Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening with Performing Arts
Published April 23, 2023
Volume 171
Tim Hurt - Performing Arts Director
2022-23 PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS
Check back here weekly for concert dates, performances and other Performing Arts events.
April 25 Thespian Inductions
April 27 Performing Arts Awards Night
May 1 Orchestra Concert
May 2 Recorders Concert
May 2 Band Concert
May 3 MS Talent Show
May 3-5 Marching Lions Auditions
May 5-7 Elementary Drama Club Performances
May 9 Dance Club Recital
May 11 Chorus Concert
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOr - APRIL EDITION
The Role of Performance in Music Education
Well, it’s time to start thinking about all of our end-of-year performances. Whether a theatrical, instrumental or choral event, many of our students are about to take the stage as the school year comes to a close. Performance anxiety, stage fright, cold feet. Whatever you call it, it’s not just for performers! Whether it’s feeling nervous before a big presentation at work, needing a deep breath before making an important phone call, or feeling apprehensive before a job interview, we spend lots of our time preparing for life’s little “performances,” even if we never actually step foot on a stage.
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For musicians, on-stage performances are a regular part of life—music is meant to be shared and experienced, not just practiced in private! Yet for many music students, recitals and concerts are seen as a form of punishment instead of a reward for months of hard work and preparation. Why is this?
Whenever we talk to students about what makes them reluctant to perform, we hear a few of the same concerns: what if I mess up? What if everyone else performs better than me? What if I spent a long time composing a new song, and no one likes it? It doesn’t help that media sources often show performances as a venue only reserved for celebrities, where any mistakes can go viral instantly.
We believe performing should be a celebration and a way for musicians to share their love of music with each other and the world. It’s why we work hard to create an environment where recitals are safe and supportive places to have fun and learn from other students. It’s also why we work with our communities to look for alternate places to perform, from parades to local neighborhood events. The more opportunities a student has to perform, the more natural it will feel. And over time, those feelings of anxiety will be replaced with excitement and joy, making all the practicing and rehearsing well worth the effort.
So how can you support a reluctant performer? Here’s a few things to talk about the next time your music student expresses anxiety about an upcoming performance opportunity:
1. It’s totally normal to mess up. Even successful musicians miss a note or forget the lyrics to a song. There’s no such thing as a “perfect” musician. If you make a mistake, just keep playing or try again. Most of the time, people won’t even notice, and if they do, it’s okay. A mistake is just a chance to try again.
2. Real life isn’t reality TV. The only judge at your performance is yourself. Try your best, and learn from your performance. After a recital, sit down with your student and talk about the positives—what went well? What part was the most fun? Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities, and ask “what would you do differently next time?”
3. Ask your student how they want to celebrate their performance. Concerts and recitals are a wonderful opportunity to build new family traditions that can last a lifetime. Are you a family that goes out to ice cream after a concert? Or do you make sure to make their favorite meal before each recital? Whatever you do, teach your student that sharing their music with others is an act to be celebrated!
4. Lastly, make sure to talk about performances regularly, not just once a year during recital season. Ask students if the music they are learning is something they might like to perform, or brainstorm ways they can rehearse their pieces in a low-stress environment, like an at-home performance for extended family and friends.
While we believe performing is an integral part of any music training, we also know that learning to perform helps students in ways that extend far beyond the music world. Performances encourage goal setting, increase confidence, and teach communication skills that translate into effective public speaking, negotiation, and problem-solving. It’s always our goal to make more than musicians—we want to be part of the process that helps your student grow into someone who can tackle all of life’s little performances, both on and off the stage.
SOUTHERN STAR MUSIC FESTIVAL
This past weekend our Middle School Band and Orchestra performed at the Southern Star Music Festival at Six Flags. Friday night they performed in front of a panel of adjudicators, and received valuable feedback as they continue to grow. The professionalism of this environment was so beneficial as they presented their pieces on the live stage. Then on Saturday we enjoyed a fun day in the park followed by the Celebration Ceremony in the Six Flags Amphitheater. This is an annual weekend of fun that our Middle School Band and Orchestra can look forward to. Well done to all!
PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS NIGHT
SPRING CONCERTS
Visit tcslions.org/endofyear for details on all of our end of year events. Concerts, programs and performances aplenty - you won’t want to miss these!
SUMMER CAMPS - NOW ENROLLING
Performing Arts Camps are registering now. PAYMENT LINKS are now live too. We would love to have you join us. Check out the summer camps page for full details: https://tcslions.org/summer-camps
HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE
Thespian Troupe 8184 will host our annual Thespian Inductions for their newest members this coming Tuesday, April 25th at 6pm in the Student Center! Please come out and support these students, this will be a fun and momentous occasion for all!
These new inductees have participated in a series of challenges this past week to promote spirit, involvement, and excitement for the Troupe. These activities promote an understanding of the responsibility and honor it is to be a Thespian at TCS, and also how much fun this community is! And now it’s time to induct!
Tuesday, April 25th // 6pm in the Student Center
MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATRE
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the cast and crew of our MS theatrical production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”! We are SO PROUD of all of our young actors! Great things are to come in our MS Theatre department, we hope to see you soon on a TCS stage near you!!
ELEMENTARY THEATRE
The Lion Cub Performers are excited to invite you to journey with them into The Jungle Book Kids as we celebrate the ideas of community and what home looks like to all of us! Tickets on sale soon!
Friday, May 5th @ 6:00pm - Performance #1, Canopy Cast
Saturday, May 6th @ 2:00pm - Performance #2, Canopy Cast
Saturday, May 6th @ 6:00pm - Performance #3, River Cast
Sunday, May 7th @ 2:00pm - Performance #4, River Cast
Please reach out to Rebekah Kenerly at rebekah.kenerly@tcslions.org with any questions!
DANCE CLUB
Our Dance Club recital is rapidly approaching. This new offering for our students has become quickly popular, and we are working toward our very first Trinity Dance performance! The recital will take place at the Wadsworth Theatre in Downtown Newnan on May 9th at 6pm. Admission is free - please reach out to Kelsea Krisle at kelsea.krisle@tcslions.org with any questions.
GO WEEK - AUSTRIA
We are planning a GO Week trip to Vienna and Salzburg, Austria for GO Week 2024. This will be Performing Arts and Missions focused, which is why it is listed here in the Performing Arts section. We are beginning to promote the general details of this trip, as we know many of you will be quite interested. We will tour Vienna and the life of Mozart, Salzburg where Mozart was born and The Sound of Music was filmed, and also partner with local churches for some missons work.
At this time all we need is your name to go on our list of those interested. We do not have the specifics yet, including cost, but as an international trip it will be one of the more expensive GO Week trips. Full details will go out some time in August with the rest of the GO Week trips, we are simply creating an interest list at this time.
Please email tim.hurt@tcslions.org to let us know your interest and get on our list.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
Many of our parents ask us how they can help. If you are interested in volunteering in any area of the Arts, please fill out the following Google Form. We will make sure your information gets to the correct staff member and we get you plugged in. We have amazing families - thank you in advance for your help!
Google Link: https://forms.gle/gtxp8HwPgRBqgxeu6