Activities
Activities meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoon for one hour. Freshmen are required to participate both fall and spring. Sophomores and juniors are required to participate for one semester each year. Seniors are encouraged, but not required, to participate. The list below is a sample of some of the regular Activities, but many more options are available.
Course Descriptions
ACAPPELLA
ACAPPELLA is an extracurricular, auditioned 16-member vocal ensemble that performs a wide variety of vocal literature ranging from madrigals to doowop, pop and vocal jazz. ACAPPELLA is for the intermediate/advanced singer who enjoys performing at school events and making special appearances in the community as requested. The singers are required to purchase outfits and are expected to be members of Concert Choir, schedule permitting. (Y)
ADVANCED CHAMBER
ENSEMBLE
The Advanced Chamber Ensemble is for the intermediate/advanced music student who enjoys performing in a small group. Students who play a string, woodwind, brass, harp, classical guitar or keyboard instrument are invited to join. The chamber music ensemble program is flexible enough to vary with the needs and talents of our individual players. Students explore a variety of chamber music literature by celebrated composers from various historical periods. Students learn the demands and rewards of playing in a small group, polishing their own technique and developing musicality as soloists. Students should have a background that includes private lessons and /or enough experience to be comfortable playing an independent part. A typical chamber group may contain 3 to 6 players or as many as 9 players. Auditions may be necessary to assess ability or determine eligibility for a group. This course may be used as a preparatory time for the OMEA Solo/Ensemble competition. The ensembles perform at school events, concerts and make special appearances in the community as requested. (F) (S) (meets outside the Activity period).
ADVANCED JAZZ COMBO
The ADVANCED JAZZ COMBO is for the intermediate/advanced music student who enjoys performing jazz in a small ensemble. Primarily focused on woodwind and brass instruments, the Advanced Jazz Combo performs a wide variety of jazz literature at school events and special appearances in the community as requested. Students learn the demands and rewards of playing in a small group, polishing their own technique and developing musicality as jazz soloists. Students should have a background that includes private lessons and /or enough experience to be comfortable playing an independent part. Members are expected to be members of the Advanced Jazz Band, schedule permitting. Audition and/or permission of instructor. (Y) (meets 0 Period)
ART-LIT
The Art-Lit activity produces one or two literary magazines a
year of student writing, drawing, and photography. Activity periods
are spent reviewing creative work produced by Upper School students,
typing copy, and eventually working on the layout and organization
of the magazine. Through their experiences in Art-Lit, students
learn to be discriminating readers and have opportunities to practice
new computer skills. In addition, they can take pride in producing
an attractive, high quality, creative publication by and for the
OES Upper School. (F)(S)
BRASS ENSEMBLE
The Brass Ensemble
is an Activity course which is designed to challenge students in all aspects of Brass playing. The course is open to all students who play trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, and/or other brass instruments. The course includes the study and performance of a brass ensemble literature, continued study and practice on students’ individual instruments, and development of further knowledge of music. Emphasis will be placed on musical elements such as phrasing, interpretation, ensemble techniques, and intonation. Students will build on the basic elements of music as well as historical and cultural context to extend knowledge for musical interpretation. Instrumentalists will meet together during the Activity period to work on repertoire for two major concerts throughout the year: US Winter Instrumental concert in January and US Fine and Performing Arts Night in June. Students will increase knowledge of music through practice and rehearsal. Meets during the Activity period. Students who wish to take the course for academic credit may do so with dept. chair approval and will required be to participate in the District Solo/Ensemble Festival in February. (F) (S)
DRIVER’S EDUCATION
A standard driver’s education course with 30 classroom hours as well as 6 hours behind the wheel training. (Fee will be approximately $395.) (F)(S)
INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
The first few weeks will be spent in self discovery as we explore the makeup and mechanics of the human body. We will be seeking to answer the question "What is Dance?" This Class will cover basic technique and terminology for a variety of traditional dance styles including, Tap, Jazz, and Ballet. Students will also be exposed to the history of dance as we investigate some of the movers, shakers, and most influential persons in the dance world. Some partner work or Ballroom styles may be introduced depending on student interest. Students may designate whether the course will count for art credit, PE credit, or activity credit.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION
This class will teach the beginning/intermediate improviser the
following fundamentals of jazz improvisation: jazz harmony (chords
and scales); prepared material (arpeggios, scales, patterns);
idiomatic phrasing; swing rhythm and jazz feel and expressiveness
and creativity. This Activity is open to any instrumentalist (except
drums or non-pitched percussion) or vocalist
LOWER SCHOOL INTERNS
Work as an intern in the Lower School classroom of your choice
by selecting either an age (kindergarten, 5th grade, etc.) or
a discipline (music, math, PE, etc.). We will also read about
child development and education, discuss our experiences (both
successes and catastrophes) and do some personal writing. Learn
about the incredible demands and rewards of teaching. Give something
back to the teachers you had in the Lower School (or their counterparts).
Bring some extra joy and depth to younger children and their education.
Learn some interesting things about yourself. (F)(S)
MOCK TRIAL
Mock Trial students participate in a series of competitions sponsored
by the Oregon State Bar and the Classroom Law Project. Teams act
as attorneys and witnesses in criminal and civil cases based upon
a prepared set of case materials. Students learn to research a
case and argue it, in accordance with the federal rules of evidence,
before educator and attorney judges. Students should register
for both semesters, though the bulk of the work takes place in
December through April. During the spring, Mock trial can be very
time consuming. Prospective team members should consider that,
during some weeks, it would demand as much time as a varsity sport.
One should not join the team without first determining whether
it is compatible with one’s academic and extracurricular
schedules for the year. (Y)
NEWSPAPER
The Upper School newspaper The Blophish is an on-line
publication that includes stories, articles and entertainment
features written by and for OES students. The site also has links
to a variety of sites of interest to our school community. The
staff strives to refresh the page with new material every 10 days
or when news breaks. (F)(S)
PE WEIGHT TRAINING AND CONDITIONING
This is a standard physical education course, worth .5 credit.
It is offered during the activity period in order to provide more
flexibility in scheduling. (F)
RECORDING & CONCERT PRODUCTION
Using new, state-of-the-art recording equipment, students in the Recording & Concert Production Activity will record the major concerts and music events on campus September – June. Students will record, edit, and master the various projects, produce CDS & DVDS, and supervise the designing of the CD graphics and packaging. Some of the concerts to be recorded include:
US Musical, MS Musical, Afterglow Jazz Night, Advent Service, US Solo/Ensemble recital, MS Solo/Ensemble recital, MS Instrumental Winter Concert, AS Choir & Orchestra Spring Concert, MS/US Instrumental Spring Concert, US Fine Arts Night, LS Strings Recital, LS Festival Spring Concert, and Open Mic Nights. (F) (S)
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Research Activity is a structured course designed to lead students
from initial project design through successful participation in
research project competitions. All students in Research Activity
are required to present their research projects at the Junior
Academy of Sciences (late February), the Northwest Science Exposition
(early April), and the OES Science Symposium (early May). This
activity is graded, and successful students earn .5 credit in
science. Research Activity is required for earning the OES Science
Scholar Designation. (Y)
THE SIRENS (US GIRLS’ DOOWOP)
THE SIRENS is a women's ensemble that is open to any female student who loves to sing and explore a cappella arrangements of pop, folk and jazz literature. Singers have opportunities to sing each of the voice parts at different times as well as an opportunity for solo singing. This group frequently performs at various school functions including Afterglow, US Fine Arts Night and the All School Choir concert and is the sister group to "Those Guys." Although they meet outside the activity period, activity credit is given for participation.
STAGECRAFT
The Stagecraft activity is responsible for all the technical elements
of play production. These include light and sound design and operation,
set design and construction, props, costume, and make-up. The
activity takes place in the fully equipped scene shop at SPARC.
Some work in the evenings is necessary. (F)(S)
US STRING/WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
The String/Woodwind Ensemble
is an Activity course which is designed to challenge students in all aspects of Strings and Woodwind playing. The course is open to all students who play violink, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, piano or harp. The course includes the study and performance of a String and Woodwind ensemble literature, continued study and practice on students’ individual instruments, and development of further knowledge of music. Emphasis will be placed on musical elements such as phrasing, interpretation, ensemble techniques, and intonation. Students will build on the basic elements of music as well as historical and cultural context to extend knowledge for musical interpretation. Instrumentalists will meet together during the Activity period to work on repertoire for two major concerts throughout the year: US Winter Instrumental concert in January and US Fine and Performing Arts Night in June. Students will increase knowledge of music through practice and rehearsal. Meets during the Activity period. Students who wish to take the course for academic credit may do so with dept. chair approval and will be required to participate in the District Solo/Ensemble Festival in February. (F) (S)
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The Student Council acts as official representative of the student
body. Students elected to the council meet twice weekly during
activity period to discuss and address student concerns, to plan
fundraising ideas, and activities such as dances, special events,
and service projects. The Council also takes a leading role in
developing and maintaining School spirit.
Students elect the Council president, vice-president, secretary,
and treasurer in the spring preceding the year they will serve.
One student from each class acts as class representative at Council
meetings. There are international student and dorm representatives
as well. All students are welcome to attend meetings.
STUDENT PLAYS (BY AUDITION
ONLY)
Each year the Upper School produces two student plays, one in
November, and the other in May. Students who are selected to be
in the cast receive activity credit for their participation. Play
rehearsals and performances are in the evening and not during
the normal activity period. (F)(S)
STUDY SKILLS
This activity will focus on developing study skills in coordination
with course content. Some of the skills covered will include:
time management, test-taking strategies, setting up a study environment,
outlining and organization of papers, and how to prioritize and
coordinate work, sports, family, and other commitments. There
will also be time studying. (F)
THOSE GUYS (US BOYS’ DOOWOP)
Those Guys boys A Cappella ensemble was formed in 2004. They sing at functions for the school, as well as in the broader community. They released their debut CD two years ago titled "Nicol Road," and they have just recorded their third disc. Members during the 2006-08 school years have included singers from China, Mexico, South Korea and the U.S. The singers rehearse during Activity period. They specialize in both classic doo-wop-style music, as well as modern a cappella-style arrangements. THOSE GUYS appear at special events and festivals, occasionally joining with the OES Boychoir.
YEARBOOK
Using the computer programs In Design and Photoshop,
the Yearbook activity produces the OES yearbook. The students
select the theme, take the pictures, write the copy, organize
the layout, and solicit the advertising. (Y)
