SCS students exploring art, music of “Memphis: The Musical” | Arts & Culture

More young artists, musicians and thespians than ever are taking part in Shelby County Schools’ 2012 Summer Fine Arts Academy (SFAA). The fifth annual academy is taking place June 11-15 at Elmore Park Middle School in Bartlett, with nearly 500 students from all over the district in grades 6-10 attending unique and stimulating sessions from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. every day.

The theme for this year’s academy is “Memphis: The Musical.” Daily workshops focusing on the areas of visual arts, band/strings, chorus and theatre are being led by local professional artists and musicians, as well as students and teachers from local colleges and universities. These workshops expose students to incredible creative experiences they typically would not have access to during the regular school year.

This year, students are working with representatives from all sectors of the Memphis arts community. Memphis Symphony Orchestra members are playing with SCS string students. Guest artists working with SCS band students include Chris Burgess of the Memphis Drum Shop, Justin Brown of Lane Music and Kreston Smith of the Bartlett Music Academy. Vocal instructors are partnering with Memphis City Schools and gospel music artist Jeffery Murdock. Theatre students are working with Emma Crystal from Hattiloo Theatre, Theatre Memphis, Playhouse on the Square and Opera Memphis, as well as Leiza Collins Carter of Bartlett Community Theatre. Visual Arts students are working with University of Memphis artist Kate McTyre throughout the week on various projects, including watercolor, mixed-media, sculpture, printmaking and glass fusing. 

This year’s grand finale performance and exhibition will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 15, at Bellevue Baptist Church.

Information provided by Shelby County Schools.