VPA Showcase

 Visual Performing Art Puts on Showcase 

Lilah Wheat, Majors/ Organizations

11/17/2023

Monday through Thursday, VPA majors put on a student showcase for the 5th graders. Monday and Tuesday were for the art portion of the showcase, where the students displayed their art in the dance annex in Mr. Hill's classroom.  Students were able to view the showcase throughout the day. On Wednesday and Thursday during third period, all fifth graders attended the showcase in the auditorium. Non-fifth grade classes also attended the showcase, such as Mrs. Brandi's class. Although other classes got to see the show, the real purpose was to show the fifth graders all the possibilities of the VPA program at Classen SAS Middle.

Advanced Guitar will be playing two pieces, one being Halloween by John Carpenter, and another piece by Tyler Grice (also known as Mr. Grice) who will be playing The Dark Waltz. The Mixed Band will be playing Time Travelers: First Misson by Brian Balmages. Intermediate & Advanced Orchestra students are playing Lullaby the to Moon by Brian Balmages. The Advanced Jazz Ensemble performs a Vocal improv (scat singing harmonies). The Show Choir will also be singing Fight Song by Rachel Platten Arr. Roger Emerson. The  Advanced piano students are playing Fantasy, Op. 28 III. Presto by Felix Mendelssohn by student Luca Maddox-Diaz and Another piece which is being played by Cassie Soloranzo. Musical Theatre students are performing the Medley of “Strongest Suit” from Aida and I Go to Rio from The Boy From Oz . Dance Majors performing Daylight by David Kushner the Choreographer is Payton Ausmus and September by Earth, Wind, and Fire,  the Choreographers are Cerena Chaney, Quinn Catalfu, Sophie Hurst and  Brooklyn Miles.

I was able to attend the showcase on Thursday I have to say that it was very beautiful, I think every student did a great job. All the performances were done by very talented students. The band played a piece that stood out to me, the instrumental set the mood as you were about to take off a rocketship. There was a voice that would play and say that you were about to take off into the Jurassic, and then the band would play a song that fit that theme. The band did this multiple times for multiple different themes. The instrumental ended with saying "See you next time explorer!".  The two dance pieces were so diverse, the first performence was a solo that was emontial , and the secound was group dance that was upbeat.  Overall I really enjoyed attending the VPA showcase, I think that it portraited to the fifth graders about what a VPA major looks like perfectly.