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Video:: Woodland Fine Arts Travels to Long River Middle School

photoWhen it comes time for the budget referendum, the Fine Arts Department at Woodland is always crossing fingers and hoping for the best. But there is always the constant reminder that when it comes time to cut programs, programs in the Fine Arts are usually the first to go.

Because of the lack of students in the different fine arts classes, the classes are often cut. Last year, in the 2011-2012 school year, classes such as piano, guitar, and percussion workshop were just some of the few that were removed. Stephen St. Georges, who was originally a full time music teacher at Woodland instructing classes such as concert band, jazz band, AP music theory and more, was cut to part time at the high school and part time at the middle school. With St. Georges only being at the high school for half of the day, classes were even more limited.

The students and staff of the Woodland Fine Arts Department were frustrated by their dwindling variety of classes. So this year, they decided to take action.

Band Performs Katy Perry’s Wide Awake and ColdPlay’s Paradise

 

Traveling to the middle school, the students and staff of the Woodland Fine Arts  paid a visit to the eighth graders of Long River. Equipped with the theatre program, the concert band, the choir, and visual arts, they were there to not only tell the incoming freshmen what the Woodland Fine Arts  had to offer, but they were there to show them.

“We came here to promote the fine arts program at Woodland,” said St. Georges, “and to make sure the eighth grade was aware of not only all the programs we offer, but the fact that they can really get involved and see what the product is.”

There’s no better way to showcase the actors and actresses of Woodland than having them perform a scene of their latest production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by Shakespeare. Performing the Fairy Scene, the theatre program proved that they are talented, anyone can join, and that best of all, they have the most thrilling time in the world performing. Senior Alyssa Korzon, who played Titania, the Fairy Queen, stole the show along with Stephen Kazalunas, a sophomore, who played the King.

Sophomore Charles Bethin, who performed in Woodland’s production, added that being on stage is one of his favorite feelings.

“You’re able to freely express yourself,” stated Bethin.

At the end of their performance, senior Eric Gomez talked about the different visual arts program that Woodland has to offer whether it be photography classes or drawing and painting classes and even graphic design classes. Although he talked, the fairies continued to prance around the crowds with the artwork boasting how talented the students of Woodland are.

The Woodland Concert Band put on quite the show for the eighth graders. Playing two pieces by Gustav Holst, named Jupiter and Mars, the Woodland Band wanted to show the eighth graders that the high school band is on a completely different level than the middle school band. Often times, students decide against continuing to play in the band because they are no longer interested. But with these Greek-God themed pieces, the band showed that the incoming students will be challenged, they will be able and will be encouraged to try new things, and will be able to join a program that, for many students, has become their safe-place.

The last performance, but certainly not the least, was by the Woodland Choir. The choir portrayed that they are versatile in what they sing. They can sing the classics and they can sing the hits of today. And no matter what they sing, they are going to sing them well. But there was one song, or let’s say songs, that truly impressed the eighth graders. Like the hit show Glee, the Woodland choir took two different songs, Wide Awake by Katy Perry and Paradise by Coldplay, and sang them together. At that point, the crowd was amazed, but when sophomore Robert Weiner started beat-boxing to the rhythm, they began to realize that the Fine Arts of Woodland would be a completely new experience.  With the help of the infamous Jiye Park on the piano, the choir closed the show leaving the eighth graders with question of what they would be putting on their schedules for their first year at Woodland Regional High School.

The students involved in the Fine Arts programs at Woodland just have a growing passion for the activities that they are involved with and that’s why they traveled to the middle school. They want everyone to experience what they have experienced through the Fine Arts Department at Woodland.

“It opens up students a lot of opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise, to express themselves and make a lot of friends,” said senior Rex Sturdevant.  “It’s a whole community that people don’t realize exists.”