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PHILOSOPHY
 The Allentown Academy of the Arts (AAA) believes that the arts
constitute one of the five fundamental components of basic education,
along with language, mathematics, nature sciences, and social studies.
The AAA further believe that strong arts programs should bean
essential part of every school system and theatre arts programs within
the school should address the needs of the students. Therefore, AAA
believes that high school students who have as strong interest and
potential for success in the arts must be identified and provided an
opportunity for artistic growth.
AAA further believes that artistic young people have special needs
and abilities and that talented students should be provided
opportunities to develop their talents though intense study in their
artistic disciplines. They should also be taught to evaluate, analyze,
and interpret their art form through studies in technique, creative
expression, and craftsmanship. Additionally, students should be
afforded performance opportunities that will serve as a vehicle for
self-expression, artistic growth, and pre-professional training.
AAA
believes that providing talented students with specialized training
will enhance their appreciation and understanding of all forms; it
will provide them an advantage in post-secondary arts studies; it will
teach essential socialization, organization, and leadership skill; it
will provided them a strong advantage, whether they choose to enter
the work force directly from high school or pursue further training or
education and it will enhance their enjoyment of the arts throughout
their lives.
HISTORY
In 1994, a group of teacher artists at William Allen High School
decided to link their existing strong music, art, and theatre
programs, and to create and add a dance element to them. One year
later, the Allentown Academy of the Arts was born.
THE PROGRAMS
 Academy
students start their day before the rest of the student body by taking
an "early bird" class - art, choir, band, or theatre. They
then spend two full periods working in their major art area after
which they can take advantage of any of the excellent offerings in the
comprehensive program at Allen, including gifted, honors, and advanced
placement classes.
All of the academy courses are geared to performance - on stage, in
concert, or through a portfolio. Skills and techniques, creative
problem solving, aesthetics and evaluation are a major part of every
Academy class.
Theatre Arts
Academy theatre students study voice and movement and learn how to
use these tools to create a character. Acting techniques and approaches
to acting are explored along with theatre history, script analysis,
musical theater, set lighting, and costume design. Great plays by
great playwrights of the world are read and discussed. Each student is
responsible for preparing an audition monologue and working with a
partner in both a contemporary and a classical scene. Students' work
can be seen in an annual Spring showcase and in workshops and touring
shows throughout the year.
THEATRE
COURSES: The Theatre program is designed to provide students with a broad background in all aspects of the theatre including theatre movements and
styles, history, script analysis, dramaturgy, design directing, stage management and acting. Students who complete the program will have
an appreciation and understanding of how all elements of the theatre combine to form an artistic whole. Participants in the program may
choose to focus in acting, directing, criticism/history/dramaturgy, or design/technology.
The acting studio emphasizes the union of feeling, thought, and action for the actor and seeks to integrate psychological, intellectual and
physical processes into the technique of acting. Action and intention are underscored as the actor learns to work toward an objective.
743AA ACTING STUDIO CONCEPTS Prerequisite: Theatre I or Acting Studio Integrated
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Students will explore theatre through partner scene work and solo monologue work. Different concepts will be explored such as method
acting, sense memory, and emotional recall, along with improvisation and relation techniques. A unit on musical theatre will be
investigated. Students will be asked to write their own scene and direct it.
744AA ACTING STUDIO I
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10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 11, 12
Acting Studio I is for the serious acting student. Students will gain hands on experience by being involved in the inter-workings of the
theatre, from scene shop and costumes to the technical aspect of lights and sound, acting techniques and the marketing of productions.
Dramatic literature and theatre history will be studied and analyzed. Involvement in the fall play and the spring Main Stage Musical at
Allen is required. An audition and teacher recommendation is required. (Auditions can be a monologue, a scene with a partner, or a vocal
audition with a Broadway show tune.)
745AA ACTING STUDIO II Prerequisite: Acting Studio I
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 12
Acting Studio II is for the advanced acting student. This course will build on the skills and techniques developed in Acting Studio I with
the addition of a group project of writing a short One Act play and performing it. They will be responsible for sets, lights, costumes,
directing and performing the piece. Involvement in the fall play and the spring Main Stage Musical at Allen is required. An audition and
teacher recommendation is required. (Auditions can be a monologue, a scene with a partner, or a vocal audition with a Broadway show
tune.)
Visual Arts
 Visual
art students receive a strong background in design and drawing, with
an emphasis on growth in their discipline and improvement in the
quality of their work as they create their own portfolios. In the two
dimensional studios they have experiences in photography, drawing,
painting, printmaking, and graphic design. Three-dimensional
experiences include ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and metals, glass,
wood, and fibers.
VISUAL ARTS
COURSES:
723AA VISUAL ARTS CONCEPTS Prerequisite: Art I or Visual Arts Integrated
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Visual Arts Concepts extends experiences in drawing, composition, color, and design to provide experiences with techniques and idea
development involving various drawing and painting mediums as well as relief printing, photography, computer graphics, ceramic design,
fibers, wood, metal, and glass. A student sketchbook is required and an additional semester arts elective is recommended.
724AA VISUAL ARTS I
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 11, 12
Visual Arts I is for those students interested in an intense preparation for future study of the visual arts. Studio experiences involving:
drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, metals, glass, fibers, communication design, and computer graphics. A working
knowledge of techniques, principles of design, personal course concepts, and media culminate in a portfolio review at years end. This
course prepares the student for the presentation and continued development of a professional portfolio. A portfolio review and teacher
recommendation are required.
725AA VISUAL ARTS II
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 12
Visual Arts II is for advanced students who wish to continue to expand and develop the concepts and techniques learned in Visual Arts I.
This course is run in conjunction with Studio Art Advanced Placement.
720AA *STUDIO ART ADVANCED PLACEMENT Prerequisite: Visual Arts I
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 12
Studio Art AP is a quality-oriented studio course. Included is concentrated theme and media development. An individualized professional
portfolio will be finalized, meeting the standards of evaluation and described in the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced
Placement Program. This course prepares the student to take the Advanced Placement Examination in Studio Art. A portfolio review and
teacher recommendation is required. This course is run in conjunction with Visual Arts II.
Dance
 The
dance studio gives its students an intense study of the art form
through technique, style, and genre. Students get experiences in
performance, choreography, aesthetic awareness, and critical thinking
while learning how to be a discriminating audience member. Their work
is not only assessed through performances, but by class discussions,
journal entries, a video portfolio, and both self and peer-evaluation.
Dance students are encouraged to discover their own voices as they
perform - performances that are linked to the history of dance and
such areas as ballet, tap, modern, jazz, social, ethnic, and cultural
dance. The Academy of the Arts prides itself on being able to provide
both a technical and academic dance education.
DANCE
COURSES: The dance program will work to teach students to dance while helping them to increase their awareness of themselves and their bodies.
The program will also assist students in developing an aesthetic awareness of the art form. Directionality, spatial orientation, visual, and
kinesthetic perception will be explored. Participation will satisfy the physical education requirement each year.
733AA DANCE STUDIO CONCEPTS Prerequisite: Dance I or Dance Studio Integrated
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Dance Studio Concepts students will study how dance elements and techniques influence movement and personal expression. Students
will demonstrate advanced levels of ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. The course will also emphasize elementary dance composition,
and gain a clear understanding of the physics of dance. The students will only be required to perform mini solos in front of their
classmates. Analysis and technique should give the student experience in demonstration, conceptualization, and dance execution. An
additional semester arts elective is required.
734AA DANCE STUDIO I
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 11, 12
Dance Studio I is an intermediate technique course which will include vocabulary, movement concepts, positions and combinations in
ballet, modern, and jazz dance. Dance history and composition will also be studied. Performance is required. An audition and teacher
recommendation are required.
735AA DANCE STUDIO II Prerequisite: Dance Studio I
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 12
Dance Studio II is for advanced students and continues to expand and
develop the concepts and techniques learned in Dance Studio I. There
will be extensive work on composition and the creation of an exit
project. Performance is required. An audition and teacher
recommendations are required.
Music
The Academy's musical organizations have toured throughout the
world, made numerous recordings and won major competitions. They
perform in four major seasonal concerts at school as well as many
concerts in the community for civic, educational, service, and social
organizations.
In May of each year, the Academy students' work is showcased in the
annual Gala held at the Allentown Arts Museum. Hundreds of parents,
friends, teachers, and members of the community gather for a special
art show and performances by the academy singers, musicians, dancers,
and actors.
MUSIC
COURSES: 753AA MUSICAL ARTS CONCEPTS
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Musical Arts Concepts students will experience the elements of music including melody, harmony, form, and color from a theatrical and
practical perspective. Students will also gain music literacy skills as they learn to play the piano. In addition, the class will study the
different types of music from around the world. Students will have the opportunity to gain first-hand musical experience through in class
performances. An additional semester arts elective is recommended.
754AA INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL-I
10 Periods 1 Year 2.0 Credits Grade 11, 12
Instrumental and Vocal-I students will further develop their understanding of music theory, literature/history, aural studies, keyboard skills
and performance techniques. An audition and teacher recommendation are required.
755AA INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL-II
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 12
An audition and teacher recommendation are required. This course is run in conjunction with Music Theory - Advanced Placement.
For Allentown Academy of the Arts music students, this course will include:
MUSIC THEORY
A thorough study of clefs, modes, scales, triads and inversions, figures, bass symbols, and cadences will be taught. Students will
learn eighteenth century part-writing techniques, rules of chord progression, diatonic modulation, non-harmonic tones, and
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seventh chords. Rhythms in all simple and compound meters and musical expression terms (Italian, German, and French) will be
studied and mastered.
MUSIC LITERATURE AND HISTORY
Students will complete further analysis of form of all style periods, study of comparative performance practices and styles. A
survey of the history of jazz, American folk music, rock and musical comedy (operetta and Broadway) is also part of this activity.
AURAL STUDIES
Students will develop techniques in collegiate level sight singing (solfeggio) to include modulation to closely related keys, minor
mode singing, intervals and triads. In addition, musical dictation will also be introduced, as the student will notate simple
melodies, rhythms, intervals, chord qualities and chord progressions.
PERFORMANCE
Although AAA music students are encouraged to study privately, activities are included in solo performances, ensemble
experience and coaching.
750AA *MUSIC THEORY - ADVANCED PLACEMENT Prerequisite: Instrumental and Vocal I
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 12
Music Theory AP is designed for the highly motivated student interested in the serious study of music. Components include the study of
musical terminology, score analysis and notational, composition, and aural skills. Students prepare to take the Advanced Placement
Examination in Music Theory. This course runs in conjunction with Instrumental and Vocal-II.
For Allentown Academy of the Arts music students, this level of courses will include:
MUSIC THEORY
Students will participate in a thorough study of advanced chromatic harmonies and modulations, composition in various forms
(Theme and Variation, Fugue, and Sonata-allegro), basic concepts in standard orchestration techniques and a survey of 20th
century composition techniques and trends.
MUSIC LITERATURE AND HISTORY
Students will complete further analysis of form of all style periods, study of comparative performance practices and styles. A
survey of the history of jazz, American folk music, rock and musical comedy (operetta and Broadway) is also part of this activity.
AURAL STUDIES
Students will work toward further mastery of techniques in sight singing with advanced chromatic and modulatory material with
an emphasis on harmonic dictation. Aural recognition of modes, meters, performance media, forms and styles in relation to
historical periods will be stressed.
PERFORMANCE
In addition to their personal private instrumental or vocal studio work, included will be solo performance and recital seminars,
master classes, ensemble experience and coaching.
FOCUSED ARTS ACTIVITIES:
736AA THE DANCE EXPERIENCE
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
The Dance Experience is designed for any Arts Academy student interested in dance. The work will focus on improving physical fitness,
movement awareness, body control, and will introduce students to a variety of theatrical dance forms. A mixed curriculum of modern,
jazz, folk, tap, and ballet will be taught. Movement problems will be explored through improvisation. Dance may be applied for Physical
Education credit.
756 INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Fall For players of wind and percussion instruments the course begins in August with preparation for the Marching Band season and
continues through September and October during Early Bird (pre-homeroom and homeroom) with early AM field practice. All band front
students must enroll in Instrumental Music Activities.
Spring Instrumentalists will be assigned to ensembles by instrument and ability
level for public concert presentations.
757 CHORAL ACTIVITIES
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Choral Activities is a study through rehearsal and performance of all styles in the vocal-choral repertoire. The large group provides
excellent opportunity for both the beginning and the experienced singer who wishes to further develop vocal technique and perform on
stage in public performances. Meeting time is during EB period (pre-homeroom and homeroom). Membership is by audition.
746AA THE THEATRE EXPERIENCE
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
The Theatre Experience includes the study of basic acting, theatre design, technology and stage management. Students will be introduced
to the exciting possibilities that exist in the theatre, including: performing, scenic lighting and costume design; computer lighting control;
set and prop construction; and stage management. All will be explored and put into practice by participation in student projects and in our
Fall and Spring productions. Major historical periods and styles will be analyzed and discussed in relationship to production design and
acting styles.
726AA THE ART EXPERIENCE TWO DIMENSIONAL
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Fall Photography and graphic processes (35mm camera recommended)
Spring Painting
727AA THE ART EXPERIENCE THREE DIMENSIONAL
5 Periods ½ Year 0.5 Credit Grade 11, 12
5 Periods 1 Year 1.0 Credit Grade 11, 12
Fall Clay and glass
Spring Metals and construction
Meeting time is during EB period (pre-homeroom and homeroom). Some materials for The Art Experience may need to be supplied by the
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