Charles M. Russell Middle School

Of The Performing Arts

Highlights of Arts in Education Research

Click in the menu to learn more about Russell's Arts programs

Vocal Music	Piano Lab
Orchestra	Dance
Dramatic Arts	Visual Arts
Band	Forensics

Mission Statement

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Charles M. Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts offers a rich, arts-infused middle school learning experience designed to create and feed a lifelong passion for learning and the arts through deep exploration into voice, drama, dance, piano, band, orchestra, visual art and forensics.

This “whole-child,” total arts learning experience integrates a standards-based, interdisciplinary academic focus featuring the highest expectations for students’ academic and arts achievement.

At Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts, we achieve excellence in learning through rigorous academic study and rich exploration into the arts.

VOCAL MUSIC

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6^TH GRADE CHOIR (Beginning/Intermediate)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Grade: 6

Prerequisite: None

This choir is open to all students wishing to sing. These individuals will increase their singing and note reading abilities throughout the semester. They will give one performance which may or may not involve dancing and/or acting.

6^TH GRADE NOVA CHOIR (Intermediate)

Course Length: 1 Semester

Grade: 6

Prerequisite: Audition / Beginning 6^th grade Choir

This choir is open to 6^th grade students with previous experience who wish to further their singing career. This choir begins 2^nd semester immediately following the 1^st semester 6^th grade choir. This choir may perform at elementary schools and around the community. They will give a Spring concert at the end of school which may involve singing, acting, and dancing.

SOPRANO, SOPRANO II, AND ALTO CHOIR (S.S.A)

Course Length: 2 Semesters

Grade: 7,8

Prerequisite: Audition and previous choral experience

This choir is open to sopranos and altos with previous vocal experience. This choir performs in community and/or school performance throughout the school year. There will be a unique opportunity for this choir to perform music specifically written for the treble voices. A variety of repertoire ranging from madrigals to today’s pop music will be covered.

SHOW / CHAMBER CHOIR (Advanced)

Course Length: 2 Semesters

Grade: 7,8

Prerequisite: Audition only

This is Russell’s top choir. Membership for this highly selected choir is made up of students with previous choir experience. The scope of music performed by the “Chamber” side of this choir involves everything from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary choral literature. This choir performs at many choir contests and competitions, including Solo and Ensemble, CHSAA Large Group and The Westfest Choir Competition in Grand Junction, CO.

The “Show” side of this choir is pure entertainment! They will be performing in musicals and concerts that will involve singing, dancing, and acting. They will also perform jazz, swing, and popular music often set to stage choreography.

PIANO / MUSIC THEORY / TECHNOLOGY LAB

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Course Length: 2 quarters

Grade: 6, 7,8,

Beginning Piano / Music Theory and Technology is designed to help the student develop basic skills in music fundamentals. Students will use the technology of the Piano Lab and the Computer Lab to learn about scales, chords, and basic analytical musical skills. They will compose original works as well as replicate some historical styles. Through the use of a variety of music software, students will learn the beginning skills needed for notation and midi sequencing.

EAR TRAINING AND SIGHT SINGING SKILLS

Course Length: 2 quarters

Grade: 6,7,8

Development of basic ear training skills through singing and dictation studies. The study of songs, rhythmic patterns, intervals and pitch will be practiced. The use of Solfege will be used to reinforce sight singing skills. These skills can be applied in Choir, Band , Orchestra, and Keyboarding.

Ms. Stacia Cushing

Vocal Music Director

Piano / Aural Skills / Music Theory

Performing Arts Department Chair

Ms. Cushing received her Bachelors in Music Education from Wichita State University where she studied Choral Conducting, Voice, Piano, Guitar, Music Theory and Arranging. She also earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction (with Middle School Emphasis) from the University of Colorado. Before coming to teach in Colorado, Ms. Cushing spent several years touring the country as a professional singer, musician, and recording artist. She is a published songwriter and has performed up and down the West Coast in places such as Las Vegas, L.A., Malibu, Newport Beach, and Seattle. She worked and performed in recording studios in California, Nevada, Colorado and Kansas as a singer, musician, producer and arranger. Ms. Cushing came to teach in Colorado Springs in 1992. This is her 13^th year as conductor of the Russell Choirs and Music Technology Programs.

Ms. Cushing has been a member of ACDA, CMEA, SAI professional music organization, and BMI & ASCAP recording industries.

In 2000, Ms. Cushing became a certified instructor of the Yamaha MIE Keyboard Lab, receiving her certification at the Yamaha Headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Russell Piano Lab incorporates the use of a National Standards based keyboard curriculum. Ms. Cushing has also developed her own piano tablature to enhance these classes. The Music Theory / Technical class uses the computer lab, the MIE keyboards and is supported with notation and midi sequencing software.

In regards to the choral program, under Ms. Cushing’s direction, the Russell Antares Show Choir was selected, through audition, to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Association Convention (CMEA) in 2001. In 2005, 32 of the 98 students (from 9 middle schools) in Honor Choir were selected from Russell Middle School. Ms. Cushing’s choirs have also participated in CHSAA Solo and Ensemble, CHSAA Large Group, and The Colorado Westfest choir competition in Grand Junction, CO. All of the Russell Choirs have received #1 Superior ratings in those contests for the past 12 years.

Orchestra

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Philosophy of Orchestra Learning

Music is an essential and integral part of each person’s life experience. The study of a stringed instrument provides several core facets for the success of a student both in music and in life. First, the student must learn responsibility and dedication in order to be successful. To become accomplished on an instrument, the student must dedicate time each day in order to develop and achieve mastery of fine motor technique. As the skills start to become refined and the student reaches higher levels of emotional and cognitive development, the focus of the orchestra classroom expands to include the exploration of the expressive quality of music. The students will be exposed to the philosophies and the ideals of the time periods of music so that they have an understanding of the performance level that they are working to achieve.

In partnership with the course content, the individual characteristics of the students as well as the dynamics of the group must be evaluated by the teacher so that instruction can be presented in the most effective and efficient manner. Any performing organization must learn to work together so that the peak musical experience can be accomplished by the performer and enjoyed by the audience. Both the performer and the audience will be able to observe the growth of the students through the learning process.

Courses of Orchestra Study

Beginning Orchestra

Grade 6, 7, 8

Prerequisite: None

This class is designed to teach beginning instrumentalists on violin, viola, cello, and bass instruments. Students will learn basic technique and musicianship in preparation for participation in intermediate and advanced orchestra. Students will be expected to participate in their school concerts and the opportunity to participate in solo and ensemble festival will also be allowed.

Intermediate Orchestra

Grade 6, 7, 8

Prerequisite: Instructor’s approval

This orchestra is a training group for students who have had some experience but are not yet proficient enough to participate in the advanced orchestra. Literature is geared to the members’ abilities with emphasis placed on improvement of tone quality and technical proficiency. There is ample opportunity for students to excel in this orchestra and move into advanced orchestra. Students will be expected to participate in their school concerts and the opportunity to participate in solo and ensemble festival will also be allowed.

Advanced Orchestra

Grade 6, 7, 8

Prerequisite: By audition only

Advanced orchestra is a class in which various advanced styles of music are studied and performed. Emphasis is placed on individual and ensemble playing and techniques and skills. This orchestra performs at school concerts and community events and may participate in the solo and ensemble festivals and Large Group festivals.

Mr. Daryl R. Counsell

Russell Middle School Orchestra Director

Daryl Counsell has taught public school orchestra in Moscow, Idaho, Ft. Morgan, Colorado, Lakeside, Arizona and for the past 10 years, in Colorado Springs. His assignments have included elementary, middle and high school level orchestra instruction as well as elementary general music and middle and high school level choral classes.

Mr. Counsell earned his Bachelors of Music Education at the University of Montana in Missoula and his Masters of Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. In addition to these two degrees, he has pursued advanced training in music education at the University of Idaho.

In addition to his teaching duties at Russell Middle School, Mr. Counsell is presently teaching orchestra at Sabin Middle School, has taught at North Middle School and several elementary schools in District 11. He is a member of American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and has been called upon to clinic students in Richardson, Texas.

Dance

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Program goals: To learn about dance technique culminating in dance performance.

Introduction to Dance

Grades: 6,7, & 8

Prerequisite: None

This class is an introduction to the basics of dance technique, styles, and principles. Students will have the opportunity to develop fundamentals of body alignment, coordination, musicality, and dance terminology. Classes will consist of barre and center floor warm-up, dance combinations and floor work. Students will be expected to “dress out” and have dance shoes or socks.

Survey of Dance Styles

Grades: 6,7, & 8

Prerequisite: By teacher recommendation

This class is a continuation and expansion of the principles and techniques learned in Introduction to Dance. Students will develop skills and knowledge of more dance styles moving through the material at a medium pace. Shoes strongly recommended. Acceptance based on teacher recommendation.

Repertory Dance

Grades: 6,7, & 8

Prerequisite: By audition only

This class is a performance-based class emphasizing technique, performance, and choreography. Dance shoes are required. Acceptance based on teacher approval and audition.

Ms. Katherine Reynolds

Dancer in Residence

Katherine Reynolds is a Colorado native who has been dancing for 22 years and teaching for 10. Throughout her career, Ms. Reynolds has performed solo roles in works including: The Nutcracker, Pepito’s Story, The Tempest, Innanna, Crazy for You, and Guys and Dolls. She has worked under the direction of Debbie Allen, Bill Evans, John Mead, Anne Adair Wilkins, and Tony Coppola; she has studied with Marsha Fay Knight, Margaret Stalder, Captain McCarthur Hambrick, Patricia Tate, and Fred Mann. She is highly trained in ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, modern, tap, and acro, and has performed extensively in all of those disciplines. She also is qualified in teaching fitness for all ages.

Ms. Reynolds graduated from The University of Wyoming with a BA in Theatre/Dance and a BA in Spanish. Ms. Reynolds taught ballet and tap at UW, and managed the dance program at UCCS. Ms. Reynolds has choreographed for Pikes Peak Performance Company, Falcon High School Cheer Team, Bronco Cheerleader, pageant auditions, and fitness competitions. Ms. Reynolds has been invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.; to tour in San Antonio; to dance in the opening for Showbiz National competitions, and to dance in conjunction with various symphonies and orchestras. Her experience extends into the competitive field as well. She has competed in regional and national competitions, with high point and overall placement and awards. She currently teaches and choreographs for Robin’s Danceworks as she has for the past 4 years. She is excited to bring her love of performing arts to the public schools.

Dramatic Arts

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Students of Drama at Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts will receive an introduction to theater through improvisational games, script work, and practical experience in the classroom. Students will be assessed through daily participation, completion of class projects, and a culminating performance. The greatest majority of a student’s grade will be based on their growth in the art of theater from the beginning of the semester to the end. Teachers will ask the question: Did the student learn and grow in the theater arts while in this class?

Drama Course Descriptions

Drama Workshop

Grades: 6, 7, & 8

Prerequisite: None
This course introduces the fundamental skills of beginning acting and stage craft. Units will include stage movement, voice improvement, pantomime, characterization, improvisation, and basic technical work. Emphasis during Drama 2 will be upon the continued development of the techniques of acting through memorized performances, and the creation of sets and costumes for those performances.

Drama Techniques

Grades: 6, 7, & 8

Prerequisite: Drama Workshop or instructor approval
Drama Techniques covers intermediate methods of acting: styles, improvisation, stage movement, play and character analysis, and scene performance. This course also continues the exploration of technical theater, integrating it into scene work done in class.

Advanced Drama

Grades: 6, 7, & 8
Prerequisite: Drama Techniques, audition, or instructor approval

This course covers a wide variety of advanced acting methods to include acting styles, improvisation, stage movement, auditioning, script analysis, scene study, and script writing, preparing the student to successfully audition for high school programs in either acting or technical theater.

Visual Arts Program

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The visual arts are an essential part of our students’ education. Through the visual arts, students can express ideas not easily captured in words. It frees up their imagination, and allows them to think in a higher realm, expressing their ideas through a variety of mediums including charcoal, paints, crafts and clay. Students learn to share their vision with their classmates, teachers, loved ones, and community through art shows and exhibitions.

The mission of the visual arts program at R.M.S. is to provide our students with a comprehensive study of the visual arts, to establish a fundamental understanding of the elements and principles of art, and to apply these fundamentals through creative exercises and projects.

Visual Arts Courses

Introduction to the Visual Arts

Grades: 6^th

Prerequisite: None

Introduction to the Visual Arts is a beginning class offered to all sixth grade students at the middle school level. The elements and principles of design may be introduced through, but not limited to the mediums of drawing, painting, and printmaking. The cultural and appreciative aspects of art are incorporated into the course through various instructional resources and art production experiences.

Encounter with the Visual Arts

Grade: 7^th

Encounter with the Visual Arts provides the seventh grade students with the opportunity to explore and experiment with more advanced techniques in drawing, painting, and printmaking. Use of these techniques will emphasize creative solutions to design problems in both two and three-dimensional works of art. Cultural and appreciative aspects of art will be incorporated into the course through art criticisms, art history, and aesthetics.

Intermediate Design

Grade: 8^th

Intermediate Design is a continuation of the techniques and problem-solving processes which students experience in the basic art courses. The emphasis of art production will include, but not be limited to: ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. The art-making components of this course will be integrated with the cultural and appreciative aspects.

RMS Art Club

Grades: 6, 7, & 8

Art Club provides an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in learning techniques not offered through the regular program. Students will use their artistic talents to participate in creating projects around the school and community outreach services.

Over the next two years, we also anticipate establishing two new art classes: Advanced Art and Ceramics. Advanced art will give students an opportunity to explore more advance techniques and materials in their artwork. Students will also learn about different careers in art and how to prepare an art portfolio to carry with them as they continue in their education. Ceramics will give students interested in working with clay the opportunity to work with clay for an entire semester. They will learn a variety of techniques including, sculpting, slab building, coiling techniques, and wheel-throwing. They will also learn various decorating techniques including glazing, slip decorating, staining, sgraffito, and mixed media.

Angel Manuel Ramos

Artist in Residence

Angel was born in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico and raised in South Florida. He is married to Barbara and has two children—Jonathan and Ashleigh. At age 22, Angel joined the armed forces and served four years in the United States Coast Guard and four years in the United States Army.

While in the Army, Angel completed his Associate of Arts degree at Pikes Peak Community College. At the conclusion of his tour of duty at Fort Carson, Angel enrolled at the University of Southern Colorado where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Education.

Angel’s emphasis areas in art are both ceramics and painting. In 2001, Angel was featured in a one-man art show at a local gallery. Angel is still showing at the gallery and features his wheel thrown pottery.

Don’t miss the marvelous example of Angel’s work in the Charles M. Russell mural located in the front office of the school.

Instrumental Music

Band

Courses of Study

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Course: Beginning Band

Grade: 6^th

Prerequisite: None

This class is designed to teach beginning instrumentalists on wind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students will learn basic musicianship. Instruction will be offered only on standard band instruments. This course will prepare the student for movement into concert band. Students are expected to participate in scheduled evening concerts as part of the requirements for the course. They also have the opportunity to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival held each spring.

Course: Intermediate Band

Grade: 6^th, 7^th

Prerequisite: Beginning Band or Instructor’s Approval

This band is a training group for students who have had some playing experience. Literature is geared to the member’s abilities with emphasis placed on improvement of tone quality, technical proficiency and rhythmic accuracy. Students are expected to participate in scheduled evening concerts as part of the requirements of this course. They also have the opportunity to participate in the Solo and Ensemble Festival held each year.

Course: Concert Band

Grade: 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th

Prerequisite: By instructor’s approval

This band is designed for students who display a proficiency level above that of the intermediate level. Teaching will be focused on ensemble performance while striving for improvement of individual and group tone quality, technical proficiency and rhythmic accuracy. Students are expected to participate in scheduled evening concerts as part of the requirements of this course. They also have the opportunity to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival, Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band, the CSSD #11 Honor Band, and CHSAA Large Group Music Festival.

Course: Symphonic Band

Grade: 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th

Prerequisite: By audition only

Symphonic Band provides the opportunity to develop an understanding and appreciation of band music through performance. Teaching will be focused on large ensemble performance as well as individual improvement in such areas as tone quality, range of playing, technical proficiency and rhythmic accuracy. Students are expected to participate in all scheduled performances as part of the requirements for this course. They also have the opportunity to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival, Pikes Peak Middle School Honor Band, the CSSD #11 Honor Band, and CHSAA Large Group Music Festival.

Course: Jazz Band

Grade: 6^th, 7^th, & 8^th

Prerequisite: By audition only

Jazz Band provides band students with the opportunity to play in the jazz/R&B idiom. Only those students who demonstrate an advanced level of performance proficiency will be considered for inclusion in this band. Instrumentation includes saxophone (Alto, Tenor, and Bari), trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, electric guitar, and drum set. Clarinet, flute, and baritone students will be considered as well. Stage band performs at festivals, assemblies, concerts, and community events. This class will meet before school as a zero hour two/three times per week.

Forensics/Speech

Mr. Mark Hess
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Forensics

Beginning Forensics

Forensics classes expose students to a wide variety of public speaking experiences. Students learn effective organizational and delivery techniques as well as develop poise, style, and confidence.

Advanced Forensics

Advanced forensics extends speaking experiences into more challenging realms. Students learn performance techniques that will better enable them to audition, present material to audiences in more formal situations, or prepare individual and group competitive forensics events. Advanced forensics students prepare and perform monologs (including original compositions), interpretations of literature (dramatic, humorous, or poetic), reader’s theater, storytelling, debates, impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, and demonstrations.

Russell Raiders Forensics Team

Russell Raiders compete with other middle schools in the Pikes Peak region in forensics meets throughout the winter months. The Raiders forensics team is open to all students through audition. Students may compete in the following events: Extemporaneous Speaking, Reader’s Theater, Humorous Duet Acting, Serious Duet Acting, Interpretation of Humor, Drama, or Poetry, Solo Acting, Original Oratory, and Storytelling. Outstanding participants may become members of the National Junior Forensics League.

Mr. Mark Hess

Forensics Director

National Forensics League Member Coach

Coached Varsity Forensics at Both High School and Middle School Levels

Former Boettcher Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa, University of Colorado--Boulder

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Highlights of Arts in Education Research

DID YOU KNOW?

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

	4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
	3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
	4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
	3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
	4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

	Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
	Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
	Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
	Perform community service more than four times as often

(Living the Arts through Language + Learning: A Report on Community-based Youth Organizations, Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and Carnegie Foundation For the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998)

The facts are that arts education...

makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries.

(Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998)

has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention.

(YouthARTS Development Project, 1996, U.S. Department of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, and Americans for the Arts)

Businesses understand that arts education...

	builds a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that attracts businesses relocating to your community.
	strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
	helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
	can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
	provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
	helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
	helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done.