Clifton Ridge Middle School hosted their Fall Into the Arts program Oct. 27, allowing students to showcase their talents in a creative Halloween way.
Lori Johnson, Clifton Ridge Middle School band director, said the Fall Into the Arts event was important for Clifton Ridge Middle School, because it helps the students become more well-rounded citizens. She said it’s a great way to bring in families and people from the community and show them the students are getting a well-rounded education at the school. “Our Fall Into the Arts program is a way to showcase our fine arts students within drama, music and visual arts,” she said. “They need a chance to be spotlighted for their talents just like in academics and athletics. It’s nice to be able to show off what they have been working on.”
She said the evening consisted of a showcase of art done by art students, a play by drama students and Halloween music played by the band students. She said the students were able to dress up in Halloween costumes and whatever they wanted for the evening.
“My favorite thing about Fall Into the Arts is that it’s relaxed and fun. A lot of our programs are very formal and we’re aiming for professionalism, but with this program we aimed to let loose a little bit. The students get to go crazy and play some fun music during this time,” Johnson said.
Lily Rese, an eighth-grade band student, said they played three songs during Fall Into the Arts, and the drama club worked hard to put on their play. She said it was a musical murder mystery. She said Fall Into the Arts represents creativity.
“My favorite thing about the night was the play, because we worked so hard on it. In the band I play the flute, because playing it just comes natural to me,” the student said. “I’ve always liked music and enjoy being a part of the band. We worked hard on Fall Into the Arts.”
The band director said the students worked hard on what they have done, so she was excited for people to see what they have been doing. She said students should join the band at Clifton Ridge Middle School, because it’s fun and it’s like a family. She said the evening went well.
“We played a lot of music we usually don’t get to do. It was movie themed, lighthearted things and one of our favorite pieces was Attack of the Zombie Trombones. They got to mix in special sound effects, so it breaks us out of our more serious mode we are usually in,” Johnson said.
Another student in the band, Ashton Hodges, also in eighth grade, said Fall Into the Arts was important for Clifton Ridge Middle School, because it was important to show creativity and growth through different mediums. He said he joined the band, because he was really interested in music.
“My favorite thing about the evening was what we were allowed to wear in the band during this time,” he said. “It was a time to express ourselves freely. I like how friendly everyone is in the band here at Clifton Ridge, and the event was a great time to have some fun and be more of an individual.”
