Latin’s spring musical will again be directed by the talented theater department teacher, Mr. Baldwin. The play is THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS. The play, which was first performed in 1983, written and composed by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson, is an African American musical version of Sophocles’ tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus. The play focuses on the tragedy’s stories of redemption and forgiveness. This week the middle School dance held dance auditions and speaking and singing auditions..
The creative and theatrical fifth graders celebrated the 7th Annual Winter Showcase last Friday with plays that students composed featuring original fairy tales. Students selected a character and followed them through to a full, five-minute story, working in small groups to craft a script, writing by committee. This year, stories explored ways to make the quarantine Zoom setting more engaging by adding sound effects, framing tricks, props “passed magically” through the camera lens and sometimes just shaking their entire device to simulate a meteor crash. Fifth and sixth grade theater teacher Mr. Baldwin was impressed by the students’ ingenuity in constructing original stories.
The year 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. Even with the challenges, we have found moments to celebrate. During this holiday season, Red Hearts would like to help families in need celebrate, by donating toys to them. By donating a brand new gift, you can help make the holidays just a little bit brighter for those who need it most! For the FOURTH straight year, we will be hosting a toy drive to support various organizations (The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, Associates for Renewal in Education, and New Beginnings Shelter). We will accept donations until December 21. Again, toys must be new. You can mail items to Latin, attention Hope Foster or drop your items off on Thursday, December 17 (1:30-3:30) or Monday, December 21 (11:30-1:30).
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Foster.
The upper school celebrated the onset winter with a celebration of light. The assembly started with a performance of “Superstition” by the Jazz Band. Upper school director Ms. Brady spoke on the symbolism of light and reflected on the Golden Hour, before sunset. Art teacher Ms. Coleman also reflected on light in her speech, sharing the light of inspiration in her artwork. She also encouraged students to “be the light” by doing acts of kindness, from helping the elderly to cleaning up trash. Student speakers seniors Ishmael Cabading and Joshua Perrin reflected on the role of light in science and faith. The Honors Choir performed the groovy musical favorite “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In,” all decked out in 1960s gear from last night’s concert. Government and Chinese teacher Mr. Liu and history and math teacher Mr. Stiff performed with senior Oliver Krisetya on a production they called “Winter Song.” Several students were honored for their kindness, humility, and community spirit by their teachers with merits. Ninth graders Willa Roemer and Alexander Kelly were honored by their teachers. Tenth graders Elisha Adams and Omare Omatete were also honored, along with juniors Christian Souverain and Camsey Noonan and seniors Jalen Richardson and Samara Porter. Freshman Janiyah Basil honored Mr. Liu with a faculty merit, and sophomore Madison Cerkey-McFaddin honored her advisor Ms. McBride. Ms. Smith expressed gratitude for the enormous light that Ms. Brady brought to the school, and thanked Ms. Hamd, Mr. Baum, Ms. Raskin, and Mr. Torrence for their work shedding light and reminded students that the light would return and we will be together again.
For the last ten years, the school’s various choirs have celebrate in an annual fall concert. This decade-long event features performances from the 8th Grade Choir, the upper school choir known as Latin Voices, the Honors Choir, and the Jazz Band. The endlessly talented Ms. VerCammen, who is also chair of the Arts department, has led the various bands and choirs for several years after teaching other subjects including math at Washington Latin. Thursday’s concert included a virtual performance of songs like “Aquarius,” “Moondance, “ and “Imagine,” along with songs in Latin. Students practiced their performances and then the individual videos were combined to produce a complex and beautiful harmony. The concert will remain available on the YouTube for two weeks.
