At FHS, students celebrate the arts

• Singing out

Dr. Christopher Aspaas, a vocal instructor from St. Olaf College, worked with the Missota Conference Mass Choir during the April 16 Missota Conference Arts Festival at Farmington High School. All eight schools in the Missota Conference sent choir members, band members and art students to the festival.

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Though most Farmington High School students had a nice, sunny day off Friday, there were still quite a few who did not.

It’s not like they were having a rough day of testing or anything like that. They were learning, but they were also fine-tuning their crafts. With a couple hundred of their closest friends, at that.

The Missota Fine Arts Festival was held at Farmington High School April 16, which meant a day off for students who aren’t in any of the bands, choirs or art classes at FHS. Those who are in band, choir and arts classes spent the day working with clinicians and learning the finer points of music and the arts.

Each of the eight Missota Conference schools brought students to participate in the day. Prior to the event, select band and choir members were chosen from each school. They were brought together as a full group to perform together. Those who were not chosen for the select choir and band performed together in the mass choir or mass band. All four groups ended the day’s activities with a concert at FHS.

“The songs they are working on are written and chosen specifically for this event,” said FHS principal Ben Kusch.

The other part of the day included workshops for art students. They spent time in classes ranging from graffiti to water color to ceramics. Each student was invited to bring favorite pieces of artwork that was put on display throughout the day.

Tags: school district 192, high schools, education, lifestyle