Greetings from the Performing Arts Department!
Greetings from the St. Andrew’s Performing Arts Department !!
We have a thrilling year ahead with events ranging from the Intermediate School end of the year performance and the all-school Winter and Spring Concerts to The Wiz as our MS musical and the lively Pippin in the winter for our US musical. Please check the website, as well as the bulletin boards in the Performing Arts hallway (outside L2, L4, and L6) for notices and events calendars. Places, everyone! Here comes 2012-2013!
-Roxie Thomas
Update on Performing Arts Spaces
St. Andrew’s is seeing many changes this year as we grow. The Athletic Center has been transformed into the impressive Intermediate School. With this change, the dance studio is now located in the chapel, where mirrors and a beautiful new dance floor have been installed. Our department has greatly enjoyed our new stage that was built last summer as well as the recently installed technical equipment that has enhanced our shows and performances this past year.
Here are some other things to look forward to in 2012-2013 at Saint Andrew’s. Please read through this letter to learn of news, dates and performance opportunities.
Dates and Opportunities
Intermediate School: 4th and 5th Grade will receive music instruction from Dr. Wooley during the year. Mr. Porter will be teaching Grade 6 their performing arts class, which will be a combination of drama with music and movement. This year, we will have a combined Intermediate School performance at the end of the year on May 31 at 2:00 pm in MacDonald Hall.
Middle School Musical: The Middle School Musical this year is The Wiz, an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Music and lyrics are by Charlie Smalls and will be directed by Roy Barber with choreography by Roxie Thomas with Ritchie Porter as assistant director. Please note: in order to provide more balance to our schedule the Middle School musical has been moved to the spring.
Dates: May 18, 19. Auditions: are after school on Wednesday and Thursday, September 5 and 6 beginning at 3:30pm. Students are asked to attend both days. No advanced preparation is necessary for the auditions. Those auditioning should come ready to sing, dance and act. The Middle School band, under the direction of Dr. Amy Wooley, will be working on this show. The band will be learning the music as part of their 3rd period performing arts rotation in the spring. The class list for the band will be determined during the first week of school in the fall.
Middle School Tech: There is a Middle School technical theater class in the spring. Members of this class are responsible for the technical elements of the Middle School musical, the building and running of the show. All members of tech must be available for performances. Space is limited and the class list will be determined during the first week of school in the fall.
Middle School Dance Company: This group, under the direction of Ms. Roxie Thomas, meets 8th period during the winter trimester and will present pieces at the Winter trimester performing arts assembly on Friday, March 1 at 2:05 p.m.
Middle School Chorus: This chorus, open to grades 6-8, will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., under the direction of Mr. Barber. The chorus will sing at various chapels and special events throughout the year.
Middle School Band: Dr. Wooley will lead the MS Band after school on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:45 to 4:30. Students may sign up in the fall. The MS Band will play at various chapels and special events throughout the year.
Upper School Fall Play: The Belle’s Stratagem, an English comedy written in 1780 by Hannah Cowley, directed by Ritchie Porter with Hevia Paxson assisting.
Dates: October 26-28. Auditions begin Friday, September 7. There will be an informational meeting during the first week of school so interested students can learn more about the pieces, the schedule and the process.
Upper School Musical: Pippin, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, directed by Ritchie Porter with music direction by Roy Barber. Hevia Paxson will assist, with Roxie Thomas doing the choreography and Dan Mellitz providing technical direction. Dr. Wooley will be the director of the stage band, which will begin rehearsing after school immediately after casting of the show.
Dates: February 22-24. Auditions: right before Thanksgiving break. Note: President’s Day Weekend is used extensively for rehearsals for the musical.
Winter Music Concert: Friday, January 25 at 7:30. This evening showcases our student ensembles from IS through US – including the Middle School Band and Chorus, Upper School Jazz Band, Symphonic Rock Orchestra and Chorus, and also welcome our friends from Bokamoso.
Note: This evening features the work of students in our classes and sponsored after school ensembles, and will not include special projects by other individual singers or bands.
Spring Music Concert: Date and Time TBD. This evening is a culmination of our year in music, with our student ensembles from IS through US – including the Middle School Band and Chorus, Upper School Jazz Band, Symphonic Rock Orchestra and Chorus, as well as special appearances by the Dance Company.
Note: This evening features the work of students in our classes and sponsored after school ensembles, and will not include special projects by other individual singers or bands.
Upper School Fall and Spring Dance Companies: These companies, led by Ms. Thomas, meet after school. The fall company will get going the first full week of school, and will show its work at the performing arts assembly on Friday, Nov. 16. The spring company will perform in early May on a day and time to be determined.
Upper School Tech: Even if not enrolled in our technical theater classes a student can help out on tech crew for our shows. Tech Club helps out especially with the fall play. Please contact Mr. Dan Mellitz if you are interested in working on tech.
Upper School Chorus: In addition to our traveling chorus and advanced chorus classes, students have the opportunity to sing in the chapel chorus, which meets on Mondays during activity period. This group performs for weekly chapel services and large school events. All are welcome. Please contact Mr. Barber if you are interested.
Music Lessons: Instruction in strings, guitar, voice, flute, saxophone, bass and piano (and perhaps other instruments depending on demand) is available after school and during some free periods. Lessons coordinator, Ritchie Porter, will send out more information at the beginning of the school year.