Choir Students in grades 6-8 participate in a traditional, classical choral program that stresses learning correct vocal production and continues to incorporate the use of the Kodaly method in their vocal training. Students begin two- and three-part singing. Performances include the opportunity for individuals to participate in the high school musical as it calls for younger performers, the school-wide Christmas program, and for 7-8th the spring Junior Broadway that not only focuses on large group performances but also showcases soloists and smaller group presentations. Each week students are also asked to help lead the music presentations during Chapel.    Music Appreciation The "Bach to Rock" music appreciation course covers key music eras, beginning with Baroque music, key composers beginning with Bach, and finishes with a look at the music of America in the 20th century. Students are given a broad overview of music history that incorporates essential elements of each era and essential pieces of music that have stood the test of time. Students are tested over both their knowledge of music history as well as their ability to identify pieces of music and place them in their correct historic era.    6th Grade Band As students in 6th-7th Grade Band advance in the curriculum, their opportunities to perform increase, and the styles of music they perform expand: marches, traditional ballads, jazz, and Pep Band music are all part of the curriculum. Students are asked to practice 60-75 minutes per week and are tested frequently on their skills to place them within the band. The groups meet four days a week. The students give three concerts a year (fall, spring and Christmas). In addition, they prepare and perform music at basketball games as a Pep Band, and they compete at the Sandy Lake Music Festival, which features students from both private and public schools. Students at this level also have the opportunity to compete individually in the ATSSB All-Region Band competition and in the TPSMEA Solo and Ensemble competition.    7- 8th Grade Band The students' curriculum moves to a higher level of difficulty. They continue to be challenged by a variety of music styles, and the opportunities for individual performances increase. Students are asked to practice 90 minutes per week and are given chair tests to place them in the band. The band meets five days a week. Performances include three concerts per year (fall, spring, and Christmas). Individuals have opportunities for outside recognition through participation in ATTSSB All-Region Band and TPSMEA Solo and Ensemble Competition.    Dance Students learn dance principles including proper body alignment, warm-up techniques, current trends and aspects of world dance, culture, and history. They are taught basic terminology and proper body alignment, and they are challenged to improve their strength, flexibility, coordination, and technique. Technical combinations and dance pieces are developed at the level of the students in the classes. Dance performances are an integral part of the musical. All students in the musical participate in one or more dance sequences, and more experienced students perform in several numbers. All leads are given instruction in movement and dance. Small dance groups perform for specific dramatic presentations at school including the spring evening of dance.  Art Students in grades 6-8 build on the basic elements of art, expanding into more complicated medias: paper mache, drawing, creative crafts, painting, and set design.   Theatre Students in middle school beginning theatre class focus on basic acting skills including staying in character, performing memorized lines, and interacting with other actors on stage.