The Fine Arts Showcase has returned after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19. Warren Hills Regional School District’s fine arts students presented to sixth-grade students from Franklin Township, Mansfield Township, Washington Boro and Washington Township elementary schools on Jan. 11. 

Before the elementary students arrived, the presenting groups had to practice their performances. A lot of preparation was put into making sure everything would run smoothly.

“We’ve been doing this for ten years now and it’s still a very hectic process because of all the different groups that are involved, but that’s what makes it so great,” said Choir teacher Lauren Voight.

All elementary students arrived by 10 a.m. Band teacher Jason Graf welcomed everyone and held a “roll call,” each group of students cheering excitedly when the name of their elementary school was called.

The first group to perform was the high school’s Honors Wind Ensemble, directed by Graf, who began their show with the song, “Starcatcher.” In between songs, Graf spoke to the sixth graders about additional instrumental opportunities, such as Jazz Band, Concert Band and Pit Band. 

The next group to perform was the high school’s Honors Advanced Choir—directed by Voight—who opened with “Gloria,” featuring  Ian Higgins, Leonard de Pol, Alayna Lino, and Echo Picone as soloists. 

The Rock and Pop group, also directed by Voight, followed with a jazzed-up version of “White Christmas.” 

Advanced Choir presidents Abigail Lamour and Gabrielle Hansen spoke about all the opportunities for singing in high school.

“Choir is a family you choose and I hope you choose to be a part of something so amazing,” said Lamour.

The middle school band also made their pitch to the sixth graders, performing “Majestica,” “High Hopes” and “Dark Ride,” all conducted by Graf. 

High school theater arts students spoke about opportunities, including the general, Advanced, and Technical Theatre Arts classes, along with the benefits of  being involved with the Drama Club. “No matter what role you take on in Drama Club, they are all important. Whether you are cast or crew, the show can’t go on without you,” said Drama Club Secretary Alayna Lino.  “There will always be a spot for someone on cast or crew, you just have to find out which one fits you. All of the cast and crew are like one big family”

The Drama Club also performed an excerpt from their fall play, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Not to be outdone, the middle school performing arts students sang “One Candle,” and two excerpts from their musical, Willie Wonka Jr.:  “Chew It” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket.”

Eighth grade Drama Club member Milo Dominguez encouraged the sixth graders to get involved.

“You can feel like you fit in somewhere, even when other people don’t like you,” he said. “It’s really fun and it’s a stress reliever. You really connect with people.”

The grand finale to the auditorium presentation was  the marching band’s performance of their fall show, “Royals,” conducted by drum majors senior Kapri Delghiaccio and junior Rio Riano.

Following a brief lunch in the cafeteria, the sixth graders divided into groups for varying presentations, which included an Arts tour, where they visited the Graphic Arts, Yearbook, Ceramics and Visual Arts classrooms to observe some of the works completed in those departments and the processes for doing so.

They also saw a display in the library, where high school visual arts pupils had many of their  works on display and  were available to speak to sixth graders about their projects.

Others returned to the auditorium for a presentation on Film Design. The sixth graders watched projects made by former and current film students, including Ethan Suiter, Sandy Eskow and Ainsley Fitz.

After all the groups rotated to see  the different stations of art exploration, the sixth graders went home, enlightened about and looking forward to art programs in which they will participate  in the near future.

  For Mansfield sixth grader Julia Rocha, music was the main attraction.

“I really liked the choir and band because I knew a lot of their songs and it was really good,” she said.

For Washington Township Art teacher Mikaela Meier, the whole experience was a hit.