April 15, 2010

Did You Know -- Why We do a Musical?

Some thoughts from the Director

(Photos of last year's "Tom Sawyer" courtesy of Sergey Butkevich.  Click on the photo to revisit the slide show.)

Dear Parents,

One of the most exciting spring traditions at Harbor Country Day School is the upper school musical. Going back to the days when Gilbert and Sullivan classics were the perennial favorites, upper school students of all ages and abilities have always loved the annual event. Whether it’s memorizing lines, painting scenery or filling the air with song, if it’s spring time, it’s show time at Harbor.

We all know that putting on a show is great fun.  Did you also know that Harbor's musical reflects and supports the educational values and goals of our school?  

The musical is an opportunity to shine for children who might not be the best math students or the most gifted athletes.  Although it is demanding and perhaps frightening, stepping onto a stage and singing to an audience is an incredible personal victory that instills a sense of confidence and affects the way students approach future challenges. Fortunately, given Harbor’s unique size and culture, this opportunity for personal growth is available for every student.

The musical also promotes a sense of unity that transcends grade, interest and ability levels. Students learn that "We're all in this together and we have to rely on each other to make this thing work." Whether their skills happens to be singing, acting, or painting scenery, both older and younger students pool their talents for the team and the pursuit of the common goal. And at all levels, the musical encourages and rewards leadership, even among the students who don't have the leads.  Leadership is playing your part, setting an example, and encouraging your cast mates.

Participating in theater productions also helps students to make connections between other subjects like history, literature and art.  I think back to Romeo and Harriet and the opportunity my colleagues took to use the play as a method of teaching Shakespeare to their students. Similarly, when we did We The People a few years ago, the seventh grade history class was able to link their performance to an in-depth study of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

On a personal note, I survived seventh to twelfth grade because of the school musical and chorus.  The only time I had confidence in myself was when I was on stage acting or singing.  I was not the top scholar of my class, or athletic by any stretch of the imagination. I was not part of the "cool" crowd or on drill team or cheer leading. However, the skinny girl with the coke bottle glasses could be anyone she wanted to be on stage and the same kids who made fun of me at the bus stop were the ones saying, "Wow, you've got a great voice" and "One day we'll see you on Broadway". 

Well, it's not Broadway, but I think our kids do one heck of a fabulous job!

See you at the performance,

LaNae Netter
Director, Upper School Musical
First Grade Teacher