Sometimes there's a lot to be said for natural momentum and spontaneity.
A by-donation Orcas Arts Celebration at Elgin Park Secondary Jan. 16 wasn't a highly polished showcase of talents by any stretch of the imagination – but it was an endearing grassroots demonstration of a burgeoning student desire for more avenues for self-expression at the school.
Well-established singer-songwriter Richard Tichelman – himself an Orca graduate – was also on-hand to provide a professional touch with a three-song set to support the cause, helping to provide equipment (including necessary mirrors) for the school's rapidly growing dance club.
As associate music teacher Jim Black, who brought together student performers from the dance club, Grade 9 to 12 music students and other Orca alumni, the event grew out of what was supposed to be simply an informal fundraiser by members of the guitar club to benefit dance club activities.
"It just grew as more and more people decided they wanted to be involved," Black told Peace Arch News, agreeing that crossover between disciplines and mutual enthusiasm indicates a common purpose of creativity.
By performance night, the celebration had grown into an assemblage of some 20 different musical and dance acts in the school theatre, plus an exhibit of work by advanced placement and pre-advanced placement art students in the adjacent cafeteria area.
Art teacher Lindsey Davidson and industrial design teacher (and dance club sponsor) Tony Wu explained to an audience of students, teachers, parents and other family members that the aim of the evening was to help support growth of the dance club.
Eventually, they said, the hope was to bring the club to a point where it could actually be considered for formalization into a funded school program.
Judging by some arresting and sophisticated art work, and the first half of the theatre program, which included a showcase for talented solo and group dancers, solo vocal performers and budding rock and classical guitarists – and even an electronic music composer – there is clearly no deficit of potential and ambition among the current crop of Elgin Park students.
Let's hope that even more opportunities like this are offered them by the school.