Music and Art were showcased Thursday night at a Christmas Community Arts Gala put on by the White Pines Collegiate & Vocational School Arts Department.
The main event was the school’s annual concert with solo and group musical performances as well as a preview of songs and dances from the school’s upcoming musical Legally Blonde.
Student-made photographs, illustrations, and paintings were also on display and made available to purchase in the lobby.
Usually White Pines holds an ‘Evening of the Arts’ where only the students showcase their work but this year they wanted to also try bringing the community to the students.
Along with having their usual student performances, organizations like Algoma University’s Graphic Design Department, Thomas Walls School of Music, the YouLaunch Youth Entrepreneur Program, and others set up before the main concert and showcased their organizations to students and other community members.
“We wanted (community arts organizations) to have an opportunity to network with our teachers, students, staff, and school committee so we can make some connections and give our students an opportunity to see all the neat things that are happening in the Sault,” said the school’s art department head Hollie Filice.
Filice said she was extra excited this year to showcase the results of the new Specialist High Skills Major in Arts and Culture program at the school.
“We’re really pumped to promote our program... it’s a special Ministry (of Education) program offered at White Pines where students can take a bulk of credits in the arts and they get a specialized seal on their diploma when they graduate that recognizes their accomplishments,” said Filice.
“The neat part about this program is that they can get certifications like cosmetology, or grant writing certificates - things that they can use beyond high school and are related to their field. They’re really focusing right now on entrepreneurship and activity and fostering that in students so that’s built into the program as well.”
The musical groups that performed were the Grade 9 Music Class, the WP Singers, Electric Church, The Rolling Cones, Pine Beatles, and the White Pines Concert Band.
Solo and paired performers were Stephen North, Benn & Sarah Fisher, Benny MacDonald, Justice Stephney & Mackenzie Bell, Anthony Silveri, and Cheyenne McLean.
The main concert was held at the Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre located in the school.
(PHOTO: Rock group Electric Church played blues and rock at the White Pines Community Arts Gala concert on Thursday night. Jeff Klassen for SooToday)