Spotlight Art Exhibit 2023 #207Now #arteducation #creativityfuelsthefuture @mainewestart

On Wednesday, February 22nd, Maine West student artists had their work on display for family and friends in a one-night-only pop-up art show and reception, the Spotlight Art Exhibit. This beautifully curated show filled the new C-Wing art suite, and the space bustling with friends and family who attended to support our student artists! 

Congratulations to all of the student artists who had work in this year's Spotlight Art Exhibit! A big thanks to the art team at Maine West, Mr. Rick Cammarata, Ms. Felicia Lahart, Ms. Natalya Kljajic, and Ms. Melissa Lloyd for organizing such a wonderful event celebrating student achievement in the visual arts!

More pictures from the 2023 Spotlight Art Exhibit can be found HERE. 

Opening Night of Young Frankenstein a Success! #207Now #musical @mainewestdrama @mainewesttechcrew @mainewestband @mworchestras @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab @mwactivities

The Maine West Fine Arts Department's production of the Mel Brooks' musical, Young Frankenstein, premiered tonight, performing for a sizable and appreciative audience! The cast, crew and pit orchestra all performed with incredible energy, and the audience was roaring with laughter at the endless comedy!

Congratulations to the over 100 students involved in Young Frankenstein! Congratulations, as well, to director, David Harmon, pit orchestra director, Bernie Gerstmayr, vocal director, James Schiffer, choreographer, Isabel Ramirez, technical director, Peter Mc Manus, costume designer, Ashley Benson, costume assistant, Desi Rae Stricker, and producer, Daniella Valdez for all of your work on this production!  

More pictures from tonight's show can be found HERE.

The program for this production can be found HERE.

Thank you to the many people who volunteered their time with the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters tonight to help make tonight's show happen! 

Thank you to Rebecca Orr and the students in WMTH for capturing footage of tonight's show!

Don't Miss This Year's Musical Production: Mel Brooks' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN! #207Now #musicals @mainewestdrama @mworchestras @mainewestband @mainewestchoir @mwactivities @mainewestfab

The show opens this THURSDAY! Don't miss West's 2023 musical - Young Frankenstein!

SHOW DATES:
Thurs. Feb. 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 19 at 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION:
Maine West Auditorium

TICKETS:
$7 for students
$10 for adults
bit.ly/MWBoxOffice
($0.50/ticket fee to buy online with a credit card)

Tickets are also available in the Maine West Bookstore during the school day and will be available at the Box Office the night of the show. If you intend to purchase tickets the night of the show, it is recommended that you arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the show.

Please note, this show is rated PG-13.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU IN OUR AUDIENCE!

Ben Pluta Receives Recognition from Western Illinois University! #207Now #mediaarts #broadcasting @wmth_west @wiucofac @mainewestfab @mwhs207

We recently learned that Maine West junior, Ben Pluta, has been selected by the faculty of the College of Fine Arts and Communications (COFAC) at Western Illinois University to participate in the inaugural COFAC Young Artist Awards Day on Thursday, April 6, 2023. 

The awards competition recognizes talented high school juniors in various artistic categories, including music, musical theatre, dance, acting, visual arts, broadcasting and journalism. Ben received this recognition for his achievement in broadcasting through his participation in Advanced TV & Film classes at Maine West, as well as his extensive involvement in WMTH.

On April 6, 2023, Ben will be participating in a day of activities at the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Western Illinois University, and will be receiving his award recognition.

Congratulations to Ben and to his broadcasting teacher Ms. Rebecca Orr on this wonderful recognition!

Chamber Music Night #207Now #chambermusic #musiced @mworchestras @mainewestfab

 

Each year, musicians in the Maine West Orchestra program perform a piece of chamber music literature on the annual Chamber Music Night concert. Chamber music is music for a small ensemble, and is named such because it is intended to be performed in a "chamber" or room of a home for a smaller, more intimate audience (not a large concert hall). At Maine West, Chamber Music Night is performed in the LRC (library) to bring this more personal performance experience to our audience.

Congratulations to the student musicians in the Maine West Orchestra for their performances at Chamber Music Night tonight! Each group performed wonderfully. Thank you to all of the family, friends and fans who came out tonight to support our students!

You can find information about tonight's program HERE.

There are many more pictures from tonight's concert HERE.

Guest Artists Crossing Borders Music Presents "Stories and Music of Resilience" #207Now #guestartists #musiceducation #resilience @mainewestfab @mainewestchoir @crossingbordersmusic

 
On January 24th, Maine West students in music and social science classes had the opportunity to hear guest artists Crossing Borders Music present a program entitled, "Stories and Music of Resilience." Students learned about social, political, historical and cultural issues and their impact on the music from diverse cultures, as well as how music can be a vehicle to express and celebrate human resilience.

Music performed included:

Amanda John: Yeah...I Hit Like a Girl - Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma, US)
Cruise Berry: Donne XIV - Chickasaw Nation (Oklahoma, US)
Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No. 8, in C Minor, Op. 110 - Soviet Union
Ching Ju Shih: Mending Broken Fishing Nets - Taiwan
Ástor Piazzolla: Adiós Noniño (Farewell, Granddaddy) - Argentina
Justinian Tamusuza: Mu KKubo Ery 'Omusaalaba (On the Way of the Cross) - Uganda
Florence B. Price: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, from Five Folksongs in Counterpoint - US

The ensemble also performed three Cambodian pieces, in collaboration with Nisa Pov from the National Cambodian Heritage Museum.

Thank you to Tom Clowes, Jennifer Leckie, Rasa Mahmoudian, Wilfred Farquharson, Nisa Pov, and Kaoru Watanabe for coming to Maine West to share this amazing program!

Maine West and District 62 Collaborate on Art Show at the Des Plaines Public Library #207Now #arteducation @mainewestart @lloyd_mwphoto @lahartanddesign2 @cammARTa120 @62schools @mwactivities

Maine West and District 62 artists will have work featured in the annual D62/MW Des Plaines Library Art Show. Work will be on display from January 19th through 31st. Come out and enjoy the works of these talented young artists!