Fine Arts Archives

“10 Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse”

May 31, 2018

Middle School students have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming show, “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse!” The show is a comedy by playwright Don Zolidis, whose one-acts and shows have been performed by students all over the country. Get excited and preview photos of the show here!

The show is Friday, June 1 at 3:30 PM in the Black Box Theater at MPA. Tickets are free and the run time is 35 minutes. This is a performance put on by nine fifth and sixth graders, as well as more Middle School students working backstage, that you do not want to miss!

Please contact Lower and Middle school drama teacher Heather Mastel if you have any questions!

MPA Is My Village

May 24, 2018

This is an excerpt from Nicholas Guiang’s ’18 senior speech, delivered on Friday, May 18, to Middle and Upper School students, faculty and staff, in the Nicholson Center. As a school community, we are immensely grateful for his family’s 24-year commitment to Mounds Park Academy.

Dear MPA,

Today I hold a unique challenge. I am not only thanking you for my time over the past 13 years, but I also hold the responsibility of thanking you for my family’s past 24 years.

For me, this spring signifies the end of those 24 years. It is the end of high school, childhood, and the end of a huge part of my life. In the fall, I will be heading off to Northwestern University to pursue my love of journalism, broadcasting, and sports. On June 9, I will toss my cap in the air on this very stage and these past 13 years, and the 13 years that each of my three older brothers spent here, will simply be the stories of old. However, MPA, you have been more than a school, you have been our home.

Students Discovering Their Voices

May 10, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Monday mornings are generally a flurry of meetings at Mounds Park Academy. Both the Lower School and the Upper School begin the week with division-wide meetings intended to keep the respective community informed, share what is happening in the classroom, celebrate milestones and important achievements, and build community. Monday morning meetings also give voice to students and intentionally invite engagement into the life of the school.

2018-19 All State Choir And Band Honors

May 3, 2018

We have so much to celebrate in Upper School! Congratulations to the students who were selected for the 2018-19 All-State Choir and Band programs!

Jordan Akers, Solveig Svennevig-Brosi, Gabby Law, and Julia Portis were selected to be members of the 2018-19 All-State Choir. Jordan, Solveig, and Gabby will sing in the All-State Mixed Choir while Julia will represent MPA in the Soprano-Alto Choir. They will spend a week at St. Olaf College making music with some of the best high school musicians across the state this summer. Lauren Vilendrer and Lance Go were selected to be members of the 2018-19 All-State Band program! Lauren will join the All-State Symphonic Band and Lance will join the All-State Jazz Ensemble. They will participate in the All-State music camps this summer, rehearsing under a guest conductor with outstanding local high school musicians. Bravo to everyone! MPA is so proud of you!

Upper School Parents Association Meeting Tomorrow

April 26, 2018

Tomorrow, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM is the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting! Please note meeting is being held in the Porter Conference Room (PCR).

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! This meeting will cover a welcome to incoming freshmen parents, an overview of the Upper School Fine Arts Programs at MPA by Faculty of the Fine Arts Department, Quarter Four calendar events, and an all-call for the 2018-2019 MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Experience The “Sound Of Music” Starting Tonight!

April 26, 2018

Come see the MPA Upper School theatre put on the world’s most beloved musical! On April 26, 27, and 28 at 7 PM in the Nicholson Center, they will be performing “The Sound Of Music” at MPA! Tickets are available here!

From Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals: “When a postulant proves too high-spirited for the religious life, she is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually capture the heart of the stern Captain, and they marry. Upon returning from their honeymoon, the two discover Austria has been invaded by the Nazis, who demand the Captain’s immediate service in their navy. The family’s narrow escape of the mountains of Switzerland on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the theatre. The motion picture version remains the most popular movie musical of all time.”

Plus, take a sneak peek here at all of the magic the MPA theatre department is putting on in “The Sound Of Music!”

The Sound of Music

April 12, 2018

sound of music at MPA Come see the MPA Upper School theatre put on the world’s most beloved musical! On April 26, 27, and 28 at 7 PM in the Nicholson Center, they will be performing “The Sound Of Music” at MPA! Purchase tickets here!

Please Note A Calendar Change

April 5, 2018

The date of the Middle School Art Show Opening and the 5-12 grade Band Concert has been moved from Thursday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 16. The times remain the same, with the opening at 6 PM and the concert at 7 PM. Our apologies for this necessary change to the calendar!

Arts Education: A Beautiful Gift

April 5, 2018

by Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will now find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you will enjoy reading their stories and reflections about life at MPA!

A cherished MPA tradition continues for its 37th year on April 12, 2018, when the Lower School presents its Art and Music Show. You won’t want to miss seeing firsthand the pride on the faces of our Lower School students as they present their beautiful artwork and sing and dance joyfully for family and friends.

The first Lower School Art and Music Show debuted in 1982, never missing a year after that. The early years showcased student learning throughout the school year. Starting in 1989, the shows began to focus on specific themes, thoughtfully selected by the Lower School art and music teachers each year. Earlier themes included Around the World, Songs of America, Animal Fair, Disney, A Wonderful World of Color, Muppets: A Tribute to Jim Henson, Wild West, and many more. This approach has given each Art and Music Show a fresh look and created extraordinary student excitement and engagement.

This year, the students celebrate authors and illustrators of award-winning picture books. Students have studied how stories are conveyed through art and writing. They have learned to analyze the artwork in picture books for color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. Kindergartners have explored the colorful works of Eric Carle and Richard Scarry. First graders have learned from the creativity and imagination of Ezra Jack Keats and Lois Ehlert while second graders have enjoyed the rollicking rhymes of Dr. Seuss and the engaging characters of Lucy Cousins. Third graders have been charmed by the gentle animals of Jerry Pinkney and Jan Brett and fourth graders have explored the engaging, innovative works of Sara Fanelli, Chris Raschka, and Barbara Knutson. Books by these authors and illustrators have also been the inspiration for movement, instrument playing, and singing in music class during the year. These creative artists have served as talented role models for our students, and now the students are prepared and excited to present their own inspirations to family and friends!

Meet Mr. Habermann

March 21, 2018

Middle and Upper School music teacher and choir director

How many years have you been at MPA?
Eighteen years as the choir director. I was hired by Barb Bradley to vocal direct and accompany the musicals in 1996. I have been walking MPA halls for nearly half of my life!

What do you love about MPA?
The joy, positivity, passion, and drive exhibited by faculty, staff, and students.

How does MPA nurture students who forever dream big and do right?
We instill in our students the idea of possibility. What can we do now? The world is at your fingertips. Why not dive in and experience all that you can?

If you have worked at another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?
You can be yourself at MPA. Your uniqueness is celebrated. You are important and have something to “bring to the table.” It is like a choir … everyone’s voice is important and we want to hear what you have to say (or sing, in my case!).

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
You will be jealous of your children’s education!

In what ways are you preparing students for life in the 21st century?
In choir, we are a community. What one person does affects not only you, but the whole. We may be independent thinkers, but we are interdependent beings. Music-making teaches discipline, perseverance, creativity, and the importance of deep listening. Read More