Band instruction is offered at middle and high schools throughout the county schools. In addition to school performing ensembles, students may also audition for placement in the annual All-County Band Clinics and Concerts for middle and high band students.  Many CCS band students compete successfully for membership in the All-District and state Honors Band clinics.  In addition, high school band students participate in CCS’s exciting and outstanding Marching Band programs. 

Purpose: To provide all high school band students of Cumberland County an environment where they can develop their musical skills and knowledge to the fullest in all possible musical genres.

Participation: Participation in the Academy is open to all high school students in Cumberland County. Students must meet all general requirements for the 71st Arts Academy, then:

• Students must complete a placement audition for their instrument(s),
• Present 2 letters of recommendation from the current principal, guidance counselor and/or teachers. These recommendations should speak to the student’s classroom performance in all subjects and especially their behavior in the school environment.
• Students may continue to participate as long as they complete all the requirements of the program. This will include successful progression through the performance requirements of the Band Program.
• Each student will be required to take at least one band class per year and fulfill all the requirements. The director will assign the class. Students are expected to take at least one additional class in the performing arts sometime during their four-year high school career.
• Participating students will also maintain a 3.0 average in Arts classes while in the program.
• Students will be expected to demonstrate proper behavior within the entire educational environment.
• Academy students will be required to take the honors level band classes, usually in grades 11-12.
• Students that fall short of any of the academy requirements may be removed from the program. In most instances, the student will be placed on probation and given a chance to improve any deficiencies first. This includes student conduct.

Auditions: Auditions for the next year during the enrollment period. Each student will:

1. Play district band scale requirements for their current grade level.
2. Play a short solo that demonstrates their musical ability. Please bring 2 copies for the faculty to read. (Accompaniments are allowed, but not required)
3. Sight-read to demonstrate current musical ability.
4. Turn in the 2 letters of recommendation from school personnel and proof of current school grades in all subjects. (See above)
5. Complete an application, including an essay in their own handwriting stating why they want to attend the 71st Arts Academy.

Students will be notified of their acceptance or rejection after their audition.

Classes and Ensembles: Band students at 71st High School may participate in the following classes.

• Beginning Band
• Intermediate Band
• Proficient Band
• Advanced Band

Travel, Enrichment and Honors: Academy participants will be given an opportunity to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their musical knowledge. Students will receive special graduation recognition at graduation from the Academy.

Choral music instruction is offered at elementary, middle and high schools throughout the county. In addition to school performing ensembles, students may also audition for placement in the annual All-County Chorus Clinics and Concerts for elementary, middle and high choral students.

Purpose: To provide all high-school chorus students of Cumberland County with an environment where they can develop their musical skills and knowledge to the fullest in all possible musical genres.

Participation: Participation in the Academy is open to all high school students in Cumberland County. Students must meet the following requirements for admission to the 71st Arts Academy in Chorus:

• Students must complete an application.
• Students must complete a placement audition.
• The current principal, guidance counselor and/or teacher must fill out a recommendation letter.
• Students may continue to participate as long as they complete all the requirements of the program. This will include successful progression through the performance requirements of the orchestra program.
• Each student will be required to take at least one chorus class per year and fulfill all the requirements. The director will assign the class.
• Participating students will also maintain a 3.0 average in Arts classes while in the Program and a 2.7 overall average while in the program.
•  Students will be expected to demonstrate proper behavior within the entire educational environment.
• Academy students will be required to take the Honors Level Chorus classes, usually in Grades 11-12.
• Students that fall short of any of the academy requirements may be removed from the program. In most instances, the student will be placed on probation and given a chance to improve any deficiencies first. This includes student conduct.

Auditions: Auditions will be held in March for the next school year. Each student will:

1. Sing a selection from two different musical periods demonstrating various styles. (Accompaniments are allowed but not required. The Arts Academy will not provide accompaniment for you. If you choose to use a pre-recorded accompaniment, sound equipment will be provided.)
2. Complete a short written theory test that will help to determine the student’s musical knowledge and ability.
3. Sight-read to demonstrate your current sight-reading ability.
4. Complete an application, including an essay.

Reassessment: Students will be re-evaluated each year based on their growth in their technique and performance.

Classes and Ensembles: Chorus students at 71st High School may participate in the following classes.

• • Beginning Chorus
  • Intermediate Chorus
  • Proficient Chorus
  • Advanced Chorus

Travel, Enrichment and Honors: Academy participants will be given an opportunity to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their aesthetic knowledge. Students graduating from the School of the Arts will receive special recognition at graduation and on their transcripts. 

  Dance:

  Purpose: To provide all high school dance students of Cumberland County with an environment where they can develop their dance skills and knowledge to the fullest.

 Participation: Participation in the School of the Arts’ Dance Department is open to all high school students in Cumberland County who complete and meet the following   criteria:

• Students must complete a Seventy-First High School School of the Arts application.
• Students must submit a typed essay stating why they want to be a member of the School of the Arts’ Dance Department.
• Students must submit a sealed and confidential letter of recommendation form.
• Students must complete an audition consisting of prepared two to three-minute choreography which best demonstrates their movement ability.
• Students may continue to participate in the program as long as they complete all requirements.
• Students will be required to complete at least one dance class each year for four years.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all dance classes and at least a 2.7 GPA overall.
• Students must also display appropriate behavior within the entire educational environment.

Reassessment: Reevaluation for the following school year will occur at the end of the school year. Students must meet the following requirements:

1. Choreograph and perform a two to three-minute piece demonstrating growth and choreographic skills.
2. Participate in an informal interview to review the student’s portfolio.
3. Meet all academic requirements.

Course Offerings:

• Beginning Dance
• Intermediate Dance
• Proficient Dance
• Advanced Dance

Travel, Enrichment, and Honors: Members of the School of the Arts’ Dance Department will be given opportunities to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their aesthetic knowledge. Students graduating from the School of the Arts will receive special recognition at graduation and on their transcripts.

Beginning at the fifth-grade level, the String Orchestra program is offered to all interested fifth-grade students as part of a sequential instructional program that continues through middle and high school. Two auditioned countywide orchestra ensembles provide challenges beyond the classroom – the Middle School Youth Orchestra (MSYO, gr. 6-8) and the Cumberland County Youth Orchestra (CCYO, gr. 9-12). While a string ensemble in the fall, CCYO expands to a full orchestra with the addition of band students in the spring.  The All-County High School Orchestra clinic, a rigorous two-day clinic with a guest conductor, provides orchestra students with an exceptional opportunity for learning. In addition, the Annual Spring Orchestra Festival is two nights of concerts featuring different grade levels of orchestra students as well as MSYO and CCYO.

Purpose: To provide all high school orchestra students of Cumberland County with an environment where they can develop their musical skills and knowledge to the fullest in all possible musical genres.

Participation: Participation in the Academy is open to all high school students in Cumberland County. Students must meet the following requirements for admission to the 71st Arts Academy in Orchestra:

• Students must complete an application.
•  Students must complete a placement audition for their instrument(s),
•  A recommendation letter must be filled out by the current principal, guidance counselor and/or teacher.
•  Students may continue to participate as long as they complete all the requirements of the program. This will include successful progression through the performance requirements of the orchestra program.
•  Each student will be required to take at least one orchestra class per year and fulfill all the requirements. The director will assign the class.
•  Participating students will also maintain a 3.0 average in Arts classes while in the program and a 2.7 overall average while in the program.
•  Students will be expected to demonstrate proper behavior within the entire educational environment.
•  Academy students will be required to take honors-level orchestra classes, usually in Grades 11-12.
•  Students that fall short of any of the academy requirements may be removed from the program. In most instances, the student will be placed on probation and given a chance to improve any deficiencies first. This includes student conduct.

Auditions: Auditions will be held in March for the next school year. Each student will:

1. Play the Eastern Regional All-State Orchestra requirements for their current year (JHER or ER).
2. Prepare a short solo that demonstrates their musical ability. Please bring 2 copies for the faculty to read. (Accompaniments are allowed, but not required)
3.  Sight-read to demonstrate current musical ability.
4. Complete a short written theory test that will help to determine the students’ level of musical ability.

Reassessment: Students will be re-evaluated each year based on their growth in their technique and performance.

Classes and Ensembles: Orchestra students at 71st High School may participate in the following classes:

• Beginning Orchestra
• Intermediate Orchestra
• Proficient Orchestra
• Advanced Orchestra

Travel, Enrichment and Honors: Academy participants will be given an opportunity to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their musical knowledge. Students will receive special graduation recognition at graduation from the Academy. Students may also become a member of the Tri-M National Honor Society.

Join Theater Arts:

Purpose: To provide all high school theatre arts students of Cumberland County with an environment where they can develop their acting ability and knowledge of the theatre to the fullest.

Participation: Participation in the academy is open to all high school students in Cumberland County. Students must meet all the general requirements for the 71st Arts Academy then:

• Students must perform a 1-2 minute monologue and provide a copy of it at the time of audition (original monologues will be accepted). Have an informal interview and perform improvisational activities with the other auditionees.
• Complete recommendation form from current principal, guidance counsellor and/or teachers. This recommendation should speak to the student’s classroom performance in all subjects and especially their behavior in the school environment.
• Students may continue to participate as long as they complete all the requirements of the program. This will include successful progression through the performance requirements of the theatre arts program.
• Each student will be required to take at least one theatre arts class per year and fulfil all the requirements. The director will assign the class. Students are expected to take at least one additional class in the arts sometime during their four-year high school career.
• Participating students will also maintain a 3.0 average in Arts classes (2.7 overall) while in the program.
• Students will be expected to demonstrate proper behavior within the entire educational environment.
• Academy students will be required to take  Honors Level Theatre Arts classes, usually in Grades 11-12.
• Students that fall short of any of the academy requirements may be removed from the program. In most instances, the student will be placed on probation and given a chance to improve any deficiencies first. This includes student conduct.

Reassessment: Auditions for the next year will usually occur in the month of March. Each student will:

1. Perform a monologue (provide a copy at the time of audition) different from the previous year.
2. Participate in an informal interview.
3. The student must submit a (1) page essay explaining why they wish to remain at the Arts Academy.
4. Turn in the recommendation form from school personnel and proof of current school grades in all subjects.

Students will be notified of their acceptance or rejection upon completion of the assessment process.

Theatre Arts Courses: Theatre Arts students at 71st High School may participate in the following classes.

• Beginning Theatre Arts
• Intermediate Theatre Arts
• Proficient Theatre Arts
• Advanced Theatre Arts

Travel, Enrichment and Honors: Academy participants will be given an opportunity to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their arts-related knowledge. Students will receive special graduation recognition at graduation from the Academy.

Visual Arts: 

 Purpose: To provide high school Visual Arts students of Cumberland County with in-depth artistic preparation in the various visual disciplines.
 Participation: Participation in the Arts Academy is open to all high school students in Cumberland County. Students must meet all the requirements   for the 71st Arts Academy.

Admission Requirements:

• You must have taken a Visual Arts class the previous year in school.
• You must submit 2 letters of recommendation. One must be from a previous visual arts teacher.

Students must present an art portfolio that includes the following:

• 10-15 pieces of work that exhibit the use of a variety of media, such as drawings, paintings, pottery, pastels, or sculptures.
• Work that exhibits a variety of subjects.
• Work that exhibits advanced skills and techniques.
• Work that exhibits creativity and originality.
• Work that exhibits drawings of subjects from life.

Continuing Requirements:

•  Participating students must maintain a 3.0 average in art classes while in the program.
• Students will be expected to demonstrate proper behavior within the entire educational environment.
• Students may continue to participate as long as they complete all the requirements of the program.
• Each student will be required to take at least one visual art class per year and fulfil all of the requirements. Students are expected to take at least one additional class in the arts sometime during their four-year high school career.
• All Academy students will be required to participate in at least 2 out-of-school (community or state) displays or contests during each year that they are enrolled in the Academy.
• Senior art students receiving an Academy diploma will be required to produce a senior show to be exhibited at a specified location.

Students meet on Mondays from 3:45—4:45 pm to focus on individual growth, portfolio development, college searches and National Art Honor Society Community service.

Reassessment:

• Participate in an informal interview.
• Prepare and participate in their portfolio presentation.
• Provide proof through teacher feedback and report cards that they are maintaining and meeting the standards and requirements of the Visual Arts Academy.

Classes: Visual arts classes offered at Seventy-First High are:

• Beginning Art
• Intermediate Art
• Proficient Art
• Advanced Art
• Photography

Travel, Enrichment & Honors: Academy participants will be given an opportunity to participate in special educational trips and performances to enhance their artistic knowledge. Students will receive special recognition at graduation from the Arts Academy.