Formally known as "Strings", STAR-chestra is the first violin program offered at Snipes Academy, and the only violin program offered to elementary students in the New Hanover County school system. Established in 2017, the program has grown from eight students to twenty-five students over the past three years! We have been featured in performances such as the NC Azalea Festival, NHCS Magnet Fair, Magnet School Realtors' Tour, and held the first Elementary Strings Camp for New Hanover County Schools in 2019. STAR-chestra is also featured in school STAR Night performances, including NHCS’s Best Foot Forward talent showcase. We are eternally grateful for the instrumental donations from Ronald Sachs Instrument Rental Company, Huthmaker Violins, and several other community partners. We also greatly cherish our shining star volunteer, one of Wilmington's most esteemed violin instructors, Mrs. Lorraine Westermark, for her hard work, dedication, and love toward our students!
The Snipes Academy Chorus is a select group of students between 2-5 grades. These talented singers have made several appearances within the community which include performing the National Anthem for various athletic events such as the Hammerheads and Cape Fear Blue Devils, NC Azalea Festival Garden Tour, NHCS Board of Education Meetings, the Williston Alumni Community Choir Christmas extravaganza (2017), UNCW and Opera Wilmington's Caterina Jabaro Symposiums, and the 50th Anniversary of the Commemoration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, JR., NHC All-County Chorus, and many others. The Chorus is also featured in school STAR Night performances, including NHCS’s Best Foot Forward talent showcase. Snipes proudly acknowledges four students who have represented Snipes Academy and New Hanover County schools in the North Carolina Elementary Honors Chorus: Nehemiah Lennon (2018), MaKynzie Robinson (2018), Emeri Deppa (2019), and Lillian LaQuay (2019)!
... so if your student (in grades 2-5) is interested in STAR-chestra (Strings) and/or Chorus, please email me at christa.faison@nhcs.net, and I will follow up with you! In the meantime, you will find information about each performance group below!
Snipes Academy is a unique school for many reasons, but its greatest uniqueness lies in the curricular and extracurricular opportunities offered to our students. The clubs, known as Performance Groups, provide many opportunities to discover and develop their gifts, talents, and interests. Students are chosen by selection and/or audition for the following groups: African Drumming, Art Group, Band, Battle of the Books, Chorus (see above) Dance Company, Design, Dribbling, Science Olympiad, and STAR-chestra (see above).