2008-09 Kindergarten through Fourth Grade
Educational Offerings

CLASS SIZES ARE LIMITED! REGISTER NOW TO SAVE YOUR SPACE!

Exploring Drama: “Who Am I?” (Kindergarten – Grade 1)
Mon 4 - 5 pm (1 hr/week)
Fall Session, 9/15 – 11/17 (10 weeks)
Instructor: Melissa Dunphy
Class #FS-ED-K1-M; Tuition: $95

Class Description: This class introduces the essential elements of drama at a beginning level that is developmentally appropriate for kindergarten and first grade students. In a collaborative and highly exploratory atmosphere, the instructor will guide students on an exciting journey of inquiry, creativity, and expression while developing basic skills such as characterization, stage vocalization, creative movement, and teamwork. Using improvisation, theater movement, drama games, and vocal  xpression to explore the "self", students will use their skills to observe themselves and the world around them, and create a moving self portrait. The students will make masks, create stories, and make music to express their answers to questions such as "Who am I inside" or "How do I appear to others?" Students will create a short example of their work, which will be presented in the last week of the session. This class is appropriate for new students and those who are returning for multiple sessions to enhance their skills.

Exploring Drama: “Who Am I?” (Grades 2 – 4)
Mon 5 - 6 pm (1 hr/week)
Fall Session, 9/15 – 11/17 (10 weeks)
Instructor: Melissa Dunphy
Class #FS-ED-24-M; Tuition: $95

Class Description: This class introduces the essential elements of drama at a beginning level that is developmentally appropriate for 2nd through 4th grade students. In a collaborative and highly exploratory atmosphere, the instructor will guide students on an exciting journey of inquiry, creativity, and expression while developing basic skills such as characterization, stage vocalization, creative movement, and teamwork. Using improvisation, theater movement, drama games, and vocal expression to explore the "self", students will use their skills to observe themselves and the world around them, and create a moving self portrait. The students will make masks, create stories, and make music to express their answers to questions such as "Who am I inside" or "How do I appear to others?" Students will create a short example of their work, which will be presented in the last week of the session. This class is appropriate for new students and those who are returning for multiple sessions to enhance their skills.

Music Fundamentals (Kindergarten – 1st Grade)
Tues 4 – 5 pm (1 hr/week)
Fall Session, 9/16 – 11/18 (10 weeks)
Instructor: Mary Lee Slemmer
Class #FS-MF-K1-TU; Tuition $95

Class Description: In this class, your Kindergarten and 1st graders will experience an in-depth approach to developing the building blocks of music. We will use age-appropriate games to instill an intuitive understanding of simple and compound rhythms, major and minor scales, ascending and descending intervals, a broad spectrum of musical genres, and the musical traditions of a variety of nationalities. Students will experience more than one method of engaging in music through listening, drumming, dancing, singing and playing instruments. All students will benefit from the enrichment that the study of music is known to provide in the areas of cognition, sensory perception and aural memory, while having a great deal of fun!

Music Fundamentals (Grades 2 – 4)
Tues 5 - 6 pm (1 hr/week)
Fall Session, 9/16 – 11/18 (10 weeks)
Instructor: Mary Lee Slemmer
Class #FS-MF-24-TU; Tuition $95

Class Description: In this class, your 2nd to 4th grade students will experience an in-depth approach to developing the building blocks of music. The teacher will use age-appropriate games to instill an intuitive understanding of simple and compound rhythms, major and minor scales, simple harmonies, ascending and descending intervals, a broad spectrum of musical genres, and the musical traditions of a variety of nationalities. In addition the students will be given the opportunity to learn simple notation and ear training. Students will experience more than one method of engaging in music through listening, drumming, dancing, singing and playing instruments. All students will benefit from the enrichment that the study of music is known to provide in the areas of cognition, sensory perception and aural memory, while having a great deal of fun!

Act I Players Children’s Theater Troupe (Grades 2 - 4)
Wed 4 - 6 pm (2 hrs/week)
Fall Session, 9/17 – 11/19 (10 weeks)
Director: Chris Schroth
Play Options (to be selected by Director): Puss in Boots, Pinocchio, or the Adventures of Peter and the Wolf
Class # FS-A1P-24-W; Tuition $145; Materials Fee: $15

Program Description: Act I Players is a project-based performance troupe for our youngest thespians in 2nd through 4th grades, and is appropriate for those who are new to theater as well as those with experience. No audition is required to join the Act I Players. Members are encouraged to return for multiple sessions which will be scheduled throughout the year. Members will have the opportunity to appear on-stage by participating in the casting process, or may work backstage as part of the production crew (e.g., stage manager, stage crew, props, scenery, costumes, etc.), or both. At the end of the 10-week session, the Act I Players will perform their show for friends and family. The performance is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 15th Tickets to the performance are $3 for children (through age 17) and $5 for adults.

Tri-County Youth Chorus (Grades 4 - 12)
Wed 6:30 – 7:45 pm (Grades 4 – 6); 6:30 - 8:30 pm (Grades 7 - 12)
First Semester, 9/17 – 12/17 (14 weeks); Second Semester, 1/7 – 5/20 (19 weeks)
Director: Deborah Stimson-Snow
Class #1STS-TCYC-412-W;
Tuition: Grades 4 - 6: $250/yr; Grades 7 through 12: $396/yr (payable in installments) Materials Fee: $15; Music Deposit: $30

Program Description: The Tri-County Youth Chorus is an opportunity for young people to develop their musicianship, vocal artistry and ensemble skills. The Director will teach vocal technique, ear training (musical intervals), sight singing, part singing, artistic interpretation, and performance skills. Rehearsals are designed with an understanding that musical expression is a physical, intellectual, and spiritual process and is tied to the healthy development of analytical and cognitive abilities. The Chorus will cover a variety of repertoire which may include classics, pop tunes, Broadway, as well as cross-cultural and multi-lingual materials. Chorus members should join the Chorus with the intention of a long-term commitment to being part of the ensemble from year to year. Students will have an opportunity to enroll in this class for the First Semester (Fall) and again for the Second Semester (Spring), each year. Performances for 2008-09 will include a Winter and Spring concert with tickets available for purchase by family, friends and the public. Dress Code: All Chorus members must provide their own white collared shirt, black dress pants, and black shoes for performances. Materials: Upon joining the Chorus, each singer will receive a site-reading book that they will keep. Each singer will also receive music and a music folder which must be turned in at the end of each semester.

Prerequisites: Scheduled assessment to determine readiness for the Chorus.