 | Fine Arts |
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Instrumental Music at KCCS consists of 5th and 6th grade beginner band, 7th and 8th grade Middle School band, High School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and pep band. All members have the opportunity to participate in solo and emsemble contest at both the High School and Middle School levels. High School members 10 thrugh 12th grade may audition for the NEKMEA honors band as wll as the State Honors Festival Band. The Jazz Ensemble has won first place trophies at Northwest Missouri State Universtiy Jazz festival and the Winter Park Jazz Festival in Colorado.
The purpose of choir is to “glorify God and love Him forever” and singing is one medium in which we can accomplish this goal. Singing is referred to multiple times in scripture and is one heavenly gift that has been bestowed upon man on earth. Someday we will all praise and sing to Our Heavenly Father with the heavenly hosts. Here at Kansas City Christian, choir is required for the Middle School students and is a Fine Arts Elective for High School students. Students develop their vocal technique, sightreading skills, eartraining skills as well as explore the world of music through theory study and history. The students have been blessed by receiving numerous awards and superior ratings over the years through the DVL League Competition as well as Competitions sponsored by the Kansas State Activities Association. The students take periodic choir tours to share their gift of music and their love of Jesus to other communities. In 2006, the choir participated in the Winter Park Ski Music Festival in Colorado, where they were honored with a first place trophy for “Best in Class” and “Superior Ratings.”
The High School also features a small vocal ensemble – “The 79th Street Singers” which is comprised of approximately sixteen singers. This group focuses on performing Vocal Jazz as well as Madrigal singing. The 79th Street Singers also compete at area competitions and tour nursing homes to minister to the elderly.
Students are also encouraged and trained to audition yearly for State Choir, available Honor Choirs and Regional/State Solo and Ensemble in the spring.
The Book of Exodus reveals how God considered the Visual Arts of critical importance in creating the Ark, the Tent of Meeting, the table and its articles, the lampstands, the altar, the basin, the woven garments. Everything was to be created to reflect His glory and beauty. Students at KCCS strive to create artwork that glorifies the Lord whether through drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, collage, graphic design, or architecture. Every year, our high school students earn medals at district and regional competitions in the Visual Arts. Many go on to pursue careers in the Arts after college and continue to use their gifts for the Kingdom. Art classes begin in 2nd Grade and continue through high school. All are taught by Mrs. Jill Rodick.
Here at Kansas City Christian School, we have some wonderful opportunities for students interested in the performing arts. We offer an Introduction to Theater class which provides ‘basic training’ for aspiring drama students. The Play Production class produces a full length play each semester. They perform all of the tasks necessary for a successful production, including set design and construction, artwork, costuming, publicity, property management, lighting, and sound. ‘Open’ auditions (for high school) are held for the Fall play, while the Spring play is usually cast from the Play Production class. One of the best features of the Drama Department at KCCS is the close knit community of students and the friendships that develop while working on our productions. Some plays that have been performed in the past are: It’s a Wonderful Life, Little Women, Mousetrap, Meet Me in St. Louis, Anne of Green Gables, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Matchmaker, Bridge of Blood, and this spring’s production, Our Miss Brooks.
We also have a first class Spring Forensics team which competes in Kansas State Activities (KSHSAA) and has taken first place in the Delaware Valley League for the past three years. We compete in nine different Forensic events, including Duet Acting, Humorous and Serious Solo Acting, Prose, Poetry, Improvised Duet Acting, Informative Speaking, Original Oration, and Extemporaneous Speaking.
The Speech department also provides a Junior - Senior Communications and Lifeskills class which highlights the need to be prepared for life outside KCCS and helps ready students for college and job interviews, business presentations, social situations, and sharing our faith.
All in all, the Speech and Drama Department, headed by Mrs. Patti Chapman, strives to provide a non-threatening and productive environment for students to develop in their performance skills and honor the Lord with their talents.
The purpose of high school policy debate at KCCS is to help students in perfecting their skills of communication, public speaking, critical thinking, research and Christ-honoring argumentation. By being informed of pressing issues in our world and obtaining the skills to discuss them from a Biblical perspective, students are challenged and encouraged to expose and defend truth in all avenues of life.
The resolution this year Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is an interesting topic to say the least, for it is not only a prevalent issue today but it most definitely falls into the realm of ethics.
The squad plans on attending 7 tournaments this season with hopes of placing and/or taking sweepstakes. They were fortunate enough to take sweepstakes at the first two tournaments of last year’s season as well as placing third at the Lansing invitational. Last year there were 6 debaters who qualified for state. They hope to return this year, which would be a great way to end the season.
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