Highland
Visual and Performing Arts
Institute
HVPAI is a project of The Arts Community - A non-profit organization
In cooperation with Highland Central School District
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Band Ensemble | Orff | Dance
Students will perform in small groups and as an ensemble on various wind, brass, keyboard and percussion instruments. If you do not already own or rent an instrument, one will be provided for you.
A group improvisation class that uses a variety of percussion instruments as well as keyboards to teach rhythm and ensemble skills and to create original compositions.
Movement activities are designed to capture and develop children's creative expression. Our energetic and joyful classes use games and music to encourage moving through space. Basic modern dance skills are also introduced. Students will learn to problem solve, work as a cohesive group, collaborate and use their imagination to create their own dances.
Theatre and Improvisation Class: Classes will explore the use of the body and voice as expressive instruments and the imagination as the primary sources of creating theatre. Each group will learn how to focus their energy in fundamental ways. To act is to do - and doing falls into patterns that can be re-enacted for an audience, depending upon the imaginary world the actors are attempting to evoke. Through improvisation, we will develop material for presentation linked to the particular theme for the year. In addition to performing, students in the class will apply knowledge they acquire in visual and musical arts to enhance the mise en scene of the performance piece they develop. The emphasis will be on collaboration, discovery and fun! Creating theatre, like any art, is a joyous experience and our theatre classes will always encourage students to find the fun!
Percussion/West African Drumming Class: Traditional West African ensembles are much like chamber music ensembles. Assorted instruments define rhythmic and melodic niches, which when played together, form a cohesive musical event. Emphasis in the class will be on learning individual "parts" and understanding how they interact and fit together with other "parts", often in challenging, syncopated forms. The importance of individual musical niches occupied by separate musicians, directly mirrors the importance of the individual person in African village life. As every person in the village has an assigned role which is theirs alone to perform, eveyone in the village is insured a place of importance. Similarly, every person playing their rhythm or melody in an ensemble, is vitally important in building the song. By learning and being strong in their individual parts, students will develop a good musical sensibility. By developing core musical strength as individuals, they will experience the joy and importance of being an important contributor to the group. The youngest group will work on getting to know the instruments and the various sounds that they make. This will be a beginner friendly introduction as a creative narrative form. The older groups will work on a more complicated traditional repertoire. Djembe (hand drum), kenkene, songba, and dun-duns (stick drums) will be provided. Additionally, a limited number of ballafones (traditional wooden xylophones) will be available to the older groups. Anyone interested in bringing their own drum is welcome to do so.
All children are born artists - the trick is to retain that unquenchable thirst, to see things as new and express ourselves intuitively. Through strengthening our creative impulse, we generate original ideas. During our week together, students will participate in open ended prompts, to ignite creative expression and raise consciousness. Students will participate in a variety of process oriented activities designed to encourage a sense of peace and well being. Activities such as creating small labyrinths to let their minds wander, or intuitive drawings made with wet spaghetti and straws, allow young artists to go with an internal flow and focus on their inner voice. Students will enjoy working without surveillance, competition or pressure and will find their own level of control and fulfillment. Children are naturally unafraid of trying new things, and when encouraged to discover, they come up with new and original images and ideas.
Students will explore singing in a nurturing environment where there is freedom to discover the voice as an instrument. They will learn about the technical and artistic aspects of singing and have the opportunity to engage in techniques that enhance correct breathing, diction, phrasing and tone quality.
Focus and Concentration for the Young Artist This class is designed to promote focus and concentration. We draw upon various techniques and disciplines that were either directly or indirectly developed in the East. Children will participate in various activities including: meditation, Tai Chi and Chi Gong, Dalcroze, GYROKINESIS, and brain based games. We will explore and learn about instruments used for meditation, such as Tibetan singing bowls and tingshaws. This class will act as a bridge to help students become more prepared and ready for the wonderful classes that the summer program has to offer.
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