Life without music or is quiet and dull – the arts uplift the spirit and inspire emotion in us. The performing arts program at Real Life Christian Academy strives to nurture and develop the God-given creativity in each student. RLCA has a vibrant arts program for all students from preschool through 12th grade utilizing a band/chorus room and three performing arts venues. Our programs ensure all of our students can express themselves creatively through theater arts, singing, dancing, playing music, and more. The arts are a critical part of a student’s growth and self-expression.
Performing Arts
As a part of our Choir, the students will learn and strengthen basic elements of singing, such as breath support, intonation, tone production, music reading, and more. As an ensemble we spend the first semester on a more classical approach to voice, in recent years being invited to perform alongside Johnson University Florida, and as a part of EPCOT’s annual Candlelight Processional.
During the Spring Semester, we take a more pop-style large-scale approach, incorporating elements of show choir and musical theatre. As a part of our vocal ensemble, students perform in 3-5 large scale concerts or events throughout the school year.
Our music program allows students to express themselves through playing music. Our program offers a combined concert band, jazz band, and pep band. Raptor Regiment Band and Guard
All students enrolled in Band participate in our Marching Band (the Raptor Regiment) and Drumline. We host a required Band Camp in the week before school starts, to begin Drill and Music Rehearsals. Our Raptor Regiment & Drumline support the football team at all home games in the Fall as well as pep rallies and special events. Additionally, we offer a Color Guard that performs with the Band during parades and halftime performances. Our Color Guard learns the basics of Baton Twirling and Flags, and enriches the sound of the performance with a more visual element. Color Guard is an extracurricular activity not associated with an elective at present.
- Concert Band
Students enrolled in Band will learn a wind AND percussion instrument. As a part of this ensemble, students learn music in the pop and classical symphonic style. We perform at 3-5 additional concerts and events throughout the year.
- Jazz Ensemble
In the Spring, we add instruction in Jazz to add a lighter fare to our Spring performances. All students in Band learn the Marching, Concert, and Jazz styles of playing an instrument.
In our Theatre Arts course, students will combine elements of Theatre History, Acting Skills, Scenic Design, and Theatrical Careers with performance opportunities throughout the course. Students will present monologues and partner scenes in class, practice improvisation, and rehearse for two large-scale productions, one per semester.
- Mystery Theatre
In the Fall we present an annual Mystery Theatre Performance as a catered Dessert event in the evening. These typically allow for some audience participation and varying degrees of improvisation, as well as putting our students at the helm for technical support through lighting, sound effects, filming, and stage management.
- Raptor Shakes
In the Spring, we perform as the Raptor Shakes Stunt Crew, as a part of our larger school-wide Renaissance Fair. In this performance, the students perform scenes from various Shakespearean works that include some fist or sword fights. Following the scene, the actors will invite members of the audience to learn a safe stunt fight routine.
- Broadway Junior
Each year we present a large-scale Broadway Junior musical production. The cast is made up of students in grades 4-8 and is open-casting. All students are given a role, but an audition is required for placement. This production is led by a team of student directors in grades 9-12. These students must pass a large-scale, rigorous application and interview process, and work closely with the faculty director throughout the production.
- Broadway Musical
This is an audition cast performance of a large-scale, full-length musical, and is open to students in grades 6-12. While students must pass a vocal and reading audition to get a role, additional opportunities exist in lighting, stage crew, orchestra musicians, and ushering.
Our music program offers weekly lower school classes focusing on music reading, singing, playing classroom instruments, movement, and general performance skills.