BACK ON STAGE! By Doug Santana - Director of Performing Arts
part of the folk rock band, Dawes. When students returned to campus The dance program kept moving by for hybrid classes in March, almost We had been holding out hope that our creating digital recitals with students exactly a year after the pandemic students would have the chance to come learning choreography virtually and sent everyone home, the performing together and perform this year. I’m so then filming themselves performing arts program set about bringing at home with equipment provided by 11 different outdoor concerts to thrilled we were able to give them that the school. All pre-recorded concerts life on campus in just 17 days. The opportunity after 14 months apart. and recitals were presented using performing arts faculty and staff YouTube Premiere, which allowed worked closely with the administraErin Simón virtual audiences and performers to tion to find ways to have students watch together in real time. Viewers shared applause and shout share their talents with live audiences while still following the outs using the YouTube chat feature. The popular sketch comedy latest health and safety protocols from the state. group, Pardon My French, also took the virtual stage multiple “We had been holding out hope that our students would times to perform live using Zoom Webinar. They even got to have the chance to come together and perform this year,” said take the Zoom stage with the acclaimed musical improvisation Choral Director Mrs. Erin Simón. “I’m so thrilled we were able group, Baby Wants Candy, this spring. to give them that opportunity after 14 months apart.” Over the past year, students and faculty have been committed Highlights included a day of choral music in the Sola to keeping the arts alive at home and — recently — back on Amphitheatre under the direction of Mrs. Simón that featured campus. Being able to perform in person was a perfect way to ensemble and solo performances from the concert choir, vocal end the year. Students got to hear the one thing every performer ensemble, and the award-winning jazz choir, Kind of Blue. lives for — live applause. We look forward to many more memories A spring dance recital featuring more than 40 performers with live audiences next school year as we return to campus full was also held in the Schott Family Commons on a beautiful time and turn the lights back on in the Kinkade Theatre. spring evening. The event featured three levels of dance performers, including students in the Dance 1 and Dance 2 classes, as well as the Royals Dance Ensemble. Later, the Power Courtyard was transformed into a live music venue featuring the AMHS orchestra; the band, Jazz in the AM; and the liturgical rock group, Exodus. The same space was also configured to feature comedy club performances from Pardon My French and a Broadway-style advanced acting showcase, featuring some of the school’s most talented actors and actresses. Faculty and staff worked hard to make the transitions between performances seamless, sometimes with just an hour and a half to make changes between events. In addition to these live performances, other creative venues for sharing music took form in the spring. In the music program, performance groups worked with instructors to create digital music and recitals. The results brought our community a variety of virtual events, including a Jazz in the AM guest artist concert collaboration with alumnus Lee Pardini ’03, who is now
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34 ARCHBISHOP MITTY MAGAZINE
