The Ellis School

Explore Our Curriculum

Upper School Performing Arts

  • Voice: Sing Loud for all to Hear

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This course, designed as a group voice class, will highlight vocal technique, broaden vocal range, and increase breath support. Students will learn about the anatomy and physiology of the voice and engage in vocal exercises to strengthen and develop the muscles used in singing. Musical selections for the group will offer opportunities to study and improve tone, diction, and expression. Works studied will be chosen from various genres, including classical, musical theater, jazz and American standards, and more.This course includes informal in-class performances and additional voluntary performance opportunities throughout the year. All ability levels are welcome and encouraged.

  • Orchestra

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This course provides students with the opportunity to perform a varied repertoire of instrumental literature from classical orchestral works to jazz standards and modern movie scores. The Ellis Orchestra is composed of string, wind, and percussion players with a diverse background of playing experience. Students perform both as an ensemble and in appropriate chamber group settings. The course is designed to build aptitudes in a number of areas of music learning including musicianship, structural elements of music as they relate to performance, cultural historic context, and performance practices of various styles. As members of the Orchestra, musicians will cultivate an appreciation for the rehearsal and performance process, as well as develop individual technical skills on their chosen instruments. Students are encouraged to participate in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association honors band and orchestra festivals over the course of their study.

  • Honors String Ensemble

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This course is a selective performance group designed to improve playing skills, broaden musical repertoire, and encourage performing at various concerts. Students learn and perform music on a challenging level and play in small ensembles as well as in a larger group. This course is designed to build a solid repertoire that can be performed at any time and for any occasion. The Honors Strings Ensemble also includes advanced Middle School string players chosen by competitive audition. Enrollment is dependent upon instructor approval and an audition is required.

  • Glee Club

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This course is open to all ability levels and is designed to develop vocal and choral skills while investigating a broad variety of choral music across many time periods and styles. Students build music comprehension by studying solfege, reading sheet music, and listening critically. Focus is placed on developing music literacy, vocal  independence, aural and ensemble skills, historical and cultural context of various musical styles, and rehearsal and performance techniques. This course includes performances throughout the year. Students are encouraged to participate in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association choral festivals.

  • Improvisation

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This class will focus on skills that are foundational to any performance.  Over the course of the trimester, we will learn many of the skills behind short-form improv. By studying the teachings of Viola Spolin and Neva Boyd, who popularized this form in Chicago in the 1920s and 1930s, we will explore how body language, timing, and collaboration impact the development of comedy and compelling scene work.  To exercise our “creative muscles”, we will also study the art of oral storytelling and examine how strong choices, plot structure, and character development contribute to the power of each and every story.  Bring your imagination, your open mind, and your collaborative spirit!

  • Acting and Scene Study

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This elective will focus on building our actor “toolbox” through learning multiple acting techniques including, but not limited to, Stanislavski, Brecht, Hagen, and Meisner. We will develop these tools through our research of various scenes allowing us to dive deep into the minds of great and diverse playwrights and find our emotional connection and empathy to characters across the board. This class is not only beneficial to actors, but writers, future directors, or those just wanting to understand the human condition a bit more.

  • Playwriting

    Elective Course | Grades 9–12

    This elective will exercise students’ story-telling minds and the writing skills needed to communicate their vision to others. We will develop our own 10 minute plays through learning the structure of playwriting, how to write dialogue, and engaging in constructive criticism. Students will collaborate with others in terms of writing, workshopping, and revising their sketches until they have produced and showcased a final edited draft.

Faculty

6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992   |   admissions@theellisschool.org
6425 FIFTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206
412.661.5992
admissions@theellisschool.org