Students Attain Performing Arts Honors
The weather may not be spring-like yet, but the performing arts are already in full bloom this semester, with School students earning recognition in music, singing, and theatre competitions.
Instrumental and Vocal Accolades
On the very first (and very cold!) Saturday of February, all corners of the renovated Performing Arts Center and Ridgway Lobby areas, including House Hall, rang out with music and song—for the 37th ABC Solo & Ensemble Festival. Originated by Principia and hosted here annually since 1981, this celebration of the instrumental and vocal arts brings together hundreds of student musicians from four independent schools that were part of the former ABC League—Lutheran North, Lutheran South, MICDS, and Principia.
Band Director Martha Stitzel, Assistant Band Director Mike Griswold (US’80), and Choir Directors Holly Barber (C’05) and Maggie McCallie (US’00, C’04) worked tirelessly over the first three and a half weeks of the semester to help 22 student ensembles and nine solo performers prepare for the event. This year, as always, Principia students impressed the judges and came away with honors:
Outstanding Soloist Awards
- Noah Frederickson, senior—vocals
- Luke Nutwell, junior—snare drum
- Susie Ritter, sophomore—trumpet
- Becky Ritter, sophomore—oboe
- Thomas Woodrow, sixth grade—vocals
Small Group/Ensemble Traveling Trophies
- Percussion—Seniors Jaxen Halsey, Henry Soney, Kevin Wingert; juniors Luke Nutwell and Nick Ismirnioglou; sophomores Becky Ritter and Ella Wysong; freshman Gavin McFall
- Flute Ensemble—Juniors Carmen Brave Thunder and Mackenzie McCarty; freshman Amanda Jennings
In addition to working with our students, the music faculty also juggled complex festival logistics. After having overseen this process for more than 20 years, Stitzel happily notes, “We’re really a well-oiled machine now—judges lined up a month early; six pianos tuned the week of; rooms set up for musicians and audience members the night before; plenty of signage; student door monitors from the Girls’ and Boys’ Dorms . . .”
In the end, all the extra effort is worth it for the opportunities the event provides our own and other students. “The other schools’ band directors always thank Principia for this festival, as it prepares the high school musicians for Districts in March,” comments Stitzel. “And this year, they loved, loved, loved our new spaces—so light and spacious and convenient!”
Shakespeare Competition
On the same day as the ABC Festival, senior Juliet Beck traveled to Fontbonne University to participate in the St. Louis Branch of the annual ESU Shakespeare National Competition—coming away with third place. (The ESU, English-Speaking Union of the United States, supports high school teachers across the country with their Shakespeare and language arts curricula.) Juliet was selected to represent Principia after placing in the top three during an internal Upper School competition last November.
At the St. Louis event, she was one of 12 area high school students to present prepared monologues and other pieces from the works of William Shakespeare. For her main piece, Juliet delivered sections of Viola’s monologue from Act 2, Scene 2 of Twelfth Night. She also presented Sonnet 34, “Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day?” In congratulating Juliet and Theatre Arts teacher Liesl Ehmke (C’89), Dean of Innovation and Academics Peter Dry noted the importance of educators “being prepared to take our work beyond Principia and give students authentic experiences” sharing their skills.
As a top-three finisher, Juliet has been invited to perform at a special St. Louis ESU luncheon in March and at an April celebration in Tower Grove Park to mark Shakespeare’s birthday.