ARTS OVERVIEW

Hilltop

ARTS NEWS FROM CAMPUS

THE ARTS Ensemble Effort

Students push for more “notes under their fingers.”

Passing through the Kimball Union quad on any given afternoon, it’s impossible to miss the sounds emanating from Flickinger Arts Center. Saxophones, pianos, singing, and laughter are a mainstay of the space as the KUA music program finds renewed interest and growth.

Music teachers Robin Garner and Demetri Papadopoulos strive for excellence in the arts, but their goal is to build a music program that offers a variety of experiences and builds lifelong appreciation for the arts.

“I believe diversity of music is our biggest selling point,” says Papadopoulos, who holds degrees in music education and wind conducting. “We take students at whatever their interest is and at whatever level.”

As a result, student engage in classical, jazz, rock band, and choral ensembles, which help build teamwork. They also have access to private lessons to strengthen individual technique and repertoire. Students new to music are offered courses in beginner piano and guitar.

Five ensembles find dedicated practice time in the afternoons, including the audition choir Selects, Purely Orange Jazz, Chamber Ensemble, Rock Band, and Concordians, a community-focused vocal ensemble. “Even though there is so much to do on campus, we do have a dedicated time in the schedule for ensembles,” says Papadopoulos. “If we as faculty were pulling the ensembles, we’d never make it. They’re pushing us to constantly do more and try more and put notes under their fingers. It’s growing and we couldn’t grow it without the student body we have.”

This year, 32 students, faculty, and staff participate in Concordians. Garner says her hope is to encourage more people to come out and sing. “They’re able to connect with their emotional side and do that with friends and peers to create something special together,” says Garner, who arrived at KUA this year after teaching at Ashley Hall and Christ Church Episcopal School.

“We can play around with all different styles or repertoire. We’re also playing around with language. Students are exploring everything from Billie Eilish to Italian art songs,” says Garner.

Garner and Papadopoulos point to the commitment of Wenshi Zhao ’23, who in December performed a piano recital with one hour of memorized music. More than 70 students and faculty watched his performance.

“I don’t think people realize the commitment these students are making,” Papadopoulos says. “People only see the final product and they don’t see the process—and the process is intense. You have all that work tied up in that performance. A lot of times the magic happens in the process.” K

CREATIVE CANVAS

Anna Boden ’19 received Honorable Mention in the Kennedy Center’s young artists JFK Creative Portraits art competition for Portrait of John F. Kennedy. A copy of Boden’s original work, painted in oil on canvas, will hang in the center’s Hall of States through June.

FILM HONORS

Colter Lingelbach-Pierce ’21 earned second place in the 2021 Freedom & Unity Young Filmmaker Contest for his film, Lord’s Hill. LingelbachPierce created the short documentary—about how his family reclaimed its ski hill—in KUA’s Digital Video Production class.

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Students working on the Winter Musical, the largest theater activity ever

—DEMETRI PAPADOPOULOS

FINE ARTS

Two works by teacher and artist Ursula Fries-Herfort P’14 ’17 were selected by one of the top ceramic exhibitions in the country. Her free-hand porcelain pot and a set of porcelain mugs were shown at Strictly Functional Pottery National, which recognizes functional pots and wares.

IN SYNC

Weston Harkey '23 plays cello with the Kimball Union Chamber Ensemble at the Fall Concert.

ON EXHIBIT

The work of 10 students is on display at the AVA Gallery High School Exhibition, including this bracelet by Fiona Spence '23.