Arts

Mmesoma Nwokolo and Caroline Wilkerson were selected to the Tennessee Volunteer Girls State Chorus this past spring. Both young ladies selected to the choir traveled to Nashville and worked with a recording engineer to produce the virtual vocal tracks for the choir event. Then they came together for a day and shot the video. We are so proud to have two of the six girls selected to be from USJ.

Reid Venable was selected for the 2021 Amro Music Mid-South Honor Band. Approximately 100 students from across Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi are selected for this honor every year. This is an incredible honor for a well-deserving young musician.

Fourth grade students recorded their performance of the musical Summer Camp in May. In this musical, students introduced viewers to Camp Runamok. They covered everyone’s favorite camp experiences, including the morning routine, bug encounters, and even camp skits.

The fifth grade class took parents on a crosscountry tour of America’s greatest music in the spring musical performance of Destination Rock ‘n’ Roll. Viewers learned all about the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll as students explored the cities, streets, and neighborhoods where music was born.

On April 29, Jr. K students performed in their very first musical, Pajama Party! In this fun performance, the audience followed our stars through their nightly bedtime routine. They picked up toys, brushed their teeth, and put on pajamas. But wait! What’s that noise under the bed?

In the spring, USJ’s second grade class performed a musical celebration of America’s westward expansion, COVID style.

Even though they weren’t able to have an audience this year, our little cowpokes, miners, farmers, trappers, gamblers, and adventurers of all kinds made their way west to chase the promise of the American dream.

Thank you to Elizabeth Atkins, Leslie Scott, and Scott Tinker for making it possible to bring this wonderful performance to our families via recording.

The enchanting modern classic from Disney was performed by the Middle School in the spring. Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brought Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life onstage. The show featured all of the memorable songs from the animated film.

A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expanded upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discovered their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. was a spectacular performance.

In March, the Upper School performed Almost, Maine. The play was a vignette of nine short plays that explored the love and loss in a remote small town called Almost, Maine. It was a series of loosely connected tales about love, heartbreak and new beginnings. On one cold and magical winter night, the citizens of Almost experienced the life-altering power of the human heart.

Our Kindergarten performers did an outstanding job performing Circus Circus last spring.

The University School of Jackson’s extensive fine arts program begins in the Lower School with visual arts and music enrichment classes. Starting in Jr. Kindergarten, classes stage annual musical productions like Circus Circus.

Congratulations to these students that represented USJ in the “For the Love of Jackson” contest. They created artwork that communicated Jackson’s heritage.

6th graders: Matilda Campbell and Mariyam Batool.

7th graders: Anna Badgett, Alex DeCosta, and Lauren Hutchison

8th grader: Mary Caryl Gwatney

The USJ Middle and Upper School bands held their spring concert in May. Students performed a variety of music from marches to Jazz to showcase their talents. Thank you to MS/US Band and Orchestra Instructor and Performing Arts Chair Tom Grant for working so diligently in your efforts to strengthen our children’s appreciation of music.

Upper School students performed Cinderella in February.

This was a fresh new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess. This hilarious and romantic Cinderella combined the story’s classic elements – glass slippers, pumpkin, and a beautiful ball along with some surprise twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, this Cinderella was a surprisingly contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting. She was a spirited young woman with savvy and soul who was eager to develop a world view. She didn’t let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. She not only fought for her own dreams, but forced the prince to open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams too.

USJ’s annual POPS Concert was unbelievable. An incredibly talented group of students performed to Fire and Rain in April. Thank you Dian Eddleman for your work with our students.

Students who take part in our choral department are given numerous opportunities to excel in the world of chorus. They have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, been selected to The National Association for Music Education All-National Honor Ensembles, taken place in The Quad State Honor Choir festival and much more. A number of choral students are also regularly selected to the All Northwest Honor Choir each year. The chorus program is highly competitive as the teachers work to expound upon each student’s musical talents, so they are best prepared for performance of all types – from the local stage to the national arena.