7th grade students learn to be participants and listeners through this introduction to music; they play percussion instruments, learn to read music and sing. They study music from the Baroque and Classical eras as well as the modern age, and learn to analyze and critique the selections.  Through the use of an online program called Incredibox, student learning includes the technology of musical arrangement. (Grade 7)

Eighth grade music reinforces and extends seventh grade learning, as students progress through music composition.  Performance opportunities include the ukulele as well as singing. In collaborative groups, students will produce a music video of their ukulele performance, and they will learn the process of evaluating musical performance. Continuing to utilize technology, student will use Garageband to create their own Hip Hop arrangement after studying 20th century music history. (Grade 8)

While music is universally embraced as a human language, Ursuline student learn how to interpret that language through understanding. Students focus on time signatures, rhythm, understanding intervals, key signatures - major and minor, and harmony; ear-training, which includes interval recognition, rhythmic and melodic dictation, chord progressions and cadences. Students’ culminating activities include two original compositions. (Grade 10, 11 or 12)

Prerequisite: Music Theory I
AP Music Theory will build on the foundations learned in Music Theory 1, such as pitch, rhythm, meter, scales, keys, intervals and chords and is designed for students who have basic performance skills in voice or instrument and can read and write music. Students develop their musicianship skills in sight-reading, aural dictation, both melodic and rhythmic, realization of a figured bass and realization of a Roman numeral chord progression.  Aurally and through score-reading, students will learn to analyze and identify harmony, melody, texture and form from a repertoire that includes works from the Western European Common Practice, Jazz, 20th century works and world music. (Grade 11 or 12)

This course engages students in all areas of musical theater and includes the history and cultural significance of musical theater from “Dafne” by Jacopo Peri to “Hamilton” by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Students explore acting, singing, directing, dancing, rehearsal, performance, and design skills which will culminate in the presentation of specific musical theater scenes. (Grades 10, 11 or 12)

This course introduces students to Theater Arts through the study of beginning acting techniques and practical application of theater skills such as acting, movement, voice, relaxation, concentration, performance, improvisation, character analysis, scene study, monologues, audition skills, stagecraft (lighting, set, sound and costume design), playwriting, and directing.

The three objectives of Communication Arts are to enhance and improve public speaking technique, to become a savvy media analyst and consumer and to produce purposeful video content using a variety of creative approaches and editing.

Since effective public speaking is key to several areas of academic and professional success, students will continue to develop skills, no matter what level, with the intention of using these skills throughout their lives by analyzing and practicing specific speech techniques and by developing strong presentation skills.

Communication Arts students explore various media influences in a variety of industries including journalism, advertising, music, film, TV and social media exploring important concepts such as branding and demographic analysis. Communication Arts students collaborate with classmates to produce content for the school community learning lighting, audio, editing technique, voice overs and special effects including the use of green screen.  Students use a variety of equipment independently, including video cameras, tripods and microphones and utilize the iHub and editing software. (Grades 10, 11 or 12)