Welcome to Fine Arts Night

For Curtis Middle SchoolArt, Band, Choir, Orchestra and

Theatre

This meeting is intended to answer all of your questions about middle

school music, theater and art classes and help you to make an informed

decision regarding your child’s scheduling of Fine Arts classes.

It will include information regarding transition into the fine arts programs

at Allen High School.

Choices

Students struggle with all the elective choices they suddenly have in middle school. It is the first time they have had a choice about the classes they take. Often, they feel like they will miss out on things if they take fine arts instead of the many other electives that are offered. Please help them realize that all of those electives are offered all the way through high school. If students, can be patient they could take all of the electives offered to them between 7th grade and 12th grade instead of in the two years they have at Curtis.

Scheduling

***All students have 4 elective credits in 7th grade and 6 elective credits in 8th grade.***

All students are required to take 2 elective credits of PE during their 2 years at Curtis Middle School (athletics counts as a PE credit)

All Music classes are full year classes.Each counts as 2 elective credits.

All Art & Theater classes are semester classes. Each counts as 1 elective credit.

True or False?

Students cannot take fine arts and athletics because of scheduling or too many date conflicts.

FALSE1. Students are more then welcome to participate in both

athletics and fine arts. 2. Fine Arts classes are offered at times that will not conflict

with Athletic classes. 3. Sometimes there are date conflicts but students, directors

and coaches always work that out. WE SHARE STUDENTS. 4. This idea runs from 7th grade all the way through the state

champion football team – which includes members of all of the fine arts.

True or False?

In addition to the 2 required PE credits, students can choose to take only fine art electives.

TRUE

When can you take…

Art/Choir/Theater You can take these classes any grade, 7-12. If you take these classes in middle school, you will be well prepared for advanced opportunities in high school.

Band/Orchestra Joining starts in 6th grade. Students are not allowed to quit and rejoin. Beginner classes are only offered in the 6th grade.

The goal of the Curtis Choir is to help students gain confidence through

singing, encouraging teamwork and providing a sense of ownership in the accomplishments of

the organization.

Choir Classes Offered at CMS

• Men’s Choir– All 7th & 8th grade men. – Really explore the changing

voice through various music styles and sightreading

• Treble Choir– All 7th & 8th Grade Ladies– For Beginners. – Chance to help students

improve their music abilities especially in tone quality and sightreading.

• Select Choir– Selected 7th & 8th grade ladies– Varsity choir for contest

levels– Auditions will be held in April

for interested students. Audition consists of vocalizing and sight-reading

– More Performance Requirements and Higher Expectations for participation.

What Activities we do in Choir

• Concerts - 4 – 5 evening concerts • Community Service - Caroling for Cans in

December • Festivals and Contests – in the Spring • Fun events – masquerade ball, Fine Arts Field

trip• Variety Show – in February

Choir Fees

The yearly cost of being in choir is about $40.This fee covers uniform usage, materials and the choir t-shirt. This fee does not cover extra uniform items needed, i.e. black shoes. Possible additional expenses:

entry fees, meals at events, spring fun trip

HS Choirs• 9th grade– Treble– Select– Men– Jazz Choir

• 10th – 12th grade– Treble– Select – Men– Advanced Women– Chorale (mixed)– Show Choir

At Allen High School, choir placement is determined by tone quality, Sight-reading ability, and a point system of participation. The more a student has done in middle school, the more prepared they are for advanced placement at the high school level.

The goal of the Curtis Band is to provide a safe

environment where children are supported,

encouraged and prepared to have a life long

appreciation for music.

Band Classes Offered at Curtis

Woodwind Class- Mostly 7th graders and a few 8th graders- This class participates in some pep-rallies,

Tailgate, winter concert, spring concert and the Allen ISD Solo and Ensemble Festival.

- Practice requirement is 180 min a week

Brass Class- Mostly 7th graders and a few 8th graders- This class participates in some pep-rallies,

Tailgate, winter concert, spring concert and the Allen ISD Solo and Ensemble Festival.

- Practice requirement is 180 min a week

Cougar Band

Band Classes Offered at CurtisPercussion Class

- Only seventh graders that were selected for percussion in the 6th grade

- This class plays in pep rallies and with the Symphonic Band for concerts and UIL.

- Members of this class also participates in Tailgate and Supercussion Concert.

- Practice requirement is 180 min a week

Symphonic Band(competition band)

-Audition only group-Selected 7th and 8th graders-This band participates in all pep rallies, Tailgate, winter concert, spring concert, pre-UIL concert, UIL competition and Solo and Ensemble-Practice requirement is 180 min a week

Honor Band(competition band)

- Audition only group- Selected 8th graders and a few selected 7th

graders- This band participates in all pep rallies,

Tailgate, winter concert, spring concert, pre-UIL concert, UIL competition and Solo and Ensemble

- Practice requirement is 180 min a week

Band Fees

• $10 Band Shirt • $10 Book 2 of Tradition of Excellence• $5 Supplies (band binder, dividers, pencil bag)• $10 Solo entry fee• $30-$50 Accompanist fee for Solo Festival

Additional fees may include:• Instrument rental• Spring trip• Supplies (reeds, tuner etc.)

Band Uniforms

We have two uniforms for band: Casual and Formal

• Casual – CMS Band shirt and jeans– This attire is worn for pep rallies and any other non-formal events

• Formal – white, long sleeve, button down, collar shirtblack pants, solid black dress or black skirt that falls below the kneeblack socks and black dress shoes

Band Supplies

• Instrument-– School owned instruments (Oboe, bassoon, tenor,

bari, French horn, euphonium, tuba and percussion) $125 yearly usage fee.

• Instrument specific supplies (reeds, oil, grease, swabs etc.)

• Book 1 and 2 Tradition of Excellence• Tuner and pick-up mic• Band Binder

Optional Activities in Band

• Fall Fundraiser – this is an opportunity for students to raise money for competitions and travel

• Private Lessons• All Region band auditions (October)

***Not optional for Honor Band Students***

• Spring Trip (May)

The goal of the Curtis Orchestra is to provide a positive and

nurturing environment where all students can develop

musical and technical skills, work effectively with peers, and

develop a positive self-image through participation in musical rehearsals and performances.

Orchestra Classes offered at Curtis

• CONCERT ORCHESTRA

This is an intermediate level class for students with one year of orchestra experience.

Most seventh graders will be enrolled in this class.

No audition is necessary for Concert Orchestra.

Orchestra Classes offered at Curtis

• SINFONIA ORCHESTRA

This advanced class is comprised of mainly 8th graders with at least two years of experience.

Seventh graders may audition for placement in Sinfonia.

• CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

This is our ‘competition’ orchestra. This class is for students with very advanced orchestral abilities. It is comprised of both 7th and 8th grade students with at least two years of experience. Most students enrolled in this class take private lessons. Membership into Chamber is by audition only.

Orchestra Concerts and Contests

• Concert and Sinfonia will have 3 concerts per year (Chamber will have 4)

• All orchestras will compete at the Lone Star Classic Orchestra Festival in April

• Chamber orchestra will compete at UIL concert/sight reading contest

Optional Activities

• Fall Fundraiser – this is an opportunity for students to raise money competitions and travel

• All Region orchestra auditions (October)

• “Masquerade Ball” – a community service project benefiting Allen Community Outreach

• Solo/Ensemble contest (May)

• Spring Trip (May)

Fees for Curtis Orchestra

• $12 Orchestra t-shirt• $20 Clip tuner (most 6th grade orchestra

members already have this)

ADDITIONAL FEES (optional)• $125 Cello/Bass instrument usage fee for

school-owned instruments • $5 Solo/Ensemble Entry fee (all soloist MUST

have a piano accompanist – fees range from $25 to $50 for a professional pianist)

• $10 Region orchestra audition fee

Orchestra Uniforms

We have two uniforms for orchestra: Casual and Formal

• Casual – CMS orchestra t-shirts and jeans

• Formal – black, long sleeve, button down, collar shirtblack pants or black skirts that fall below the kneeblack socks and black dress shoes

Orchestra Supplies

• Shoulder Rest (violin/viola)

• Rock Stops (cello/bass)

• Clip Tuners

• 1” black binder (this will be provided to all students at the beginning of each year)

• Method books are provided by the school.

Region Process

• All Music groups participate in the Region Process

• This is all MS from Plano, McKinney, Wylie and other smaller districts in the area.

• Students audition prepared music for selection into the Region Organization

• This system is similar to the All- state Process at the HS level except there is only one level of competition.

What is UIL?• UIL stands for University Interscholastic League, and is the organization that coordinates and legislates

athletic, academic and fine arts events in public schools in the state of Texas. The “University” part of the title comes from the organization’s home at the University of Texas in Austin. For band students that have played at least a year, UIL is a very important event in the spring that consists of two components: Concert and Sightreading.

• The Concert portion of UIL consists of a program of three pieces of music the students prepare and perform for three judges. Based on the quality of the performance, the judges assign a rating on this scale: 1=Superior, 2=Excellent, 3=Good, 4=Fair, 5=Poor. The rating score follows a rubric against a standard of excellence, and does not compare bands to others in the contest. Ratings of “1” receive an award; we strive for this goal.

• Immediately following the concert on stage, the music group will move into the sight-reading component. The UIL contest has new music commissioned each year composed specifically for the contest, and addresses certain fundamentals aligned with the curriculum for each classification. In Sightreading, the students have 7 or 8 minutes to learn and perform a NEW piece of music for three judges. The students are not allowed to play or sing aloud until the actual performance. This serves as an evaluation of the student’s overall musicianship. The same rating scale from the Concert portion is used.

• If a group receives a rating of “1” in BOTH Concert and Sightreading, they are awarded a “Sweepstakes” trophy. This is the highest honor a group can receive at UIL.

Why is UIL a big deal?• UIL serves as a concrete gauge of a group’s performance and learning process. Some liken it to our vision of

the STARR test; it is a statewide standard that is to be met.

Solo & Ensemble

• Each Music group offers a district Solo & Ensemble Contest.

• Students can prepare a solo or small group performance of a particular style of music.

• Judged by a director from an area middle school for a rating.

• Similar to the HS Solo & Ensemble contest except in HS students receiving the top rating can earn a trip to the State Solo & Ensemble Contest

The goal of the Curtis Visual Art program is to help students gain

confidence in their non-verbal communication skills by gaining an understanding of the elements of

art and principles of design, exploring many art mediums and techniques, as well as examining art through history and cultures and identifying connections from current and past artists to self.

• Anytime!• Middle school art is not a requirement for

taking art in high school, however middle school art students may have more confidence to take Pre-AP Art 1.

• In grades 9 – 12 art students must take High School Art 1 before they may enroll in any other art class, such as Painting or Ceramics.

When can you take art?

What do we do in Art class?• We make art! • We base our projects on applying the elements of art

and principles of design.• We draw, paint, and sculpt.• We use graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, tempera

paint, watercolor paint, clay, paper, metal and fiber.• We read and talk about artists through history and

cultures.• We form opinions about our artwork processes and

products.• The advanced class takes a field trip to visit public art

installations in Allen .

Exhibiting Opportunities

• Artwork is regularly displayed in the halls in Curtis Middle School and selected artworks are displayed at the Allen Public Library in May.

• Advanced Art students have the opportunity to display their artworks in the Advanced Art Exhibition.

• Non-school art contests, open to all students, are offered as an optional choice. Art contest information is posted in the hall as well as given in class.

Cost:

• At Curtis there is a $5.00 lab fee for each semester of art classes.

• Supplies are shared, so students don’t have to buy or manage their own supplies.

Visit Mrs. Carroll’s web site on the CMS home page for more information, student art galleries, an informational power point presentation and a link to e-mail contact.

Theatre Arts

• Theatre Arts is a 1 semester class • Theatre Arts is open to both 7th and 8th graders• Students must take Intro to Theatre before they can

take the Advanced Theatre class• Students who take Advanced Theatre in middle

school are allowed to apply for the 9th grade Advanced Theatre (this allows students who are truly interested in pursuing theatre a chance to be in a class with other students who are serious about theatre).

What do we do in Intro to Theatre?

• Introduce Theatrical Terminology• Technical elements of Theatre (play analysis)• Movement on Stage (Lip Syncs & Pantomimes)• Using our Voice (Puppet shows & Radio Dramas)• Character Analysis• Acting (Duet scenes, monologue scenes)• Introduce Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s

Dream)

What do we do in Advanced Theatre?

• Investigate careers in Theatre• Play Production Process• Class Play directed by Mrs. J and performed at

night for an audience of friends and family• Student Directed One Act Plays produced by

the students and performed during the H-Hall play festival (during the school day)

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Fall Semester……. “Even” Years we do a Musical, on the “odd” years we do a large cast full length show.

• Spring Semester….. One Act Contest Play• These opportunities are open to ALL studentsA student does NOT have to be in a theatre class to audition for these plays. Rehearsals are held after school.

FEES

• Cast shirts (usually about $10)• Must provide own costume and stage makeup• One Act Play- must purchase/provide own

lunch and transportation to Lowery Freshman Center

Thank you for being here tonight.

If you have further questions, please visit us throughout the room.