LCHS Band Director is district Music Teacher of the Year!

Allison Weitkamp, Band Director at Lexington Catholic High School (and also band director at MQHR and SPPS) was selected as the KMEA District 7/11 High School Music Teacher of the Year. This award was voted on by all of the music teachers in the District, and Allison is now in the running for the state award.

Congratulations to Allison, and good luck in the state selection round!!!

Below, Allison directs the 8th graders (in front there) from all our area Catholic school bands at the 2008 "Cartoons and Classics" concert at LCHS.

Sts. Peter & Paul School is "Artfully" Improving

Here is a note from the field from Mrs. Nanci Barnhart, Fine Arts Coordinator at Sts Peter & Paul School in downtown Lexington. Above: the site plan for the renovations at SPPS

Exciting things are happening at Sts. Peter & Paul School in downtown Lexington! Our first ever “3D Arts Academy” is scheduled to begin on Sept. 23. After-school classes will be offered to our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students in Music, Art, Dance, and Drama. The classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3-4 PM. Instructors from the Lexington Ballet, Lexington Children’s Theater, Music Institute of Lexington, the University of Kentucky School of Music and Central Music Academy will be on staff, as well as some of our own talented parents and teachers. Examples of class offerings are jewelry making, drama improvisation, contemporary and multi-cultural dance, guitar, Latin and African drumming, and Art City club. Students from nearby Harrison Elementary have also been invited to attend. A showcase to highlight the children’s accomplishments will be held on Nov. 5. The Academy is made possible by a grant from the Paul and Lucille Little Foundation.

Our middle school students are excited about their upcoming production, “Treasure Island.” Under the direction of Ms. Stephanie Wier, the performances will be held on Nov. 14 & 15, 2008. Due to the construction going on at our new facility, the performances will be held at Lexington Christian Academy.

In other SPPS news, the K-2 students will be introduced to “Arts to Go” backpacks in Art and Music. These backpacks feature lesson plans, centered around the National Standards for Art and Music Education, which will be completed by parent and child. A “Breakfast with the Arts” will be held once a week to give the children a chance to discuss their projects with each other and Mrs. Barnhart, the Fine Arts Coordinator.