The Chatelech concert band, about 40 of them under the direction of Carolyn Mitchell, welcomed visitors with music to the May 23 Showcase of the Arts at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt.
This annual event wasn't as big as in past years - last year's was cancelled in light of the teacher dispute - but it made up for its smaller size in talent.
The drama group of Kyle Brogan, Alina Blackett, Willie Knauff, Morghan Wilson and their crew of Erik Pomerade, Ingrid Bryson and stage director Kayma Seamark were particularly good. They have been coached by drama teacher Paddy McCallum. Each actor had a chance to shine in a rendition of Rex Deverell's play Switching Places, in which a young man learns what it's like to be a single parent. It was racy subject matter for teens, but was also right on the mark in the highly sexualized world of today's youth.
Music came in all varieties, introduced by the evening's hosts Laren Pudek and Nathan Mount.
A quartet, Melodica, have only been singing together since last September and are showing great promise.
Ashley Hautala sang and accompanied herself on guitar with an original composition, Love You Forever.
Zoe Hadeler-Lund also sang; audiences can see another side of her as a lead actress in the forthcoming zombie film by Chatelech grad Julian Figueroa to be shown at the Raven's Cry Theatre June 10. Willie and Kyle Brogan will also be appearing in the film.
One of the more pleasant surprises was to see Stephanie Schweighardt tackle Mozart in her operatic rendition taken from The Magic Flute. She plans to study music and science in this coming year at university.
The talented James Flemming also performed a gentle piece of classical music on the piano, which was unfortunately marred by rude members of the audience letting the exit door bang while he was playing.
Tarah Kahlman was the only dancer to perform in this show, and she proved her solo ability.
This year's fashion show from the textiles class under the direction of Maggie Marsh was terrific. One special project undertaken by two of the seamstresses involved taking an old-fashioned dress pattern and remaking it in their own design. The results differed, yet both were creative. The showpiece was a gorgeous dress made by a Grade 9 student.
At the break the Chatelech jazz band wowed the audience who were crowding around the cookies made by the foods class.
Proceeds from this night of entertainment go towards bursaries for students continuing in the fine and performing arts.
