Performing Arts
The MS and HS Performing Arts Department is a dynamic and energetic department, where all students are welcome to participate in music, drama and dance.
There are music and drama classes in both divisions where students can explore and learn about different disciplines, and many performing groups for students to join. Musical ensembles include Bands, Choirs and Orchestras for different levels of expertise and development. Along with these groups, there are musical and drama theatrical productions in the MS and HS, a Dance Team and a Thespian Troupe in the HS.
Concert Band
Concert Choir
Concert Orchestra
Keyboard
Theater
IB Theater
IB Music
Concert Band is an instrumental music instruction and performance course for all students who play woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. While the course emphasizes (group and/or individual) performance, students will also study music theory, composition and musicology. There are occasional after school rehearsals and regular concerts for groups both in and outside school. Assessment is based on attainment of performance standards in class, participation in extra rehearsals and concerts, home practice and completion of individual portfolios. Students are expected to progress individually as well as to contribute to the progress of the entire group. There are many and varied concert opportunities throughout the year. Students are expected to practice regularly at home and to be prepared for the wide variety of music performed, attend all concerts and to develop skills and learning that reflects progress in technique, general musicianship and performance.
Concert Choir is a vocal music instruction and performance course for all students. While the course emphasizes (group and/or individual) performance, students will also study music theory, composition and musicology. There are occasional after school rehearsals and regular concerts for groups both in and outside school. Assessment is based on attainment of performance standards in class, participation in extra rehearsals and concerts, home practice and completion of individual portfolios. Students are expected to progress individually as well as to contribute to the progress of the entire group. There are many and varied concert opportunities throughout the year. Students are expected to practice regularly at home and to be prepared for the wide variety of music performed, attend all concerts and to develop skills and learning that reflects progress in technique, general musicianship and performance.
Concert Orchestra is an instrumental music instruction and performance course for all students who play string instruments. While the course emphasizes (group and/or individual) performance, students will also study music theory, composition and musicology. There are occasional after school rehearsals and regular concerts for groups both in and outside school. Assessment is based on attainment of performance standards in class, participation in extra rehearsals and concerts, home practice and completion of individual portfolios. Students are expected to progress individually as well as to contribute to the progress of the entire group. There are many and varied concert opportunities throughout the year. Students are expected to practice regularly at home and to be prepared for the wide variety of music performed, attend all concerts and to develop skills and learning that reflects progress in technique, general musicianship and performance.
Keyboard is a year-long course that combines the art of piano playing with musicianship and performance skills. While the course emphasizes individual performance, students will also study music theory, composition and musicology. This class offers students a hands-on study in various aspects of piano technique. Students have the opportunity to benefit from small-group and individualized instruction, tailored to the needs and standard of each student. It is expected that all students will perform at least once per quarter. LMC Concerts, the annual ISB Piano Recital and other concerts, offer performance opportunities for students enrolled in this class. Students are expected to practice regularly at home, support others through attendance at LMC concerts and to develop skills and learning that reflects progress in technique, general musicianship and performance.
Theater I
This is a semester course designed to introduce students to all areas of theater study. Units include Acting, Design, Directing, Technical Theater, Theater History, Musical Theater, and Drama (the study of Dramatic Literature). The course is recommended for all students interested in theater as a means of artistic expression. This course is a prerequisite to Theater II.
Theater II
This is a semester course designed to offer the students an in-depth study in a selected area of theater. Students will develop individual projects focusing on one of the following areas of theater: Acting, Musical Theater, Directing, Design or Technical Theater. The individual project will involve research culminating in a literary review as well as a complete theater production. Each student will complete a project design outline containing area of study, research question, timeline, and methods of skill acquisition and method of assessment. The course is designed to be repeated with various areas of focus. Theater Production and Design Students taking this semester course will learn to operate all the light and sound equipment used at the International School of Beijing. They will gain hands-on experience running lights and sound for ISB performances, assemblies, and productions. There will be a limited out-of-class requirement for the class based on the needs of the ISB community. In addition to the technical skills learned and applied during the semester, students will be introduced to design elements of theater, including lights, sound, set, costume, and publications. Because of the out-of-class requirements and the responsibilities of this course, teacher and parental permission must be obtained before students are registered in the course.
IB Theater
The aim of this course is to help students understand the nature of theater; to understand it by making it as well as studying it. Areas of focus include performance skills, world theater studies, play analysis and theater production. The course is suitable for students interested in any area of the theater including acting, design and/or production.
IB Theater Arts Higher level is an option at ISB.
The course is taught combined with the Standard Level class with Higher Level Students completing an additional World Theater Study and the Individual Project. This course is designed for students with a keen interest in Theater. Although prior theater studies is not required for the course, it is expected that all students would come into the course with a high understanding of both theater practice and process. Because of the production requirements of this course, students taking the course will need to be able and interested in extra curricular productions both at ISB and in the community.
IB Music
IB Music is a challenging and rewarding course with both internal and external assessment that combines performance, composition and musicology.
Students will study all these aspects, and candidates can choose either performance (solo and/or ensemble) or composition for their final assessment in grade 12. No previous experience of composition is needed. Students who belong to any of the regular performing groups in school (e.g. Concert Choir, Impromptune, Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, HS Band, Jazz Band, Chinese Orchestra) can use performances with these groups as their performance component of the IB. The course is designed to expand the student’s knowledge and appreciation of music through regular performances, creative composition, and study and analysis of western and non-western (world) music. Students are expected to have some background knowledge of music and experience in performance with instruments and/or voice. IB students will use the Performing Arts Department resources for the course including access to the Keyboard Lab, Technology Lab, the CD Library and a variety of resources including texts articles, scores and videos. Students will be expected to develop a knowledge of the musical characteristic of western and world music and apply these to their studies in appreciation, composition and performance. They will also be expected to perform regularly in a variety of concerts, depending on their performing strength(s).