Performing Arts

Concerts and Performances

Despite not being able to have an audience at the start of the year, we continued performing with virtual audiences. The IB music concert, BISA Talent Show and the ECC Gingerbread Man show were well received via our up-to-date streaming technology. In semester two, we welcomed back audiences and grade 4 and 5 showed off their instrument talents in the band and orchestra concert. We highlighted the talent of almost 200 students on International day and filled a four hour program with live music. Staff and students also performed at the school entrances to celebrate Halloween and Valentines day.

Musical Theater Productions

In March, ASB’s Spotlight Productions took to the stage with A Million Dreams - A Tribute to the Greatest Showman. Beginning in September, over forty students from 6-12th grade worked on this mega-production as both performers and backstage crew. This unique experience took students through the entire process of staging a musical from auditions and set design to performing with professional musicians and selling out three live performances for the ASB community. This year´s matinee performance was also shared with local elementary and middle schools.

In Semester two, it was the Elementary school’s turn and ASB was alive with “The Sound of Music”. A cast of thirteen dedicated students in grade 3-5 performed a rendition of this well loved Musical. Parents were really involved and helped costume design, sell tickets, organize sponsorship and create the brochure. High school students supported by creating set pieces, being stage crew and creating the stunning backdrops.

MS Performing Arts

We rolled out new Performing Arts courses in MS this year. Grade 6 had a continuation of the Band and Orchestra program, most of the students have now been playing an instrument in school for three years and the standard is getting higher each year. In grade 7, students had extra semester courses in Theater and Choir. Students presented their ensemble pieces in LYNX Performing Arts Assemblies at the end of each semester.

Instrument Lessons - ASB Music School

Instrument lessons have grown in popularity and we had almost 60 students involved. Six instrumental specialist teachers work with us and we have a growing range of instruments. Students had the opportunity to perform in assemblies and events, as well as the end of year video concert.

IAB Visit and ISTA

We welcomed the Institute of the Arts - Barcelona in June to present their interpretation of Peter Pan to our youngest students. This is the third time that IAB has performed on site and we are thankful to have this link which allows our students to see high quality theater in English.

We have also joined the International Schools Theater Association (ISTA) and have been approved as a member school. This will allow us to participate in theater festivals and access professional development.

Mais

This year, ASB participated in the 2022 MAIS honor choir festival hosted by the American School of Madrid.

Ten grade seven students joined ASM’s middle school choir and the combined choirs performed a wonderful, diverse and vocally complex concert.

Amis

We extended our relationship with the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS) during the year. Students auditioned for the MS honor band, MS honor orchestra and the HS honor choir and were accepted in all three groups. The choir students performed in Aberdeen, Scotland. Unfortunately the band trip was canceled due to covid restrictions, but the orchestra festival went ahead in Brussels. Alongside festival participation ASB staff volunteered to be on listening panels and be judges in solo music festivals.