Lafayette High School 3000 West Congress Street Lafayette, La 70506 Program Description and Requirements Choir, Dance, Guitar, Instrumental, Piano, String Orchestra, & Theater Academy Director: Ronald D. Johnnie Principal: Dr. Patrick Leonard
Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy The Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy is a School of Choice that serves high school students in Lafayette Parish. Mission The Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy creates a challenging environment with multiple performing opportunities designed to develop creativity, excellence, self-discipline, musical and artistic skills. Description The high school performing arts academy offers instruction in the disciplines of Choir, Dance, Guitar, Instrumental, Piano, String Orchestra, and Theater. With emphasis on performance, many groups and individuals successfully compete on the local, state, and national levels. Contact and Questions Ronald D. Johnnie Performing Arts Academy Director Lafayette High School 3000 West Congress Lafayette, LA 70506 e-mail: rdjohnnie@lpssonline.com Phone: 337-521-7980 Fax: 337-521-7981 Lafayette Parish Schools of Choice Website: lafayettechoice.com Lafayette Parish Schools Website: lpssonline.com Entrance Criteria All Candidates Complete the online application www.lafayettechoice.com Complete a written composition (part of online application) Participate in the Interview/Audition Only students who complete all of the above criteria by required deadline are entered into the lottery. Online Application All candidates must complete the online application. Information entered must include current address, phone, and e-mail accounts. E-mail is the preferred communication method during the application process. 2 P a g e
Signature Page In order to be considered for the Academy, a signature page signed by both parent and student must be received at Lafayette High School. Simply address it to Performing Arts Academy Lafayette High School and drop it off or mail to: Performing Arts Academy, Lafayette High School, 3000 West Congress Street, Lafayette, La 70506 Written Composition A student-composed letter of intent must be included on the application (part of the online application form). Be sure to use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation in the letter. The letter must address the following. 1. The performance area (discipline) of interest. 2. Why you want to participate in the Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy. 3. Talk about your personal strengths and skills related to the performance area you are interested in studying. 4. Include skills, talents, work, and performance experiences. 5. Conclude with how you think your career and academic goals will be supported by the experience of the Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy. Audition - After the official applications have been reviewed, applicants will be eligible to audition for the Performing Arts Academy. You will be asked to perform a short solo of your choice which represents your best effort. An audition is mandatory for the application to be considered. No one will be considered for acceptance unless he/she has been auditioned. All students entering the Lafayette High Performing Arts Academy will be required to follow the Performing Arts Curriculum as outlined in this document. Available Slots - Entering 9th Graders Students currently enrolled in the L.J. Alleman Middle School Arts Academy have first opportunity for available spots; however, in order to qualify students must complete the above entrance criteria. Any additional spots available will be allocated by 20% on merit, as determined by entrance criteria and the remaining 80% shall be selected by lottery. Freshman Spots Available: Dance 24 Piano 16 Guitar 14 String orchestra 10 Theatre arts 24 Choral 26 Instrumental music 24 3 P a g e
Students Entering in 10th Grade In order to qualify, students must enter and complete requirements for the lotterytenth (10 th ) grade students should be able to complete the Performing Arts Academy Curriculum. (Students will be required to make up classes missed the freshman year.) Each discipline will accept merit and lottery students based on space available in the area. The number of spots will be updated each year and will be dependent on the school s functional capacity and ability to enroll students. The lottery will determine the order of the waiting list. A separate waiting list will be maintained for each discipline. Students will not be allowed to enter the Performing Arts Academy as an eleventh or twelfth grader due to the difficulty of completing the Performing Arts Curriculum. (With Tops and graduation requirements, students will not be able to make up Performing Arts courses missed during Freshman and Sophomore years.) Description of Disciplines Theatre Arts The Theatre Arts Program immerses students in the fundamentals of the following theatrical specializations: acting, design, directing, and history. This program offers exposure to theatre history and style as students work on scripts ranging from Greek Drama to contemporary plays. Students are given multiple opportunities to perform, as well, as, design and direct main stage productions and student works. String Orchestra - An ensemble composed of students who play violin, viola, cello, and double bass students. Mandolin and harp students may also join the ensemble with director approval. The group s objective is development of individual, ensemble, and team music skills through the exploration of many different styles of music. Styles studied and performed have included rock, country, jazz, blues, folk, fiddling, classical, and movie music. Performances include a formal concert each semester, yearly appearances at J. Wallace James Artwalk and Festival International, and numerous other appearances throughout the community. Other opportunities include All-State Orchestra, Solo Festival, Large Ensemble Festival, and touring. Guitar The program focuses on improving students technical and theoretical knowledge of music as it applies to the guitar, in order to cultivate a higher level of artistic performance. Students are encouraged to find their own voice by understanding music history, as well as following current trends. This program is intended to prepare students for college level music courses while implementing practical concepts used by working musicians. Dance - The dance program at Lafayette high School develops in students an in-depth knowledge of training in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, and hip-hop dance styles. Students will acquire a working mastery of choreography and technique. Students will also be exposed to the production elements of design, lighting, publicity, costuming, music, sound, and makeup. Students also perform their own choreography one to two times a year to encourage creativity. 4 P a g e
Piano The piano experience consists of instruction in the areas of technique, theory, sight reading, performance, and music history. Development of proficiency levels for performance is the goal of the Piano program; however, this is a piano lab and not a studio for individual lessons. Piano students must have daily access to a piano or electronic key board to participate in the piano program. To successfully meet the standards of the Performing Arts Academy, previous piano experience (lessons) is an asset to students who wish to enter the program. Choral Music - The award winning Lafayette High School Choir is the foundation for the choral experience in the Performing Arts Academy. Among the annual activity of the choir are performing tours, local, in-state and out-of-state competitions, and a Fall Broadway-style performance. The Performing Arts Academy emphasizes vocal pedagogy, music theory, and performance skills. Additionally, unification of diverse personalities, backgrounds, and musical abilities is also a goal. Instrumental Music The nationally recognized Lafayette High School Mighty Lion Band is the foundation for the instrumental music experience in the Performing Arts Academy. The band program creates a positive environment which accepts each individual member. Members are encouraged to make valued musical judgments, to function logically as well as inquisitively, and to utilize innate creativity. Students are provided the opportunity to develop musical, artistic, and interpersonal relationship skills. Additionally, students will maintain unity and progress through the belief that our success is measured by individual and ensemble growth while striving for excellence. Student Withdrawal from PAA If a student chooses to withdraw DURING THE SUMMER, the parent must complete a Schools of Choice summer withdrawal form and turn it in to the PAA Director. A student may not withdraw from the PAA AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. If a hardship exists, withdrawal requests will be directed to the Schools of Choice office in writing. The Schools of Choice office will decide if the request to withdraw is granted. Criteria for Continued Eligibility After acceptance into the Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy (PAA), students are required to meet certain criteria to remain a member of the PAA throughout high school. Specific requirements are listed below. Any questions about continued eligibility should be directed to the Director of the Academy at rdjohnnie@lpssonline.com or (337) 521-7980. Students who enter the Academy from out-of-zone may be required to return to their home school the following school year if all of the Academy requirements are not achieved. The Performing Arts Academy is a School of Choice; however expectations for success are high. We expect graduates of the academy to be successful performers after high school. 5 P a g e
Print Name: Criteria for Continued Eligibility Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy (PAA), students are required to meet the following criteria to remain a member of the PAA and remain a student at Lafayette High School if out-of-zone. (Out-of-zone students may be required to return to home school if one or more of the criteria below are not achieved.) Students must be enrolled in the appropriate major performing class for their discipline each year. Students should complete two additional PAA elective courses, for a total of six (6) PAA credits. (Talented Ed. in your area can count for one of the electives) To remain in good standing, and therefore continue as a student at Lafayette High, students must maintain a C average in all of their PAA classes. To remain in good standing, students must also maintain a passing grade (at least a D) in all core subjects (Math, English, Social Studies, and Science.) Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Performing Arts Academy activities and performances must be given priority over all other extracurricular events. Students are responsible for making up any missed assignments or tests due to a Performing Arts Academy Activity. Submit to an annual review at the end of each school year by the Performing Arts Academy Board of Review. Performing Arts Academy members are required to sign and abide by an established code of conduct and Criteria for Continued Eligibility each year. Students must attend weekend and after school rehearsals, performances, and competitions. (All are graded activities.) Participation in performances is required for all PAA Members If the Criteria for Continued Eligibility is not achieved, exit procedures consist of the following steps: Parent contact at mid-term by teacher. (progress report) Letter mailed to parent at end of first semester. Contact with the parent by the Lafayette High School Performing Arts Academy Director or designee. If a student is declared ineligible by the Board of Review, a letter will be mailed to the parents. The student will be removed from the academy and will then be required to return to the zoned school. I have read and understand the Criteria for Continued Eligibility for the Lafayette High Performing Arts Academy and will do my best to remain a member of the PAA. Student Signature Date I have read and understand the Criteria for Continued Eligibility for the Lafayette High Performing Arts Academy. I will assist & support my child with activities of the PAA. Parent Signature Date 6 P a g e