Convent of the Sacred Heart Upper School students showcased their artistic talents in performances and exhibitions April 14 during Celebration of the Arts. The annual festivity recognizes the students’ achievements throughout the school year. Students in bells, chorus, orchestra, Madrigals, visual arts and photography classes participated in the event.
The arts department, including Ms. Kev Filmore, Upper School photography teacher, and Mrs. Paula Westcott, Upper School art teacher, worked together to arrange the occasion. Students and faculty gathered in the theater to see performances by the art and music students, and to watch a PowerPoint presentation of the photographs and artwork done by the art students.
“The PowerPoint gives the students a chance to showcase her work to their peers and be proud of it,” Mrs. Westcott said. “To see all the work individually come up on the screen is truly gratifying.”
Les Grandes Cloches du Sacre Coeur, Sacred Heart’s two Upper School bell choirs, opened the event. The junior and senior bell choir played their rendition of “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz, and the freshman and sophomore bell choir followed, playing “Riptide” by Vance Joy.
The orchestra, freshman chorus, and Madrigals followed the bells performance. The violinists in the orchestra, composed of both Upper and Middle School students, previewed the chamber music pieces they played later evening in the Spring Concert. Following the violinists, 6th grader Colette Wicks played a duet on the cello with Convent of the Sacred Heart orchestra conductor, Mr. Christopher Bush. The chorus sang “Turning Tables” by Adele, as performed on Glee. Lastly, Madrigals concluded the vocal performance by singing “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie.”
Drama students also recited pieces from Peter and the Starcatcher, a monologue written and performed by freshman Devon Reilly called Rumors, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Our Town.
Although there will be no gallery due to the construction, this year the visual arts and photography pieces will be put on display in Salisbury Hall and the hallway outside of the Chapel between April 14 and May 1.
“The students work is shown in large scale where you really get to see what they’ve been doing all year,” Mrs. Westcott said.
The pieces on display reflect the work of students in college prep and AP Photography, visual arts and AP Studio Art. The AP Studio Art students have put their concentration pieces on show.
“Having my art on display is always fun because you get recognition for your hard work and get to witness everyone’s reactions to your pieces,” AP Studio Art student senior Emily Casper said. “Now as a senior and an AP student, I especially love seeing the underclassmen’s work and remembering doing the same projects.”
In the evening, students performed in the Spring Concert at 7 pm. This concert featured the Madrigals, Upper School chorus, orchestra, Les Grandes Cloches du Sacre Coeur, the A Ca-Bellas, and special guest performance by the Acafellas from St. Luke’s School. The Acafellas sang “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker, “Little Lion Man” by Mumford and Sons, and “Danny Boy” by Celtic Woman.
“Often times students’ work is hidden and this is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the great achievements and hard work the girls have accomplished in the past year,” Ms. Filmore said.
– Alessia Barcelo, Staff Writer