Post by slt on Mar 19, 2010 8:14:30 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/lifestyles/2110551,2_5_AU19_TATARCOL_S1-100319.article
There was a high level of excitement among high school students and faculty this week as they prepared for and performed for the first time in their new auditorium.
On Wednesday the Metea Valley High School Music Department presented the Grand Opening Auditorium Concert at 6 and 8pm. Approximately 320 ninth and tenth grade musicians were featured in a seamless performance of musical ensembles. The concert included all Metea Valley curricular and co-curricular ensembles including Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Strings, Metea Valley Symphony Orchestra (MVSO), String Quartet, Cecillian Singers, Bass Chorus, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, United Voices, Symphonic Bands, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Percussion Ensembles.
The auditorium was completed recently and features the latest in digital audio and lighting technology, which presented a challenge for those who needed to learn how to use all the new equipment in time for the performance. There is a fully enclosed concert shell on stage and an orchestra pit. There are two alcoves above and to the sides of the stage for additional performance areas, and these were used during this concert. The auditorium area includes a scene shop, a black box theater, dressing rooms, storage rooms, and piano storage. The 880 seats are divided into three sections in both the front and rear and handicapped seating is available. 1100-1200 people attended the concerts Wednesday, including our superintendent and some members of the school board.
Earlier this week Don Devany, Fine Arts Department Chair, told me “the students and faculty are very excited about the opportunity to perform in this beautiful auditorium. This has been a truly collaborative effort between the students, 204 music faculty, Light and Sound Technician (Jay Fontenetta), Auditorium Manager (Georgia Salerno), MV Music Parents, Maintenance Staff, Administration, IPSD 204 Project Manager (Todd DePaul), and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.”
This was a big change in venue for the students, whose concerts this school year have been performed in the gym, in the school’s commons and at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.
It was a big undertaking for all to set up the very first music performance in the auditorium as well as make it a seamless concert experience. This required precision on sound, lighting, the curtain, and the quiet arrival and departure of many students, some with instruments, to various locations around the auditorium without disrupting the music currently being performed. The finale “America, the Beautiful” was presented by all of the music students – with band and orchestra students on the stage and chorus students throughout the auditorium.
Parent volunteers put in many hours of preparation related to ticket reservation and organizing the logistics of rehearsal and concert night. Dozens of parents spent hours Tuesday evening working at the dress rehearsal and then on Wednesday attended one concert and worked at the other. Volunteers worked at the ticket distribution counter, at the CD sales counter, worked as ushers before and during the concerts, supervised rooms of students, and kept the student rooms notified of the concert’s progress so they would know when their turn was coming up.
After watching the rehearsal it seemed impossible that it could all flow smoothly on concert night, but it pulled together beautifully on concert night with only a few minor glitches. These students and directors have years of experience in doing just that and the directors did a terrific job in preparing the students for this impressive performance. The students looked and sounded very professional and played with the same amazing, excellent quality we have come to expect in 204. It was hard to believe that this was only 9th and 10th graders.
I heard extremely positive comments from everyone I spoke with and would say the night was an overwhelming success.
SherryTatar@ameritech.net
statar.blogspot.com
There was a high level of excitement among high school students and faculty this week as they prepared for and performed for the first time in their new auditorium.
On Wednesday the Metea Valley High School Music Department presented the Grand Opening Auditorium Concert at 6 and 8pm. Approximately 320 ninth and tenth grade musicians were featured in a seamless performance of musical ensembles. The concert included all Metea Valley curricular and co-curricular ensembles including Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Strings, Metea Valley Symphony Orchestra (MVSO), String Quartet, Cecillian Singers, Bass Chorus, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, United Voices, Symphonic Bands, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Steel Bands, and Percussion Ensembles.
The auditorium was completed recently and features the latest in digital audio and lighting technology, which presented a challenge for those who needed to learn how to use all the new equipment in time for the performance. There is a fully enclosed concert shell on stage and an orchestra pit. There are two alcoves above and to the sides of the stage for additional performance areas, and these were used during this concert. The auditorium area includes a scene shop, a black box theater, dressing rooms, storage rooms, and piano storage. The 880 seats are divided into three sections in both the front and rear and handicapped seating is available. 1100-1200 people attended the concerts Wednesday, including our superintendent and some members of the school board.
Earlier this week Don Devany, Fine Arts Department Chair, told me “the students and faculty are very excited about the opportunity to perform in this beautiful auditorium. This has been a truly collaborative effort between the students, 204 music faculty, Light and Sound Technician (Jay Fontenetta), Auditorium Manager (Georgia Salerno), MV Music Parents, Maintenance Staff, Administration, IPSD 204 Project Manager (Todd DePaul), and the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation.”
This was a big change in venue for the students, whose concerts this school year have been performed in the gym, in the school’s commons and at North Central College’s Wentz Hall.
It was a big undertaking for all to set up the very first music performance in the auditorium as well as make it a seamless concert experience. This required precision on sound, lighting, the curtain, and the quiet arrival and departure of many students, some with instruments, to various locations around the auditorium without disrupting the music currently being performed. The finale “America, the Beautiful” was presented by all of the music students – with band and orchestra students on the stage and chorus students throughout the auditorium.
Parent volunteers put in many hours of preparation related to ticket reservation and organizing the logistics of rehearsal and concert night. Dozens of parents spent hours Tuesday evening working at the dress rehearsal and then on Wednesday attended one concert and worked at the other. Volunteers worked at the ticket distribution counter, at the CD sales counter, worked as ushers before and during the concerts, supervised rooms of students, and kept the student rooms notified of the concert’s progress so they would know when their turn was coming up.
After watching the rehearsal it seemed impossible that it could all flow smoothly on concert night, but it pulled together beautifully on concert night with only a few minor glitches. These students and directors have years of experience in doing just that and the directors did a terrific job in preparing the students for this impressive performance. The students looked and sounded very professional and played with the same amazing, excellent quality we have come to expect in 204. It was hard to believe that this was only 9th and 10th graders.
I heard extremely positive comments from everyone I spoke with and would say the night was an overwhelming success.
SherryTatar@ameritech.net
statar.blogspot.com