The Best isYet to Come!

By Allison Webb, Fine Arts Chair

A week ago, I was enjoying some quiet time at home. As a mom of two littles, quiet time is a fleeting concept in my life. I picked up my freshly delivered copy of Magnolia magazine and began to peruse its pages. I came across a collection of articles on Fortitude. As I read story after story, I began to think about all that has happened over the past two and a half years. Reflecting on how much flexing, bending, starting and stopping happened during that time.

Our jobs were certainly not spared by the “one step forward, two steps back” moment we were working through. And yet, the Fine Arts Department got creative so our artists, musicians, performers and singers did not miss out. When live performances were canceled, collaborative music videos were made. When indoor theatrical performances were not allowed, we performed En Pein Air. When we could not hang a student art show, we created an innovative digital art show. We decided our students were worth the fortitude it took to keep their work alive and in front of an audience. That grit created a stronger foundation for our four disciplines that form the St. George’s Fine Arts Collective. This year will, no doubt, be our best year yet.

Our programs are exploding in size, prowess and reputation. Our American Music Ensemble groups were nationally recognized by the world-renowned Downbeat Magazine as the nation’s “Best High School Blues/Pop/ Rock Group” of 2022. Our choral groups received top marks at state-level competitions and 14 Upper and Middle School students were accepted into the Southwest Tennessee Honors Choir. 100% of the SG Singers who auditioned were awarded a top seat. Both of these groups combined to pack the Germantown Campus PAC with their highly anticipated annual spring concert Cities.

Our theater department received awards in the Orpheum’s High School People’s Choice awards as well as the High School Musical Theatre awards for their performance of Frozen. Our theater department is expected to pack the house yet again with its fall season performance of CLUE (October 28-30) and the winter season performance of Beauty and the Beast (February 23-25).

Our visual artists were awarded regionally in several competitions, including the Delta Fair, West TN Regional Student Art Exhibition, Scholastic West TN Regional Art Competition and Southern Teachers Association Student Art Competition. In these, students were awarded several honors, including Best of the Best (WTRAC), four Gold Key Awards, including a portfolio (Scholastic), four Silver Key awards, including a portfolio (Scholastic), several first place, second place, and honorable mentions (Scholastic, WTRAC, Delta Fair), as well as a publication in the national calendar for STA and a gallery showing at Belmont College.

This year we plan to build upon our momentum, continuing to help every child discover the power of their own creativity. Our programs are growing and our sights are set on all of the potential that a new school year brings.

We have big plans to travel. Members of the Fine Arts Collective are spearheading two of the three “destination” trips that SGIS is offering this year. Karen Dean is putting together a trip to New York over fall break to tour Broadway and experience all that NYC has to offer. Nathan Dumser is planning a trip this summer to Austria/ Germany/Switzerland to perform and explore.

We have big plans to perform. The MS/US Choir and Band programs (jazz/classical band and the AME bands) are set to perform at the Germantown Campus PAC in September, February and March. They will also hold their annual spring concert in April. Our 2022-23 Theater bill is CLUE (Oct. 28-30) and Beauty and the Beast (Feb. 23-25), also at the Germantown Campus PAC.

We have big plans to get our work out there. The visual art students are diligently preparing for various local, regional and national competitions. They are working to create a Stars for Arts collection that will be available for auction during the St. George’s Annual Art Show. These artists are also working to create portfolios for Governors School, summer residencies and college portfolio panels. At this time, 34 Upper School students are considering some form of visual art as a major in college.

We have big plans to SHOW OUT! Back by popular demand, our second annual Student Art Show and Plaza Palooza will be held during St. George’s Day week, April 23-27. We are so excited to host our community for the 6th grade-12th grade Art Show throughout that week and on Friday for the Plaza Palooza event.

The Fine Arts Collective is so proud of the fortitude and grit our students displayed over the past couple of years. However, we are ready to set our sights toward the potential that the 2022-23 school year brings and we want to bring you along with us.

Wish to support the Fine Arts Collective? Contact Maggie Murff at mmurff@sgis.org. Opportunities include:

• Volunteer with the PA

• Become a Fine Arts sponsor

• Advocate with your presence at events

• Share your experience with others