High School
Arts: Performing Arts
The High School Performing Arts program offers elective courses in Dance, Instrumental Music (Orchestra), Vocal Music (Choir), Music Appreciation and Theatre Arts. The Theater Arts sequence culminates with a University of California recognized Honors class.
Dance: A course for boys and girls that provides the chance to explore several different dance forms including but not limited to hip-hop, jazz and tap. Aside from learning different forms of dance students have the opportunity to create choreography of their own. As dance is a performing art, the course culminates with an end of semester performance which serves as the students' final.
Music Appreciation: This course is designed for the student who is interested in expanding their understanding of the world of music. Through concert reports, audio recordings, video presentations and hands on exploration students will learn the basic elements present in all music and how they work together to create the art of music around the world. An emphasis is placed on perceptive listening skills and applying them to critical comments on all styles of music. At the end of the course students should be able to; respond emotionally and intelligently to the music of many styles and cultures, understand the social uses of music, recognize music as a marker of its time and culture, develop knowledge, understanding of and respect for superlative human achievements in music, acquire an overview of their own musical heritage and learn why music is essential in all human cultures and to value it accordingly.
Orchestra: Playing an instrument opens up a whole new world of friendship and fun. Orchestra provides a great foundation for all aspects of life. In addition to music, students learn: self-discipline; group cooperation; problem-solving; goal-setting; self-expression; memory skills; concentration; poise; enhanced physical coordination; and the importance of teamwork-skills, all in great demand in almost every aspect of life. Like all the arts, music has a profound effect on the academic success of students as well. Most colleges and universities now look for more than good grades on a child's transcript. They want well-rounded students that have been able to accomplish more than textbook knowledge.
Performance Choir: The Ribét Academy Performance Choir combines choral singing with choreography and costumes representing various themes. Students learn the fundamentals of vocal technique including vocal exercises, breath control, tone production, ear training and range development. Our goal is to help them acquire the skills that provide a foundation for music in their lives and to perform professional quality concerts that both challenge their ability and reward their efforts.
The creation of great choral music is a shared experience that lifts the spirits of all who are involved with its productions. We value the enjoyment we bring to the students, their families and audiences in the music we teach, make and hear.
We promote excellence through continuous improvement. We maintain high standards for repertoire, curriculum and their performance. Our Choir requires dedication and responsibility to make it successful. Students must have the ability to be an independent singer as well as an integral part of an ensemble.
Through music activities and community involvement the Performance Choir helps to foster students' personal and social growth – promoting a sense of self-esteem, accomplishment and pride.
Theatre Arts: Theatre is the art form that most clearly represents life. The dramatic arts have particular powers in the transmission of our culture in the educational process. Theatre is a collaborative artistic expression that encourages and allows us to share intellectually and emotionally, explore universal concerns, and renew the spirit. Every child needs the experience of theatre arts as a serious study. It cannot be learned through casual or sporadic experiences. While some students will demonstrate talent and may be encouraged to pursue some aspect of a theatre career, all students will benefit from this study.
While it can be a vehicle for the integration for all the arts as well as many areas of academic curriculum, the integrity of art must be maintained. The study of theatre begins with a focus on process and as the student develops, becomes more directed toward production while maintaining its process base. The dynamic nature of the process and product of Theatre is intrinsic to education. Theatre learning demands the student be an organizer, creator, observer, and an evaluator.
The goals of Theatre education at Ribét Academy are:
- To provide opportunity for personal artistic fulfillment.
- To create a foundation for lifelong learning and artistic appreciation.
- To understand cultural heritage through the understanding of the role of theatre in society.
- To enhance and enrich learning in all curricular activities.
Courses Offered Are:
- Theatre I (AM)
Is a year-long class with an emphasis on performance and an introduction to stagecraft. - Theatre I (PM)
Is a year-long class with an emphasis on stagecraft and an introduction to performance. - Theatre II
Is a performance based class. Students study acting techniques and are introduced to Theatre History. - Theatre III (Honors)
In this year-long University of California recognized honors class, the students will explore and discover the many diverse elements of drama and the theatrical process through research and performance.