The New Frontiers School Board presented its annual celebration of arts education on April 2 at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School in Ormstown.
This year’s ArtsFest took place under the theme of “We are the Dreamers, Movers, and Shakers.” It featured uplifting and entertaining musical performances by school choirs representing the board’s two high schools and ten elementary schools.
The evening was hosted by CVR students Keith Quinn and Nathaniel Coallier.
Howard S. Billings students performed a selection of songs from their upcoming school production of Peter and the Starcatcher to open the show. This was followed by Heritage Elementary School who sang in both French and English, as well as other schools that integrated props, drums, sign language, and dancing into their performances. The first part of the show ended with an amazing performance by CVR’s After Hours choir.
After a short intermission, the show concluded with around 250 students singing together as a mass choir. “It was fun to be with different people who enjoy singing,” said a Grade 6 student from Heritage Elementary. “It inspired us to keep singing, and it was fun to have a celebration about the arts where all the schools come together because it only happens once a year,” she added.
“The NFSB ArtsFest is truly a collective endeavour,” said CVR music specialist and NFSB arts consultant Lynn Harper, who was also the convenor for this year’s festival. “These young stars shine because of the many hands and hearts that support them behind the scenes,” she said in the program notes.
*This article was written by a student at Heritage Elementary School as part of a partnership between the New Frontiers School Board and The Gleaner, with support from the federal government.