Can a school mostly known for sports also stand out in the arts? Mount Carmel answered that with a night full of performances and creativity.
MC hosted its first annual Fine Arts Night, bringing a laid-back environment of students, teachers, and families to celebrate the range of programs offered in classrooms and as extracurriculars at the school. The event featured performances and presentations from the jazz band, drama program, Caravan Broadcast Network, Built on Dante podcast, The Caravan and The Merchant newspapers, foreign language programs, and visual arts classes.
The night allowed many students to showcase their talents. It also shows how the fine arts program is expanding at MC. It has allowed new opportunities for current or new students to explore something different.
“It was awesome,” senior Terrence Dougherty said while describing his role as emcee of the event. “I was really impressed and really happy to be a part of it.”
Music teacher Mr. K.C Perlberg had been a busy man in the past month while recently wrapping up the school spring production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar with an amazing urnout and another example of how good the fine arts at MC are.
“There is a ton that gets thrown into what Mount Carmel students are involved in,” Mr. Perlberg said.
The night was designed to feel different from a typical performance. Instead of one long show, the event moved from one act to another, keeping the audience engaged.
Students say the event really showed how much MC has to offer, as well as changed how people view the school. Even though it is great to be known for how good the school’s sports programs are, it is also great to show how strong the fine arts are as well.
“We’re known for sports, but we’re also good at something different,” Dougherty said.
Freshman Sam Gall performed Beethoven’s “Pathetique” sonata, second movement, on piano.
“I worked really hard practicing every day,” Gall said about preparing for the performance.
Gall said that he has never performed such a long piece before in front of a crowd like that. The piece was around five minutes long, and he admitted it was tough at first, but all the practice really paid off.
Another soloist at the event was senior Issac Casillas on guitar, who put on a really great jazz solo.
“Isaac Casillas was great,” said Dougherty. “He did a solo jazz song by himself, and he was awesome.”
For Gall, the experience brought both pressure and excitement.
“It was really nerve-wracking, but after, it feels really good,” Gall said.
The night is a perfect example of how students across MC have great talent. Teachers believe the fine arts program is a great way to express oneself. The program continues to grow, with more students joining each year and more opportunities being offered.
“This is the first real chance for some groups to perform like this,” Mr. Perlberg said.
The event showed how different programs worked together. The night was great, with everyone coming together and giving the audience a great experience.
“This is the first time we’ve done this, and I hope we do it again,” Mr. Perlberg said, as the Fine Arts Showcase looks to become a new tradition at Mount Carmel.
