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Every spring at SBS, the pews of the sanctuary and the chapel fill up with eager fans excited to hear the musical talents of our performing arts students. From vocal ensembles to instrumental solos, the sounds of music echo throughout the chapel and sanctuary walls. With music in their hearts, student after student confidently sings or plays the notes of the selected songs.

The Spring Choir Concert held this year was a night to remember for everyone in attendance. The sanctuary came alive with a mix of traditional and contemporary selections, from “Blue Moon” and “One Day More” to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Jesus Is Coming Back.” Along with impressive large-group performances, soloists also had their moments to shine. Finally, alumni joined seniors on the stage to sing “Blessing,” a long-standing spring concert tradition.

Director of Arts Cindy Blades said of the concert, “The annual concert is a highlight of the school year for me because it showcases our thriving choral program, from sixth graders all the way to twelfth graders. Under the talented direction of Becky Martin, our choir students sang beautifully with joy and enthusiasm, captivating the audience with their wonderful voices.”

This year, the SBS Arts Department started the Arts Advocate Award, which will be given every year at the season’s last choral concert. Director of Arts Cindy Blades gave the award to alumni parents and said, "The 2023 Arts Advocate Award is given to recognize the outstanding support of alumni parents Kim and Steve Ellis, who go to all arts events, including visual art shows, instrumental and choral concerts, one-act plays, and musical performances. In addition to their financial support, they have worked behind the scenes on props and costumes for several productions. Their last child graduated in 2020, yet they continue to support SBS Arts by attending and encouraging our young artists!”

After the concert, Class of 2023 choir members and their fans remained for the annual Senior Showcase. Wearing their respective college destination t-shirts, the soon-to-be graduates performed special solos featuring entertaining performances that included songs like “Free Fallin,’” “Super Trouper,” “Man or Muppet,” and “Someone Like You.” Congratulations to our seniors: Gerry Vazquez, Grace Quach, Fubo Liu, Linley Norris, Caroline Marshall, Scarlett Gunn, Dami Briggs, Edward Millard, Jackson Tidmore, Sloane Harrison, Nathan Flato, Caroline Martinez, Emily Bolling, Alek Moya, Elaine Adams, Arrow Brown, Grayson Gandolfo, and Charley Schwinger!

At this year’s Spring Instrumental Concert, the Hankamer Chapel swelled with quick-tempo notes and moving melodies from the James Bond theme to ZZ Top, echoing from the farthest corners to reach the audience. Chords were struck, and harmonies melded seamlessly to make this final concert of the season one to remember, especially for fans of the classic rock genre.

Director of Arts Cindy Blades enjoyed the concert: “It was thrilling to see the Hankamer Chapel packed as students in grades 6–12 performed a variety of well-known songs like “Skyfall” from the James Bond movie and “Funky Town” by the Luck Chops! Mr. Hickenbottom and our student musicians played a great range of musical selections that were both delightful and entertaining. I am very proud of our performing arts students, both choral and instrumental! The 2022-2023 school year has been an exciting one filled with talented vocalists and musicians.” 

Throughout the concert, Director of Instrumental Music Kendel Hickenbottom played alongside his students while conducting, recognizing and praising them for their achievements. “These students are incredibly talented and doing amazing things with these instruments. Some of them have picked up playing two or three instruments.” Hickenbottom concluded by thanking his students for investing their time in music and their parents for seeing the importance of music in their lives. “I hope that by doing this, they will have a love for music that will be with them forever.”

Grade 6 Band featured solos from Karlyse Firenza (drums), Tess Kelley (drums), Carl Rubly (piano), Daniel Going (alto sax), Jonah Kates (trombone), Mason Mettenbrink (trombone), Matthew Murray (trumpet), Findley Caballero (clarinet), Jacob Field (French horn), and Anthony Jin (trombone). The award-winning Grades 7–12 Band featured solos from Austin Fuhrman (trumpet), Brandon Sek (trumpet), Zane Brannan (piano), Elijah Parrish (alto sax), James Enger (guitar), Will Adcox (trombone), James Enger (bass), Kendalyn Firenza (drums), Nadia Fabre (trombone), Will Young (tenor sax), Ally Enger (drums), and Regan Gamble (percussion).
 

Thank you to all of our SBS families, dedicated parents and Arts Patrons members and board for their continued support of the arts at SBS this year.

Photos from Spring Choir Concert

Photos from Spring Instrumental Concert

Donning tie-dyed t-shirts and colorful costumes, students in fourth grade presented Jesus Freak for their annual Grandparent Day program. An energetic presentation about being sold out for Jesus, this program features our fourth graders singing, acting and dancing. Students portraying Peter, James and Paul shared what it means to be a “Jesus Freak,” while encouraging a new friend.

With a little help from other Bible characters and musicians, including Barnabas and Cher, fourth graders sang and danced to classic hits and spinoffs of oldies-but-goodies like “Bad to the Bone,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Stayin’ Alive.” Throughout the program, the young cast described what it's like to live a life solely focused on serving Jesus. 

Jesus Freak, written in 2002, was inspired by the need for a new program that would reflect what fourth grade students were learning while they studied the book of Acts. Lower school Bible teacher Dianna Bolling remembers it well: “They wrote a script highlighting the biblical characters and paired it with groovy music from the 70s. It has grown over the years to include confetti cannons, strobe lights, and tumbling bumblebees, but the message of the gospel has always remained the same.”

As Head of School Rita Herring explains, students are never too young to learn about the saving grace of Christ and being sold out for Jesus. “These fourth grade students are going to middle school next year. I hope this show helps them remember to share the gospel with others and how important it is to be a “Jesus freak"—to have a relationship with the Lord and to rely on him in the years to come.” 

Photos from Jesus Freak 2023

Grandmothers of eighth grade students in Mrs. Loren Hopf’s ‘03 Bible class gathered to share their wisdom at the second annual “Grandma Day” event. SBS Grandmothers served as the panel of well-seasoned experts for a Q&A session focusing on their inspiring testimonies and walk with the Lord. 

 “Our last unit was titled Celebrating and Becoming Godly Women,” explained Mrs. Hopf ‘03. “My goal for them is to see the wealth of wisdom God has put in their lives,” said Hopf. “I want our girls to run to the godly women they know, not the internet, when they experience difficulty and hard times.”

Mrs. Hopf ‘03 understands and knows first-hand the impact of godly women in a young woman’s life. “Intergenerational relationships are some of the most important we’ll ever know. Women who have been there and done that. That’s where wisdom comes from. They are the real influencers.”

The panels shared their stories of God’s provision and faithfulness, illuminating the contrast between the depths of temptation and the abundance of His grace and protection. When asked how to develop their faith, they emphasized the importance of prayer, the study of God’s word, and memorizing scripture, all while asking God for wisdom.

Caroline Carl ‘27 exclaimed, “It makes me happy my grandma is here and shared her story. She’s wonderful and beautiful, and I love her!”

Hopf concluded, “This day is so special because it brings three generations of women together. It is centered on Christ and what serving Him over a lifetime looks like. Women share not only the joys but also the challenges they have experienced. The girls see true beauty in action on Grandma Day! It is so important to have a web of relationships that encourage faith in our girls. ‘Charm is deceptive, beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!’ (Prov. 31:31).
 
Some words of wisdom from our SBS grandmothers:

“Be a better friend. Don’t tear each other down. You never know what someone else is going through.”

“Keep your eyes on Jesus. As long as you keep your eyes on Him, he has a plan for you and will take care of you.”

“Always remember to pray. The Lord wants to hear from you.”

“Don’t get caught up in social media. Redirect your energy to family and things that matter.”

“Have the courage to say ’no.’ Have the courage to be a Christian and to be kind. Being kind can change somebody’s life.”

“Remember, you’re a daughter of the King. You deserve to be treated like royalty.”

Thank you to the grandmothers of eighth grade girls who shared their words of wisdom:

Janice Tackett (Eloise Tackett’s grandmother)
Jo Bruce (Eloise Tackett’s grandmother)
Herta Martin (Kate Miers grandmother)
Martha Lou Fullick (Ella Fullick’s grandmother)
Claudia Stewart (Mila Veeningen’s neighbor)
Paula Mitchell (Hadyn Hermes’ grandmother)
Susan Ince (Lizzie Baker’s grandmother)
Carla Baker (Lizzie Baker’s grandmother)
Lou Patterson (Carson Patterson’s grandmother)
Brenda King (Carson Patterson’s grandmother)
Karen Close (Julia Scheldt’s grandmother)
June Burke (Grace Rodriguez’s grandmother)
Peggy Blount (Berkley Blount’s grandmother)
Charlene Wolfe (Ellie Wolfe’s grandmother)
Linda Baccus (Ellie Wolfe’s grandmother)
Kay Rous (Emily Rouse’s grandmother)
Janice Wood (Stella Sorola’s grandmother)
Sondra Cutrer (Andie Patterson’s grandmother)
Lyn Sullivan (Anna Sullivan’s grandmother)

Thank you to all our SBS moms and volunteers who helped make Grandma Day a success!

If you missed this on social media, check out the highlight reel!

Photos from "Grandma Day"