The goal for the ASA arts program is for the student to gain mastery in a specific arts area. The ASA arts program is based in performing arts and students are placed in classes according to skill rather than age/grade level. ASA offers programs in music, theatre, and dance. Placement in ASA arts classes is based upon availability at each student’s performance level.
Any questions about arts programs or audition information should be directed to Monica Anthony, Arts Director (anthony@goasa.org).
Upon acceptance, new students will receive their arts classes by mid-May. All arts classes are assigned for new students based upon the order of receipt of their arts request and their evaluation results. All arts classes at ASA are limited by class size.
Arts Program Information Videos:
5th – 8th Grade Students Overview
All middle school students have the option to choose a music fundamental class (piano or choir) in conjunction with a special (dance, theatre, or an instrument). This selection is made on the application.
Select from the following:
- Choir + Special
- Piano + Special
- Piano + Choir
- Piano + Choir + Special (limited space available, extended school day, and fee for the extra arts class)
Choices for Specials:
- Music Instrument choices:
- Band: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, string bass
- Nylon String Classical Guitar (limited enrollment)
- An electric guitar class is available to 7th and 8th grade as a fee-based class.
- Dance (limited enrollment)
- Theatre (limited enrollment)
Placement Evaluation Information
- Piano
- Beginning students do not need an evaluation. Class size is limited.
- Students requesting a placement higher than a beginning level in instrument class MUST submit a video evaluation. Instructions for the video submission are available below for each instrument area.
- Students that cannot submit a video audition can request an in-person audition.
- Choir
- At the beginning of the school year, all new students will be evaluated for the appropriate vocal placement.
- Please note: vocal assessments are comprehensive and based on the criteria established by the choral department.
- Instrument
- Beginning students do not need an evaluation.
- Students requesting a placement higher than a beginning level in instrument class MUST submit a video evaluation. Instructions for the video submission are available below for each instrument area.
- Students that cannot submit a video audition can request an in-person audition.
- Dance
- All incoming dance students must participate in the evaluation process for placement regardless of level
- Review the evaluation information linked below for further information about in-person and video options
- There is no recreational ballet or dance program.
- Theatre
- No audition is required. Class size is limited.
9th – 12th Grade Students Overview
- Placement in ASA arts classes is based upon availability at each student’s performance level.
- Students are required to take 2 arts classes per year. Areas of interest (music, theatre, or dance) must be indicated on the student’s application.
- Any student requesting a placement higher level in instrument class MUST submit a placement evaluation video. Instructions for the video submissions are available below for each instrument area.
- All high school dance students take only dance classes due to the length of the class. This dance class will count as 2 credits.
- Students who study music will choose 2 different classes in music.
- Students who study theatre will be enrolled in the theatre program that matches their experience and grade level.
- Students in 9th Grade Theatre Studies, and 10th-11th Music Theatre and Theatre Performance will have a 9th period required theatre class that releases at 4:20pm
- Students that wish to be in music and theatre will have 3 arts classes. An additional fee is required.
- Before the junior year, students will declare a major for their arts specialty area.
Choices for arts classes:
- Music
- Choir
- Piano
- Instrument choices
- Band: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, string bass
- Guitar: ASA offers classical guitar instruction as part of its regular program. Spaces for beginners are limited. An electric guitar class is available as a fee-based class.
- Dance
- Students will be placed according to their skill level
- High School Dance Students can select the Classical Ballet Track or Contemporary Track
- Students interested in the Contemporary program must first pass their ballet evaluation to be considered. A second assessment may be requested.
- Theatre
- All classes are taught in 2 period blocks.
- Review the ASA website for more details about the program and course offerings.
- Students that are assigned a 9th hour class will be provided a study hall at no extra charge or have the opportunity to take a music class for an additional fee.
Placement Evaluation Information
- Piano
- Beginning students do not need an evaluation. Class size is limited. Students requesting a placement higher than a beginning level in instrument class MUST submit a video evaluation. Instructions for the video submission are available below for each instrument area.
- Students that cannot submit a video audition can request an in-person audition.
- Choir
- All students are evaluated during the first week of school for placement.
- Instrument
- Beginning students are not evaluated.
- Students requesting a placement higher than a beginning level instrument class MUST submit a placement evaluation video. Instructions for the video submissions are below.
- Students who cannot submit a placement evaluation video can request an in-person placement evaluation.
- Dance
- All incoming dance students must participate in the evaluation process for placement regardless of level
- Review the evaluation information linked below for further information about in-person and video options. There is no recreational ballet or dance program.
- Theatre
- New students enrolling in 9th grade do not submit an evaluation for theatre if they do not have previous coursework.
- 10th-12th grade students requesting a placement must submit previous coursework including a resume of work and intent for the program.
Arts Evaluation Information:
Below you will find evaluation instructions by the department for placement in the arts program.
How are students placed in arts classes?
- Students request their arts classes when they apply online. We cannot guarantee a student will receive their first choice.
- Students are placed in arts classes according to skill level, rather than grade level.
- New students interested in a higher placement than beginning take a placement evaluation (see arts evaluation and information pdf page).
- PLEASE NOTE: All students interested in dance must submit a placement evaluation no matter the level.
- All placements are made by the content area teacher.
Does my student need a placement evaluation?
- All dance students must submit a placement evaluation to determine readiness for the arts discipline.
- Students (5th – 12th) who want to be placed above the beginning level in instruments (band, strings, guitar, and piano) must be evaluated.
- Students (10th-12th) who want to enroll in the theatre program must provide previous coursework.
- Students (10th-12th) with no arts experience or previous coursework can be placed in programs in music or theatre.
- All applicants can submit a video placement evaluation, please review the Arts Placement and Evaluation page. An in-person evaluation can be arranged on a case-by-case basis with the department director at the bottom of the Evaluation form.
Can students be a beginner in the arts?
- All students can be beginners in music or theatre. No auditions are required for these beginning students.
- Students entering 5th-8th grade can be beginners in dance, however, they must be evaluated for program readiness in ballet.
- ASA does not offer a beginning dance program for students in 9th-12th grades.
- Students are placed in arts classes by skill level, not by grade.
What instruments are offered at ASA?
- Band: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion
- Strings: violin, viola, cello & string bass
- Guitar: classical (nylon string) or electric guitar
Does ASA provide instruments?
- Instruments are rented by individual students through suggested vendors.
- ASA only provides the following music instruments for use at school: string bass, certain oversized percussion instruments, baritone saxophone, and tuba.
- Students bring their instruments to school daily and take them home for nightly practice.
- Rooms in which instruments are stored are locked or supervised during academic periods.
What type of dance program does ASA offer?
- Students enrolled in the ASA dance program have Ballet three days a week, Horton modern technique one day, and Flamenco.
- Students in high school can be evaluated for placement in the Classical Core or Contemporary Core program. Details for these programs can be found on the ASA website.
- ASA offers classical ballet study employing the Vaganova method. ASA does not offer recreational ballet.
Can students change their arts classes during the semester?
- All classes are year-long at ASA.
- Arts change requests can be submitted in April for the following year
Why would my student take a 9th period class?
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- Some arts classes are only offered 9th period: Electric Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and 9th-11th theatre classes.
- Students interested in taking 3 periods of arts classes will have a 9th period
- 9th period classes release at 4:20 pm
Preguntas frecuentes sobre las clases de arte
¿Cómo se ubica a los/las estudiantes en las clases de artes?
- Los/las estudiantes solicitan sus clases de artes cuando solicitan en línea. No podemos garantizar que un estudiante reciba su primera opción.
- Los/las estudiantes se colocan en clases de artes de acuerdo con su nivel de habilidad, en lugar de su nivel de grado.
- Los/las estudiantes nuevos interesados en una colocación superior a la inicial toman una evaluación de colocación (consulte la página de información y evaluación de artes en formato pdf).
- TENGA EN CUENTA: Todos los/las estudiantes interesados en baile deben presentar una evaluación de ubicación sin importar el nivel.
- Todas las ubicaciones las realiza el/la maestro/a del área de contenido.
¿Mi estudiante necesita una evaluación de ubicación?
- Todos los/las estudiantes de baile deben presentar una evaluación de ubicación para determinar la preparación para la disciplina artística.
- Los/las estudiantes (5º – 12º) que quieran estar por encima del nivel inicial en instrumentos (banda, cuerdas, guitarra y piano) deben ser evaluados.
- Los/las estudiantes (10º-12º) que quieran inscribirse en el programa de teatro deben proporcionar trabajo de curso previo.
- Los/las estudiantes (10º-12º) sin experiencia en artes o cursos previos pueden ser colocados en programas de música o teatro.
- Todos los/las solicitantes pueden enviar una evaluación de ubicación en video; revise la página Evaluación y ubicación de artes.
- Se puede organizar una evaluación en persona caso por caso con el director del departamento en la parte inferior del formulario de evaluación.
¿Pueden los/las estudiantes ser principiantes en las artes?
- Todos los/las estudiantes pueden ser principiantes en música o teatro. No se requieren audiciones para estos estudiantes principiantes.
- Los/las estudiantes que ingresan al 5º – 8º grado pueden ser principiantes en baile, sin embargo, deben ser evaluados para determinar su preparación para el programa de ballet.
- ASA no ofrece un programa de baile para principiantes para estudiantes de 9º a 12º grado.
- Los/las estudiantes se colocan en clases de artes por nivel de habilidad, no por grado.
¿Qué instrumentos se ofrecen en ASA?
- Banda: flauta, oboe, clarinete, fagot, saxofón alto, saxofón tenor, saxofón barítono, trompeta, corno francés, trombón, bombardino, tuba, percusión
- Cuerdas: violín, viola, violonchelo y contrabajo
- Guitarra: clásica (cuerda de nailon) o guitarra eléctrica
¿ASA proporciona instrumentos?
- Los instrumentos son alquilados por estudiantes individuales a través de proveedores sugeridos.
- ASA solo proporciona los siguientes instrumentos musicales para usar en la escuela: contrabajo, ciertos instrumentos de percusión de gran tamaño, saxofón barítono y tuba.
- Los/las estudiantes traen sus instrumentos a la escuela todos los días y se los llevan a casa para practicar por la noche.
- Los salones en los que se guardan los instrumentos están cerrados o supervisados durante los períodos académicos.
¿Qué tipo de programa de baile ofrece ASA?
- Los/las estudiantes inscritos en el programa de baile en ASA tienen Ballet tres días a la semana, técnica moderna Horton un día y Flamenco.
- Los/las estudiantes de la escuela secundaria pueden ser evaluados para su ubicación en el programa Classical Core o Contemporary Core. Los detalles de estos programas se pueden encontrar en el sitio web de ASA.
- ASA ofrece estudios de ballet clásico empleando el método Vaganova. ASA no ofrece ballet recreativo.
¿Pueden los estudiantes cambiar sus clases de artes durante el semestre?
- Todas las clases son de un año en ASA.
- Las solicitudes de cambio de arte se pueden entregar en abril para el año siguiente
¿Por qué mi estudiante tomaría una clase de noveno período?
- Algunas clases de artes solo se ofrecen en el 9º período: guitarra eléctrica, conjunto de percusión, cantantes de cámara y clases de teatro del 9º al 11º.
- Los estudiantes interesados en tomar 3 períodos de clases de artes tendrán un 9º período
- 9º período de clases termina a las 4:20 pm