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Performing Arts

Overview

Brookline High Performing Arts.

The Performing Arts Department is comprised of three allied arts: Dance, Drama and Music.  Each K-8 school has music instruction for all students in Grades 1-8.  Students receive drama instruction in some schools.  Elective band, orchestra and choral ensembles begin in grade 5.  The Performing Arts Department at the High School has courses in Dance, Drama, and Music.

 

Learning in grades K-8 focuses on the development of those skills and concepts that are central to making music and performing plays, and on experiencing music and dramatic productions to their fullest.  Students are presented with problems that promote artistic thinking and understanding.  In music, student learn to sing, play instruments, listen to and describe music, compose music, and critically think about their work and the music of others.  In drama, students learn to act, write scripts, analyze and describe dramatic productions, and critique their work.  The assessment of student learning and growth is based on performance.  As students develop their skill and understanding, they are continually asked to demonstrated their achievement through real life tasks that reflect society's values in the arts.

 

At the High School, the arts experience is viewed as essential for every student's complete development and education.  The Performing Arts Department believes that all students can experience the joy of creating and the self-confidence that comes from the development of skills and the process of performance.  The four allied Performing Arts areas - Choral Music, Dance, Drama, and Instrumental Music stress the importance of:

- fostering a lifelong appreciation of the arts as performers and audience

- critical thinking and analytical skills as they relate to the arts

- creative problem solving

- discipline, practice, and persistence

 

The Performing Arts Department is committed to guiding students to apply what they have experienced and learned through the arts to other aspects of their lives.

 

Learn more about Learning and Assessment in  K-8 Performing Arts

Program Objectives

1.  Revise and improve upon end-of-the year music assessments for all students in grades 2, 4, 6, and 8. 

2.  Continue to address and rectify  inconsistencies in music curriculum offerings among  schools.

3. Rewrite Drama Learning Expectations for grades 6-8 and begin implementing uniform assessments.

4. To increase accessibility for student to Performing Arts classes through an improved school schedule.

5.  To have Performing Arts classes reflect the diversity of Brookline High School.

Important Information

Massachusetts Arts Standards:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html

National Standards in Music:
http://menc.org/publication/books/standards.htm

Brookline High School Friends of the Performing Arts
http://www.bhsfopa.org/

K-8 Performing Arts Teachers                

IM = Instrumental Music
GM = General Music
VM = Vocal Music
DR = Drama

Baker School
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band)
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings)
Ann Guiney, K-2 GM & 6-8 DR
Maureen Meyers, 3-8 GM & VM
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band)
Rick Stone, 4-8 IM (band)

Devotion School
Colin Stack, 3-8 GM & VM
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band)
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings)
Julie Lim Davidson, K-3 GM
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band)  Rick Stone, 4-8 IM (band)

Driscoll School
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Amber Sarpy, K-8 GM & VM
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band)

Heath School
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Russell Jewell, 4-8 IM (band
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band
Meredith Selden, K-8 GM & VM

Lawrence School
Holly Ahearn, 2-8 GM & VM
Javier Caballero, IM (strings) 
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Tam Johnson, 7-8 DR
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band)

Lincoln School
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band
Javier Caballero , IM (strings
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band

Pierce School
John Berman, 4-8 GM & IM
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band
Anne Selden, 3-8 GM & VM

Runkle School
Bob Christman, 4-8 IM (band
John Ferguson, 4-8 IM (strings
Stephanie Gardner, K-6 GM & VM                                 
Ryan Moser, 4-8 IM (band)
John Frazee, 6-8 GM