October12 Newsletter - Saint Paul Conservatory For Performing Artists

providing the highest caliber of academic and
artistic education for aspiring
pre-professional artists in the areas on instrumental and vocal music, theatre and
dance, and to fully prepare students for college and conservatory
THE SPCPA SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2012
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can
change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead~
75 West 5th Street, Suite 522
Saint Paul, MN 55102
P: 651-290-2225
F: 651-290-9000
www.spcpa.org
S CHOOL OFFICE HOURS
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM
A TTENDANCE HOTLINE
651-222-3200
Please call by 9:00 AM
SPCPA Administration
Callie Jacobs
Director of School
Mark Grossklaus
Academic Director
Brian Goranson
Artistic Director
Susan Semmler
Dean of Students A-K
Carrie Jarvis
Dean of Students L-Z &
Post-Secondary Advising
As the school year is currently underway, it is important to
remember that SPCPA students have the unique experience of
being a visible part of the downtown Saint Paul community on a
daily basis. They have the opportunity to attend classes in the
historic Landmark Center, the Lowry Building, and RiverCentre…
all truly remarkable settings for learning. Students take classes
in multiple buildings and are given the freedom to enjoy their
lunches outside.
Given our place in this wonderful downtown setting, we must
take responsibility for how we represent ourselves to the
community and realize that we share our facilities with other
tenants. School administration forges numerous connections with
community members and encourages them to provide feedback
when necessary given the school’s significant presence downtown.
Positive feedback continues to be received daily. However, recently
administration is receiving an equal number of concerning
comments that detail SPCPA students engaging in the following:
displaying inappropriate attire, yelling, shouting, using profanity,
and leaving behind garbage. These behaviors are counterproductive to representing the image that we desire.
Additionally, our reputation extends beyond downtown Saint
Paul. Students travel to and from school on different buses from
different communities and their behavior is noticed. Creating
disturbances on bus routes reflects poorly on SPCPA students
and our school as a whole.
We have the opportunity to affect our communities positively by
being thoughtful and conscientious individuals and by choosing
our words and actions carefully. SPCPA students help create and
shape their learning environments inside and outside of the
classroom with the choices that they make every day. In addition
to providing our students with a top notch academic education
and training and development in the arts, we also strive to help
them grow as compassionate individuals with concern for other
people in the world. Small acts, such as cleaning up after
themselves and keeping their voices down in hallways and on city
buses, can make a huge impact on the community. Please assist
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FROM
THE DIRECTOR
in reminding SPCPA students that they have the opportunity to serve as role models for their peers
and help project a positive community image for SPCPA.
Thank you for taking these matters seriously to ensure that SPCPA is a fixture in the downtown
community for years to come.
Sincerely,
Callie Jacobs
OCTOBER CALENDAR
October 4
MCA-II GRAD Math and Reading Retakes
See page 7 for details.
October 8
J-Term project sign up in arts classes
October 9
VISIT SPCPA: Prospective Student Experience
Please direct interested individuals to our website.
October 15 & 16
J-Term Auditions during arts classes
October 17
Grades 9-11 Testing 8:00 AM - 12:05 PM
No school for Seniors
See page 7 for details.
October 18 & 19
Education Minnesota Conference - NO SCHOOL
October 23
Dance field trip for Modern Levels 5, 6 & 7
Delfos Danza Contemporanea, Ordway Center, 12:30 - 1:30 PM
October 23
Theatre and Musical Theatre field trip
Next to Normal at Mixed Blood Theatre
9:00 AM performance Freshmen and Sophomores
12:30 PM performance Juniors and Seniors
October 25
Parent/Teacher Conferences, Wilkins Studios
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Early dismissal at 12:25 PM
October 26
Parent/Teacher Conferences, Wilkins Studios
Early dismissal at 12:25 PM
See page 7 for details.
October 30
VISIT SPCPA: Prospective Student Experience
Please direct interested individuals to our website.
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FROM
THE ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
FIRE DRILLS AND LOCKDOWNS
Each school year, the State of Minnesota requires schools to perform five fire drills and five lockdowns.
These procedures are scheduled and students are directed by staff on what to do in every instance.
Staff expects students to follow directions so that these preparatory drills run smoothly, ensuring
student safety.
METRO TRANSIT
We are aware that a majority of our students take public transportation to and from school. We remind
students and parents that riding a city bus is a privilege, not a right. We have received complaints
from Metro Transit riders and drivers about our students’ behavior. Metro Transit provides a Code of
Conduct for patrons using the bus: http://metrotransit.org/code-ofconduct.aspx. Metro Transit has the right to ban a student from the bus for
not following the Codes of Conduct. Please see page 13 of this newsletter for
some specific guidelines.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENT DAY
We have begun holding our Prospective Student Day experiences for students interested in joining
SPCPA for the 2013-2014 school year. A Prospective Student Day provides student and parent(s) an
opportunity to learn about the academic and arts offerings, meet current SPCPA students and get a
tour of the SPCPA campus. More information can be found our school website: http://spcpa.org/
prospective-students/. Upcoming Prospective Students Days are October 9, October 30, November 6,
and November 27; pre-registration is required to attend one of these sessions. If you know someone
who is interested in attending SPCPA, please direct him or her to our website for more information.
STUDENT GRADES
Student grades can be viewed by going to our website at www.spcpa.org. The icon
link is located at the bottom of the homepage. For specific questions regarding a
class your student is in, please contact the appropriate teacher. Teacher emails are
available at http://spcpa.org/about/staff-directory/.
STUDENT SAFETY
We are always concerned with student safety in the downtown area. We remind students to
always cross the streets at crosswalks and only during the WALK signal. Here is a link from the
Minnesota Department of Transportation about pedestrian safety: www.sharetheroadmn.org.
Please take a look at this important information and discuss it with your student.
We look forward to continuing to work with you and your student during this semester. If you have
questions on the topics covered here, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call
651-290-2225 ext. 105.
Mark Grossklaus
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FROM
THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
In 2006 SPCPA founding members identified and articulated five core values that would guide arts
programming and curriculum in the years to come.
SPCPA ARTS TRAINING...
1. Educates and trains future practitioners of the arts
2. Stimulates and sustains interest in dance, music, and theatre as a source of truth and insight
into the human condition
3. Constructs a creative environment where artistic risks may be safely taken and where creators
take responsibility for their vision
4. Encourages students to use their physical, sensory and intellectual potential to explore ideas
and raise questions
5. Promotes individual discovery within the collaborative spirit of the performing arts
The secondary directive (above in yellow) from the school’s founders identifies the intention of the
school to engage students in the process of art. This core value makes a distinction between art and
amusement. Though the nature of entertainment may be to distract us from the human condition
(certainly a worthy goal that has its place), the directive at SPCPA is to identify the performing arts as
a source of truth and insight into the human condition. This is a question we live with daily in our arts
curriculum.
The primary purpose of arts programming is to provide students with the skills and techniques
necessary to become better musicians, actors, singers and dancers. The training provided by SPCPA
prepares students to become artists. Consequently, students wrestle with the questions “What is an
artist?” and “What is art?” And “How does the artist create the kind of work that helps us to better
understand who we are?”
In addition to acquiring practical technique, we learn together — teachers and students alike — how to
make art. We learn how the forms of dance, theatre and music cultivate change. How we all, as
Shakespeare said, are to hold “the mirror up to nature,” and reflect back to our audiences what it is
that we see, filtered though our unique perspectives. We discover how the art we engage with each day
reveals truths about ourselves and others, awakens our senses, and makes us feel more vibrant and
alive. We find that it transforms us daily. Our hope is that this approach to training will support and
sustain a life-long interest in the arts, just as much for the students who don’t continue to pursue the
performing arts after high school, as for those who will.
May the year ahead at the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists engage, inspire, and open up
curiosities toward the possibilities that the performing arts offers an understanding of the human
condition.
Brian Goranson
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FROM
THE DEANS OF STUDENTS
TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL
Attend and Actively Participate in Class
•
It is very important that high school students attend classes regularly. Many subjects, like
math-related courses, build on one another. Regular attendance ensures that a student does
not miss important notes or concepts that are necessary for his or her learning experience.
Active participation is important for students to get the most out of each class period. When
questions arise, ask the teacher.
Listen and Take Good Notes
•
Students need to be attentive in class and take good notes if they want to succeed in high
school. Teachers sometimes cover material that is not included in a student's textbook. The
student that listens in class and takes good notes has a greater chance of making higher
grades in their classes. Better grades lead to a higher ranking and greater scholastic success.
Study Daily
•
Students who study daily will usually have more success than those who study less often.
Study sessions should include a daily review of all notes. Students who review their notes daily
will enhance their understanding of the class material. Students should also read ahead in
their textbooks, so they can participate in class lectures.
Get Plenty of Sleep
•
Most teens require about eight and a half to over nine hours of sleep per night to function
properly. High school students need adequate sleep to learn or have energy to get through their
day.
Read more: Tips on Success in High School | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/list_7230928_tips-high-school-success.html#ixzz27acMJLaX
SPCPA TECHNOLOGY TOOLS
Moodle is an online classroom where teachers will post assignments, handouts and class information. Students have a username and password. They will be able to log in, see the class page, take quizzes
and participate in forums. Parents can have guest access and will be able to see the content but will
not be able to participate in quizzes or forums. The enrollment code for all courses is: spcpa. Each
teacher is responsible for their own Moodle site. If you have problems with a Moodle page, please
contact the course teacher. http://moodle-spcpa.org
School View allows parents to view their own child’s school records and current from anywhere and
at any time. Students and parents have their own accounts. New students received their School View
information in their English classes. Parents will receive the School View account information in the
mail. Please contact Susan Semmler ([email protected]) if you have trouble with your account.
COMPUTER ACCESS
The Landmark Computer lab is available for students from 7:30-8:00 AM each
day. In addition, each study hall has laptops for student use. The use of
personal computer devices is permitted. SPCPA wireless internet is open to
students for academic purposes. In order to gain access, students must first
register online and then obtain a wireless internet user agreement form from
Ms. Semmler. Inappropriate use will result in the loss of network privileges.
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FROM
THE DEANS OF STUDENTS
ADDITIONAL NOTE FROM THE DEANS ON THE DRESS CODE
•
Thank you to all of the students who have been observing the dress code. A copy of the dress
code can be found in the student handbook on pages 45-46. All students received a student
handbook at the beginning of the school year. An electronic copy of the handbook is available
on the school webpage under the tab “current students.”
STUDENT HEALTH ISSUES
It is important that each student’s assigned Dean is informed of any health issues or medical concerns
which might impact a student’s ability to learn or attend clases. Our Deans are Susan Semmler for
students with last names A-K and Carrie Jarvis for students with last names L-Z.
Susan Semmler (A-K) and Carrie Jarvis (L-Z)
POST-SECONDARY ADVISING
POST-SECONDARY ADVISING UPDATE
Each year SPCPA hosts around 25 college visits
from colleges and universities across the
country. These visits are a wonderful opportunity
for students to meet with an admissions rep and
ask questions. College visits are open to students
of all grade levels. Students must check in with
their teacher first to obtain permission and a
pass to attend. Parents are welcome to attend
these visits too; if you a parent plans to attend,
please email Ms. Jarvis at [email protected]. A
list of this year’s college visits can be found here:
http://spcpa.org/wp-content/uploads/
2010/08/2012-2013-college-visits1.pdf
All students are encouraged to make an
appointment with Ms. Jarvis to discuss postsecondary plans. This can be done by signing up
for a time slot on the schedule which hangs
outside of Ms. Jarvis’ office, LM 501A. It is best
to make an appointment during study hall or
senior pass. If you cannot find a time that works,
please email Ms. Jarvis.
Carrie Jarvis
Post-Secondary Advisor
College Admissions Testing
For information on SAT testing, please visit
the website www.CollegeBoard.com
For information on ACT testing, please visit
the website www.ACTStudent.org
SPCPA’s SAT/ACT code is 242 284.
Transcript Requests
If a student would like to request that his
or her transcript be sent to a prospective
school, please follow the link below for
information.
http://spcpa.org/wp-content/uploads/
2011/06/
Current_Students_Transcript_Request1.pdf
Letters of Recommendation
If a student would like to request a letter of
recommendation, please follow the link
below for information.
http://spcpa.org/wp-content/uploads/
2011/06/Request_for_a_Letter_of_Recommendation.pdf
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SCHOOL
TESTING
MCA-II GRAD TESTING
Both the MCA-II GRAD Math and Reading Retakes are scheduled for Thursday, October 4 in the
Landmark Computer Lab. The Math Retake is scheduled for 8:00 AM. The Reading Retake is
scheduled for 1:00 PM.
GRADES 9-11 TESTING
Below is the full schedule for testing on October 17 during Periods 1-3 (8:00 AM - 12:05 PM).
9th GRADE
Early dismissal will occur on Wednesday, October 17 at 12:05 PM. Students MUST attend periods 1-3
and report to the Lehr Theater when not scheduled for an arts class. 9th Grade students will attend a
lyceum facilitated by Ms. Semmler and Ms. Jarvis, faculty, and senior students in the Lehr Theater
during the periods they are not in arts classes.
10th GRADE
8:00 AM
PLAN (Periods 1-3)
• Students will report directly to the 5th floor of the Landmark Center.
• The assessment will begin promptly at 8:00 AM.
• Early dismissal will occur at 12:05 PM after the PLAN assessment is administered.
• Students must bring three (3) #2 pencils with them to the assessment.
The PLAN test assists 10th grade students in building a solid foundation for future academic and
career success and provides information needed to address school districts’ high-priority issues. It is a
comprehensive guidance resource that helps students measure their current academic development,
explore career and training options, and make plans for the remaining years of high school and the
post-graduation years.
11th GRADE
8:00 AM
PSAT (Optional; also used as a qualifier for National Merit Scholarships)
• Students will report directly to the 2nd floor of the Lowry.
• The test will begin promptly at 8:00 AM.
• Early dismissal will occur at 12:05 PM after the PSAT test is administered.
• Juniors who do not register for the PSAT must report to Lowry 201.
Students must register for the exam by submitting payment and the registration form by 4:00 PM on
Friday, October 12. The cost for the test is $15.00; cash or checks (made payable to SPCPA) are
accepted forms of payment. Students can register for the test with Hannah Kuether at the Landmark
front desk. For more information about the PSAT, please visit www.collegeboard.com/psat.
12th GRADE
On Wednesday, October 17, SPCPA 9th, 10th and 11th grade students are the only students required
to attend school, with 10th and 11th grade students taking specific standardized assessments. Please
note this means there will not be school for seniors October 17-19 and school offices are closed
October 18-19 for the Education Minnesota conference.
If you have questions about any of the above testing information, please contact your student’s
assigned Dean. Ms. Semmler (last names A-K) [email protected] and Ms. Jarvis (last names
L-Z) [email protected]
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on October 25 and on October 26. Students will be dismissed
at 12:25 PM on both days. Conferences will be held open-house style. Parents are encouraged to visit
as many of his/her student’s teachers as schedule permits. We request parents spend no more than 5
minutes with each teacher.
• Thursday, October 25: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Wilkins Studios
• Friday, October 26: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Wilkins Studios
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J-TERM
INFORMATION
J-Term placement auditions are coming up this month! Students will sign up for four projects on
Monday, October 8. Then, on October 15 and 16, during regular arts classes, all students will audition
to determine into which one of those four projects they will be placed. At the end of the day on Friday,
November 2, students will receive their J-Term placement notification.
This year there are 23 projects! All families will receive J-Term project descriptions along with
rehearsal schedules and locations on Friday, October 5. We encourage parents to discuss options
with students and to take locations and rehearsal schedules into account when choosing their four
project options. Each project is on an MTC bus line.
A reminder that from January 2 through January 18, there will be no academic classes. J-Term is
required as part of the school year and earns a full credit for successful participation.
2013 J-Term Projects include
Afro-Modern Dance, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Chicago, Classical Ballet,
Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary Indian Dance, Departure Point: Creating New Music with Zeitgeist,
The Devil and Daniel Webster, Intermezzo, Innocence Lost, Jazz Band (for Chicago), Jazz Dance,
Modern/Dance/Theatre, Modern Dance, New Play Festival, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Open the Pod
Bay Doors HAL, Pops Concert, Romeo and Juliet, Puppetry at Open Eye (Title TBA soon), Show Choir,
Tap Dance, The Uses of Enchantment
2013 J-Term Directors include
Roxane Wallace, Ellen Fenster, Matt Sciple, Shannon Roberg, Abdo Sayegh, Ananya Chatterjea,
Heather Barringer and Zeitgeist, Nathan Herfindahl, Steven Stucki, Jennie Ward, Suzy Messerole,
Linda Talcott Lee, Brian Evans, TU Dance, Melissa Hart, Joey Clark, Charles Fraser, Joe Waechter,
Jon Ferguson, Nick Gaudette, Katherine Gorr, Jana Meckler, Jason Ballweber, Andy Kraft and Open
Eye, Cathy Wind, and Cory Hinkle.
2013 J-Term Venues include
Barbara Barker Center for Dance (at the U of MN), Gremlin Theatre, Hamline University’s Anne Simley
Theater, Illusion Theater, Intermedia Arts, Jawaahir Dance, Lehr Theater, The Lowry Lab, Lundstrom
Center for the Performing Arts, Minnesota Centennial Showboat, Mixed Blood Theatre, Open Eye
Figure Theatre, Patrick’s Cabaret, Rarig Center’s Stoll Thrust Theatre (at the U of MN), The Ritz,
SPCPA, Southern Theater, Steppingstone Theatre, Ted Mann Concert Hall, TU Dance Center, Drake
Room at the Ordway, Zeitgeist’s Studio Z.
We are looking forward to our January performing arts festival. We hope you are able to get out
and see as many projects as possible!
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SPOTLIGHT
ON ACADEMICS
The English Department is excited to partner
with the Saint Paul Central Library, our
neighbors across Rice Park. In doing so, we claim
to have “the best high school library in the state.”
All ninth-grade English classes visited the Central
Library in September for a guided tour and an
introduction to the library’s online resources.
Students were also given the opportunity to
obtain Saint Paul library cards or to register
cards from another library.
Additionally, English 12 students are collaborating with the Central Library as they collect
resources for their semester-long independent
research projects. Students submitted research
proposals for approval over the past month, their
topics spanning all content areas: exoplanets,
obscure playwrights, dystopic literature, the 1996
Mount Everest disaster, marriage amendments,
and Iran’s recent political history, among others.
Both the SPCPA English Department and the
Saint Paul Central Library are excited to expand
this collaborative relationship. If a student is
interested in obtaining a library card, he/she
should report to the library circulation desk with
proof of address (with his/her name on it) as well
as an active library card from his/her home
library. If the student lives in Saint Paul, he/she
only needs to present proof of address.
Greetings to all of the new and returning
students and families from the Math Department!
It’s always a highlight for us to see so many
students at Back to School Night.
We have had an especially successful start to the
school year thanks to the MAP Testing we use to
properly place students in math classes.
Students will take the MAP test in December and
again in late April to measure the growth of each
student.
Please make sure your student has the proper
Texas Instrument calculator (TI-83 or TI-84) for
the course. This fall, the math department has
purchased the Texas Instrument Smart View
software to use in all math courses. This software
allows us to display the calculator on the
whiteboard so students can more easily follow
along with the keystrokes.
Lastly, stay up-to-date by checking Moodle. As a
department, we take a lot of time to ensure the
content is current and thorough. You can find
announcements, notes, homework, and other
important material in case your student is gone
from class or has simply misplaced math work.
As always, feel free to contact us with any
questions or concerns you have.
With the start of the new school year, the SPCPA
Science Department welcomes 3 new teachers: Ms.
Brueggemann (Anatomy and Physiology), Ms.
Driessen (Biology), and Ms. Odland (Honors
Biology, Anatomy and Physiology). Students have
hit the ground running! Biology students began the
year with a refresher of general science thinking
and a design lab investigating bean plant
growth. These students are now moving into
studies of genetics, DNA, and cellular structures
and functions. In Anatomy and Physiology, students have been learning about two major body
systems: digestion and respiration. Our physical science courses, Chemistry and Physics, have
students working hard to master basic concepts such as density, significant figures, classification of
matter, and motion in one direction. Overall, its been a great start to the year and we are looking
forward to the new discoveries that lay ahead. Until next time, enjoy the wonderful fall colors, apple
harvests, and lingering warm days.
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SPOTLIGHT
ON ACADEMICS
PSYCHOLOGY
Carrie Jarvis, Dean of Students, will be joining
psychology classes as a special guest
speaker on October 3 and 4. She will
be discussing addiction and chemical
dependency issues relevant to
students today.
WORLD HISTORY
Students are continuing to compare ancient
civilizations focusing on religious, social, and
cultural standards. Beginning in October,
students will focus on the rise of ancient Islam
and the impact it brings to the ancient world.
The foreign language department is excited to
start another year of language learning. FRENCH I students are currently working on skills
to help them with learning a new
language. These skills include
pronunciation, sentence
structure, verbs, and common
expressions in the classroom.
FRENCH II students are learning how to get
around a French speaking town. This includes
giving directions, asking for information, and
using the future tense.
HONORS WORLD HISTORY
Students finished studying early
civilizations through the lens of legal
codes. October marks the start of Unit
2 focusing on Islamic and Byzantine
empires and the Middle Ages.
SPANISH I students studied the alphabet and
learned everything in Spanish that is spelled like
it sounds (much easier than the English
language)! We’ve covered numbers and are
starting greetings and goodbyes. Ask your
student to practice with you!
U.S. GOVERNMENT
Students in US Government classes are gearing
up for Election Day with an ongoing ‘Countdown
to the Election’ in class discussion activity.
In SPANISH II, we enjoyed learning
the countries and capitals rap and
singing the Spanish question
song. Some classes have written
diamond poems about ourselves in
Spanish and created the flags of Spanish
speaking countries.
U.S. HISTORY
Students are studying the Revolution through
primary source documents based on Stanford
University’s “Reading Like a Historian”
curriculum.
The Reading Like a Historian curriculum engages students in
historical inquiry. Each lesson revolves around a central historical
question and features sets of primary documents modified for groups
of students with diverse reading skills and abilities.
This curriculum teaches students how to investigate historical
questions employing reading strategies such as sourcing,
contextualizing, corroborating, and close reading. Instead of
memorizing historical facts, students evaluate the trustworthiness of
multiple perspectives on issues from King Philip's War to the
Montgomery Bus Boycott, and make historical claims backed by
documentary evidence.
SPANISH III presented their daily routines using
reflexive verbs in Spanish. We also enjoyed
playing charades and “lo tengo,” our Spanish
version of Bingo, as we reviewed last year’s
vocabulary.
SPANISH IV students created presentations about
their childhood in Spanish as they reviewed the
preterit and imperfect past tenses. We enjoyed
seeing all of the adorable pictures and hearing
the stories about our awesome SPCPA Spanish IV
students.
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SPOTLIGHT
ON ARTS
Healthy dancing bodies are a priority at SPCPA.
On Monday, October 1, Dr. Moses Smith of Moe
Bodyworks spoke to 1st, 3rd and 5th period
dance classes about nutrition and body
maintenance. We welcomed her expertise and
knowledge.
On Tuesday, October 23, students in Modern
Levels 5, 6 and 7 will attend a 12:30-1:30 PM
Delfos Danza Contemporanea show at the
Ordway. This show is being offered to SPCPA
students for $4. Letters will be sent home soon
regarding payment.
The Dance Program has had many visitors thus
far. Sara Hook, Professor of Dance at the
University of Illinois-Urbana/Champagne, visited
last week and Kitty Daniels of Cornish School for
the Arts will visit Monday, October 29.
The Dance Program is raising funds to support
our travels to the Regional High School Dance
Festival (http://www.gsarts.org/
index.php/dancefestival) in
Norfolk ,Virginia, March 6-10. If you
would like to buy a Chinook Book
(http://msp.chinookbook.net/) to
support our travels, please email
Maggie at [email protected]. They only cost
$20, and mobile coupon apps cost $14!
Final preparations for Regional High School
Dance Festival submissions are underway.
Student work must be completed by December
15. If you are making a piece to submit, please let
Maggie know.
Greetings from the Instrumental Music
Department!
The Jazz Band will hold its
first concert of the year on
Thursday, November 15 at
6:00 PM. The concert will be
held in the Lehr Theater,
and will feature a variety of
classic and modern jazz
repertoire, performed by
large and small ensembles.
The SPCPA Chamber Orchestra is excited to
announce that we have outgrown the Lehr
Theater! This year’s fall orchestra concert will be
at the SPCO Music Room in the Historic Hamm
building on Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 PM.
The concert will feature all American composers,
including Copland, Gould, the Duke, and many
others. Students will receive further information
regarding the dress rehearsal and concert attire
closer to the date. Mark your calendars
accordingly!
Attendance at track concerts is mandatory.
Students must inform Mr. Gaudette or Mr. Vasich
by October 11 if you are unable to partake in
your track concert. Notifying teachers after
October 11th will result in a lowering of the
performance grade. Sickness, injury and family
emergencies, with proper notification and
documentation, are exempt from this policy.
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SPOTLIGHT
ON ARTS
Musical Theatre and Theatre students will be
attending a performance of Next to Normal at the
Mixed Blood Theater in late October. This will be
a great opportunity to see a local production of a
wonderful musical.
In class, singing technique is being explored by
some of the Freshmen, and the Junior and Senior
MT tracks are involved in adding a new musical
theater song to their repertoire.
J-Term auditions will be in October.
It was also good to see a few of our students at
the IVEY Award ceremony on Monday evening,
September 24. It was a wonderful evening to
celebrate theatre!
Greetings from Vocal Arts! Another year is off and
running, our students are busy at work learning
repertoire, and growing in their understanding of
singing and the art of musicianship. This year is
looking to be even more exciting and event filled
than last year.
Our first concert of the season is happing already
in early December with our Scene Studio
program. This year we are presenting scenes from
a wide array of repertoire, including: The Music
Man, La Traviata, The Secret Garden, Il Trovatore,
Candide, The Magic Flute, and Fiddler on the Roof.
Make sure to mark your calendars for this
concert which is happening on December 4
(Scene Studio I and II) and December 6 (Scene
Studio III) both at 6:00 PM in the Lehr Theater.
The choirs are busy preparing for the Winter
Choral Festival in late December. The repertoire
for this concert is both challenging and
rewarding, and requires a lot of practice. The
department has expanded to three tracks for this
year and we look forward to showcasing three
talented groups in the concert later this semester.
Additionally, the Chamber Choir is back again for
the 2012-2013 school year, and this time it
features students representing many different
tracks from within SPCPA.
October 9: All Freshmen Theatre/Musical Theatre
students will attend a special performance and
workshop created by Peggy O’Connel, featuring
Michelle Berg. This performance, which will be
held in the Lehr Theatre, is a comical, hands-on
look at appropriate etiquette for the aspiring
theatre artist.
October 15 and 16: J-Term Auditions! Students
will receive information regarding J-Term choices
and audition schedules soon.
October 23: All Theatre/Musical Theatre students
will attend a performance of the TONY award
winning musical, Next to Normal at Mixed Blood
Theatre in Minneapolis.
The department congratulates students from
Vocal Arts on being chosen for two upcoming
Honor Choir Festivals. Concert Choir: Ellenelle
Gilliam, Stephanie Moore, Mone’t McKnight, Kim
Omdalen, Victoria Benson, Saraiah Jorgensen,
Conner Thai, Jake Luppen, Michael Fritzkapps,
and Sam Lowell all have been selected to
participate in the Honor Choir Festival on
October 29 on the campus of the University of
Minnesota-Duluth. Varsity Choir members:
Ty’Rea Seals, Kelsey Swanson, Kaitlin Rodewald,
Emi Wheeless, Jack Hoeglund, Jared White, Erik
Nordstrom, and Samuel Malm all will be
participating in the ACDA sponsored Choral
Festival at St. John’s University in Collegeville,
MN, on October 27.
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FACULTY
ABOUT TOWN
MELISSA HART (Music Theatre)
Ms. Hart is currently understudying Tales from Hollywood at the Guthrie and
singing/ rehearsing a new musical revue a the Illusion Theater. The new show is
entitled Love and Marriage, directed by Michael Robins and music directed by
Roberta Carlson. The show opens opens October 11.
JANA MECKLER (Instrumental Music)
Instrumental faculty member Jana Meckler was featured on Minnesota Public Radio this
summer. Here is a link to the story. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/
2012/08/14/arts/jana-nyberg-jazz-standards/
Below is a list of gigs for the Jana Nyberg Group.
October 2: The group is excited to return to the Artist’s Quarter, downtown St. Paul from
9:00 PM - 12:30AM, cover charge $5
October 6: Canvas/Jazz Jam: Irrigate Event at the Lyric/Carleton Ampitheater from
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, free
This event is a part of Irrigate, bringing arts to the Corridor light rail route during
construction. We will be teaming up with painter, Erik Pearson and performing a
canvas/jazz jam, improvising off of one another. Open to the public.
STUDENTS ABOUT TOWN
Ninth grader D’Azhane Felder-Johnson will be participating in Revelations-Judgement Day Gospel
Play at the O’Shaughnessy Theater the weekend of November 23, 2012. Please visit
www.jamwiththelambproductions.org for more information.
Emily Scinto (2013), Haden Cadiz (2012) and Nicole Akingbasote (2013) are performing in the
Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Buccaneers! This musical runs from September 11 to
October 20, 2012. For more information, please visit www.childrenstheatre.org.
Current eleventh grader Alex Amble had original artwork featured at both the Washington County
Fair as well as the Minnesota State Fair, earning him a combined three blue ribbons, two red ribbons,
and one fourth place accolade. He also performed in Ashland Productions’ performance of Godspell in
August.
Junior Alexandra Nedved will be shooting two videos in September: the first is a corporate video for
UnitedHealth Group and the second is a commercial video for University of Minnesota Physicians,
scheduled to air in October. This past June, Alexandra also participated in the University of
Minnesota’s Stage Elements Summer Theatre Institute. This is an eleven-day theatre intensive led by
distinguished U of M faculty who are professional artists from organizations including the Guthrie
Theater, Children’s Theatre Company, Open Eye Figure Theatre and Penumbra Theatre.
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OUTSIDE
THE CLASSROOM
LANDMARK CENTER CODES OF CONDUCT
We remind all students that our lease at the Landmark Center prohibits students from using the
elevator (unless by administrative approval) and from crossing on any floor other than 1st and 5th.
Students who do not abide by these rules jeopardize our lease agreement and relationship with the
Landmark Center. Additionally, we have received complaints from tenants in the building of students
passing/running by their offices, being excessively loud, and using foul language. Please show respect
for those businesses we share space with in the Landmark Center. Students must represent SPCPA
positively at all times.
METRO TRANSIT CODES OF CONDUCT
Our friends at Metro Transit would like to remind SPCPA students of some of the basic codes of
conduct for riding city buses. Remember: riding the bus is a privilege, not a right.
• Please be courteous and have respect for others
• No eating and no drinking beverages with open tops
• No loud music, shouting, yelling, or otherwise using profanity
• Please do not block open seats with your backpack
• No putting on nail polish; no spraying hair spray or perfume/cologne
• Students must be positive representatives of the school at all times.
STUDENTS ABOUT TOWN
For SPCPA students participating in outside arts projects
If you would like to announce your involvement in a future SPCPA newsletter and on the school website, please
complete the information below and email to [email protected] at the Landmark office.
Name:
Grade:
Arts Project:
Venue:
Performance Date(s):
Website Link to Performance Information:
Other Information:
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SUPPORT
SPCPA
SPCPA WISH LIST - October
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Band-Aids, variety of sizes
Disinfecting Wipes (Clorox or other brand)
Disposable Ice Packs
Feminine Products (individually wrapped)
Facial Tissue
Paper Towels
#2 Pencils
Pens (ballpoint, black or blue)
Electric Pencil Sharpeners
Please bring donations to the Landmark 5th Floor front desk or drop off at any SPCPA event. Thank you to all who have already donated!
HELP SUPPORT SPCPA THROUGH IGIVE.COM
What is iGive?
iGive really is as simple as it sounds. iGive members can generate donations by shopping
at any of our 800+ stores, or by simply using our internet search engine. There are no
costs, obligations, or any hidden fees.
Getting started: Visit: http://www.igive.com/welcome/index.cfm to register.
What’s next: Use the iGive search engine to complete online shopping; stores donate up
to 6% of your purchase to SPCPA! SPCPA’s cause ID is 42949.
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SPCPA is authorized by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
75 West 5th Street, Suite 522
Saint Paul, MN 55102