Creative & Performing Arts (CAPA)
CAPA’s mission is to inspire and enable Club members to realize and develop their talents and skills in creative, performing, and fine arts through creative learning activities and experiences. CAPA consists of seven core areas:
- D.R.U.M. Program
- Black Star Drum Line
- Music Makers
- Dance Program
- Drama/Spoken Word
- Choir Program
- Music Production & Media Arts Program
Please click on the program to learn more about each area.
Black Star Drum Line
The Black Star Drum Line is a combination of the top drummers from both the junior and senior drum lines. Black Star Drum Line members learn more advanced rudiments and techniques, along with the group’s famous “street beats.” The group has done over 100 performances all over the Madison area since the program began in 2008, and also showcases singers, rappers and dancers from other CAPA programs, who perform with the drum lines at many events in the community. In 2010 the Black Star Drum Line, along Jenewein Music Makers and area volunteer musicians, released the first-ever CD for the CAPA programs at Brat Fest 2010. In April 2011 the Black Star Drum Line released its first music video, “Drop It.” Make sure to catch a Black Star Drum Line performance. You will definitely be impressed by the skill of these young performing artists.
Music Makers
Music Makers program began in 2008 and is directed by CAPA director Joey B. Banks. This program teaches members how to write, produce and perform their own music. The program also gets local volunteer musicians to teach private music lessons to Boys & Girls Club members. Lessons include piano, guitar, bass guitar and drum kit. Select Music Maker members perform with the Black Star Drum Line, and also do performances in and around the Madison community. The Jenewein Music Makers from the Allied Family Center recorded some of their original songs on the “Boys and Girls Club Mix-tape CD” that was released at Brat Fest 2010. The CD features music from both Black Star Drum Line and Jenewein Music Makers groups. The Music Maker program will be taught at both Allied and Taft locations.
Dance Program
The Dance Program for CAPA allows boys and girls an opportunity to explore the world of dance. Dance program members have opportunity to learn four styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap and HipHop and become a member of a dance group. Dance classes are taught in the new BGC DANCE STUDIO located at the Taft Street Boys & Girls Club location. The dance program merged dance performers into the Black Star Drum Line to dance alongside the group during performances over summer camp 2011, and will continue into the 2011–12 school year.
Drama/Spoken Word
Dynamic and energetic, this program empowers students to become confident young writers and performers. With an emphasis on the poetic art form of spoken word, this program prepares students to take their work from the page to the stage, as they are led through a number of writing and performance exercises. Students explore techniques of breath control, movement, working with a microphone, acting and stage directing. With a goal in sight, the group works together as they create a powerful performance to showcase their artistic growth and achievements.
Choir Program
The Choir program has two performance groups: an All Boys Choir that will consist of young boys 7–13 years old and a co-ed Boys and Girls Glee Club for 7–18-year-old club members. Members will be exposed to all genres of traditional choral and popular music and will have an opportunity to perform at community events throughout the year. Members will also be able to take individual voice lessons as members of the Choir Program. Some members of this program were selected to perform with Music Makers and the Black Star Drum Line during performances over summer camp 2011 and into the 2011–12 school year.
Music Production & Media Arts Program
The Music Production program will have two components: music production and media arts. Members will be able learn how to use cutting-edge music production and editing software. Members will also be able to learn how to use Adobe Photoshop along with cutting-edge video production and editing software like Final Cut and Windows Movie Maker.
