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We are delighted to share the success of the Maine West Fine Art Department’s recent community service initiative, the 2023 Maine West Empty Bowls Project. On December 1, 2023, the Fine Arts Department held an Empty Bowls event alongside an all-staff Chili Cook-off Competition. This unique collaboration involved forty of our Ceramics & Design students and the Art Faculty, who crafted 70 beautiful ceramic bowls. These bowls, combined with delicious chili prepared by our staff as part of a staff Chili Cook-Off Competition and cornbread made by Maine West Culinary students, created a memorable experience for all involved. The event was further enriched by the volunteer efforts of our National Art Honor Society and Advanced Ceramics students. Everyone's dedication was instrumental in bringing this project to life.
We are thrilled to announce that the proceeds from this year's Empty Bowls Project are being donated to the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines. It's our hope that this donation will aid their vital work of assisting Des Plaines residents in need.
A HUGE thank you goes out to Ms. Felicia Lahart, Maine West Art Teacher, for her vision and for spearheading all of the organizational details required of this great event.
On Thursday, December 14th members of the Maine West Choir and Orchestra programs spent the day touring Algonquin, Chippewa and Iroquois Schools, as well as the Lee Manor Nursing Home. Thank you to the Maine West students for sharing your talents with the community, and a huge shout out to the leaders in District 62 who organized and supported these assembly performances. It was so nice to play for all of your students!
On Friday, December 8th, the Maine West Orchestra performed at the prestigious Illinois ASTA (American String Teachers Association) Orchestra Festival, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our sting musicians.
The festival, a key event in the music education calendar, brings together top high school orchestras from across the region. It's a fantastic platform for students to present their skills, learn from their peers, and gain invaluable experience performing in a nurturing environment with excellent clinicians.
The success at the festival is a testament to the hard work of our students and teachers. Thank you to Ms. Daniella Valdez for arranging this opportunity for our students!
We recently learned that Maine West singer, Irene Han, has earned All-State Honors! She will be representing Maine West at the state-level event called the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), which will be held in the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois January 24th-27th, 2024.
Irene will perform as a soprano II singer with the All-State Honors Chorus, the state's highest level student chorus. Earning a placement in the IMEC All-State conference distinguishes Irene as one of the best music students in the state of Illinois, and is a testament to years of hard work and dedication as a musician. The entire Maine West community is incredibly proud of Irene!
Today after school, Russell Adaya hosted a premiere of his newest film, "The Choraliers," in the Maine West Auditorium. The film, which focuses on the Maine West extra-curricular choral group of the same name, is the first in a planned trilogy, and had a comedic bent.
Congratulations to Russell and all of his friends who collaborated to make the film! We look forward to the next film in the series!
Tonight's Dimensions concert was a vibrant celebration of humanity and the intersecting identities of our students and community, showcasing an incredible array of music from various cultures and styles. The theme of this year's Dimensions Art Show and Concert is 'Identity,' and the concert beautifully wove the theme through each performance, highlighting the diverse backgrounds and personal stories of our students.
In touching interludes, students shared their personal "I Am" poems. These readings provided a poignant glimpse into their individual experiences and histories, further emphasizing the theme of identity.
Composer Diana Sáez graciously recorded a video, introducing her piece, 'Plena,' which was performed by the Chamber Choir.
This concert was more than just a musical showcase; it was a journey through the diverse identities that make our school community so unique and vibrant. It demonstrated the power of music to transcend boundaries, bringing us together in a shared experience of art and culture. This event was a testament to our commitment to providing students with rich, diverse experiences in the arts. We are proud to create spaces where every student can see themselves reflected and celebrated through music.
Thank you to the family, friends and fans in attendance tonight!
A special thanks to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters and all of the parent volunteers for helping in a multitude of ways, and especially for your support of the pizza dinner to feed the over 200 students involved in tonight's production!
More pictures from tonight's concert can be found HERE.
The program can be found HERE.
Thank you to Ash Carmichael, Fine Arts Graphic Design Intern, for designing this year's Dimensions Concert logo, poster and introductory video!
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