Acting P

The dual focus of this course is to acclimate students to the language of theatre and to scenes from classic and modern plays, specifically when breaking down an acting scene, as well as using theatre activities to establish a strong sense who, what, and where alongside an imaginative and playful unity within the ensemble.
Units of Study
Semester I
Modern Scenes:
Students will be cast in a modern scene group.  They will memorize, block and develop strong characters and character relationships.  Students will perform these scenes in front of an audience.  After the scenes are performed, students will do a self-evaluation and will critique another scene.
Professional Theater:
Students will attend one performance in the fall.  Before attending the performance, students will study engage in script analysis.  After attending the performance, students will complete a critique.
Improv:
Students will learn the basics of long form improvisational theater.  They will learn such concepts as Yes, And, Identifying Beats, how to create a second beat, Cut To’s, Phone Calls, etc.  By the end of the unit, students will be able to create a 20 minute improvised performance out of a single word from the audience.
Student written scenes:
Students will write their own 2-5 minute scene, cast it and direct it.  Students will be guided through the writing process.  Students will write and edit their scripts.  Students can choose to direct or act in the scene.  All students will write a scene, but not all scenes will be performed.  This will be the final for fall semester.

Acting II P

The focus of this class is to create an ensemble group full of focused and committed actors.  Students will become advanced in the practice of improvisation.  Students will use their creative skills to create theater for a purpose.  Students will be given instruction in many aspects of theater.
Semester II:
Student Devised Children’s Theater
As a class, students will devise a children’s theater performances with an anti-bullying message.  They will come up with the full content.  The production will use a variety of acting techniques including character development techniques as well as the use of movement and sound to engage young audiences.  Students will perform this to elementary school students in late October.
Audition Monologue
Each student will be assigned two contrasting monologues.  These monologues will be memorized, studied, analyzed and rehearsed to become performance ready.  Students will perform these monologues and there will be a monologue competition.  Students will also prepare a resume and head shots and guests will come to adjudicate the monologues.

Theatre Production P

The course is audition only.  The purpose of this course is to give students the experience of a full length production.  Students will be cast as an actor, dancer, musician or technical theater participant.  The specific production will be produced and performed for the public.  Students will be exposed to all aspects of the production process.
The only unit of study is the play or musical that is being produced.  The production process is outlined below:
Blocking:
Students will go through the process of blocking the performance step by step.  They will be expected to remember stage directions given by the director.  Students will learn the dances (for musicals and a limited number of plays).
Memorization:
Students will memorize all of their lines.
Characterization:
Students will develop strong, believable characters using a number of different theatrical techniques and methods.  Students will develop strong relationships with the other characters in the scene.  Students will engage in research to understand their characters better.  In addition, they will be lead through character workshops.
Tech/Dress Rehearsals:
Students will be expected to work late to rehearse the production to make the production performance ready.  Technical theater aspects will be added to these rehearsals including, stage lighting, sets, props, costumes, sound effects, microphones (for musical theatre only), live orchestra (for musical theatre only).  The director will give regular notes to give students suggestions on how to improve the quality of the production and their characterization.
Skills:
Students will learn character development, voice work, character movement, production process, ensemble work, script analysis and scene study, dramaturgy and historical context, physical acting, dance, staging and blocking, performing with accompaniment or how to accompany a live singer.

Concert Band

This ensemble addresses performance/rehearsal skills and rudiments that form the foundation for musical growth and participation in more advanced ensembles. Students in this ensemble require fundamental skills (knowledge of scales, reading ability, rehearsal procedure, etc.) to move on to more advanced literature. Students should expect to perform grade 2 and 3 literature throughout the year (written for intermediate ensembles). Performances include but is not limited to two concerts per semester. Students who do not audition may be assigned to this ensemble regardless of playing ability.

Concert Band II

Concert Band II is an advanced intermediate performance ensemble. Students should expect to perform grade 3 and 4 literature (written for intermediate to advanced high school ensembles). Special focus will be given to developing advanced skills to prepare for more advanced ensembles. Performances include but is not limited to two concerts per semester. This ensemble is by selection and is open to all grade levels.

Concert Band III

This is an advanced ensemble capable of performing grade 4 and 5 literature. The focus is on an introduction to advanced literature and development of skills needed to perform advanced literature.. Performances include but is not limited to two concerts per semester. Membership is by selection only, however, this ensemble is open to all grade levels.

Color Guard

The Color Guard class is a yearlong performance class and provides students with the opportunity to develop musical/visual concepts and skills. These concepts will
be used in conjunction with the marching program. In the Fall Semester the color guard will perform and rehearse with the marching band. Performances include but are not limited to Home football games, and Marching Band competitions. In the Spring Semester, the colorguard performs on their own at indoor venues. Spring performances consists of 5 to 6 guard tournaments that occur throughout Southern California.

Evaluation will be provided by the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association in the Fall Semester and the Southern California Winter Guard Association in the spring Semester. In addition to teacher observation.

Membership is determined by auditions (usually in May). Workshops and clinics will be provided prior to auditions. No dance training is required.

This class is for PE credit only.

All Samohi concert band classes meet the college preparatory “A-G” subject requirements of the University of California and California State University systems in the visual and performing arts “F” category. The program currently comprises five fully instrumented concert bands, all of which present at least three concerts during the school year. Students are also encouraged to audition for local, state, and national honor bands and orchestras.

Marching Band

The Samohi Viking Marching Band (VMB) is one of the largest and best-known ensembles at Samohi. Our musicians and color guard perform at pep rallies, football games, and community events, and they compete in field-show competitions all over Southern California.

In the fall, Marching Band and Color Guard meet every morning at 7:00 am, even on Samohi late-start days. They also have one three-hour rehearsal each Thursday or Friday afternoon as they learn and practice their field show, which they start taking to comps starting in mid-to-late October.

In the spring, Color Guard also has an optional A-period class, Winter Guard, which competes and performs on its own. Each semester of marching band or color guard counts for one semester of PE credit.

String Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
This course develops technique associated with playing a string instrument.  Students will rehearse, analyze and perform string ensemble music.  There will be public performances by the entire orchestra throughout the year.

Concert Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
This intermediate-level orchestra utilizes increasingly complex scales and repertoire to further develop technique.  There will be public performances by the entire orchestra throughout the year.

Sinfonia Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
Sinfonia is an intermediate/advanced-level orchestra.  Musicians in this ensemble will study pieces from various musical periods.  There will be public performances by the entire orchestra throughout the year. Solo and small ensemble performances are also highly encouraged. In addition to the regular class period, the orchestra will meet once per week to rehearse on Tuesdays at 3:30-4:30pm.

Intermezzo Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
Intermezzo is an advanced-level string orchestra. Musicians will continue to improve their technique while studying music from many musical genres. Solo and Small Ensemble participation is required. In addition to the regular class period, the orchestra will meet once per week to rehearse on Wednesdays at 3:30-4:30pm.

Philharmonic Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
Philharmonic is an advanced-level full orchestra. Musicians in this ensemble will study pieces from various musical periods. Solo and small ensemble performances are required. In addition to the regular class period, the orchestra will meet once per week to rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:00-7:00pm.

Symphony Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirements for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
Symphony is Samohi’s most advanced full orchestra. The repertoire is varied as well as challenging. In addition to performing as a large symphonic orchestra, students prepare solos and small ensemble performances throughout the year. In addition to the regular class period, the orchestra will meet once per week to rehearse on Tuesdays at 5:00-7:00pm.

Chamber Orchestra P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirements for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Admission by audition only.
The Chamber Orchestra is the most advanced string ensemble at Samohi, composed of the most advanced string members.  This ensemble performs highly advanced repertoire.  The Samohi Chamber Orchestra meets after school twice a week for two hours at each rehearsal.  There are many public performances throughout the year.

Men’s Chorus P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Pre-requisite:  Selection by director based on audition.  This is an intermediate course in which students will study and perform choral literature for mixed voices from the Renaissance to 20th Century periods.  Students will strengthen their knowledge of the pronunciation of Latin, German, French and English.  They will learn more intricate aspects of music theory and notation and will become proficient with the “movable do” system of solfege sight-singing.  Students will perform at Winter and Spring Concerts, alone once in front of class and at Graduation.

Women’s Chorus P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Pre-requisite:  Selection by director based on audition.   This is an intermediate course in which students will study and perform choral literature for mixed voices from the Renaissance to 20th Century periods.  Students will strengthen their knowledge of the pronunciation of Latin, German, French and English.  They will learn more intricate aspects of music theory and notation and will become proficient with the “movable do” system of solfege sight-singing.  Students will perform at Winter and Spring Concerts, alone once in front of class and at Graduation.

H.S. Chorale P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Pre-requisite: Previous choral experience, usually Mens’ or Womens’ Chorus, audition Intermediate to advanced ensemble course. Students will study and perform choral literature for large mixed choirs from the Renaissance to 20th Century periods and will begin to study more extended choral works. They will become moderately proficient in the pronunciation of Latin, Italian, German, French, and English. Students will learn more intricate aspects of music theory and notation. Students will become proficient with the "movable do" system of solfege sight-singing. Students will perform with the ensemble four times each year and once alone in front of the class.

Madrigal Ensemble P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Previous choral experience at Samohi, audition.  This is an advanced ensemble; audition required. Students will study and perform advanced choral literature for mized chamber choirs from the Renaissance to the 20th Century periods and will study more extended choral works. They will become proficient in the pronunciation of Latin, Italian, German, French, and English. Students are expected to be proficient with the "movable do" system of solfege sight-singing. Students will perform with the ensemble at least four times each year and once alone in front of the class.

Chamber Sing P

Grades 9-12, Meets UC/CSU subject requirement for performing arts; year course (5 credits per semester); may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Previous choral experience at Samohi, audition. This is an advanced ensemble; audition required. Students will study and perform advanced choral literature for treble choirs from the Renaissance to the 20th Century periods and will study more extended choral works. They will become proficient in the pronunciation of Latin, Italian, German, French, and English. Students are expected to be proficient with the "movable do" system of solfege sight-singing. Students will perform with the ensemble at least four times each year and once alone in front of the class.