From the Desk of Rochelle Archelus
Performing Arts Department Chair

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Performing Arts Department extends a special welcome to all incoming students and their families. We eagerly await the arrival of the upcoming school year. We offer magnet and elective courses in the areas of dance, theatre, instrumental and vocal music. Our elite team of teachers is delighted to provide a high level of instruction. Our students are exposed to every genre of the performing arts from ballet to hip-hip, from classical to pop, and from dramatic expression to improvisation.

Throughout each school year we showcase the talents of our students through a variety of performances such as, winter and spring concerts, Evening with the Arts, a joint musical, as well as county and state festivals. Attendance at such performances is required for all students. Please note the following performance dates below and put them on your calendar.

Winter Performances: December 10-14, 2007
Evening with the Arts: February 27, 2008
Spring Performances: May 12-16, 2008

All students who are in a performing arts ensemble or performing group are required to have a plain white polo shirt with the Deer Park name embossed on the shirt. The white polo is worn during chorus and band performances as well performing arts assemblies and field trips.

Finally, we would like to thank you for your continued support of the Performing Arts Team. Please feel free to contact us throughout the year with any questions or concerns. We also welcome parent volunteers for performances and field trips. Please contact one of the members of the performing arts team if you wish to volunteer your time or services.

Together we will continue to provide engaging learning and growth experiences for our DPMMS students. We look forward to an outstanding school year in 2007-2008!

Musically yours,
Rochelle Archelus

Performing Arts Team

Performing Arts: Dance Magnet

Audition/Assessment Guidelines

In the Dance Magnet program, concepts and skills are developed through performance, where students will learn and grow as they experience the entire creative process from the infancy of an idea to the fruition of a production. Students are encouraged to take risks and are challenged to problem-solve by working individually and with an ensemble. Appreciation and analysis of performance are stressed within all the fields to increase students’ understanding of all art forms. It is imperative that students follow directions and work both independently and cooperatively to complete a challenging task or project.

On Assessment Day, a rubric will be used to score performances in the following areas.

Part I – Essay
Please bring – Two #2 pencils and an eraser.

All students applying to Deer Park Middle Magnet School will complete a written essay on Assessment Day. Please do not prepare an essay before the Assessment Day. The essay will be scored using a standard rubric and will be factored into the selection process.

Part II – Magnet Assessment Process
Please bring – Dance Wear

At the time of the assessment, female students should dress in a solid color leotard preferably black with convertible tights. Hair should be neatly secured off the face and neck into a bun. Male students should wear a white fitted t-shirt and black jazz pants or ballet tights.

At the time of the assessment, students will be asked to perform Ballet barre exercises, including plie, tendu, degage, releve and passé. In the center, they will be asked to perform footwork exercises including jumps (traveling and stationery). Students will be be asked to demonstrate correct alignment and be able to show their flexibility through floor stretches. Students will learn a modern combination and be asked to perform the sequence including elements of balance, spiral and traveling movements.

All movements will be demonstrated by the teacher. Do not prepare a solo. We will not see any prepared solos. Students will be scored for their performance of basic positions, body alignment, jumping skills, traveling skills, flexibility, overall performance quality, coordination and on how well they apply corrections to their bodies.

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Performing Arts: Instrumental Music Magnet

Audition/Assessment Guidelines

Instrumental music gives students the opportunity to perform in our award winning magnet band. The band has performed around the state, including, the Naval Academy and the White House. Prior experience with a band instrument is required for the instrumental music program. Appreciation and analysis of performance is stressed to increase students’ understanding of all art forms.

On Assessment Day, a rubric will be used to score performances in the following areas.

Part I – Essay
Please bring – Two #2 pencils and an eraser.

All students applying to Deer Park Middle Magnet School will complete a written essay on Assessment Day. Please do not prepare an essay before the Assessment Day. The essay will be scored using a standard rubric and will be factored into the selection process.

Part II – Magnet Assessment Process
Please bring – Instrument and Standard of Excellence Book 1

At the time of the appointment, students should bring their instrument and band book.
Students will be asked to perform the Bb concert scale which is located on page 22 of the Standard of Excellence Book l. Percussion will be asked to perform both the mallet and snare part. This book is part of the fifth grade curriculum in Baltimore County. Students will be asked to perform one selection of their choosing from the Standard of Excellence method book. If students choose a long selection, they may be asked to stop at any time due to time constraints.

Students will be given a rhythm chart to sight-read (perform without practice). This chart will include rhythm up through eighth notes.

Performing Arts: Theatre Arts Magnet

Audition/Assessment Guidelines

In the Performing Arts program, concepts and skills are developed through performance, where students will learn and grow as they experience the entire creative process from the infancy of an idea to the fruition of a production. Students are encouraged to take risks and are challenged to problem-solve by working individually and with an ensemble. Appreciation and analysis of performance are stressed within all the fields to increase students’ understanding of all art forms. It is imperative that students follow directions and work both independently and cooperatively to complete a challenging task or project.

On Assessment Day, a rubric will be used to score performances in the following areas.

Part I – Essay
Please bring – Two #2 pencils and an eraser.

All students applying to Deer Park Middle Magnet School will complete a written essay on Assessment Day. Please do not prepare an essay before the Assessment Day. The essay will be scored using a standard rubric and will be factored into the selection process.

Part II – Magnet Assessment Process
No additional items needed

The assessment for the Drama Magnet is a non-prepared assessment. The student applicant will be assessed on enunciation, projection, vocal quality, creativity, energy, and focus toward the discipline of Drama and the Theatre Arts.

Monologue Presentation: Students will be asked to read a short monologue (a speech presented by one actor) from a given script. This common theatre audition procedure is called a cold-reading. The student will be allowed to pre-read the monologue before their presentation.

Original Pantomime: Applicants will “act without words” as they select a piece of fruit from the “Magic Fruit Basket” and demonstrate non-verbally, through their use of actions and facial expressions, what type of fruit they have selected.

Performing Arts: Vocal Music Magnet

Audition/Assessment Guidelines

Vocal music gives students the opportunity to perform in our prestigious magnet chorus, which performs at several music festivals throughout the year. Prior choral experience is recommended for the vocal music program. Appreciation and analysis of performance is stressed to increase students’ understanding of all art forms.

On Assessment Day, a rubric will be used to score performances in the following areas.

Part I – Essay
Please bring – Two #2 pencils and an eraser.
All students applying to Deer Park Middle Magnet School will complete a written essay on Assessment Day. Please do not prepare an essay before the Assessment Day. The essay will be scored using a standard rubric and will be factored into the selection
process.

Part II – Magnet Assessment Process
Please bring – Accompanying Music

Students should come prepared to sing a two-minute musical selection of their choice. This performance will be scored on the student’s ability to demonstrate proper intonation, tone quality, energy, diction, phrasing, and melodic accuracy. All students must bring heir own accompanying music.

Students will be asked to echo sing (using la) various pitch patterns after hearing them played on the piano. They will be scored on pitch and pattern accuracy.

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