Music, theatre, visual arts, dance. The doorway to the arts was flung open at Trinity College School during the annual Arts Week celebration, May 1st to 5th. In addition to providing opportunities for students involved in curricular and co-curricular arts programs to showcase the fruits of their labours, the week also allowed all students to tap into their creativity and build community through fun arts-related initiatives.
During Monday chapel service, students were introduced to some of the activities taking place throughout the week, including a week-long song-writing challenge, games at morning break and afternoon flex, and three nighttime events in the Dick & Jane LeVan Theatre.
Music was in the spotlight on Monday, with an open rehearsal during flex block that gave a “sneak peek” of what was to come in that evening’s Jazz Night concert (read more about Jazz Night here).
Tuesday was all about the visual arts, with our Advanced Placement Studio Art students presenting an exhibition of their work in Cirne Commons in the morning. Students and staff were able to view some exceptional creations across various media and also ask the artists about their work. In the afternoon, a portrait painting competition put smiles on the faces of participants, and their friends who cheered them along, as they tried to capture the likeness of classmates dressed up in costume.
Cirne Commons was abuzz with activity on Wednesday, as students and staff enjoyed improv and drama games during morning break. And that evening, the third annual TCS Film Festival hit the screens in the Dick & Jane LeVan Theatre for a night of glamour and three student-created short films. Congratulations to directors Henry Shepherd (The Dogfather Part II), Phillip Whan Tong (The Power of Music) and Malinka Kwemo (The Power of Women’s Rugby), who each took home at least one award, presented by a panel of parent and alumni judges. A special shout-out to Phillip, who reignited the festival three years ago and has organized it each year.
Thursday was deemed a dress down day in the Senior School, with students encouraged to dress as a favourite artist, musician, actor or work of art. Several students took part in an arts-themed costume contest that morning in chapel. During morning break, the TCS Dance Team surprised everyone with a “flash mob” style performance in Cirne Commons. Then, in the afternoon, a group of students worked hard to present three arts workshops. Thank you to Asia Smith and Kenna Beatty (makeup tutorial); Amelia Maggi (jewellery making); and Emily Hartleib and Bria Chalovich (stage combat). The final concert of the school year was presented that evening, with many ensembles and soloists collaborating on the Spring Concert (read more about the concert here).
Friday, May 5th was not only the conclusion of Arts Week, but also the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. Throughout the week, students and staff had been able to visit an art installation in Cirne Commons to honour this day, also known as Red Dress Day, and in Friday a chapel presentation gave further insight into this project (read more about the art installation here).
Finally, on Friday afternoon, students had one last chance to celebrate the arts as they took part in the always popular game of Just Dance in Cirne Commons. It was an enthusiastic way to cap off a week full of fun, creative endeavours.
Thanks go to the student-led Arts Council and to all of the students involved in leading initiatives throughout the week; to the arts faculty (Ms. Sally McKay-LePage, Ms. Nicola Lee, Mr. Jeff Biggar, Mr. John Lee, Mr. Bill Walker and Ms. Allyn Whitehead); and to the many staff members who lent their support throughout the week.
Click on the links below for multimedia from Arts Week:
