Monday, October 31, 2011

Can you keep a beat?!?

Last week we created all sorts of shapes. This week we learn all about keeping the beat through our rhythm study!  Dont forget Quiz on Tuesday (written & performance)
Rhythm

Rhythm – division beat
Tempo - speed

Full time- original beat
Half time- half as slow as original beat
Double time- twice as fast as original beat

Half time:        1          2          3          4
Full time:         1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8
Double time:   1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8+

Time signature: fraction telling the number of beats per measure
                                    4                3
                                    4                4
Silence – what divides the beat to create rhythm (just as important as noise)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

We've Got Engrade :)

Students & Parents : you can now see your dance/theatre grades anytime you want from any computer and even smart phone (yep - there's an app for that)!!!!  Each student will receive an ID (student ID number) and access code from Mrs. Dove. They will then register at www.engrade.com/students (super easy - even I did it without messing up). Here is where you can see your average (including weekly participation grades), and if you have any missing work. I'm new to using this program but several teachers here at ECHS have used and LOVED it so ... we are going to give it a shot. Each student is already in the system and your grades form this current 6 weeks have all been entered up to today (10/18/2011). So get registered, start checking your grades and it even has a cool message feature (like a text message if you have any concerns, questions, suggestions or just wanna say hi)  

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Moving on to Modern

This week we've began our adventures into modern dance. We've already experimented with being literal & abstract, and being locomoter & non-locomoter. As of Friday we all became choreographers as we took our nature observations, created & performed our first individual dance pieces. We will be working on our modern combination to prepare us for the written & performance test next week!
Modern Notes
Who: Martha Graham & Rudolf von Laban  
What: 1st technique barefoot
When: early 1900’s
Where: U.S. and Europe  
Why: rebel against Ballet & self expression                                                     (negative emotions)
Vocabulary:
Arch – wide open structure
Contract- “C” shape curve
Degage- disengage/remove from floor
Attitude-pose on one leg while the other is lifted                                           and bent at the knee
Body Swing- full release of upper body
Locomoter- traveling/moving through space
Non-Locomoter- movement in one spot/not                                      traveling
Literal – actual

Abstract- potential

Pedestrian – common people