A Night of Performing and Fine Arts

Students, parents, faculty, alumni and friends sought refuge after a cold winter's week by absorbing themselves in the fine and performing arts at several faculty-led Upper School events on Friday, January 14, 2011. Attendees strode through Panther Hall Gallery viewing exquisite artwork at a Printmaking and Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition and enjoyed a hot cup o’ Joe at a Winter Coffee House in the Commons.

The evening began with a reception in Panther Hall Gallery — kicking off a six-day Exhibition of Upper School Printmaking and Ceramic Sculpture projects. Completed mostly by sophomores, students in either Kate Greenberg’s sculpture class or Ave Maria Walwark’s printmaking class were given the opportunity to showcase their artwork to parents and guests.

Using wire or ceramic, students created masterpieces that portrayed lively forms of the human figure in motion. Meanwhile, using Aquatint to produce rich color, other students made multiples of an image through etching, collograph and more.

Following the exhibition, performing art aficionados proceeded to the Commons’ Black Box Theater for coffee, dessert and music at an annual Winter Coffee House presented by Ranney’s International Thespians Troupe and Tri-M® Music Honor Society. Over the years, the Performing Arts Coffee House has grown into a beloved tradition. Led by faculty-advisors, John Doyle, Tess Nielsen and Kevin Cotter, students are provided the opportunity to pursue their individual creative interests in a supportive and casual environment.

As part of a 2011 Winter Concert Series, this winter’s Coffee House featured Upper School singers and instrumentalists, who displayed their talents in an intimate setting complete with round tables, delicious desserts and calming candlelight. Although comprised of several returning performers, the event’s line-up also saw four freshman and two new sophomores make their debut on the Black Box Stage.

Introduced by announcers Evelyn Giovine ’12, Hannah Simpson ’12, Lauren Resnikoff ’11 and Lauren Waters ’11, students’ songs included acoustic performances, theatrical renditions and emotional accounts. In addition, Noah Goldstein ’14, accompanied by Lauren Resnikoff, graced the audience with the Little Mermaid’s “Kiss the Girl” on a ukulele and Val Kharkover ’12 performed a well-played “I Remember Clifford” by Freddy Hubbard on the Saxophone. The night ended with a musical performance and audience sing-along to John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance,” performed by Sarah Bartosh ’12 and Noah Goldstein.

All in all, both the Printmaking and Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition and Winter Coffee House proved to be very successful and inspiring. Other upcoming Performing Arts Events are as follows:

Upper/Middle School Dance Concert

Wednesday, February 16

All Division Instrumental Concert

Tuesday, March 1

Pacific Encore Performances with Upper School Chorus

Saturday, March 5

“Little Women: The Broadway Musical”

March 24-26

“Captain Louie” Lower School Musical

May 2 and May 6

All-Division Spring Concert

May 17