Spring Performing Arts Block Concert Series
May 27, 2022—The Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensembles shared their work in two mini concerts for the Lower School on Tuesday, May 24 and Friday, May 27. PAB is required for Class I and Class II and optional for Class III and Class IV. Participating students spend all year working in their chosen discipline or trying new things. In the winter as well as in the spring, students in PAB classes prepare a concert series to showcase their work.
A list of spring performances is below. The Tuesday show featured the Lower School Wind Ensemble, the Lower School String Ensemble, and the Lower School Orchestra, watch here. The three groups performed separately and also joined together for the annual performance of South African folk song “Siyahamba.” The Friday show featured the Lower School Dance Ensemble performing in small groups as well as the Lower School Chorus, watch here.
Thank you to everyone who supported students during the PAB this year. We look forward to more music and movement during the 2022-2023 school year. See the photo gallery.
Lower School Wind Ensemble:
Directed by Performing Arts Teacher Samantha Spear and featuring clarinets, flutes, and saxophone, the students in the wind ensemble performed:
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“Harmony Club Waltz” by Scott Joplin, arranged by Ms. Spear
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“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, arranged by Ms. Spear
Lower School String Ensemble:
Directed by Performing Arts Faculty Job Salavar Fonseca and Louis Fram and featuring violins, violas, cellos, and upright basses, students in the string ensemble performed:
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“Persian Song” by Stanley Fletcher
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“Scarborough Fair” arranged by David Burndrett
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“Camel Drivers” by Stanley Fletcher
Lower School Orchestra:
Directed by Performing Arts Faculty Julia Connor, the orchestra performed:
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Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33 by Camille Saint-Saens Cello Concerto, arranged by David Leach and featuring Bonnie Shao ’27 on the cello
Lower School Orchestra, String Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble:
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“Siyahamba” arranged by Douglas E. Wagner
Lower School Dance Ensemble:
Directed by Performing Arts Faculty Carey McKinley and Samantha Rosenburg, the dance ensemble presented dance styles from the 1980s:
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“Pretty Young Thing” by Michael Jackson (1982)
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“I’m Still Standing” by Elton John (1983)
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“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” by Willard Smith and Jeffrey Townes (1990)
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“Poison” by Bel Biv Devoe (1990)
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“Crank That” by Soulja Boy (2007)
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“Easy Go” by Grandtheft & Delaney Jane (2016)
Lower School Chorus:
Directed by Performing Arts Faculty Andrew Marshall, the chorus performed:
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“Kyrie Eleison” by G. Caccini
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“We Don’t Talk about Bruno” by Lin Manuel Miranda
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“Never Gonna Give You Up” M. Aitkin
Lower School Small Chorus:
Directed by Andrew Marshall, the small chorus performed:
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“Stand Up” by Cynthia Echeumuna-Erivo
