Appendix H- Glossary of Terms

a cappella

(music) singing without accompaniment

AB

(dance, music) AB is a thematic composition structure that provides contrast and variety. The A part represents one phrase of specified length and B represents a different phrase of specified length. The A and B phrases are made to complement and enhance each other but deal with two sides of the theme or two different themes.

ABA

(dance) ABA is an extension of the AB structure. After the B phrase, the piece returns to an altered version of the A phrase. The second A phrase can be manipulated by changing the tempo, size, rhythm, or the quality of the movement or by fragmenting, repeating, or changing the order of the sequence.

 

(music) same as dance, but "phrase" refers to musical phrase rather than a movement phrase. The second A is also often varied in music, but the variation is not often a rhythm or tempo variation, but rather a variation at the end of the second A phrase to create a cadence.

anthology

(drama)a presentation based on a collection of materials such as poetry, narration, essay, song, etc., based on a theme.

canon

(music) a two or more part composition in which each part is identical to the other but each voice enters at different times. Rounds such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" are a type of canon.

(dance) a single theme or movement sequence that is executed by two or more dancers at different times.

The following are examples of dance canons. In these examples each number represents a dance movement or sequence of a given duration. For each pair of dancers, A and B a repetition of the same number represents the same movement or sequence. Left to right represents the passage of time. In each example numbers directly above and below each other represent movements taking place at the same time. (These examples also would apply to music, where the number represent musical phrases):

Canon Example 1	Dancer A:	1234   &nbsp5678
	Dancer B:	&nbsp1234   &nbsp5678
Canon Example 2	Dancer A:	12345678
	Dancer B:	&nbsp12345678
Canon Example 3	Dancer A:	&nbsp1234
	Dancer B:	&nbsp2341
	Dancer C:	&nbsp3412
	Dancer D:	&nbsp4123

choral interpretation

(drama) oral recitation and/or interpretation of a literary work (poetry, chants, raps, fairy tales, etc.) by a group

contraction

(dance) tightening of a muscle or group of muscles to cause flexion of a joint or body area

double-entry journal

a journal which is arranged in two parts. The first part refers to a description of what is observed or created. A second entry is used for critical reflection on those observations or creations.

dramatic collective

(drama) an anthology using a variety of drama techniques (mime, readers theatre, stage fighting etc.

dreamscapes

(visual arts) imaginary landscapes that evolve from dreams, the imagination or the inner reaches of the mind.

floor pattern

(dance) the path traveled during a movement sequence

high point

(dance) High point refers to the high an low points that occur in a sequence of movement. The high point can be at the beginning, end, both, or end of the sequence. It can start with a bang, build to a bang, or build to a bang and die out.

invented notation

(music) a system of music notation constructed to meet the unique requirements of a particular piece. It may be diagrammatic, descriptive narrative, pictorial or a combination of any of these. Details may be precise or general in nature. Computer and MIDI technology (e.g., MIDI event lists) may be used to create unique notation systems. "Invented" notation contrasts with "standard" music notation which uses the familiar 5 line staff and oval notes with stems placed on the staff to represent specific pitch and rhythms in the standardized way.

isolation

(dance) moving individual parts of the body (body centres) independently of others

mirroring

(dance) the leader and follower face each other. The follower imitates the leader as if in a mirror (see "shadowing").

pathways

(dance) the path along the floor along which a dancer or dancers move.

polycentrism

(dance) coordinating two or more body centres at the same time.

release

(dance) change from a state of tension to a letting go on a release of tension.

role drama

(drama) a class of students enact a situation based on a common problem; the teacher may participate in this improvisation.

rondo

(dance, music) this form relates to ABA but can continue for an unidentified period of time (e.g., ABACADA, etc.). The A phrase can be repeated exactly or varied.

SATB

(music) see "voice."

shadowing

(dance) similar to "mirroring" except the leader faces away from the follower, with the follower shadowing the leaderŐs movement (see "mirroring").

solo

(music) one singer or performer performing with or without accompaniment.

(dance) one dancer dancing with or without accompaniment.

sound plot

(drama) a series of sounds which tell a story; a performance of a sound plot is meant to only be heard, as on a tape or radio.

syncopation

(dance, music) a shifting of the accent or emphasis from the beginning of a beat or group of beats.

tableau

(drama, visual art) a living representation of a scene or image formed by one or more students posing silently and motionlessly.

teacher-in-role

(drama) a role drama in which the teacher assumes a role as a teacher or authority figure, allowing them to direct the action as teacher while remaining in role.

theatresports

(drama) a competitive, improvisational game that has students work in teams; teacher should refer to a manual on Theatresports to understand scoring and variations in the game.

vocabulary of marks

(visual arts) the range of possible expressive marks made by any tool or material that is available for use in effective imagery.

voice

(music) individual part in a piece of music. In vocal music these voices may be categorized as soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T), bass (B). These categories represent singing ranges from high to low. Vocal music is often arranged assigning each of these four voice ranges an individual part. Such arrangements are called "SATB" arrangements. Other possible arrangements for voice can include SA, SSA, SAB, TTBB, etc.

xerography

(visual arts) the use of photo copying to create an image.

Table of Contents

Province of British Columbia
Ministry of Education
Curriculum Branch © 1995 Copyright

Maintained by: Fine Arts Coordinator

Revised: April 1995

Ministry of Education Home Page