Apr 26 2012 - 4:43pm

I want to express my deep gratefulness for all the love, help and support during this production season. Thanks for all the notes of encouragement that kept me going forward and for the wonderful gift that many of you contributed to. I am truly humbled as I can't even begin to take the credit for something that was so big and the work of so many hands.

This year more than ever, I have been impacted by the power and blessing of community and it has been a privilege to be a part of. I am amazed by the sacrifice of time and energy that so many gave to this production and we couldn't have done it without you! Thank you for making it a great experience for the students and for all who were able to enjoy watching it.

What a blessing to see kids from young to old celebrate the journey and culmination of all the hard work, and to have a place to learn, grow and belong. I also want to thank and commend the older students for being such a great example and involving the younger ones — a picture of discipleship in a real life which is another unique part of our FRCS community.

I hope that this experience will provide lasting memories for your students and I am so thankful for the opportunity to share it with them!

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Apr 2 2012 - 10:50am

This year over spring break, in the absence of crazy rehearsals and music constantly running through my head, I had the chance to step away and think about the musical as a whole and what it means to our school.

Each spring is filled with the joys and craziness of musical season. Once the dust settles, and the songs gradually fade into the distance, the memories and highlights of the experience take the stage. The musical is the one event of the year where students across multiple grade levels come together to create something. They put countless hours of hard work towards the end product of a show. There are many moments during this process that I wish could be frozen in time...opening night when you can feel the nerves and buzz all around, the "aha" moment when students bring it to “life” for the first time in their character during rehearsal and when all the hard work culminates in an end product that people come to enjoy!

But perhaps one of the greatest highlights each year is during what we call “circle time.” 30 min before each show we gather in a circle to warm up, give comments and to share words of encouragement. Students from the youngest to the oldest offer up examples of what another accomplished or something was significant to them about the experience. They share memories and it becomes a wonderful bonding time.

The musical is one of the greatest examples of unity — everyone working hard to produce something great during which they all have to rely on each other to make it happen. Watching the relationships develop and kids blossom in this environment is what makes it all worth it. Watching the younger admire the older and the older reaching down to help the younger kids is something so unique and special. Watching parents and students devote countless hours of time using their gifts and working together to make a great end product. Each year I am amazed at how everyone joins together to make it happen and I am always blessed by the hearts and encouraging attitudes of our community.

The Arts are much more than enjoying entertainment — they give students a chance to belong, use their creativity and work together with others to create something wonderful and exciting. I have watched it draw students that may otherwise have no place to belong or offer their time and gifts. This is one reason why an Arts program goes way beyond the purpose of simply putting on a show. The process of learning, creating community within the school, and giving students opportunity to learn, grow and belong is what it is all about. And in the end, this is what makes it all worth it :)

See photos from Beauty & the Beast rehearsals

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Mar 2 2012 - 4:26pm

Submitted by Claudia Porter

Twenty-four singers from 4th, 5th and 6th grades performed for the regional ACSI music festival on Friday, March 2, 2012. This was the first performance for 17 of them! They sang “For the Beauty of the Earth” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” and were just beaming! Some of the judges comments were:

  • You guys were fantastic.
  • You knocked our socks off.
  • Those were very difficult pieces for kids of your age.

Our choir received a high “Excellent” from one judge and a “Superior” from the other.

Congratulations, Honor Choir!

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Jul 26 2011 - 3:03pm

updated: November 1, 2011

Town Fair - Saturday, September 17

Fall Play Auditions - Tuesday and Wednesady, September 6th and 7th, after school

Drama Day Camp - Saturday, October 1st, 8am-2pm
Grades K-6 (JH and SH students will help run it)

All-State Choir Auditions - October 20-22

Senior High Concert - Friday, October 21st, 7pm PAC
(Features all SH vocal and instrumental groups)

Fall Play - Thursday-Saturday, November 17th-19th, 7pm; PAC

Hanging of the Greens - Family Christmas Celebration - Thursday, Dec. 1st, 6:30pm PAC

Thespian Conference - Thursday, Dec. 8th -Saturday, Dec. 10th (High School)
(JH ONLY Thursday, Dec. 8th)

Junior High Concert and 8th Grade Play - Friday, December 16th, 1-3 pm PAC
(Featuring all vocal and instrumental JH groups)

Spring Musical Auditions - January 9th-13th, 2012 (Grades 4-12)

Student Talent Show - Friday, January 20th 7 pm PAC (Grades 7-12)

All-State Choir - February 5-7, 2012

updated Vocal Ensemble Dinner Concert - “Love Is Just Around the Corner” Holy Grounds; Tuesday, February 28th, 6:30 pm

Spring Musical - Thurs and Fri, April 19th -20th, 7 pm and Sat, April 21st, 1 pm and 7 pm; PAC

High School Spring Concert - Tuesday, May 8th, 7 pm PAC
(Featuring all SH vocal and instrumental groups)

Junior High Concert and 8th Grade Play - Monday, May 14th; 1-3 pm PAC
(Featuring all vocal and instrumental JH groups)

Academy Awards and Senior Showcase - Tuesday, May 15th; 7 pm PAC

*There will be visual art and photography displays at various Arts events throughout the year as well as performances by our other elective arts classes TBD.

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Apr 13 2011 - 12:42am

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping - it is a great day for school!

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Mar 2 2011 - 10:33am

Greetings from the Fine Arts department at FRCS! We are excited about launching this new blog as a place to archive special moments, stories and achievements by our students as they experience, develop and pursue the creative gifts God has given them through the Arts. I am reminded daily of the many beautiful gifts God has granted us in the world He created. Some of these greatest gifts are seen through the arts in visual beauty, the sounds of music and humor on the stage. What a privilege we have to express ourselves and bring glory to the Creator as a small reflection of His majesty and glory. We invite you to follow the journey as we learn, grow and develop these gifts to bring glory and honor to God.

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