Setting the stage for our performing arts department is the Coville Theater, an intimate black-box auditorium. Each year, more than 30 performing groups and events grace its stage. It is a magnet for MPH students, not only for the aspiring Broadway star (a recent graduate starred in the role of Elphaba in the North American touring production of Wicked), but also for the quiet scholar who feels comfortable enough in his or her surroundings to take a chance.
Students’ passion and talent is shaped through classes and activities that range from string quartets and jazz ensembles to concert chorale large ensembles, and full-scale Broadway-style musical productions. MPH also has a strong dance program, offering one of only two full-credit, high-school-level dance courses in the Central New York area.
Reinforcing MPH’s belief that valuable educational opportunities exist outside the classroom, our performing arts department provides students with a wide-variety of off-campus venues. One such effort is our arrangement with Redhouse, an arts and cultural center located in downtown Syracuse. Through this collaboration, student performances are presented free of charge to a community audience. This year, MPH students will present five dance, theatrical, and musical productions using Redhouse facilities.
One of the beauties of the performing arts program at MPH is this: when presented with a talented student, from whatever walk of life, MPH has the faculty, the resources, and the passion to allow that student to fully inhabit his or her own talent. For example, Nick Frenay, a recent graduate took, as a third grader, his first trumpet lesson from the Lower School band instructor, himself a world-class jazz musician. The student went on to participate in the Lower and Middle School bands. Under the tutelage of the MPH jazz department and inspired by the School’s award-winning 315 All Stars band, he continued to progress in his abilities as both a musician and composer and in high school found himself on stage at the GRAMMY awards. Nick, along with MPH classmate Noah Kellman, was selected as one of fewer than three dozen students to play with the prestigious GRAMMY ensembles. Nick and Noah are exceptional, but not unusual. The School is full of young artists finding inspiration and resources right on campus. Our hope is simply that, if an artistic young person shows up on our doorstep – talented but not yet focused, energetic, but not yet directed – we can provide her with us sort of “a one-stop shop” as she explores that talent.
The strength of the MPH performing arts program is evidenced by the extent to which its students excel in outside theater, dance, and musical organizations. Most numerous among them are musical organizations, which include the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) the Onondaga County Music Educators Association (OCMEA), All-County, Area All-State, Conference All-State, Syracuse Children's Chorus, Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Syracuse Stage. We are very proud that nearly 90% of Upper School students are also performing artists. To play an instrument, dance, or sing provides the creative heart of MPH.
Music Theory 1
Link to the course
Music Theory 1 is designed for those students who want to learn more about the inner workings of music. Students explore the following areas: rhythm, melody, harmony, notation, compositional techniques, and analysis. Students in music theory learn to write compositions, sight sing, and take melodic and harmonic dictation. An instrumental or vocal background and the ability to read music are required. Text: Music In Theory and Practice, vol. 1, Benward & White.
Music Theory 2
Music Theory 2 is an extension of Music Theory I. Picking up where Theory I leaves off, Theory II emphasizes harmonic analysis, form texture, and more complex musical structures. Students explore Western music from an historical perspective. They learn to recognize various musical structures and incorporate them into the students’ own compositional technique. Text: Music In Theory and Practice, vol. 1 and 2, Benward & White. Prerequisite: Music Theory I or permission of the instructor.
Concert Chorale
Concert Chorale is an elective ensemble made up of students in Grades Nine through Twelve. Students work to develop good vocal habits including breath support, intonation, and technique. The course stresses ease of tone production, discipline, musicality, blend, and performance skills. Students rehearse a variety of challenging music in anywhere from three to eight parts, and perform in two to three major concerts and at Baccalaureate each year. Concerts are the culmination of the entire semester’s work and all members are expected to be in attendance for each concert. No prior singing experience is necessary for participation.
Dance 1: Composition & Performance
This two-semester course is designed for any student who is interested in exploring dance as a performing art and medium for artistic expression. It focuses on developing the technical skills and movement qualities required to perform various genres of dance works. The first semester focuses on cultivating the creative process and culminates with the Annual Student Choreography Concert. All students have the opportunity to submit their original dance compositions for this performance. The second semester culminates in a combined performance of original choreography and repertory dances from throughout dance history. Prior dance experience is not necessary. Dance I may also be chosen as a physical education elective (see physical education curriculum).
Dance 2: Composition & Performance
This two-semester course is designed for students who have prior dance training and a good understanding of proper dance technique. The curriculum for this course includes movement classes exploring ballet, modern, tap and jazz/theater techniques, improvisation and development of the choreographic process, research and reaction papers, video screenings and attending live performances. The first semester will focus on preparation for the annual Student Choreography Concert in January. All students are required to perform and/or choreograph for this performance. Student choreographers will use class time for developing choreography, rehearsals with their dancers, and production planning. In the second semester the focus will shift to introducing the legacies of great dance companies and choreographers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will learn historic original choreography in preparation for the annual Repertory Dance Concert in May Placement in this class is by audition or teacher recommendation . Dance II may also be chosen as a physical education elective (see physical education curriculum).
Dance 3 Composition and Performance
This two semester course is designed for advanced dancers who have studied several dance genres including ballet, jazz and modern dance. The curriculum for this class includes technique classes, improvisation and development of the choreographic process, research and reaction papers, video screenings and attending live performances. The first semester will focus on preparation for the annual Student Choreography Concert in January. Student choreographers will use class time for developing choreography, rehearsals with their dancers, and production planning. In the second semester the focus will shift to introducing the legacies of great dance companies and choreographers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Students will learn historic original choreography in preparation for the annual Repertory Dance Concert held in the Spring.
Philharmonia Strings
STRING ORCHESTRA/WIND ENSEMBLE (1 non-academic credit) Students study a variety of challenging music geared to the performance level of the group. The emphasis in these ensembles is the study of balance, intonation, blend, performance practice, and style. Chamber groups are also formed to allow more intensive individual development and to perform at special events and concerts. These ensembles perform at least two major concerts and at graduation. Students are expected to attend all performances. Prerequisite: Two years of instrumental music instruction and one year of ensemble experience.
Wind Ensemble (1 credit)
Students study a variety of challenging music geared to the performance level of the group. This ensemble will perform a variety of music while studying the art of instrumental balance, intonation, blend and style. Lesson groups will be formed to allow more intensive individual development and to prepare for NYSSMA events and All-County auditions. This ensemble performs at least two major concerts. Prerequisite: Two years of instrumental music instruction and one year of ensemble experience.
History Of Jazz (1st semester) (1/2 credit)
This course explores Jazz as the most significant development in 20th century American music. It traces Jazz from its African roots as a rural folk idiom to a modern day, urban musical expression influencing music the world over. The course consists primarily of listening to a large library of recorded music, discussions and, when possible, listening to live music. A technical understanding of music is not necessary.
Jazz Improvisation (8th Grade)
Students enrolled will study jazz harmony, scales, phrasing, and solo development using rhythmic repetition and motifs. Students will have the opportunity to improvise in a small combo setting allowing them to experiment with these concepts. Additionally, students will demonstrate their knowledge of basic jazz chords and scales through written work (music notation). Students will also be required to gain basic jazz piano skills during the semester. Students do not need to have jazz experience to enroll. Students must have basic music reading skills in order to fully benefit from the course of study.
Introduction to Conducting
Introduction to Conducting gives students who are planning to pursue postgraduate study in the music field an introduction to the area of instrumental and vocal ensemble conducting. The course includes work in basic conducting patterns, interpretational gestures, score preparation and rehearsal techniques. Depending on availability, the students attend an open Syracuse Symphony rehearsal and work with a lab ensemble made up of MPH student instrumentalists. The culminating project is to conduct a rehearsal with a MPH vocal or instrumental ensemble.
Stagecraft
This course is an introduction to various components of stagecraft and design for theatrical production. Lectures explore and describe the physical elements of scenery, lighting, costume, and sound, and how they are designed and utilized safely in the theatre. During the production period for the Upper School musical, class sessions focus on the design, technical production, and construction of the settings and lighting design. After the musical, sessions center on the theory and practices of theatrical production, as well as exploration of design and theory for the lighting of the Spring Dance concert.
Through reinforcing lectures with actual demonstrations and hands on projects, a familiarity with the tools and techniques of all aspects of stagecraft is acquired. This broad-based understanding enhances the collaborative process of production.