Fine Arts
Kansas City Christian is a community that supports the fine arts. Within the fine arts program, students are at liberty to be self-expressive through vocal or instrumental music, art, drama, debate, and forensics. Each avenue gives students the chance to invent, create, and perform while actively participating in and giving back to our community. Art students are free to be creative with their projects as many assignments are left open to personal interpretation. Fall And Spring plays are produced by our drama department for students who wish to act on stage or off as a member of the stage crew. Our debate and forensics teams compete in local tournaments with public and private schools. Beginning in 6th grade, those interested in band can join one or more of the three instrumental ensembles. The high school features a choir and two smaller vocal ensembles that give various performances throughout the year and showcase a range of styles. Please click on the links below for more details on our fine arts programs.
High school and middle school band teaches music through instrumental performance and provides opportunities for students to develop their musical expression through playing a woodwind, brass, string or percussion instrument. Study includes the care and cultivation of a beautiful tone, the ability to read music with fluency, the building of technical skills, the polishing of performance skills, team spirit and responsible rehearsal habits. Students have opportunities to experience the spontaneity of improvisation and the creative process of composing. Students hone listening skills and their ability to analyze and critique music and music performances. Attention is also given to relating their music experiences to the time and culture of the pieces they study, as well as the basic concept that music is a gift from God given to praise Him.
Band class develops both skill and understanding via experiences in performance and practice to develop a better understanding of instrumental music, music theory, music technique and music history. Students learn that music is a gift from God given to praise him and how it can be a tool to used to help spiritual growth.
At KCC, choir provides a wonderful avenue to worship and glorify God, while developing creative skills and teamwork. Singing is often referred to in Scripture, and someday we will all praise and sing to our Heavenly Father. Choir is required for all Middle School students and is a Fine Arts Elective for High School students. In choir, students develop their vocal technique, sightreading skills, eartraining skills and explore the world of music through music theory and history. Our students have earned numerous awards and superior ratings over the years at the DVL League Competition as well as competitions sponsored by the Kansas State Activities Association. The students also participate in periodic choir tours to share their gift of music and their love of Jesus with other communities. 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.” In 2008, the KCC High School Choir was invited to perform in China for the Pre-Olympic Events.
The High School also features a vocal ensemble – “The 79th Street Singers.” This ensemble 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 also are encouraged and prepared to audition for State Choir, available Honor Choirs and Regional/State Solo and Ensembles.
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 visually reflect His glory and beauty. Students at KCC 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.
KCC provides 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. The students 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. The Drama Department at KCC provides a close knit community of students evidenced by the many 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.
The Speech department also provides a Junior - Senior Communications and Lifeskills class which highlights the need to be prepared for life outside KCC and helps prepare students for college and job interviews, business presentations, social situations, and sharing our Faith.
The Speech and Drama Departments at KCC strive to provide a inviting and productive environment for students to develop in their performance skills while honoring the Lord with their talents.
KCC also provides a first class 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.
High school policy debate at KCC is designed to allow students to deelop important life skills, including communication, public speaking, critical thinking, research and Christ-honoring persuasion. By analyzing 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.
This year the debate team tackled the following resolution: "The United States federal government should substantially increase its public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa." This topic is a great example of a debate resolution that presents an interesting, prevalent, and timely issue that delves deeply into the realm of ethics, politics, and Scriptural principles. Training our students to analyze questions within these frameworks is one way KCC embraces the challenge of developing students' critical thinking skills.
The debate squad plans on attending 7 tournaments this season with hopes of placing and/or taking sweepstakes. The KCC debate team took sweepstakes at the first two tournaments of last year’s season, and placed third at the Lansing Invitational. Last year, we had 6 debaters who qualified for state.
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