The student art show component of the evening will feature paintings, drawings and sculpture, and the choir focuses on singing songs of peace and freedom.
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Holyoke Catholic High School teacher Joe Toritto leads the a cappella choir in rehearsal. By DAN COOPER
CHICOPEE - Art students at Holyoke Catholic High School will get the chance to display artwork they’ve created throughout the year on March 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Springfield Street school.
Art teacher Jackie Boudreau-Kinsey says the free event is designed to give students the experience of displaying artwork to the public.
“I want my students to feel a great sense of accomplishment and joy when they see their work matted and on display,” Boudreau-Kinsey explained. “Just as performance art and athletics have their time to shine, I believe the visual arts are equally important and give students an opportunity for their voices to be heard.”
Boudreau-Kinsey, who is also a professional artist, said she’s excited about the talents of her students.
“This is my first year teaching art at Holyoke Catholic High, and I’m so excited about all the talent here and the creative process,” she said.
The decision about what piece of art gets matted and displayed is ultimately up to the students who create the pieces, the teacher explained.
“The students get to choose their favorite work to mat and display,” she said. “All students from my art classes will have at least one piece that they completed this school year. I would love to have two pieces, but the space might not allow it.”
The show will feature paintings, drawings and sculpture.
The art show is also a joint collaboration with the school’s a cappella choir’s spring concert.
“The joint celebration simply reinforces the strength of art within community,” Boudreau-Kinsey said.
Choir director Joe Toritto agrees. “We try to celebrate the arts and the joint show gives attention to the visual arts and celebrates the work of the students,” he said.
Toritto said the show, which is being held in the lobby of the school, will have the choir singing traditional African chants, South African songs, singing in multiple languages, and some folk songs.
“The choir has 25 voices in four-part harmony,” Toritto explained. “The concert should last around 60 to 65 minutes. We’ll be performing around 20 songs.”
Toritto added that the a cappella choir tries to sing songs of peace and freedom. “It’s music with a message,” he added.
This marks the first time there has been a joint art show and concert, though it’s something he hopes to make an annual event, Toritto said.
“This could be an annual event if it’s successful,” he said.”I’m inviting some alumni back to this show and maybe can get them to sing with us.”
The choir, he added, has been performing for area organizations, including the Chicopee Falls Women’s Club and the Mount Marie Healthcare Center. “I’m very proud of my kids,” Toritto said.