Fine Arts News

List of 8 items.

• TPSMEA Middle School and Children’s Honor Choir Opportunity Practice and Performance, November 3 and 4 Willow Meadows Baptist Church

  The SJS Choral Department was thrilled to offer students in Classes 5 through 8 the opportunity to audition for the Texas Private School Music Educators Association Honor Choirs this year. The organization has two regions in Texas: the North Division (meeting in Dallas) and the South Division (meeting in Houston). Students are selected based on an audition and go on to perform a concert in November. 

   

  There are two choirs for each event. Students in Classes 5 and 6 were invited to sing by their respective director (Mr. Sammons, Mr. Emig, or Mr. Bonasso) and placed into the Children’s Honor Choir, which will be directed by Sam Mansour. Students in Classes 7 and 8 were required to submit an audition based on cuts from the performance music. These students are currently working on their music in advance of a clinic and concert with Cherith Wells. Three Class 8 students were selected to perform in the Middle School Honor Choir.

   

  This year’s Honor Choir weekend will take place on November 3 and 4 at Willow Meadows Baptist Church in Houston. Students will spend Friday afternoon rehearsing with area directors in preparation. On Saturday, students arrive early for their rehearsals with their clinician, spend the day working on their music with other students from across the area, and perform a concert that afternoon. 
  
  
  

• Upper School Dance Student Choreography Showcase (STUCHO) Friday, January 5, 7:00 p.m. Lowe Theater

  

  Mark your calendar for a mesmerizing evening of dance as talented students from various dance styles take the stage for the student choreography showcase once again. Prepare to be captivated by nine choreographed dance works by young choreographers that promise to celebrate the beauty of movement and creativity. Let’s dive into the details of this much-anticipated event known as the Student Choreography Showcase.

   

  Dancers from various backgrounds, ranging from ballet to contemporary and hip-hop to jazz, will come together to present a stunning array of dance works. These budding choreographers have poured their hearts and souls into crafting intricate routines that showcase both technical skills and artistic vision. 

   

  The Student Choreography Showcase offers an exceptional platform for emerging choreographers to showcase their talent. The audiences will experience the creativity, diversity, and innovative choreographic choices made by these talented young students. From emotionally charged narratives to abstracted interpretations, expect a dynamic range of dance pieces that will leave you inspired.  
  
  

   

  Behind the scenes, months of hard work, collaboration, dedication, and late night rehearsals have gone into preparing for this showcase. Hours of fine-tuning intricate movements, these students have tirelessly strived for perfection. Their unwavering commitment to their craft is poised to provide the audience with an evening of unforgettable performance. The choreographers will also collaborate with Johnnycake members who will design custom lighting for each piece. Johnnycake designers will work to incorporate the mood the choreographer is trying to convey into the lighting design. Choreographers, dancers and Johnnycake will return back to campus early from winter break to fine tune during production week to bring the show together. 

   

  As a community, it is crucial to celebrate and support the arts. Attending the Student Choreography Showcase not only provides these young choreographers and dancers with an audience to share their artistic endeavors but also affirm the value of creative expression as an integral part of our cultural fabric. Your presence in the audience serves as a testament to the importance of nurturing young talent and encouraging future artistic endeavors.

   

  Come and witness the power of artistry, unity, and passion as budding choreographers, dancers, and Johnnycake ignite the stage in a celebration of movement, Friday, January 5, at 7:00 pm in the Lowe Theater.
  
  
  

• Middle School Musical: Matilda, JR. Thursday, November 9th, 4:30 p.m. and Friday, November 10th, 7:00 p.m. Lowe Theater

  
  Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the "revolting children" who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.
  
  

  Matilda has astonishing wit, intelligence... and special powers! She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
  
  

  Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda JR. is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
  
  

  Brooke Wilson directs the cast of 45 Middle School students, Brendan Emig masterfully directs the well- known music, which Heidi Arouty enhances with her creative choreography. Teresa Fogler is designing the fun and iconic costumes. Thomas Murphy, Sean Morgan and Zachary Finch boldly lead our stage tech team and build our magical and whimsical props and set with support from our Johnnycake & Shortcake members. 
  
  

  *Matilda, book by Dennis Kelly; Matilda, JR. music and lyrics by Tim Minchin
  
  
  

• Piano Showcase Saturday, November 11, 9:00 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Lower School Commons and Music Rooms

  More than 100 Lower, Middle, and Upper School students will participate in the 22nd Annual St. John's School Piano Showcase. This event was created especially for students who study piano at St. John's School. It is designed to give students the opportunity to discover and develop interest and proficiency in many areas.

   

  The event provides an opportunity for each student to showcase their proficiency in performance skills and piano technique while introducing and reinforcing theoretical concepts, sight-reading, harmonization, arranging skills, and various styles of improvisation. Students will receive a written critique and a score of their performances from an independent judge in a private audition on the day of the event. With "Excellent" or "Superior" ratings, participants may qualify to earn awards across the span of several years. The event is designed to be motivational and provide students, parents, and teachers with valuable insights into the participants’ annual progress.

   

  Faculty from regional universities and distinguished independent pedagogues will serve as judges for the event. Students who earn awards and honors will receive special recognition following their performances at the Spring Piano Recital at the end of the year on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
  
  
  

• Upper School Band Concert Tuesday, November 14, 7:00 p.m. Lowe Theater

  Please join us for the Fall Upper School Band Concert on Tuesday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lowe Theater. The concert will feature the Upper School Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, and Jazz Ensemble. Enjoy a variety of traditional concert and jazz music including Cantina Band by John Williams, March of the Trolls by Edvard Grieg, and Take the "A" Train by Billy Strayhorn. This concert promises a wonderful evening of music and celebration, and we invite all concertgoers to please join us in Stasney Hall immediately following the performance for a reception honoring our student musicians.
  
  
  

• TMEA Regional Orchestra Practice and Performance, November 17 and 18 Cy-Fair ISD VPAC

  It has been a terrifically successful fall audition season for the SJS Orchestra students, and it isn’t over yet! On October 14, a number of the Upper School string players auditioned for TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) All-Region Orchestra. Six of our orchestra members were selected for one of these fine ensembles. On October 21, Region 27 held auditions for the middle school orchestras. Five of our MS students participated in the audition and all 5 were selected to play! Both Middle and Upper School All-Region Orchestras will rehearse on November 17 and 18 and perform on the afternoon of Nov. 18. The performance schedule is as follows: MS Philharmonic – 3:15 p.m., MS Symphony – 4:00 p.m., HS Philharmonic - 4:45 p.m., HS Symphony – 5:30 p.m. The performances will take place at the brand new Cy-Fair ISD VPAC and are open to the public.

   

  Still ahead for our students is TMEA area and All-State auditions and TPSMEA All-State auditions. We wish the students best of luck as they continue to challenge themselves!

  
  
  

• Fall Middle School Instrumental Music Concert Thursday, November 30, 7:00 p.m. Lowe Theater

  Please join us for the Fall Middle School Instrumental Music Concert on Thursday, November 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Lowe Theater. The concert will feature the Middle School Beginning Band and Middle School Intermediate Band, the Middle School Beginning Strings, Sinfonietta, and Camerata. The band ensembles will play a variety of traditional concert and seasonal music including El Taco Picante by Robert Sheldon and Holiday Rock by Chris Bernotes. Selections to be played by the strings will include a variety of string orchestra music as well as a bit of holiday music to get us into the spirit of December. The concert will be a wonderful celebration of live music for all!
  
  

• Candlelight Service Friday, December 8, 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Prelude begins at 6:45 p.m. The Church of St. John the Divine

   

  For over 75 years, the St. John’s community has come together at the Church of St. John the Divine to celebrate the holiday season with wonderful music and heart-warming fellowship. With over 300 students involved, this family celebration is a major event for the entire school community.
  
  

  The service includes a procession of choirs, seasonal hymns accompanied by organ and orchestra, spiritual readings by students and faculty, an address by Head of School Dan Alig, and performances by the St. John’s choirs and Chamber Strings. This year the choirs will perform A Carol Tapestry by Mary Lynn Lightfoot, Winter's Cold by Michael John Trotta, This Endris Night by Sarah Quartel, and A Christmas Garland by Conrad Susa. As is our tradition, the service will close with Wonderful Peace by Gustav Nordqvist, sung by choristers surrounding the congregation and illuminated only by candlelight. The event will be available to view via livestream here.  Afterward, the Wassail Party will be held in Flores Hall with caroling performances by Kantorei and holiday music from the US Jazz Band.