6 minute read
ARTS
See as God Sees - Carson Kalichack (grade 12): But the Lord said to Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” –1 Samuel 16:7 Be Compassionate - Hensley Meilstrup (grade 11): Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. –Ephesians 4:32 Seek Justice - Noah Roberts (grade 12): The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. –Psalm 33:5 Stand Together - Claire Finch (grade 9): After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. –Revelation 7:9-17 Value Others - Mallory Westbrook (grade 10): Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. –Philippians 2:3-4 Be One in Christ - Caroline Pulley (grade 11): There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. –Galatians 3:28 Let Your Light Shine - Riley Harvin (grade 11): In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:16 Live in Harmony - Bailey Hawkins (grade 11): Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. –Romans 12:15-18
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To be or not to be, there is no question.
VOTED BEST PERFORMING ARTS
BY CARY BRAGUE, DIRECTOR OF ARTS
IIn 2020, MPCS has had the honor of being distinguished as “The Best” performing arts program in Cobb county by Cobb Life Magazine and the Marietta Daily Journal newspaper. What does that mean? Was the research scientific or a popularity poll? While the Cobb Life designation is based on public opinion, performing arts at MPCS is still quantifiably “The Best.”
As evidence, consider the quantitative data – “who has the most.” In comparison with other schools in the area, MPCS can truthfully state we are “The Best” because of all that we offer students co-curricularly and beyond. • A world-class arts facility in the Murray Arts Center that is unmatched • A full-blown curricular arts program offering more traditional fine and performing arts programming than any peer school in the vicinity • A non-traditional commercial music program that is unparalleled in the K-12 school realm • A costuming and technical theatre program typically found on college campuses • A blossoming high school arts magnet program (more than 20 percent of the senior class met or exceeded the arts magnet graduation requirements this year) • A co-curricular arts program that produces more than 100 performances per year • A publicly accessible arts education initiative (after-school lessons) that engages surrounding community residents of all ages in making music, singing, dancing, and acting year-round
The data proves how distinctly remarkable the MPCS program is for what it offers. To provide so many varied offerings and to do them all well speaks to the quality of the MPCS arts program. With 29 Shuler Hensley nominations and 4 awards (more than peer schools in the area), 3 GHSA State Championships, and countless students receiving Governor’s Honors and State-level recognition each year in music, visual art, and dance — the quality of MPCS arts programming is outstanding.
While honored and humbled by the awards and accolades, the mission for arts at MPCS is to a greater calling. We believe that all of our students, not a talented and competitive few, but all are made in God’s image. We each can reflect Him through the gifts He gives us, all in the effort to bring Him glory through creative expression. All MPCS art is beautiful when students are using it to outwardly praise the Creator who gave the gift. The true qualitative measure of the arts at MPCS is
“BEST PRESCHOOL” “BEST PRESCHOOL” “BEST TEACHER” “BEST TEACHER” not about “how good the performance was” — not even close. The true qualitative measurement focuses on the students knowing for Whom they perform and how to share their joy through their very best efforts to praise Him. MPCS arts audiences keenly understand this – how can anything else matter? Because of this mission-informed ethos, MPCS arts is without a doubt “The Best.” W
THE LEFEVRE SOUNDLAB
Making Music in the Age of COVID-19
TBY KATHLEEN MCCOOK, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE MURRAY ARTS CENTER
The LeFevre SoundLab is unlike any high Chapel Band students found themselves school learning environment. Comprised of tackling an unexpected unit in their course – three suites, a main recording room, and four virtual worship music. isolation booths, the lab is 2,000 square feet Utilizing Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Logic Pro of unique learning space. Suite A houses a X, and Adobe Premier software, the class pro- Solid State Logic Duality Delta recording and duced and posted two worship music videos. mixing console, one of only 10 in the U.S. “BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAD LEARNED IN THE SOUNDLAB, publicly registered for educational use and the only one registered by a high school. STUDENTS WERE ALREADY PREPARED TO RECORD VIRTUALLY,”
For three high school classes, the Sound- explained instructor Julie Duncan. “Students
Lab was their classroom last spring for Intro used their devices to play the track with a to Audio Production, Intro to Studio Recording, click to keep beat and listen through headand Chapel Band. The courses covered topics phones, while recording a live video using such as types of microphones, how audio com- their cell phones.” ponents contribute to a sound system, and Audio Production and Studio Recording instruction in gain structure and signal flow. instructor Marshall Young focused his les-
Students learned the use of Pro Tools session sons on theory and audio software. Virtual structure and mixing techniques, explored demonstrations took the students through careers in audio, and recorded and mixed a mixing session step-by-step so they could their own songs. produce their own mixing projects from When the Coronavirus forced schools into home. Several students published original a radical, new learning environment, MPCS music during this time. “Creating and mix-
ARTS QUICKLY PIVOTED IN ORDER ing audio is such a hands-on endeavor; I was so encouraged by our students’ patience
TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MUSIC through the trial of no longer having access
ENRICHMENT FOR STUDENTS. to our studio,” stated Mr. Young. “They were still eager to learn and used their time to create new music. I’m very proud of them.” W
