FAB News/CHS Fine Arts Boosters
June 2021 • chsfab.org
A Note from the FAB President
This past school year will surely go down in the history books. It was full of ups and downs, twists and turns, new experiences and fond farewells, and entirely too many virtual activities and events!
The fine arts programs were especially challenged this year, as were the Fine Arts
Boosters. We cancelled Art in the Burg, our major fundraiser, for the second straight year, forcing us to virtually eliminate all the benefits we are typically able to extend to our CHS students and teachers.
We at FAB would also be remiss if we didn't recognize retiring CHS Choral Music Director Victoria Benson Hora for her service to CHS music students for virtually a generation. Her dedication to her students, commitment to artistic excellence and seemingly endless energy will be missed in the halls of CHS. She was also an occasional guest at our monthly FAB meetings, which we volunteers greatly appreciated.
We are hopeful that next fall will be more like the school years before COVID entered our lives, and we stand ready to continue to support our fine arts students and teachers as they keep the arts vibrant in our high school and in the broader community. Congratulations to our students and educators on making as much lemonade as they could out of the proverbial lemons tossed their way. We witnessed amazing creativity and inspirational performances despite the challenges around us. I look forward to next school year.
Until then, enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin summer!
Yours in the Arts,
Caryn Esten, President
CHS Fine Arts Boosters
BAND UPDATE: 2021 Spring Concert
On Thursday, May 20th, the CHS Symphonic Band had their Spring Concert and honored twenty of this year's graduating seniors. They played a variety of pieces that were being rehearsed throughout the Spring Semester.
The CHS Spring Program (see below) highlights students in the ensemble, what pieces were played, and student accomplishments. A wonderful outdoor concert was hosted on CHS Alumni Field. The entire concert was recorded and can be viewed here: CHS Spring Band Concert video.
A team effort! Thank you to the IT department for recording the concert, the athletic department for the usage of the field, and the maintenance/custodial staff for all of their help. Congratulations to all band students for persevering through a unique year and successfully having a marching season, winter concert, and in-person spring concert!
Sarah Going
FAB Board Vice President
ABOVE: The CHS Band's Spring Program.
BELOW: Photos from the CHS Band's Spring Program.
Photos courtesy of Eric Klumpp.
DRAMA UPDATE: A Pair of One-Act Plays
Due to established COVID-19 state protocols for high school drama and forensics events, CHS Drama students had limited opportunities this past spring to engage in live stage activities, however, a group of students were able to complete an online video production featuring two one-act plays.
Little Women
Based on the book by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is a story about the March sisters -- Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy -- and their coming of age story. It is loosely based on the author’s own life. This production featured 10 actors, 12 student crew members, and was directed by Cassidy Fish. Emma Carr was the scenic director and Abby Paul filmed and edited the production. The video was shot on stage in the CPAC (many thanks to Paul Thur for his amazing help with lighting and sound) in the weeks around spring break.
Macbeth
Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a tragedy about a Scottish General who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will be King of Scotland. His and Lady Macbeth’s blinding ambition drive them to commit murder and start a civil war. There were 12 students in the cast, 11 students on the crew and the production was directed by Shelby Fish. Sadie LaHaie was the scenic director, and Abby Paul filmed and edited the production. Macbeth was filmed after Little Women and they re-used much of the scenery (with modifications). Paul Thur was a great help with the filming.
Both productions aired in a limited capacity on YouTube the weekend of May 22, and featured student-produced animations in between the two plays.
Laura Fish
FAB Vocal Music Liaison
FAB VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Sarah Going
Years on the FAB Board: Two years as vice president
Role on the FAB Board: I sort of act as the group’s “bouncer” as in “bouncing ideas” around. While we are supporting so many of the CHS art departments, there is also a need to figure out how we coordinate our efforts and “bounce” ideas around in the different departments to benefit the greatest number of teachers and students. In my role, I also get involved when we leave the walls of CHS and go out in the community to arrange for events, fundraising, and community involvement. I also like to think of my role in FAB as “as needed” meaning that I go wherever and whenever “as needed” in order to support all our amazing fine art students and staff.
Why I serve on the FAB Board: In this role, I’ve been blessed to really get to know all our teachers in the fine arts departments and to feel a satisfaction that we are truly making a difference at CHS. Last year, I was honored to be able to physically hand out scholarships to graduates and I cannot describe the joy it gave me to see our hard work make a difference in the future of those students. Having participated in band all through college, I know first hand how a high school experience can be life changing and knowing that we are providing those opportunities to our students here at CHS is so fulfilling. When a teacher has a special need in the class room, it’s FAB that entertains how we can help -- and that feeling of knowing we are changing the path that teacher takes because they now have what they need is indescribable.
Average monthly time commitment: The amount of time I spend supporting FAB varies by month (increases during Art in the Burg & Wine and Harvest) but overall averages out to about 4 hours a month outside of our 1 hour monthly meetings.
Making Music During an Unusual Year
Despite unusual circumstances throughout the school year, CHS students found ways to express their musical creativity.
CHORAL UPDATE: CHS SINGS
When COVID made concerts impossible, CHS Choral Music Director Victoria Benson Hora turned to Paul Thur, CPAC Technical Director and Jeff Messerman at the Cedarburg Public Library. They have been producing monthly radio shows on CPL radio with recorded performances of the A Cappella Choir and Bella Voce. Follow the link below to hear the latest radio.
- April's show, "Spring Sing," aired on April 30 and is the program's final show of the school year.
Laura Fish
FAB Vocal Music Liaison
CPAC UPDATE: Performances Beginning in September
Welcome back to the Cedarburg PAC! While we were closed for on-stage performances last year, we are coming back bigger and better than ever with a LIVE Visiting Artists Series this season!
Watch for our new season brochure and additional details on our website coming soon! Don’t miss your chance to see these great performances at the CPAC starting this September:
Saturday, September 25, 2021
RICKY NELSON REMEMBERED starring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson
Friday, October 8, 2021
THE TEXAS TENORS
Friday, December 17, 2021
HERMAN’S HERMITS starring Peter Nonne
Friday, January 21, 2022
SWEARINGEN & KELLI
Friday, February 25, 2022
SHAUN JOHNSON AND THE BIG BAND EXPERIENCE
Saturday, March 19, 2022
SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN
Friday, May 6, 2022
RUMOURS: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE
Shelly Bell
CPAC Liaison
PROGRAM ADS SUPPORT CHS FINE ARTS
Our FABulous Mission: Who we are...join us!
The mission of the Fine Arts Boosters of CHS is to support and enhance the Fine Arts departments at Cedarburg High School by providing financial support, volunteer assistance and community awareness of the visual arts, vocal music, instrumental music and theatre curriculum and activities at CHS.
Thanks to our Annual and Lifetime members for their support! If you or a friend are interested in FAB membership, volunteering or need to update your contact information with our organization, please communicate with us through our website in the link below. Choose the “Volunteer” tab to send us a message at the bottom of the page.