2023-2024 Course Guide
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- 2023-2024 Course Guide Introduction
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East Brunswick High School
- Four Year Academic Planner
- Course Grading
- Course Levels
- Course Selection Procedures and Guidelines
- Graduation Requirements
- East Brunswick High School Course Catalog
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East Brunswick High School
Performing Arts CoursesDue to the diversity of our student body, our performing arts courses are designed to cater to the needs of individuals with a great variety of talent, training, interest and attitude. There is something for everyone, no matter how elementary or advanced they may be. For more specific information, consultations with faculty members are recommended. In addition to the courses listed here, students who enroll in high school music courses may qualify to receive credit for private music lessons. For further information, contact the Supervisor of Arts Education.
Performing Arts Courses
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Theatre Arts Courses
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XXXX - Partner Film and Acting
Grades 10-11-12 I Credits: 2/5
Partner Film and Acting is designed with an inclusion model in mind. Peer models will work together with classified students receiving specialized programming through a curriculum designed to cultivate and promote student leadership, peer mentoring, collaboration and creativity. The focus of this class will be to provide students with a variety of creative experiences in film and acting appreciation. Peer assisted learning will be used to cultivate partner relationships. Students interested in being placed in the course as a peer model will complete an application and be selected to participate in the course. Approximately two students per semester will be selected for placement.
Related Course:
XXXX - Partner Art
Available in the Visual Arts catalog.
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1546 - Singing for Musical Theater
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5
Singing for Musical Theater is a semester course to allow personal instruction in both solo and ensemble singing for musical theater. Vocal technique, staging, and characterization will be stressed using repertoire from the Musical Theater genre.
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1282 - Mask and Movement
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5
This course provides an opportunity for students to explore characterization/acting through bodywork. Students will explore different types and styles of movement, characterization through body acting including unarmed stage combat, movement theory, and isolating body acting through mask work. This work will be applied to projects and scenes, and in so doing, students will learn how to transfer these theories and their own impulses to the stage for effective performances.
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1255 - Acting Studio
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5
Acting Studio provides students with a rich scope of theater experiences. Students will experience various aspects of theater production: acting, scene study, and character examination. Students must be willing to perform monologues, scenes, and improvisations in front of the class. A fun way to explore theater and see if more advanced/intense classes are necessary.
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1264 - Acting Studio II
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5 | Prerequisite: Acting Studio
This course allows students to refine their acting skills through intensive studies of scenes and monologues. Students will develop a richer understanding of theater history, from Ancient Greece to modern day through performance of repertoire from various time periods. Audition techniques and acting for film and television will also be explored.
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1279 - Acting Studio III Honors
Grades 11-12 | Credits: 2.5 | Prerequisite: Acting Studio II
This course will provide an opportunity for students who have completed Acting Studio II to hone their acting skills, and explore higher level acting work with peers. Students will explore advanced acting concepts and apply them to scene work, and real world situations such as auditioning for college or professional shows. Also covered is the application of techniques gleaned through the study of such theorists as Michael Chekov, Jeremy Whalen, and Sanford Meisner. Students will finish with a 10-15-minute solo show, performed for an audience.
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Music Theory Courses
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1549 - Digital Music Studio
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5
This course is open to any student with a love for music but have no formal training. Students will explore music arranging, mixing, sampling, and live performance using computers, keyboards, drum pads, and other devices. This course will feature solo and collaborative music production, and students will finish the course with a portfolio of 5-8 finished tracks.
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1548 - Advanced Music Studio
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5 | Prerequisite: Digital Music Studio or Demonstration of Music Reading Skills/Faculty Recommendation
Advanced Music Studio is designed for students who want to learn more advanced composing and recording techniques. Students will use computers, MIDI keyboards and other instruments to create new songs and song arrangements in a wide variety of musical styles. Music and audio software will allow students to compose, record, and edit music and to create original recordings. This class will also focus on composing and arranging music for live performers, recording and editing live and digital performances, and creating music to sync with video.
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1542 - Musicianship
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 2.5
This course is open to any student wishing to learn the fundamentals of music. Areas of study will include note reading, scales, rhythm, chord structure, and key signatures. Music from all periods and styles will also be explored. This course is recommended for students planning to take AP Music.
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1503 - AP Music
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5 l Prerequisite: Successful completion of 1542 Musicianship (or placement test) and recommendation of the AP Music Teacher.
This course is designed specifically for the serious music student, offering an in-depth study of all the elements of music theory including harmony and counterpoint. A portion of the course is devoted to listening to music in order to understand how the elements combine to create a total composition. Students will gain greater skill in music analysis, sight-singing and music dictation. Independent music performance, composition, research and attending live concerts are encouraged.
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Music Performance and Ensembles Courses
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1543 - Beginning Piano
Grades 10-12 | 2.5
This course introduces the fundamentals of playing any keyboard instrument. A music technology lab equipped with MIDI keyboards, computers and headsets will be used to learn to read and play music in the treble and bass clef using two hands. It is recommended that students have access to an instrument at home or outside of school.
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1283 - Piano Workshop
Grades 10-12 | 2.5 | Prerequisite: B or higher in Beginning Piano within the previous year or Teacher Recommendation
This course provides an opportunity for students who have completed Beginning Piano to continue their development as keyboard musicians. In addition, through course admission by audition, this course can provide an appropriate placement for students who have acquired some level of piano proficiency through private lessons.
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1521 - Concert Band (Brass/Woodwind)
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5
Concert Band is open to any student playing a brass or woodwind instrument. Students study and perform standard literature written or transcribed for concert band. Students are expected to attend group lessons, which are offered on a rotating schedule throughout the school day. Through group lessons and private practice, students increase their technical proficiency on their instrument. Students are required to attend all after-school and evening rehearsals and all scheduled performances. Enrollment in band is a prerequisite for performing in any other ensembles such as marching band, jazz band, orchestra, or percussion ensemble.
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1507 - Concert Band (Percussion)
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5
Concert Band (Percussion) is open to any student playing a percussion instrument. Students study and perform standard literature written or transcribed for concert band and percussion ensemble. Students are expected to attend group lessons, which are offered on a rotating schedule throughout the school day. Through group lessons and private practice, students increase their technical proficiency on their instrument. Students are required to attend all after-school and evening rehearsals and all scheduled performances. Enrollment in band is a prerequisite for performing in any other ensembles such as marching band, jazz band, orchestra, or percussion ensemble.
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1520 - Honors Wind Ensemble
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisite: Successful completion of an audition
Wind Ensemble is an honors-level course open to a limited number of brass, woodwind, and percussion students selected through an audition process. Audition requirements may be obtained from the Music Department. Students study more difficult repertoire written for smaller wind bands. Students are expected to attend group lessons, which are offered on a rotating schedule throughout the day. Through private practice and group lessons, students increase their technical proficiency. Students are required to attend all scheduled afternoon and evening rehearsals and all performances. Students are expected to audition for Region Band. Students not able to audition must complete an alternate performance experience. Due to the nature of the wind ensemble, the following is the recommended instrumentation. This instrumentation may be modified to accommodate balance challenges with the group. Participation in the Wind Ensemble is limited to the following instruments:- 4 Flutes
- 2 Bassoons
- 3 Trombones
- 2 Oboes
- 2 Alto Saxophones
- 2 Euphoniums
- 6 Bb Clarinets
- 1 Tenor Saxophone
- 1 Tuba
- 1 Alto Clarinet
- 1 Baritone Saxophone
- 3 Percussion
- 1 Bass Clarinet
- 4 French Horns
- 1 Mallet Percussion
- 1 Contrabass Clarinet
- 5 Trumpets
- 1 Timpani
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1537 - Honors Chamber Orchestra
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Successful completion of an audition
Chamber Orchestra is an honors-level course open to a limited number of string players through an audition process. Audition requirements may be obtained from the Music Department. Wind, brass, and percussion students from the Wind Ensemble may be added to form a Symphony Orchestra. Students study and perform music of greater difficulty written for chamber orchestra. Students are expected to attend group lessons, which are offered on a rotating schedule throughout the school day. Through group lessons and private practice, students increase their technical proficiency on their instruments. Students are required to attend all after-school and evening rehearsals and all scheduled performances. Students are expected to audition for Region Orchestra. Students not able to audition must complete an alternative performance experience. Due to the definition of a Chamber Orchestra, instrumentation is limited and based upon the need for a balance between violins, violas, celli, and basses.
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1518 - Orchestra
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5
Orchestra is open to any student playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass). A broad selection of music, encompassing different styles and periods, is performed. Students are expected to attend group lessons, which are offered on a rotating schedule throughout the school day. Through group lessons and private practice, students increase their technical proficiency on their instruments. Students are required to attend all after-school and evening rehearsals and all scheduled performances.
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1505/1506 - Chorus
1505 - Chorus (Full-Year)
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5
Chorus is a full-year choral ensemble open to students without an audition. In Chorus, students will learn how to improve their vocal technique and music reading through singing a variety of music. Previous musical experience is not necessary to be successful in this class. All Chorus classes combine for dress rehearsals and concerts. Chorus performs at both the Winter and Spring Choral Concerts and may have a few additional concert opportunities throughout the year. Attendance at all dress rehearsals and concerts is required.1506 - Chorus (Semester Option)
Grades 10-12 | Credits 2.5
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1508 - Honors Concert Choir
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisite: Successful completion of an audition
Concert Choir Honors is a full year elective course offered to 10th through 12th grade students. Enrollment is by audition only. Concert Choir Honors students should anticipate additional after school and evening rehearsals in preparation of many public performances and choral festivals. Concert Choir Honors students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances as part of the course requirement. Qualified advanced students are expected to audition for Regional and New Jersey All-State Chorus. This course emphasizes advanced applications of previously learned fundamentals of ensemble singing through study and performance of quality vocal music. Solo and small ensemble singing are an integral part of this course. The size of the Concert Choir is dependent on a balance of voice parts (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass).
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1541 - Honors Bella Voce
Grades 10-12 | Credits: 5 | Prerequisite: Successful completion of an audition
Bella Voce Honors is a full year elective course offered to 10th through 12th grade students. This course is designed to focus and explore literature and vocal technique specifically for the mature treble voice. Enrollment is by audition only. Bella Voce Honors students should anticipate additional after school and evening rehearsals in preparation of many public performances and choral festivals. Bella Voce Honors students are required to attend all rehearsals and performances as part of the course requirement. Qualified advanced students are expected to audition for Regional and New Jersey All-State Chorus. The course emphasizes advanced applications of previously learned fundamentals of ensemble singing through study and performance of quality vocal music. Solo and small ensemble singing are an integral part of this course.