The importance of supporting our young artists
This is the last edition of the Tartan until late summer, and the weeks ahead are action-packed with end-of-year events culminating with the graduation of the Class of 2010.We deeply appreciate their many accomplishments, and we look forward to celebrating their St. Margaret’s career on June 12.
As I reflect on recent events in the life of our school community, I am struck by the extraordinary breadth and depth of our students’ involvement and the remarkable progress we have made in the performing arts. In April, Lower School through Upper School students demonstrated growth and commitment in concerts revealing the importance of the performing arts and the need for a first-class facility to support our highly developed programs and exceptionally talented students.
When I arrived at St. Margaret’s in 2003, the theater program was well established and bursting the seams of Sillers Hall. Darcy Rice was directing productions across all divisions, engaging huge numbers of students in seriously challenged spaces. Much remains the same today, with the important exceptions of the technical crew, orchestral accompaniment and Theater Arts teacher Nathan Wheeler. Today, virtually all performing arts technical support (lighting, sound, costumes
and make-up) is provided by students. The theater orchestra, formerly comprised of hired musicians, is now an extension of our instrumental program, with students filling virtually every seat.
In 2003, the Christmas concert featured a band comprised of 10 electric guitars and a saxophone! It was clear that we could do better. Several weeks ago, more than 200 students made exceptional music under the inspirational leadership of Chris Carbajal. Our orchestra, under the guidance and instruction of Gene Wie, demonstrated growing numbers and exceptional talent. Our choral music program, launched in the Lower School by Diane Hawkins and Susan Remsberg,
has been guided to increasing levels of performance by Stacey Wentzel. Our vocalists dazzled a standing-room-only gathering in the Chapel with a variety of complex, four-part harmony pieces, including a superb performance by the all-boys’ choir, a first at St. Margaret’s.
The All-School Dance Recital, led by dance instructors Holly Mehling and Jamie McCann, is another highlight of the year.
I confess a bias for the arts and their role in enriching our lives. In my years at St. Margaret’s, the growth of the performing arts has been truly extraordinary, and our community has benefitted from the inspiration and talent our faculty and students share so enthusiastically. It is time for this program to have a home of its own, where talents can continue to flourish and grow. We have had much success raising funds to build a performing arts center, but we have not yet met our goal—we need everyone to join in to make this dream come true. Seven years ago we might have seen this facility as something of a luxury. Today, however, as our students remind us again and again, the new facility is a necessity! My hope is that, in the fall, the construction of this new space will be launched. In the meantime, we have work to do!
To those who have supported this important effort, I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation. To those who have yet to join in, I hope you will find a way to lend a hand. Every dollar helps.
Best wishes to you and your families for a rewarding and successful conclusion to the school year. And, as Darcy Rice reminds us repeatedly, life is better with art!