The word spring could not have been more aptly chosen for this time of year. As the school calendar winds down, the participants and parents become more and more wound up by the number of things to be completed before the end of the year.
The list, however, is getting shorter and soon summer will be here and, with a blessed sense of release, we can look forward to watching the river run, the clouds roll by and the sea swoosh in and out. A little travel, a few festivals - there's going to be lots to see and do this summer - and all within a reasonable distance.
Grad seems to denote the climax of the upward struggle towards the end. There is a feeling in Grade 12 air of launching themselves on a downward spiral slide, rushing through the last month before they pop out of the tunnel into the light of their own future.
During April and May the range of young talent on display in Squamish was extraordinary. Howe Sound Music Festival involved huge numbers of students from the corridor and the wrap up concert was extraordinary. The talent and confidence of the young players was wonderful to enjoy. They say that music is the first and last thing to reach the mind. You can improve your child's intelligence by playing Mozart to your stomach during pregnancy and you can see pleasure and a sense of peace given to those with Alzheimer's - when all else is forgotten one can still engage with music.
42nd Street was another example of the pleasure of participation. A wonderfully theatrical sense of excitement gripped the school during the performance weeks and actors are still garnering well-deserved compliments. Four of the leading ladies graced the commencement stage and gave a powerful rendition of "Goodbye to You" which tugged at many a heart string. The maturity of many of the performances as well as the range and quality of the voices was inspiring.
At the Foyer Gallery we have been able to enjoy the talent of the Visual Arts Department at the high school. The photography on display is extremely strong and makes some very interesting statements. The thought and preparation to bring about the successful execution of some of the pieces are extremely impressive. And don't miss Carmen Totino's large work in greys - it is outstanding. At the School Board Office is a piece that is also garnering a great deal of attention - a charcoal drawing of a pair of shoes that catches each eye that passes followed by "Wow! I like that."
What is really exciting, also, is that many of the students are going to choose to take their passion with them into their lives. Several are pursuing dreams of the theatre, movie industry, the music profession and art school. These are not idle (or Idol) dreams. There are so many ways to use a wonderful talent in the arts.
The arts bridge cultural boundaries; the arts make dangerous statements (why are so many artists, playwrights and free thinkers imprisoned in times of political control?); the arts challenge beliefs and demand discussion; the arts can make you laugh; the arts engage your senses and emotions; the arts make statements about our time. The arts can help free children bound by fear or anger, they can be used to regain mobility after an accident, they can speak for those unable to do so for themselves. There are futures in graphic design, set building, production, journalism, technical writing, props, special effects, location management, fashion design, photography - oh, so many from which to choose! The world is your canvas. And there are the courses out there to provide the education necessary. Cap College is developing some wonderful chances (go on their website and click on new courses); Emily Carr has a great programme for photography; Douglas College has an excellent reputation for theatre and VCC has all sorts of opportunities from jewellery-making to chef zchool. The universities offer more traditional courses in art history and theatre. The Centre for Digital Imaging and Sound produces most of the sought after talent for the booming computer graphics business. But don't limit yourself. You can think on a global scale too. What about RADA in London or the Julliard School for music? One grad is heading east to take culinary arts at the Cordon Bleu School - way to go - travel and education. Go for it!
Having enjoyed all this so much we have more chances to catch our local talent at work. The wrap up concert for the ballet school will take place over the next couple of weekends - tickets are at a premium so you better butter up a friend with a childerina who can get you in! More immediately, HSAA's Annual Star Search (those Americans - they must have copied Squamish!) takes place today (June 4) and is another chance to see the wide range of talent budding in our corridor. This is followed on Saturday by the well-publicized Men of Sea to Sky Ladies' Night, proving that the young people definitely come by their talents honestly as much of it is inspired by their elders.
