As the school year comes to a close, numerous celebrations from concerts to field days as well as academic and sports awards nights are taking place district wide. This past Wednesday, May 29 marked the culmination of a year's worth of work in the visual and performing arts at the 39th annual district arts and music gala!

From 6-7 pm parents, guardians, students, staff, and community members made their way through the art studios of SBHS, reveling in the talent of students in ceramics, painting, pointalism, and more. While all of the art teachers in the district put on the show, the high school art teachers, Kim Kimball and Lisa Divoll-Painter do much of the work, since it is held in their art rooms.

There was face painting (done by high school students) and art activity stations to keep people of all ages engaged. Following the open studio portion of the evening, from 7-9 pm guests had the opportunity to enjoy musical performances by district wide music students. Director of Choral Ensembles, Aimee Bushey, Director of Jazz Ensembles David Grippo, and Director of Instrumental Ensembles Christina Toner gave context to each selection and at times, emotional tributes.

"It isn't about me," Bushey said, "it's about them. I really do have the best job in the world."

For the audience, the varied selections were a real treat and an eye opener for those who perhaps didn't know the district has an African drumming ensemble.The chamber singers performed, "Signs of the Judgment," arranged by Mark Butler. This A cappella piece is often performed at the collegiate level due to its level of difficulty, but these students were up to the task!

The jazz ensemble's James Brown piece, "I Got the Feelin'" had people up and out of their seats or at a minimum, dancing while in their seats. The combined choruses also treated the audience to selections from popular recent films including "La La Land," "A Star is Born," and "Les Miserables."

If this wasn't enough, rounding out the evening was a very true to the original rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" performed by the combined bands. Wow.

Well done to all of the students, teachers, administrators, custodial and maintenance staff, parents and guardians! Can't wait for next year!