Performing Arts

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Greetings from the Performing Arts Department!

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I hand off the baton of Performing Arts department chair to Dr. Amy Wooley. Dr. Wooley is starting her 6^th year at St. Andrew’s and she has gotten to know the department, as well as its rhythms and schedules inside and out. I look forward to her energy and vision as St. Andrew’s continues to provide its students with opportunities to explore and blossom in the fields of music, dance, technical theater and drama.

-Ritchie Porter

Note from the St. Andrew’s Performing Arts Department (from Dr. Amy Wooley)

Thanks to Ritchie Porter for his years of faithful stewardship! I am pleased to be taking the wheel as Head of Performing Arts, and welcome Roxie Thomas as my right hand, taking over the Production Manager portion of the job. We have a thrilling year ahead with our fabulous new stage, and events ranging from the Intermediate School performance event and the all-school Winter and Spring Concerts to Aladdin as our first spring MS musical and the great masterpiece, West Side Story in the winter. Please check this space, as well as the bulletin boards in the Performing Arts hallway (outside L2, L4, and L6) for notices and events calendars. Places, everyone! Here comes 2011-2012!

-Amy Wooley

Update on Performing Arts Spaces

This past year has been a great one for our department as far as upgrading our spaces and equipment. During summer a new stage with expanded wing space has been built, replacing the temporary platform that was constructed for the spring musical in 2009. Our technical director, Mr. Dan Mellitz oversaw the project, and was assisted by A. J. Izzo (class of 2011). In addition this past year we have added two follow spots, a new lighting board, soundboard, and projector for MacDonald Hall. These upgrades will help us offer even better productions, concerts and assemblies for the years to come. Many thanks to Joe Phelan, Director of Operations, our wonderful Maintenance Staff, Mark McKnight, SAES CFO, the entire St. Andrew’s administration for helping to make these changes happen.

Here are some other things to look forward to in 2011-2012 at Saint Andrew’s. Please read through this letter to learn of news, dates and performance opportunities.

2011-12 Performing Arts Dates and Opportunities

Dates and Opportunities

(Click here for a printable version of this calendar)

Intermediate School: 4^th and 5^th Grade will receive music instruction from Dr. Wooley during the year. Mr. Porter will be teaching Grade 6 their performing arts class, which will be a combination of drama with music and movement. This year for the first time we will have a combined Intermediate School performance at the end of the year on June 1 at 2:15 pm.

Middle School Musical: Disney’sAladdin (Junior Version), musicby Alan Menken, lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman, directed by Roy Barber with choreography by Roxie Thomas with Ritchie Porter as assistant director. Please note: in order to provide more balance to our schedule the Middle School musical has been moved to the spring.

Dates: May 19, 20. Auditions: are after school on Wednesday and Thursday, September 7 and 8. Students are asked to attend both days. No advanced preparation is necessary for the auditions. Those auditioning should come ready to sing, dance and act. The Middle School band, under the direction of Dr. Amy Wooley, will be working on this show. The band will be learning the music as part of their 3^rd period performing arts rotation in the spring. The class list for the band will be determined during the first week of school in the fall.

Middle School Tech: There is a Middle School technical theater class in the spring. Members of this class are responsible for the technical elements of the Middle School musical, the building and running of the show. All members of tech must be available for performances. Space is limited and the class list will be determined during the first week of school in the fall.

Middle School Dance Company: This group, under the direction of Ms. Roxie Thomas, meets 8^th period during the winter trimester and will present pieces at the Winter trimester performing arts assembly on March 2 at 2:05 pm.

Middle School Chorus: This chorus, open to grades 6-8, will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:45 to 4:30, under the direction of Mr. Barber. The chorus will sing at various chapels and special events throughout the year.

Middle School Band: Dr. Wooley will lead the MS Band after school on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:45 to 4:30. Students may sign up in the fall. The MS Band will play at various chapels and special events throughout the year.

Upper School Fall Play: An Evening of One-Acts including Christopher Durang’s The Actor’s Nightmare, directed by Ritchie Porter with Hevia Paxson assisting.

Dates: October 28-30. Auditions: begin Friday, September 9. There will be an informational meeting during the first week of school so interested students can learn more about the pieces, the schedule and the process.

Upper School Musical: West Side Story, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Ritchie Porter with music direction by Roy Barber. Hevia Paxson will assist, with Roxie Thomas doing the choreography and Dan Mellitz providing technical direction. Dr. Wooley will be the director of the stage band, which will begin rehearsing after school immediately after casting of the show.

Dates: February 24-26. Auditions: right before Thanksgiving break. Note: President’s Day Weekend is used extensively for rehearsals for the musical.

Winter Music Concert: Friday, January 20 at 7:30. This evening showcases our student ensembles from IS through US – including the Middle School Band and Chorus, Upper School Jazz Band, Symphonic Rock Orchestra and Chorus, and also welcome our friends from Bokamoso. The theme this year is World Music, and you may hear previews from our two musicals as part of this exciting event!

Note: This evening features the work of students in our classes and sponsored after school ensembles, and will not include special projects by other individual singers or bands.

Spring Music Concert, “St.And. by Me”: Thursday, April 26 at 7:00. This evening is a culmination of our year in music, with our student ensembles from IS through US – including the Middle School Band and Chorus, Upper School Jazz Band, Symphonic Rock Orchestra and Chorus, as well as special appearances by the Dance Company. This year, we will feature the music of the great songwriting team Lieber and Stoller, who penned such classics as “Hound Dog,” “On Broadway,” and “Stand by Me.”

Note: This evening features the work of students in our classes and sponsored after school ensembles, and will not include special projects by other individual singers or bands.

Upper School Fall and Spring Dance Companies: These companies, led by Ms. Thomas, meet after school. The fall company will get going the first full week of school, and will show its work at the performing arts assembly on Nov. 18. The spring company will perform on Saturday, May 5, at 7:30 pm.

Upper School Tech: Even if not enrolled in our technical theater classes a student can help out on tech crew for our shows.

Upper School Chorus: In addition to our traveling chorus and advanced chorus classes, students have the opportunity to sing in the chapel chorus, which meets on Mondays during activity period. This group performs for weekly chapel services and large school events. All are welcome. Please contact Mr. Barber if you are interested.

Music Lessons: Instruction in strings, guitar, voice, bass and piano (and perhaps other instruments depending on demand) is available after school and during some free periods. Lessons coordinator, Ritchie Porter, will send out more information at the beginning of the school year.