Sturgis Arts Program
The Arts are alive at Sturgis in many forms throughout the year. We are proud of our students who creatively and passionately express themselves in music, theatre and the visual arts beyond the classroom. Musically, students have a wide array of opportunities. They may choose from a variety of choir ensembles, the strings ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble or the Improvisation Lab Band.
Music: extra-curricular activities include a variety of opportunities. Sturgis Singers—A choir ensemble consisting of students from any grade who successfully pass an audition test. The group works on a variety of music, rehearses twice a week, and performs three or more times per year. Lunch Chorus—Open to any student who loves to sing but cannot fit choir into their schedule. The group meets two lunch periods per week and performs in both the winter and spring concerts. Faculty/Parent Choir—Open to anyone who loves to sing. There is no audition and music reading is not required! This year’s group performed in both the winter and spring concerts. Strings Ensemble—Open to any student who plays violin, viola, cello, or string bass. The group meets one morning per week and performs in both the winter and spring concerts. Jazz Ensemble - The Sturgis Jazz Ensemble is envisioned as a classic style big band. Traditional instrumentation includes as a minimum: 2 Alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophone, 1 baritone saxophone, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, 1 piano, 1 guitar, 1 bass, 1 drum set, 1 alternate percussion. To fill sections we also welcome flutes, clarinets, tuba, and baritone horn (euphonium). Everyone who plays any of these instruments is welcome. We meet one morning per week before school. Improvisation Lab Band - The Sturgis Improv Lab is designed to work with those players who wish to develop their skills in jazz improvisation. This is a smaller ensemble including the following instrumentation: 1 piano, 1 bass, 1 guitar, 1 drum set, and any combination of solo instruments, including, woodwinds, strings, and brass. We meet one morning per week before school.
S.T.A.G.E. (Sturgis Theatre Arts Guild of Entertainers) is the after school drama club, which presents two main stage plays per year. Combined with production rehearsal, students are given the chance to learn more about Improvisation and character development. They have many opportunities to hone their skills in acting. In the past, the group has created a production for Halloween; both helping to write the script and transform the entire school into an entertainment event. In the spring of 2009, a one act comedy called “A Simple Task,” by Alan Haenel was performed and given great acclaim. In the fall of 2009, the guild put on the heartfelt dramatic piece, "Dino," by Kristin Sergel. This was a HUGE success, selling out the Cotuit Center for the Arts, and showcasing some amazing student character work. The 2010 Spring Comedy is “Fools,” by Neil Simon, an hilarious play about one town’s foolishness. This is currently in rehearsal and will be performed at the Cotuit Center for the Arts on May 7th and 8th. Both shows are at 7:00 PM. For the next school year, the group plans on doing a dramatic show in the fall and hopefully the first musical in the spring. We look forward to all of the auditions!
ADVISORY PROGRAM: We believe it is important for every student to have one faculty member who is in touch with him/her personally on a regular basis and is well-informed of their overall academic and social status within the school. Our advisory program has a teacher–student ratio that allows all students to personally know an adult in the school who cares about them and who acts as a mentor, role model and advisor. A variety of activities and lessons are implemented during advisory which meets twice a week. Activities are aligned with the IB Learner Profile and the First Premier Student Agenda Books.