In the context of Arts Week at Hawthorn School, and in a tremendous, uplifting, celebratory spirit of visual and musical beauty, our annual evening of art displays and choral and instrumental performances by all ages of students was held on May 22nd in our Atrium-Arts Salon.
Enveloped by a myriad of art projects that we created throughout this year, our families, faculty, schoolmates, and staff were encouraged to take their time to wander, watch, and absorb the beauty displayed all around them in our atrium.
Ms Zupan, our Director of Academics and hostess for this wonderful event, reminded us of the enriching power of art in our lives, offering, as it does, aesthetic pleasure and insights, personal reflection, and intellectual stimulation.
An evening exactly such as this helped us connect with our humanity and appreciate the importance of creativity and expression, especially in our children’s lives.
The performing arts portion of our evening was a glorious tribute to Hawthorn’s goal of training students to discern and love what is good, true, and beautiful, especially in music. As we often quote from St John Bosco, “A school without music is like a body without a soul.”
This evening offered us an occasion, much like those popularized by the likes of Frédéric Chopin in 19th-century Paris, to gather together to enjoy musical performances, good conversation, and fine refreshments, in an intimate, convivial, and stimulating setting. From a German folk song (Gr. 1-2), to the Shakers’ Simple Gifts (Gr. 4-5 Strings), to Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus (US Choir), and a splendid spectrum of pieces in between, our students and audience made something truly beautiful together in an evening to remember.
Special thanks go out to our incredible Arts faculty who guide and inspire our students throughout the year to make a night like this possible: Mme Petre and Mrs. Villarreal in our Lower School and Mrs. Pazooki in our Upper School (Visual Arts), and Mrs. Szalados (Strings and Instrumental Music) and Miss Kim (Choral Music).
Bravissime to all!
