Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)

Distance Learning provided a challenging but exciting opportunity for our performing arts groups this last Spring. The Performing Arts Department worked hard on creating a handful of virtual performances to demonstrate their musical learning and entertain the community. Most of these videos are posted on the St. Francis VAPA News and Events webpage. The other performance videos will be posted as soon as they are available. A big thank you to alumnus, EJ Kelly (‘19), who used Adobe Premier to creatively combine the student videos and audio tracks to create wonderful master videos. Here is what the students produced:

• The Music Ministry led the community in the “Lean on Me Challenge” where students and staff came together to sing “Lean on Me”. This performance was featured at our recent virtual Baccalaureate Mass.
• Class of 2020 students Gannon Janisch and Izzy Mendez recorded “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus as a tribute to the senior class. This video was featured at the Baccalaureate Mass.
• The cast of “The Addams Family” was not able to perform the spring musical this year. They came together to provide the community with a song and dance they had been working on for months.  This performance was meant to be highlighted at St. Francis’ virtual graduation ceremony, but due to technical difficulties was not able to be seen. The performance was recently posted on social media for your viewing pleasure.
• The Choir and Band worked diligently on a couple of pieces of music they had been preparing for our annual Concert on the Green. Using two amazing online resources, SmartMusic and Soundtrap, they spent three weeks learning how to record a track in a recording studio environment while also honing and developing their musical skills. The choir created a virtual performance of the song “The Old Mill” by Kenneth Riggs that was featured at the virtual graduation ceremony. Additionally, the Band performed “Low Rider” by War which is still in the process of being rendered into a video. It will be posted as soon as it is ready. We can’t wait for you to see it!