Performing Arts

St. Mary's Ryken choral students gain experience reading and singing religious music, including traditional and contemporary Christian music. 

Mixed Chorus - This class is open to any singer at any level of ability.  This chorus class is composed of male and female singers from freshmen to seniors, and it is a safe place to sing and learn about the art.  The goal is to experience all genres of music, with the main focus on religious music to enhance our monthly liturgy.  Students are taught to read music and should plan to leave with a basic knowledge of Music Theory.  

Show Choir - This Class is open by audition only and consist of strictly juniors and seniors.  This is a performance group combining choral singing with choreographed movement or dance. 

Knight-N-Gales – An elite women’s choir group who perform at special school and outside events. The students are chosen by audition. 

Beginning Keyboard and Advanced Keyboard classes are also available. The goal is for any student to learn to play keyboard whether he/she is a beginner or more advanced.  Students have the ability once they complete a semester in Beginning Keyboard to move to the next level in Advanced Keyboard. 

To learn more about the choral music and keyboarding programs, please contact the Fine Arts Department chair, Mrs. Kim Norris at kim.norris@smrhs.org. 

Program Description

Dance is open to all St. Mary's Ryken students. They should expect to bring to each class responsibility, responsiveness, and active participation.  They will be challenged to diversify their dance training, to perform in styles outside their comfort zone, while fostering trust and an active voice in the ensemble.

Dance strives to create balance between content and critical thinking skills which can transfer to other subjects (create, respond, perform, connect ideas and lessons learned).

Dancers will learn the difference between criticism and critique, how to objectively assess skill and performance, how to positively offer critique to oneself and the group, and how to receive critique in an open-minded manner.

Courses Offered

• Dance 1: open to all
• Dance 2: placement by audition and faculty approval
• Honors Dance 3: open to juniors and seniors by audition and faculty approval

Unique Dance Program

• Courses are designed to offer student experiences that are outside the studio experience.  These include academic assignments for dance history and dance anatomy, student input, collaboration, and diversity.
• Because St. Mary's Ryken is a college preparatory school, all courses are designed to begin preparing students for college dance learning.  Assignments are created that foster collaborative problem solving, develop choreography skills, teaching/leadership opportunities, knowledge of theater (budget, costume, lighting, audience, theme) and use of technology to facilitate learning and creativity.

Art to Heart

This volunteer opportunity, in conjunction with the Southern Maryland Community Resources, offers SMR students teaching opportunities while providing dance classes to adults with different abilities who live in the community.

Community Performances

Additional performance opportunities may arise for such occasions as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Women’s Rally, historical celebrations and ceremonies, public library programs and Leonardtown events.

For more information about the Dance program, please contact Mrs. Julie Daley at julie.daley@smrhs.org. 

 

 

 

For more information about the Theatre program, please contact Ms. Tessa Silvestro at tessa.silvestro@smrhs.org. 

The SMR instrumental program strives to provide students with the skills needed for excellence in music literacy. Students are challenged to explore the complexities of music beyond the page. It is the goal of our program that students develop an understanding of the humanity of music and to continue musical pursuits beyond graduation.  

Mission Statement

Fostering an environment that highlights Xaverian values, the St. Mary’s Ryken instrumental program challenges the individual while cherishing our community. As a group, we strive for musical growth & excellence while providing service opportunities where students share their gifts with the SMR community and beyond.

Courses Offered

• Fundamentals of Music 
• Introduction to Wind, Brass and Percussion 
• Beginning Guitar 
• Ap Music Theory 
• Concert Band 
• Honor Wind Ensemble 
• Honors String Orchestra 
• Honor Jazz Band 
• Pep Band 
• Pit Orchestra
• Tri-M Music Honors Society 
• Guitar Club 
• Drum Circle Club

To learn more about the instrumental music program, please contact the Fine Arts Department chair, Mrs. Kim Norris at kim.norris@smrhs.org.