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.

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

Deer Park Middle Magnet School has a magnet dance program with an emphasis on a variety of dance techniques with a concentration in movement exploration which provides students with multiple opportunities to perform. Students at Deer Park Middle Magnet School are trained in Classical Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Jazz, West African and Hip Hop techniques to name a few. At Deer Park Middle Magnet School we have three performing levels as well as a Dance Company (after-school activity). Students at DPMMS are exposed to a variety of dance techniques as well as dance history and dance terminology. Students attend field trips and take master classes with local guest artists.

Students are graded on performance qualities in class as well as in the theater. They receive a daily performance grade of 5 points which is based on active participation, appropriate dance uniform and dance studio etiquette. At Deer Park Middle Magnet School, we stress the importance of vocabulary. Students take a weekly quiz based on Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and or Anatomy or Dance History terminology. Every week students are to complete a ONE-PAGE homework journal entry that is to be handed in on Mondays. The journal is a reflection of their week in dance class highlighting the corrections they received, likes or dislikes about movement qualities, strengths and weaknesses. Each journal entry is worth 10 points. Each semester students will be asked to critique a professional dance performance in the form of a typed paper.

Deer Park Middle Magnet Dance Grading Policy

40% Classwork (Daily Performance/Participation/Uniform)

30% Concert Performances (On Stage/ Informal/ Dance History Research Project)

20% Tests and Quizzes (Written Exams and Practicums)

10% Homework (Journals, Written Ballet and Modern Combinations, Critiques)
_____
100%= A

DANCE MAGNET SUPPLIES
All Female Dance Magnet students are required to have the following materials:

- 2 Black Tank Leotards (no spaghetti straps or camisole leotards allowed)
- 1 Black Dance Wrap Sweater
- 4 Pair of Nude/Flesh Colored Convertible/Transitional tights (2 pair for class and 2 pair for performance)
- All dance tights should be in good condition in dance class (no runs, holes or tights)
- 1 Nude/Flesh colored undergarment leotard with 2 plastic straps

All Male Dance Magnet students are required to have the following materials:
- White fitted t-shirt
- Black jazz pants
- White leather Ballet shoes with elastics attached

SHOES/ACCESSORIES
- 1 pair of Pink Split Sole Leather Ballet Shoes (ALL LEVELS)
- 1 pair of Black Split Sole Leather Jazz Shoes (Level I students)
- 1 pair of Black Jazz Sneakers & Black Leather Tap Shoes (Level III students)
- 2 composition Journal Writing books (no spiral bound books)
- 2 boxes of tissues
- 1 folder with holes and pockets
- 1 pack of index cards for vocabulary words in a small binder
- 1 number combination lock (no key locks or word locks allowed)
- 3 hair nets that match the students hair for performance
- A set of bobby pins and hair pins
- Personal Make-up kit for performances (Stage Make-up bright colors)

All Dance Supplies may be purchased at:

ALL THINGS DANCE
7097 Milford Industrial Rd
Pikesville, MD 21208-6013
Phone: (410) 653-8047

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Performing Arts: Instrumental Music Magnet

Audition/Assessment Guidelines

The band program focuses on fundamental music concepts to continuously guide each student towards a higher level of musicianship. Students are taught how to perform a variety of music, and are graded daily based upon their performance in class. Students learn key elements such as proper posture, ear training, and musical interpretation to emphasize the importance of musicianship. With the help of surrounding high schools, and musical programs, our children are exposed musicianship on a professional level. The magnet band performs through out the school year giving our children, multiple opportunities to share their musical gifts with the school and surrounding community.

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

Students selected into the Theatre Arts Magnet program will study this area of concentration for three years. In this magnet program, students will learn all of the elements of Improvisation, Pantomime, Mime, African Folktales, Readers’ Theatre, Shakespeare, Playwriting, Musical Theatre, Puppetry, Storytelling, Theatre Appreciation, and the Production Process.

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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