Students showcased their incredible talents in the district's 10th annual Summer Academy of the Arts, a culmination of 15 days of arts-related instruction during July.
With instruction provided by faculty members throughout the district and assistance from 60 intern volunteers in grades 9-12 at Freeport High School, 280 students in grades 4-8 had the opportunity to supplement their learning of a wide array of fields, including orchestra, visual arts, band, chorus, mariachi, media arts and dance.
"Freeport is designated a Best Community in Music Education, and this program is but one of the many reasons why," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham. "Our staff and students are dedicated and committed to honing their musical talents and crafts. Our schools believe in developing the whole child, and our superior music and arts program is vital to our philosophy."
In honor of a decade of summer arts instruction in the district, the theme of this year's program was "Best of the Decades," highlighting famous hits from the 1920s to present day. The culminating program, hosted by Summer Arts Academy Program Coordinator Geraldine LaPenne and Director of Arts and Community Relations Ruth Breidenbach, was attended by families, district staff members, administrators, elected officials and board of education trustee Ernest J. Kight Jr. New York State Sen. John Brooks presented the district with a Proclamation for its Summer Arts Academy program and continued dedication to its students.
The show was presented in two acts. Act I featured chorus students singing "Dancing in the Street" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The orchestra students performed "We Didn't Start the Fire," "And So It Goes" and "Piano Man," while beginner band students performed "Tuxedo Junction," the advanced band performed "Africa" and "Best of Journey." The mariachi students performed "Cariño" and "Tu y Las Nubes." Act II featured Feel the Beat class students performing "September," "Turn the Beat Around," and "Feel the Beat," while the theater students performed multimedia skits from movies spanning the 60s-90s along with a demonstration of many dances from different decades as the program's finale.
The program was a platform for students to showcase what they learned during the 15-day instructional period and a riveting testament to the district's commitment to inspire students to enjoy and appreciate the arts.
