Performing Arts

This course explores the musical, historical, and cultural context of one of America's indigenous art forms: Jazz. We’ll explore how race, gender, identity, and politics have been reflected in the story of Black American Music, birthed from the musical traditions of enslaved people in the late nineteenth century and developed over decades—using popular songs, protest music, laments and celebrations of culture—to the global sounds of today. 

Students will develop a basic understanding of musical elements including rhythm, beat, melody, harmony, and timbre in order to contextualize the aural and programmatic elements of jazz. Upon completion of this course, students will gain an understanding of the musical concepts of jazz and develop a connection to the social and cultural circumstances of the music within American history. No prior musical training is required. Grades 9-12.

Upper School Orchestra is open to instrumental music students in Grades 9-12 by audition. In all ensembles, students focus on perfecting several pieces each semester, learning individual parts and coordination within the larger musical collective. Students learn to collaborate with one another, connecting musically through personal reflection, group expression, deep listening, and musical negotiations as a full ensemble. Repertoire ranges from Baroque through the 21st century. Orchestra performs in both Winter and Spring Ensemble concerts in addition to other community events each year. It is highly recommended that participants study privately at Spence or outside on the instrument played in the ensemble.

Glee Club is the general chorus for students in Grades 9-12. Our repertoire reflects the diversity of our community; we perform sacred and secular music of all styles and periods, including world folk, gospel, and classical music. Major performances include the Winter and Spring Concerts and Commencement. In addition, special projects in recent years have included performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, collaborations with international visiting choirs, and workshops with gospel music specialists. This course does not fulfill a Performing Arts requirement. Grades 9-12.

The Select Choir is open by audition to 14-20 students in Grades 9-12 who must be members of the Glee Club. This group rehearses three times per week, preparing to perform pieces of a more challenging nature that those presented by the Glee Club. The Select Choir performs at the winter and spring concerts as well as at Reunion and other special school functions and assemblies. This group tours throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Private lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, French horn, and trumpet may be arranged at the school. While lessons teach the technique of the instrument, they also continue the development of musical literacy and understanding. Opportunities for ensemble playing are provided, and playing in classes, musicales and concerts offer the opportunity for students who study outside the school as well as in the Spence Instrumental Program. Grades 5-12.

Focused on three locations—the stage, the dance halls, and the screen—this course aims to sharpen the focus on dance and the influence it holds within popular culture. Through class discussions, reading, visual assignments, and creative work, students will learn about different dance styles that have captured the attention and imagination of American people for the last century. From swing to vogueing, breakdancing to Broadway, how do these dance forms represent US culture? What are the origins of such styles and how do they influence our perceptions of gender, age, ethnicity, and economic status? Creative movement will be part of the class but dance experience is not required. Grades 9-12.

With a focus on contemporary and modern dance, more complex concepts in movement, technique, music, and performance are introduced. More sophisticated and cultural themes are explored emphasizing the individual and group interdependence of dance. Company members are offered the experience of rehearsing and performing works of resident and guest choreographers in the annual Dance Concert. Company members can also audition their own choreographic works for inclusion in the yearly Symphony Space performances. This course can be taken for either Performing Arts or Physical Education credit. The members of this group are selected by audition. Grades 9-12.

Focusing on the current, relevant, and personal, Playmaking is a communal student-driven course in which students develop and workshop scenes that derive from their own lives and imaginations. From deciding on core themes, writing scenes, workshopping moments and detailed rehearsals, students will create their own full-length drama that speaks to an issue important to the students and meaningful to the present. In Playmaking, students will develop skills related to collaboration, communication, listening, decision making and respect, along with theatre skills such as stagecraft, improvisation, design, and public speaking.

Focusing on the practice of acting via contemporary American acting methods that center on the theory that acting is “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” this course focuses on physical and vocal exercises that emphasize listening fully, responding honestly, and living moment to moment. Although the class features writing and note-taking, the majority of the course will take place on stage as students learn through doing, often in ensemble or in partnership. While this course trains the craft of acting, the skills learned are transferable to any course of study that one ultimately chooses to pursue.

Students in Theatre Company learn first-hand how to develop a performance and present a final product to an audience of peers, parents and friends. Theatre Company is offered twice during the year, once during the fall and once during the spring. Whether as an actor, a designer or a crew-member (or a combination of the above), students will develop skills relevant to their role along while learning how to work effectively with a large ensemble. Although we place focus on a high-quality final performance, Theatre Company students will also learn various theatre techniques and practices relevant to the specific production. As each semester focuses on a different play, students can repeat this course to continue their growth as theatre-makers. Although plays are chosen from a mix of classic and contemporary sources, all productions emphasize the present while seeking to answer the question: ‘What can this play say and offer NOW?” Grades 9-12.