students further instruction in 4-part singing. A varied repertoire of choral music is studied, and four concerts are performed. Enrolled students are eligible to audition for Dimensions Show Choir and Jazz Choir and may participate in the Madrigal Dinner and State Solo/Ensemble Contest. Vocal lessons are included in the course curriculum.

Acting I                                                                            
Credit:  0.5                                                                            
Offered to grades:  9-12

This course is open to students with little or no previous stage experience. Through theater games, mime, improvisations, and character analysis, students will develop the acting skills and techniques necessary to audition, rehearse, and perform in a play or musical. Please note:  The semester test exemption will not apply to this class.

Acting II                                                                           
Credit:  0.5                                                                            
Offered to grades:  9-12

This course is a continuation of Acting I and includes more formal work with acting technique, Shakespeare, and theater as a business. Students in this class will be responsible for self-producing and staging a public performance in December. In addition to class rehearsals, students will be required to practice after school.

Acting +                                                                           
Credit:  0.5                                                    
Offered to grades:  10-12, 1^st semester

This course is designed for the select theatrical performance group in DCHS Theater. It involves formal work with acting technique, scenes, play reading, and in-depth analysis of scripts. Students in this class will be responsible for staging the annual Winter Show the first weekend in December. In addition to class rehearsals, this course requires rehearsals and performances outside of class time.

This course provides the opportunity for students to experience, through rehearsal and performance, instrumental music in a variety of styles. Students receive individual and group instruction in performance fundamentals and musical style, theory, and history.

This course provides the opportunity for students to experience, through rehearsal and performance, instrumental music in a variety of styles. Students receive individual and group instruction in performance fundamentals and musical style, theory, and history.

This course focuses on developing musical and technical skills requisite to participating in Band. The individualized instruction will utilize beginning band methods books in conjunction with a computer program. Students completing the course will be expected to register for Band the following semester.

This course focuses on advanced vocal and choral skills, both in the areas of performance and composition. Ear training, keyboard proficiency, rudiments of music theory, and vocal pedagogy are topics to be covered in this course. Instruction is provided on an individual and group basis.

This course is intended for students interested in participation in the colorguard that accompanies the marching band. Enrollment requires spring tryout. Contact the band director for more information.

This non-auditioned ensemble offers students an introduction to 3 and 4-part singing. Music literacy and healthy vocal technique are emphasized, and a varied repertoire of choral music is studied. Four concerts are performed. Enrolled students are eligible to audition for Dimensions Show Choir and may participate in the Madrigal Dinner and State Solo/Ensemble Contest. Vocal lessons are included in the course curriculum.

This course is designed to study the use of film as a creative art and the cinema’s influence on culture and society. Students will explore the following topics:  history of dramatic media, creation of the movie camera, a variety of film genres and styles, specific directors, and eras of media (radio, film, television, and internet). Students will be expected to analyze the mediums both in written and verbal forms and compare and contrast the subject matter. All films to be viewed have received an A-I or A-II rating from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, designating them as appropriate for adolescent audiences.

This class focuses on the development of advanced music skills and the study of high-level solo and ensemble literature particular to a student’s instrument of study. Expanded development of individual performance practices, advanced techniques, and aural analysis will be covered. Instruction will be on an individual basis.

This course is designed for students who may be interested in pursuing music in college. Music Theory will deal with identification and application of the elements of music and music notation. Topics include harmonic chord structure, melody, and rhythm. Application of these topics will take place in analysis, writing, and composing. Techniques of melodic construction, formal design, and harmonization will be discussed.

This course is designed to explore percussion literature and techniques in more detail. Topics covered deal with analysis in instrument techniques, performance practice, and rehearsal strategies. Students will participate in a percussion ensemble and smaller chamber ensembles that will perform for various events, including band concerts.

This class is designed for students interested in participating in the “behind the scenes” aspect of a play/musical production. Students are not required to perform in front of an audience. Students assume responsibilities for production elements such as: set construction, lighting, sound, props, make-up, costumes, publicity, box office management, and stage house managing for the current school production.