C:\Documents and Settings\Rosemary\My Documents
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A publication of the Arts & Camp youth group--Summer 2014 THE SAINT THOMAS Volume I, no.1 TIMES Creativity happens at Arts Camp 2014 St. Thomas Art Camp Arts Camp Small Ensembles by Paul Georgoulis by Rachel Sarff During the week of June 23rd After that, we sang in a small The St. Thomas Arts Camp standard wind quintet reper- to 27th, students from grades 6- group with four parts. students participated in small toire in the new parish hall. The 12 came together at St. Thomas We sang Thank You Soldiers, music ensembles during their other ensemble played hymns church for an Arts Camp. We America the Beautiful, and Like time at camp. These ensembles in the nave. started off our days at 9:00 in the a Mighty Stream. Then we included a wind quintet in Playing in small ensembles Art Room. learned addition helps build interpersonal skills On Monday, each person the ba- to one and encourages students to made a zentangle which is a pic- sics of other evaluate themselves and their ture with lots of patterns. guitar mixed peers critically. These are very On Tuesday, we used a quote with en- important life skills that can be from the Bible to inspire our John semble. learned through something that projects which could be any- Greene. These is fun and rewarding. thing. Some kids painted, some To end en- Sometimes referred to as drew things, and some used our sembles “the music of friends,” cham- clay.* Also on Tuesday we tie- day,we met and ber music has long been an dyed shirts. played re- artistic outlet for many people. The rest of the week we did our own hearsed Although some ensembles, our own things for the whole instru- each such as the wind quintet, are time. ments to after- more common and traditional, The second class was jour- different noon. participants do not need to be nalism where we wrote news ar- hymns The in a particularly “normal” ticles and put them together in a with Dr. wind ensemble in order to reap the newspaper called St. Thomas Beth Elswick. quintet consisted of a flute, an benefits of chamber music. In Times. This is available for The camp was fun and I oboe, a clarinet, a horn in F, fact, the uniqueness of groups members of the church, friends, learned so many new things. The and a bassoon. The other such as the nave band contrib- and family members to see and music part was the most infor- ensemble consisted of a wider utes to how special small will be available the weekend of mative. I now know how to tell variety of instruments as they ensembles can be. July 6th. This class taught cre- the difference between different do not all belong to the same It is very clear that all of ative writing skills and the ba- chords on the piano. And I also family, with hand bells, piano, the students have enjoyed their sics of writing articles. know how to play different trumpet, two cellos, and a time in the ensembles. Most After lunch, Andrew chords on the guitar. clarinet. The wind quintet importantly, an interest in Ouellette used the piano to do rehearsed music from the music was fostered in each of ear training with us. them for years to come. *Throughout this publication are photos of the works of art created by those who attended the camp. Experiencing the Arts by Jessica Sarff Students in grades six through twelve gath- Overall, the camp was very fun and excit- ered at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on June ing as we got to experience creating different 23 for an advanced arts camp, where we cre- forms of art. The ear training part of the camp ated art, were introduced to guitar, sang in was the part where I learned the most. I was small ensembles, played a variety of instru- taught how to recognize different notes, which ments, and practiced creative writing skills. will be helpful when I sing or play instru- In art class, we were given an assortment ments. of media, such as paint, chalk, and clay to My favorite part was learning how to play make an art piece inspired by a Bible verse the guitar. It was fun, and I am considering with the guidance of Jenne Weil. taking lessons. The camp was a blast and I With Joy Crane and Tracie Glasscock, hope that I can return next year. we created a newspaper and practiced writ- ing and editing articles. John Greene taught us the basics of the guitar, such as tuning it and playing chords and melodies. In addition to guitar, we played An example of a “zentangle.” our own instruments as a group with Dr. Beth Elswick and sang songs like America the Beautiful and Thank You, Soldiers. Also, we practiced recognizing different chords on the piano, with the help of Andrew Ouellette. Exploring Arts Camp by Justin Kline Students from around the St. Thomas Students ranged in age from sixth grade community gathered this week for Art to just graduated. It was important that the Camp , hosted by Dr. Beth Elswick. Dr. students had freedom in their participation, Elswick had previously hosted an arts camp as the students came from a wide range of for fifth graders and under, and she had previous artistic talents and knowledge. long wanted to move up to middle school Each had a choice as to what art projects and high school students. This year is the they would complete, what articles they first year that the older kids got their would research and compose, and even a chance. wide range of guitars to choose from! At camp, students had the opportunity to The hard work and artistic dedication of participate in many fields of fine arts Arts Camp participants will be displayed including: arts and crafts, journalism, ear and music will be heard on July 6th at St. training, vocal coaching, guitar basics, Thomas. small instrumental ensembles, and even basic music theory. Students worked closely with St. Thomas staff and volunteers from around the community and the University of Missouri, Kansas City music staff to further their artistic studies. — 2 — What’s New: Currently in Bloom at the St. Thomas Garden by Paul Georgoulis The garden near the entrance of St. paths, which are illuminated at night by Thomas is always a peaceful and beautiful low-lying lamps. A larger plant near the place to relax. Like most gardens, its look church entrance has very large, floppy changes from season to season. Flowers are leaves. Three trees provide ample shade, often seen as the centerpieces of many and a retaining wall and the two benches gardens and are held in high regard because are ideal spots to sit and enjoy the garden. of the colors and fragrances they contribute Also, wildlife, especially birds, can be seen to the outdoor space. Currently, a nice at this time of year in the garden. For range of flowers is in bloom. These include instance, a blue jay was spotted hopping lilies, which are just now beginning to come around in one of the trees last Wednesday out for the season; a purple patch of and a cardinal the following Thursday. pansies; lamb’s ear, with the soft leaves that The garden is surely a wonderful place give it its name in addition to its blooms; to visit this season and I highly encourage purple and white hostas; the minty-smell- all of the readers to stop by next time they ing, lavender- colored cat mint; and two are at church. different cultivars of roses, which bloom in deep red and light pink. Different shrubs provide a green canvas for the flowers to be displayed. These include both coniferous and deciduous plants. Shrubs and monkey grass line the The students who attended our 2014 Arts Camp were inspired by Biblical verses to create pieces of art using a variety of media. All photos taken by Rosemary Abbott. — 3 — In other news Integration of technology in schools St. Thomas Youth allows students to take courses online Group Take Trip to by Stratton Georgoulis Puerto Rico Improvements in technology have long home and either come to school an hour by Riley Demo enriched students’ experiences in the late or leave an hour early. This allows for classroom, but now some high school extra flexibility in these students’ sched- Eight of the St. Thomas youth are th students in the Blue Valley school district ules. taking a trip to Puerto Rico from July 20 th are taking advantage of new opportunities Online courses have given some to 27 . We are teaming up with a group to complete entire classes online. students an extra option in scheduling called Team Effort. This organization will These new courses are designed courses that work best for them. Though provide meals and housing for the week of specifically for Blackboard, a website that the extra flexibility invites some to our stay. Throughout the week, the youth hosts the classes and provides a platform procrastinate, online courses have been will be doing a variety of service projects. for students to interact digitally with their successful enough that the number of Some projects may include building teacher and classmates. courses continues to expand. fences, fixing roofs, gardening, and Students submit assignments online to As schools continue to implement building furniture. We travelers will not be graded by their teacher, who then posts technology in an increasingly technological know exactly what we will be working on th grades to Blackboard for student viewing.