Performing Arts

It is the philosophy of the Fine Arts faculty to develop in our Benjamin students a lasting involvement with and enjoyment of the arts, in the hope that the creativity generated through participation will be integrated into their lives. For the student who wishes to explore or develop his or her talents in the arts, the Benjamin Upper School offers a range of classes and extracurricular activities in drawing, visual design, photography, computer graphics, dance, drama, music (vocal and instrumental) and multimedia. Students have many opportunities to display their work either in school-related functions and other venues. All courses make use of audio-visual materials, lectures, and demonstrations as an aid to a fuller understanding of techniques and methods.

Students must earn 1 credit in Fine Arts (Performing or Visual) during their 4 years of high school.

Introduction to Broadcast Journalism

Introduction to Broadcast Journalism One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

Formally called, TV Studio & Field Production
This course is designed as an introduction to live television and video production. Students will learn every aspect of live program and video production including planning, writing, shooting, interviewing, editing, reporting, hosting and live show execution. All instruction is hands-on. Students will acquire the necessary skills through experience in producing talk, entertainment, game shows and news magazine format productions. Students will learn both the technical and artistic components of producing video in a studio environment as well as in the field. Work will be completed in a state-of-the-art high-definition digital broadcast studio and post-production facility.
Summer TV Studio & Field Production

This course is designed as an introduction to live television and video production. Students will learn every aspect of live program and video production including planning, writing, shooting, interviewing, editing, reporting, hosting and live show execution. All instruction is hands-on. Students will acquire the necessary skills through experience in producing talk, entertainment, game show and news magazine format productions. Students will learn both the technical and artistic components of producing video in a studio environment as well as in the field. Work will be completed in a state-of-the-art high definition digital broadcast studio and post-production facility.
Broadcast Journalism 1

Broadcast Journalism 1 One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This course is designed as an immersive experience in producing live television and focuses on empowering students to become effective communicators in a world dominated by new media. Students will build upon the knowledge and experience gained in TV Studio & Field Production and produce weekly newscasts that will be broadcast live to the school and via the Internet. The focus of these broadcasts will be to mimic real-world television and Internet media. Additional projects include in-depth news reports, short documentaries and in-studio talk shows. Work will be completed in a state-of-the-art high definition digital broadcast studio and post-production facility. Broadcasting students will also work in concert with print journalism students for content and coverage topics that include both in-school issues and occurrences as well as local, national and global subjects.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Broadcast Journalism and approval of the instructor.
Film Production

Film Production One Semester (Fall or Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course can be taken multiple times and is designed to develop student understanding of the screenwriting process and to build upon prior knowledge and experience gained in Broadcast Journalism 1 to produce an original short film. Students will work in a state-of-the-art television and film production facility to learn how to produce, write, shoot and edit a short film. All films will be shot on high definition cameras and edited on industry standard Adobe Premiere Pro workstations. This course will provide students with the basic fundamentals of writing for the screen while also introducing the rudimentary artistic principles of the filmmaking process. Students will receive extensive training in cinematography and non-linear digital video editing.
Prerequisites: TV Studio & Field Production, Broadcast Journalism 1 and teacher approval
Broadcast Journalism 2

Broadcast Journalism 2 One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course can be taken multiple times and is designed as an immersive experience in producing live television and focuses on empowering students to become effective communicators in a world dominated by new media. Students will build upon the knowledge and experiences gained in TV Broadcast & Journalism and continue to produce weekly newscasts that will be broadcast live to the school and via the Internet. The students will also begin to explore the world of multi-camera productions and utilize their knowledge gained from the previous two classes to work together as a team in producing such events as the spring musical, variety show, sporting contests, guest speakers, and other projects. The students will also begin to expand their knowledge of the editing process by learning how to edit multi-camera productions. Advanced Broadcasting students will also begin taking the “live” equipment into the field and work on turning these once “taped” projects into live-streaming events on the World Wide Web.

Work will be completed in a state-of-the-art high definition digital broadcast studio and post-production facility. Broadcasting 2 students will also work in concert with print journalism students for content and coverage topics that include both in-school issues and occurrences as well as local, national, and global subjects. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.
Prerequisite: Broadcast Journalism 1 and approval of the instructor.
Broadcast Journalism 2

Broadcast Journalism 2One Semester (Fall (631) and Spring (632)); ½ Credit

This semester course can be taken multiple times and is designed as an immersive experience in producing live television and focuses on empowering students to become effective communicators in a world dominated by new media. Students will build upon the knowledge and experiences gained in TV Broadcast & Journalism and continue to produce weekly newscasts that will be broadcast live to the school and via the Internet. The students will also begin to explore the world of multi-camera productions and utilize their knowledge gained from the previous two classes to work together as a team in producing such events as the spring musical, variety show, sporting contests, guest speakers, and other projects. The students will also begin to expand their knowledge of the editing process by learning how to edit multi-camera productions. Advanced Broadcasting students will also begin taking the “live” equipment into the field and work on turning these once “taped” projects into live-streaming events on the World Wide Web.

Work will be completed in a state-of-the-art high definition digital broadcast studio and post-production facility. Broadcasting 2 students will also work in concert with print journalism students for content and coverage topics that include both in-school issues and occurrences as well as local, national, and global subjects. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.

Prerequisite: Television Broadcast & Journalism 1 and approval of the instructor.
Concert Band

Concert Band Full Year; 1 Credit
This year-long course allows students the opportunity to strengthen the skills developed in Lower and Middle School Band. The course reinforces fundamentals in music, as more difficult orchestration is presented. Students may enroll at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.
Prerequisite: Prior experience on an instrument or teacher approval.
Chamber Ensemble Y

Chamber Ensemble Full Year; 1 Credit

This year-long course serves the advanced performers on any string instrument (violin, viola, cello and bass) and piano by providing supervised study of their instrument in ensemble playing. In this course students will be assigned to small groups (duets, trios, quartets), which will practice and perform pieces from the classical and contemporary repertoire. They are expected to practice daily on their own and urged to take private lessons outside of school. The course is graded on the basis of student performance of their pieces studied and may be taken more than once.
Prerequisite: Prior experience on an instrument or teacher approval.
Chorus Y

Chorus Full Year; 1 Credit
This year-long course teaches the fundamentals of choral singing. Special emphasis is put upon developing aural skills, proper breathing technique, sight-singing and the enjoyment of singing. Students may join this course at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.
Piano II

Piano II One Semester (Fall/Spring); ½ Credit
These semester courses allow students to learn basic piano and music theory skills. Performance skills, music theory, piano technique, and musicianship skills are covered in this course. More advanced students are able to further their piano skills and theory knowledge. Students may take Piano II for credit for more than one year.

Pre-requisite: Introduction to Piano
Piano I/II (S)

Piano I/II One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit
These semester courses allow students to learn basic piano and music theory skills. Performance skills, music theory, piano technique and musicianship skills are covered in this course. More advanced students are able to further their piano skills and theory knowledge. Students may take Piano II for credit for more than one year.
AP Music Theory

AP Music Theory (672) Full Year; 1 Credit

AP Music Theory is year-long course designed to develop a student’s ability to recognize, understand and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a printed score. The class combines studies in aural skills, sight-singing skills, basic keyboard skills, written and compositional skills, and analytical skills. Music theory begins with the acquiring of speed and fluency in the rudimentary terminology of music. These fundamental skills are applied to the higher level processes such as melodic and harmonic dictation, composition of bass lines for a given melody, implying appropriate harmony, realizing figured bass, realizing Roman numeral progressions, analysis of repertoire and sight singing. AP Music Theory culminates in the aural and visual identification of procedures in common-practice tonality.

Prerequisite: Teacher approval.
Modern Dance & Composition

Modern Dance and Composition (698) (not being offered in 2019-2020)One Semester; ½ Credit

This semester course introduces students to an art form which uses the human body and its movement as the art medium. Students study choreography and dance composition as well as dance history, theory and vocabulary. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year. This course aligns with the National Dance Standards.
Introduction to the Theater

Introduction to Theatre One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

This semester course is open to all students and introduces the various artistic disciplines that create a piece of theatre such as acting, directing, set design, lighting, sound design, costuming, make-up, set construction and theatre history and theory.
Advanced Acting Techniques

Advanced Acting Techniques One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit

This one-semester course offers a student at any level of experience the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of acting and apply them to the creation of monologues and scenes. Areas of emphasis include oral interpretation, use of gestures and body language, and the use of space. In addition, students receive training and practice in the craft of character creation through analysis of given circumstances and objectives. At the conclusion of the course, the students have a portfolio of at least two contrasting monologues that may be used for school, community theatre, or college program auditions.

Prerequisite: Acting Techniques, Theatre Production I, Theatre Production II or equivalent
Theater Production I

Theatre Production I One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

This course allows those involved in any of our Drama Club productions the opportunity to further their understanding as a playwright, director, actor, or designer involved in an actual theatrical enterprise. This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in gaining a stronger understanding and appreciation for the theatre process and adding nuance, depth, and technique to their work. In order to sign up for this offering, students must first get approval from Mr. Peck. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre or equivalent
Theatre II

This course is open to all students and includes a hands-on focus. Students are encouraged to get involved as scenic, sound, and costume designers for Benjamin and Thespian Festival productions. The class will allow students who are interested in theatre design to collaborate and work on a process that allows for their creations to come to life on the Benjamin stage. Students who are interested in the visual, digital, and technical aspects of the theatre are encouraged to take this class.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre, Theatre Production I, or equivalent
Advanced Acting

Advanced Acting One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit

Advanced Acting Techniques will help students gain a greater appreciation of the craft of acting. Movement, improvisation and various other theatre exercises are taught to help students in the creation of a character. There is an emphasis on understanding text and analysis with a focus on monologue and scene work that will be required. This course is designed to encourage instinct and expression and, most importantly, to build confidence for the actor. This is a course that is designed for the more advanced actor.
Prerequisite: Acting Techniques
Chamber Ensemble

Chamber Ensemble One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course serves the advanced performers on any string instrument (violin, viola, cello, and bass) and piano by providing a supervised study of their instrument in ensemble playing. In this course, students will be assigned to small groups (duets, trios, quartets), which will practice and perform pieces from the classical and contemporary repertoire. They are expected to practice daily on their own and urged to take private lessons outside of school. The course is graded on the basis of student performance of their pieces studied and may be taken more than once.

Prerequisite: Prior experience on an instrument or teacher approval.
Chorus

Chorus One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course teaches the fundamentals of choral singing. Special emphasis is put upon developing aural skills, proper breathing technique, sight-singing, and the enjoyment of singing. Students may join this course at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.
Honors Chamber Ensemble
Honors Chamber Ensemble One Semester (Fall or Spring) or Full Year; ½ or 1 Credit

Students who have previously taken the course for a minimum of two complete years may opt to take the course for honors credit. To receive honors credit, students must complete the following additional coursework and maintain good academic standing in the class:
- A minimum of two additional well-prepared solo or small ensemble performances each semester - these are in addition to the performances required for the non-honors version of the course. Options for satisfying this requirement will be discussed as the school year progresses, but bear in mind that opportunities run out when end-of-semester exams approach, so do not expect an opportunity to receive credit if you wait too long.
- Perform at solo & ensemble or a similar adjudicated performance once during the school year.
- Participate in the Variety Show (this is in addition to any piece that the class performs together at the show). This can include participating in a group number - it does not have to be a solo.
- Attend an approved live performance each semester and write a concert review.
- Be able to play all 12 major and 12 melodic minor scales (in 1 or 2 octaves, as appropriate for your instrument) before the end of the year.
Honors Chorus
Honors Chorus One Semester (Fall or Spring) or Full Year; ½ or 1 Credit

Students who have previously taken the course for a minimum of two complete years may opt to take the course for honors credit. To receive honors credit, students must complete the following additional coursework and maintain good academic standing in the class:
- A minimum of two additional well-prepared solo or small ensemble performances each semester - these are in addition to the performances required for the non-honors version of the course. Options for satisfying this requirement will be discussed as the school year progresses, but bear in mind that opportunities run out when end-of-semester exams approach, so do not expect an opportunity to receive credit if you wait too long.
- Perform at solo & ensemble or a similar adjudicated performance once during the school year.
- Participate in the Variety Show (this is in addition to any piece that the class performs together at the show). This can include participating in a group number - it does not have to be a solo.
- Attend an approved live performance each semester and write a concert review.
Honors Concert Band
Honors Band One Semester (Fall or Spring) or Full Year; ½ or 1 Credit

Students who have previously taken the course for a minimum of two complete years may opt to take the course for honors credit. To receive honors credit, students must complete the following additional coursework and maintain good academic standing in the class:
- A minimum of two additional well-prepared solo or small ensemble performances each semester - these are in addition to the performances required for the non-honors version of the course. Options for satisfying this requirement will be discussed as the school year progresses, but bear in mind that opportunities run out when end-of-semester exams approach, so do not expect an opportunity to receive credit if you wait too long.
- Perform at solo & ensemble or a similar adjudicated performance once during the school year.
- Participate in the Variety Show (this is in addition to any piece that the class performs together at the show). This can include participating in a group number - it does not have to be a solo.
- Attend an approved live performance each semester and write a concert review.
- Be able to play all 12 major and 12 melodic minor scales (in 1 or 2 octaves, as appropriate for your instrument) before the end of the year.
Honors Television Broadcasting & Journalism -2

Honors Television Broadcasting & Journalism -2 One Semester (Fall or Spring) or Full Year; ½ or 1 Credit

To earn Honors credit for this course, a student must be starting his/her/their 3rd semester of Broadcasting II. Television Broadcast Journalism II students MUST effectively assist (direct, camera, on-air talent) on a minimum of 3-live productions during the semester. These will normally be “after” school hours and will include activities such as athletics and performing arts productions. Students will be using everything they have learned in Broadcasting II and put it to use in real-world situations.
Honors Theatre 3 & 4 The Buccaneer Theatre Company

Honors Theatre 3 & 4: The Buccaneer Theatre Company One Semester or Full Year (Fall/Spring); ½ Credit

This honors-level course, The Buccaneer Theatre Company (BTC) is a class for passionate students of acting, design, and theater. The focus is the creative power of ensemble and developing the tools necessary to mold and shape a theatrical work. The content will vary from year to year as the course is geared to each specific group. As part of our award-winning theatrical programming, The Buccaneer Theatre Company (BTC) has a culminating performance at the end of each semester. Students will reflect on their own theatrical work and that of their peers. Students will learn to be intentional and deliberative in their work, to move beyond an understanding of the “right way” or “wrong way” to engage in their work, and will develop a practice that will sustain them even in any non-theatre related, critical inquiry courses. Accommodations will be made for athletic practices and other extracurriculars, but in the week leading up to a performance, students will be asked to meet a minimal commitment after school.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre, Theatre II, and approval of the instructor
Honors Theatre 5, 6, & 7 The Buccaneer Theatre Company

Honors Theatre 5, 6, & 7: The Buccaneer Theatre Company One Semester or Full Year (Fall/Spring)’ ½ Credit

This top level honors-level course is for students who have completed a full year of The Buccanner Theatre Company (BTC) and continues the work that was laid out in previous semesters. Students in this course are expected to devise their own piece of theatre which can include solo work, docu-theatre, or performance art. Students will be asked to document their rehearsal process and do a deep exploration of an assigned role or design element from a published piece of dramatic literature which will include imagination through historical research, documentation of the artistic choices made, and analysis of how their work fulfills the need of the playwright.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Theatre, Theatre II, Honors Theatre 3 & 4: The Buccaneer Theatre Company and approval of the instructor
Introduction to Chorus

Introduction to Chorus One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course teaches the fundamentals of choral singing. Special emphasis is put upon developing aural skills, proper breathing technique, sight-singing, and the enjoyment of singing. Students may join this course at the beginning of the second semester with the instructor’s approval.

Prerequisite: No experience required
Introduction to Dance Technique

Introduction to Dance One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

This semester course introduces students to the areas of jazz, contemporary, ballet, and tap dance. Students learn history, theory, dance technique, and dance vocabulary, while at the same time learning about the importance of dance conditioning and strength training through the Pilates method. Participation is the key to learning dance. This course aligns with the National Dance Standards.

Prerequisite: No experience required
Introduction to Modern Dance

Introduction to Modern Dance One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit
This semester course introduces students to an art form which uses the human body and its movement as the art medium. Students will be introduced to choreography and dance composition, as well as dance history, theory and vocabulary. This course aligns with the National Dance Standards.

Prerequisite: No experience required
Introduction to Music Theory

Introduction to Music Theory Full Year; 1 Credit

Introduction to Music Theory is a year-long course and is open to all students. In this course music students will build a solid foundation for several key skills in understanding how to think and communicate about music. Students will learn how to read and write with music notation and how to listen critically to music. The course is an orientation to the basics of using singing, and the piano, to practice music theory. Students will develop fluency with important terminology for communicating about music performance and theory. Students will also develop introductory skills in creating and arranging music. While the primary focus will be on Classical music from the period 1700-1900, students will also be introduced to the theory behind other styles, which may include jazz, pop & rock music, and music from various world cultures. This course can be taken alone or as a recommended preparation for AP Music Theory.
Prerequisite: Teacher approval.
Introduction to Piano

Introduction to Piano One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

This semester course allows students to learn basic piano and music theory skills. Performance skills, music theory, piano technique, and musicianship skills are covered in this course. This is a beginning-level course.

Prerequisite: No experience required
Modern Dance and Composition

Modern Dance and Composition One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

This semester course introduces students to an art form which uses the human body and its movement as the art medium. Students study choreography and dance composition as well as dance history, theory and vocabulary. Students may take this course for credit for more than one year.
Musical Theatre

Musical Theatre One Semester (spring) 1/2 credit
This semester course is designed for any student interested in developing his/her skills in Musical Theatre, specifically the work of the actor interpreting songs and texts in a genre that integrates dance, song and acting to tell a story. This class will primarily focus on musicals from the 20th and 21st centuries and will be taught by expert music, acting and dance teachers. The class will be structured in a workshop format where students will prepare material for class presentations through solo, duets, small ensemble and group numbers. In addition there will also be a focus on musical theatre history and repertoire. The class will culminate in a showcase performance at the end of the semester.
Summer Introduction to Music Theory
Theatre Production II

Design for the Stage One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit

This course is open to all students and includes a hands-on focus. Students are encouraged to get involved as scenic, sound and costume designers for Benjamin and Thespian Festival productions. The class will allow students who are interested in theatre design to collaborate and work on a process which allows for their creations to come to life on the Benjamin stage. Students who are interested in the visual, digital and technical aspects of the theatre are encouraged to take this class.
Voice and Diction

Voice & Diction One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

This course is open to all students and will focus on one of the most important elements for theatre students-- strengthening their vocal power and confidence. The course will use various materials from film, theatre, poetry, slam poetry and more. The class will focus on articulation, wordplay, various vocal exercises, which will help students build skills for speaking with confidence.

Upper School Curriculum

Explore Our Curriculum

Performing Arts

Modern Dance and Composition (698) (not being offered in 2019-2020)One Semester; ½ Credit

Chorus One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

Introduction to Chorus One Semester (Fall and Spring); ½ Credit

Introduction to Dance One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

Introduction to Modern Dance One Semester (Spring); ½ Credit

Modern Dance and Composition One Semester (Fall); ½ Credit

Department Faculty

Main Address & Lower/Middle School

Upper School