Fine and Performing Arts
Art Club (Project-Oriented)—This club will allow students to pursue long-term projects to be assigned by the instructor. Projects will be intensive and the instructor will expect a firm commitment from all participants.
The purpose of this club is twofold: to provide an opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio and to serve as a prerequisite for students preparing for the senior honors studio art class. Furthermore, the club fosters an environment conducive to independent development of artistic goals. We plan to complete a minimum of six projects over the course of the academic year. Attendance is mandatory for the duration of each individual project.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Rachel Rabhan
Art Through Experience—Students will explore artistic possibilities by focusing on problems, issues
and themes that can be addressed through multimedia experiments. Each week,
the class will focus on a different medium, period of art history, and conceptual
framework. Participants are expected to be punctual but attendance will
not be taken. The classroom environment will be informal, and students are
encouraged to have fun, experiment, and take risks.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Rachel Rabhan
Band—The Band is made up of students who have studied and who continue to study instruments privately. Auditions are held in the fall. The group plays at the
Ramaz Annual Dinner,
Chagigot, and on the float in the Salute to Israel Parade. Wind players needed!
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Oded Lev-Ari
Chamber Chorus— Veteran singers in grades 10-12 have the option of auditioning for the Ramaz Chamber Chorus. This group of advanced singers performs with the chorus, as well as throughout the school year (and even beyond!) at various community and cultural events. They sing accompanied, as well as a cappella, and learn to sight sing. In the past, the Chamber Chorus has performed for Mayor Guiliani at Gracie Mansion, traveled to Boston for the New England Jewish Choral Festival, performed in honor of the dedication of the new
sifrei Torah at Ramaz and at Kehilath Jeshurun, and entertained the sick and elderly at local hospitals and nursing homes. Auditions take place each spring for the upcoming year.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Daniel Henkin
Chorus—The Ramaz Chorus is the largest co-curricular activity that meets on a regular basis, consisting of over 100 students from Grades 9-12. They are the premier performing group in school and are widely acclaimed for their talent, spirit, and professionalism. They sing in Hebrew, English, Ladino, and even Yiddish, in styles ranging from modern Israeli pop to old-time Broadway. The climax of the year is their performance at the
Ramaz Annual Dinner. However, the singing continues even after this spectacular extravaganza.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Daniel Henkin
Creative Tones—For those students who love music and creativity, this lunchtime club will introduce the group to alternative music and techniques. The Creative Lunch Tones will explore different instruments, using them to look into acoustic and electronic sounds. Be prepared for exciting original musical offerings. By audition only.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Rami Yadid
Dance—The Ramaz Dance Ensemble learns various dance techniques including Modern, Jazz, Ballet, Israeli Folk Dance, Hip Hop, and others. Students also have opportunities to create their own dances. The ensemble performs at the
Ramaz Annual Dinner, at other school functions, and around the city. Auditions are held at the beginning of the school year.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Ruth Goodman
Drumaz—Every April/May, a troupe of hand-drummers from each grade assembles to learn a series of drum rhythms to be performed at the Salute to Israel Day Parade.
A unique and dynamic sound in the parade, the Drumaz group lead each grade's marchers in the Upper School contingency. Rehearsals take place during school hours (with only a minimal number of classes missed). A festive and energetic time for all! The Drumaz groups are open to all students (on a first-come basis).
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Ehran Elisha
Graphic Arts involves the making of artwork that commemorates the holidays
and festivals that occur throughout each year. Much of the work is created
in groups while overseen by the teacher.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Barbara Abramson
Guitar Ensemble—If you play acoustic, electric or bass guitar, you should consider trying out for the new and exciting club, "Guitar Ensemble." While the challenges of "Ensemble" are demanding, they are equally enjoyable and promise to expand your playing and musical abilities.
We will be strumming student and instructor driven compositions as well as guitar-specific repertoires. "Guitar Ensemble" will be an after school club on Tuesday.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Rami Yadid
Lighting Club—Join the Lighting Club to learn the art and craft of lighting design for the theatre. We will learn the elements of design including color mixing, sculpting form, and movement, as well as the technical elements of electricity, computer control and drafting. We will also work on the design and running of the Ramaz plays and musicals. Join classmates for field trips to see shows and take backstage tours at Lincoln Center and Broadway theatres.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Sam Gordon
Music Production Course—Using today's most advanced music production software, this after-school course will teach the fundamentals of working with ProTools software. Students will produce audio content from spoken word to fully produced music. The pre-requisite is an interest in audio, computers, and music technology. Seats are limited.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Rami Yadid
Percussion Ensemble—The Ramaz Percussion Ensemble is a creative performing group focusing on rhythmic music played on a variety of instruments, some struck, some shaken, stirred and tapped, with hands, feet, sticks, mallets and mouths. From the drumset to the woodblock, students develop and compose original pieces to be performed in various contexts. Ensemble members are expected to attend weekly sessions, along with some additional rehearsals, when necessary. With space extremely limited, auditions for the few open slots are held in the spring for the following year. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are admitted.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Ehran Elisha
Photography Club—In the history of art, photography as a medium is comparatively young. In
the attempt to define the role of photography in the world of images, it
is interesting to explore the attraction we have to the camera. This club
allows individuals a chance to uncover the reasons for this fascination.
The club is open to all students who are interested in learning the art
of black and white photography. Students work on individual projects and
may ultimately create a comprehensive portfolio.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Rachel Rabhan
Stage Crew gives students experience creating scenery, organizing costumes
and working backstage for the school's theatrical productions. We paint,
draw and build props and scenery. This work requires energy and enthusiasm,
but all levels of creativity and ability are welcome (any previous experience
is always appreciated). Stage Crew is a great creative outlet at the end of a hard day.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Barbara Abramson
Theatre—Ramaz Theatre consists of a musical, a drama, and senior show. Catapulting the cast into a fantastical world, Ramaz Theatre allows its participants to explore various characters and settings. It is a unique experience mingling the upperclassmen and underclassmen together, melding the group into more than just a cast. While the productions are magnificent, the shows entail a certain amount of devotion, rehearsing approximately three times a week. The commitment, however, only lasts for about six weeks, still allowing students to pursue other interests.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Caroll Goldberg
Video Club—The Video Projects Club will be a creative exploration of every role in the pre- and post- production of a video. The final product will test your abilities in casting, set design, costumes, cinematography, sound, lighting, writing, editing, etc.—depending on the project you choose. The possibilities in video-making are endless. Students are encouraged to consider all the options from a short film to a music video. This will be an introductory course in video art making with a focus on the basics of camera, sound and editing.
Faculty Adviser: Ms. Sophia Peer
WRMZ Internet Radio—WRMZ is the Internet Radio station. Students will participate in all aspects of the station, including content development, audio and computer technology and, of course, sports broadcasting. The students will produce live shows of their own creation.
Faculty Adviser: Mr. Rami Yadid
