This year, it was St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School’s turn to host the local Festival of the Arts.
The annual festival brings together choirs, dancers and musicians from every Catholic school in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
“This is just a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talents,” said St. Teresa Principal Susie Rego-Newman. “It’s a little bit of everything!”
Students from St. Teresa of Calcutta performed a shadow dance number, which traced the evolution of popular dance from the swing of the 1940s, to the hip-hop of today – and followed up with a performance of a Portuguese folk dance, taught by a parent volunteer.
St. Charles Catholic School sent its junior and intermediate choirs to perform separately and then unite in a stirring rendition of High High Hopes.
St. Marie of the Incarnation School’s Junior Choir and Liturgy Band performed, and St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic School sent a Ukulele Choir, under the direction of teacher and entertainer Russ Clayton.
And St. Angela Merici Catholic Elementary School sent its entire Grade 4 choir, 100 students strong, to perform three songs on the St. Teresa stage – including The Final Level from the school’s recent production of the musical, Press Start.
In all, more than 250 students participated in the Festival of the Arts, performing in front of parents and peers, sharing their talents, then enjoying water, fresh fruit, and an impromptu photo booth, before heading back to their home schools.
“It’s very casual,” said Rego-Newman, adding it is a great opportunity to see what other students are accomplishing, and enjoy a morning of music and entertainment.
Rego-Newman thanked the students for sharing “your gift and passion for the arts,” and then thanked “all the teachers and principals and school staff that made this possible, and last but certainly not least, all of our family and friends who were able to share in this beautiful experience. Thank you and a job well done!”
