The Edward E. Ford Performing Arts Initiative

School of the Holy Child has received a $50,000 challenge grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to establish a Performing Arts Initiative that will strengthen the theatre, music, video/film and dance offerings at Holy Child. The program will provide Holy Child students the opportunity to take a series of year-long and trimester courses, with the plan that some of these courses will be taught by faculty and graduate students from SUNY Purchase. The Edward E. Ford Foundation Performing Arts Initiative will include:

Additions to the Performing Arts Curriculum

• Theatre: Introductory courses in performance, stage managing, playwriting, technical support and set design.
  
• Instrumental Music: Year-long courses in percussion, wind, jazz, and string ensemble
  
• Video/Film: Electives in video editing and documentary filmmaking
  
• Dance: Electives in modern dance, hip hop, and STEP.

Ancillary Programs in the Performing Arts

The Edward E. Ford grant would also support a series of ancillary programs open to the Network of Holy Child Schools, as well as Fairchester schools, including:

• Summer/Winter Immersions: Two-week courses that will include modern/hip-hop dance and screenwriting/film that would be open to students after school and on the weekends during the winter between sports seasons and during the day in mid-June.
  
• Seminars: Week-long seminars in the arts, sciences and humanities, scheduled the week after final exams in March. The E.E. Ford Performing Arts Initiative will play a key role, offering courses in dance, performance and film.
  
• Shakespeare in the Garden: Building on the current success of the eighth grade Shakespeare performances and the Upper School monologues, the Performing Arts Initiative would encourage faculty to enhance their current curricula with active learning through performance, music, and the arts. Since our students currently study Shakespeare in the 9th, 10th and 12th grades, a Shakespeare performance will be established in the spring trimester in the School's enclosed garden space, allowing students the opportunity to perform and study Shakespeare.

The Edward E. Ford Foundation Performing Arts Festival

In 2009 and 2010, School of the Holy Child will coordinate an "Edward E. Ford Arts Festival," which will allow Fairchester and Holy Child Network students to prepare and present their creative works to the broader community. The festival will showcase student work and encourage "friendly competition" in music, short films, one-act plays, or dance.