Fine Arts Archives

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

MPA’s Honor Choir Singers

March 1, 2018

Congratulations to sophomores Jordan Akers and Solveig Svennevig-Brosi on their excellent performance at the American Choral Director’s Association of MN 9-10 Honor Choir Concert!

Jordan sang in the SATB choir under the direction of Mark Potvin while Solveig sang in the SSAA choir with Jennaya Robinson. Both conductors are on the faculty at Luther College. It was a day full of rehearsals, building ensemble, culminating with the concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Keep on singing, Panthers!

MPA’s First Summer Musical

March 1, 2018

by Russ Purdy, Summer Program Coordinator

We are really excited about our first annual summer musical for students entering fourth grade through those graduating from ninth! I put together the summer musical program for the district I was in before MPA, and l am really looking forward to bringing it here. This year we are doing “Lion King Jr.” It will be a large-scale production with amazing costumes, music, and performances. Our production staff includes a director, choreographer, costumer, and set designer.

The kids will work all summer for the performances, and our mission is to work as a collaborative group to put together a top-notch show for our audience! I also believe that the process of putting together a show is as important as the product itself.

Incredible Summer Drama Opportunities

February 22, 2018

by Heather Mastel, MPA drama teacher

One of the reasons I love teaching drama is how it resonates with children. There is movement, humor, and creativity. It also teaches collaboration, communication, empathy, reflection, and problem-solving skills for creative challenges. I am excited to bring these learning opportunities to Summer at MPA! Children in Beyond Drama Class will create their own short play, while Beyond Acting! gives lower school students the chance to design, write, and choreograph. The One Act Drama Camp will challenge middle schoolers to rehearse and perform a one-act performance in just one week. We will also go see “Shrek Jr.” and tour the Guthrie Theatre.

For more information about these incredible drama classes and so many other opportunities, visit moundsparkacademy.org/summer. Next week in Panther Post, we’ll share much more about our brand-new summer musical program!

Upper School Art Exhibition

February 1, 2018

MPA invites you to join us at the upcoming Upper School Art Show Reception! Sharing artists’ work from all first semester visual arts courses, this display includes a wide variety of moods and perspectives, and every grade in the division is represented. It also encompasses a balance of two and three-dimensional visual mediums, including drawing, ceramics, painting, photography, and studio 2D.

The reception is on Wednesday, February 7, at 6:30 PM in the Gallery. The exhibition will be on display until February 19!

MPA Winter Show

January 11, 2018

Mounds Park Academy presents Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet for this year’s Winter Show! In this new interpretation, Romeo is a young woman. The most famous love story in the world takes on new life and new meaning as two young women discover who they are and who they love. Set against the backdrop of family expectations, social norms, and a dominant heterosexual culture, Romeo & Juliet’s star-crossed love echoes with haunting familiarity and danger in these modern times. The show will take place in the Black Box Theatre on January 26 and 27 and February 2 and 3.

Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, January 16! Purchase tickets here!