Through script analysis and the study of speeches, monologues and scenes, students explore the fundamentals of the acting craft. Special emphasis is placed on developing a comfort level on stage for public speaking and performance, along with interpretation of dramatic text as the basis for characterization and performance style. Students are also encouraged to audition for and/or work on school productions.

Students gain hands on experience in project management, budgeting, and meeting deadlines as part of the team that designs and builds scenery for MBS productions, while also learning about tools and developing practical skills.

This course may be repeated for credit.

Students explore technical elements of sound and lighting, as applied to theater, and learn principles of stage and production management. They serve as crew for morning meetings, concerts and theater productions throughout the year, and also manage rentals and other performances held in Founders Hall.

This course may be repeated for credit.

This full year course offers the beginning singer an opportunity to improve tone, vocal production, volume, blending, sight singing, music reading and harmonizing. Various styles of music are explored including madrigals, Broadway, folk, gospel, international and popular selections from the choral music repertoire. Students participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit. Students who have completed over four semesters of this course will receive an "Experienced" designation on their transcript.

Designed primarily for the intermediate to advanced student, this class focuses on developing all aspects of string technique and performance. Students hone their skills and explore the art of ensemble playing as they study and perform music of varying periods. Members of the ensemble will participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit. Students who have completed over four semesters of this course will receive an "Experienced" designation on their transcript.

This course is designed to provide a performing ensemble for experienced brass, percussion and saxophone players. Instruction includes playing technique, note reading, improvisation, and exposure to a variety of musical styles written for jazz ensemble. Students participate in the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit. Students who have completed over four semesters of this course will receive an "Experienced" designation on their transcript.

This class explores music specifically written for — and performed by — contemporary percussion ensembles. The class is open not only to percussionists, but anyone who has had previous musical experience, or is particularly interested in rhythm-based music. Members of the ensemble will participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit. Students who have completed over four semesters of this course will receive an "Experienced" designation on their transcript.

This course is for the beginning student or one who has a limited knowledge of dance technique and performance. Students will gain an increased understanding of their individual range of movement.

This course may be repeated for credit.

Dance Performance is for the student with an intermediate knowledge of dance. Students will explore stage presence, improvisation and choreography, as well as continue to perfect individual technique. Students participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit.

Advanced Dance is for the highly experienced dance student. There is a strict emphasis on technique and strength development. All students must participate in winter and spring dance concerts and mandatory after-school rehearsals. Students participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit.

The MBS Dance Ensemble is an elite group of well-trained dancers who may have the desire to pursue dance as a career. Entrance into the dance ensemble is by recommendation and audition only. Students participate in both the Winter and Spring Concerts.

This course may be repeated for credit.

This class is designed for students new to tap, or students who would like to continue their Middle School tap training. Students will have the opportunity to develop rhythmic and musical literacy, physical coordination, dexterity, and speed of movement.

This course may be repeated for credit.

Advanced Tap is for the experienced tap student. Students will continue to develop rhythmic and musical literacy, physical coordination, dexterity, and speed of movement, with an emphasis on advanced technique.

This course may be repeated for credit.

In this course, students will use the controller keyboards and student workstations in the Center for Innovation and Design (CID) to learn the basics of keyboard playing in a group setting. From simple chords and melodies, to keyboard harmony, elementary music sequencing (using Apple’s Logic Pro X software), and reading of more advanced, traditionally-notated piano repertoire, students will acquire foundational skills applicable to any musical style.

This class serves as an introduction to the language of music through its fundamental elements: rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, tone color, dynamics and articulation. Students will acquire musical literacy, gain familiarity with musical notation and terminology, and build listening skills through exposure to a variety of both Western and non-Western musical forms.

Please note that this is considered a core academic course.

Designed as an enhancement to other music courses, this class offers an in-depth exploration of the elements of tonal music. Topics include the Circle of Fifths, major and minor scales, chords and their inversions, intervals, rhythm, and harmonic analysis. Ear training is used to help students hone their listening and musical skills.

Please note that this is considered a core academic course.

Come on a global musical voyage as we explore musical traditions from around the world. Listen to Throat Singing from Mongolia, Indian Classical Music, Pacific Reggae, and traditional music from Ghana, Nigeria and other African countries. Travel to Central and South America to explore Salsa, Rumba, Samba, Merengue and more, learning and practicing their rhythms on your metaphorical journey. Investigate how aspects of these practices have been incorporated into the music we are all familiar with. Throughout the course students will engage critically with world music in creative formats. No previous musical experience is necessary for this class.

Focusing on recording live instruments, this course will teach students the fundamentals of mic placement, recording levels, overdubs, session management and mix down, using Apple’s Logic Pro X Digital Audio Workstation software. Projects may include recording of MBS Performing Arts ensembles in the studio setting. Emphasis on preparation of recordings for use in varied distribution systems, including the MBS website. Additional topics may include advanced audio editing for use with appropriate video media.

This course may be repeated for credit.

Using a variety of sound sources, including digital synthesis, live recording, and sampling, students will produce original music tracks on the Logic Pro X platform. Additional projects will include composition using the collection of hardware analog synthesizers and sequencers located in the CID. Included in the course will be a study of early electronic music repertoire as a model for new compositions, as well as a survey of techniques used in the production of modern commercial electronic music.