Embedded Files
Written by Jade Hauber, 04/07/2025
Hey York! As a middle school arts rep, I’m especially passionate about all the arts our school has to offer: music, drama, film, and of course visual arts. That’s why I’m so excited for all the arts-related events and showcases in the coming weeks. I’ve collected teasers from a couple teachers as well as my own investigations into what our creative students will be presenting. So get hyped, because from what I’ve gathered, each of these are going to be a blast!
MS and SS Arts Nights!
I’m sure anyone who’s been at York for at least a year will recognize this one. Arts Nights are a chance for music and visual arts students to display their work in classes and extracurriculars from the whole school year so far. I’m sure the choirs, concert bands and jazz bands will have prepared some impressive performances and have a few fun tricks up their sleeves. According to Mr. Biagiarelli, the seventh graders (a third of which just started playing their instruments this year) have improved amazingly since joining the middle school. Personally I can vouch for the Middle School Choir’s insane repertoire and that grade eight is performing some more commonly recognized, current music.
The visual arts teachers gave me lots of information about the high school displays as well. Grade nines are showcasing two units’ worth of art: wildlife illustration, in which they depict “coloured illustrations of Canadian animals with backgrounds that symbolize important characteristics of the animals depicted,” to quote Ms. Balomenos, and landscapes inspired by the Group of Seven. These units explore Canadian culture in parallel to the grade nine ICE program. Tenth grade students are presenting prints inspired by German Expressionism, exploring social justice issues, as well as original designs of mythical creatures that “symbolize a superpower that could make the world a better place.”
What about the Diploma Programme students, you ask? As Mr. Neville puts it, “This year’s DP Visual Arts students are exhibiting an inspiring collection of artworks exploring themes of identity, architecture, natural environments, religion, memory, and historical figures.” Expect to see many forms of media telling both personal and well-known narratives. These pieces provide deeper insights into past events and figures in human history. Mr. Neville writes, “Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the creativity and storytelling of our talented artists!”
Also, I’ve heard a rumour that the hosts for both evenings (especially the middle school one) are hilarious, flawless and altogether the stars of the show. I mean, it’s probably worth coming just to see them, honestly. Honestly.
CISMF and CISDF!
Technically CISMF already happened by the time you’re reading this, but I’m sure it went amazingly well for the junior, middle and senior school instrumentalists and singers who attended (trying not to jinx it!). It features choir, band and strings pieces performed by schools from all over the GTA at one of the most prestigious music venues in the country, Roy Thomson Hall (but everyone knows the best part are the bus rides and buying snacks at the rehearsal venues’ cafeterias). Similarly, CISDF is just around the corner, with schools from all across Ontario performing in Stratford. Break a leg to all the high school students attending that amazing festival, performing an entire one-act play. And don’t worry if you couldn’t score tickets! Any student can view their work at York’s very own…
Drama Festival!
Featuring grades 7-10, performing “pieces of reader's theatre, short plays, scenes, and pieces of documentary theatre” (quote Ms. Barber, thank you for responding to the email). This festival takes place in the drama room April 8-10th starting at 7:00pm each day. I know all the actors at our school have been working tirelessly to prepare some incredible performances, so stop in to support your peers! Did I mention it’s free? It’s free theatre, people!
IB Film Festival!
A lot of things on this list end in “Festival,” don’t they? This is the IB film festival, featuring video work from students at York, UCC and Lauremont. It takes place at the TIFF Lightbox Theatre (which, by the way, props to whoever scored that venue, it would be totally lit to screen a film there) on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7pm. Hurry, though, because you have to get your tickets before 8:00am on the 7th. Unless that already happened by the time you’re reading this. Sorry. Maybe pretend to be a bucket of popcorn and sneak in or something?
Anywho, as you can see, there are tons of epic arts events taking place at York or featuring York students in April, so swing by and check out your peers’ work! Thanks for reading, and see you in the halls.
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