Cooperative Link: Winter 2008

2008 Fine Arts Conference: A Splendid Arrangement!
By Bridget Serig

Over 300 students, parents, chaperones, teachers, presenters, performers, volunteers and staff gathered to experience a variety of art forms at their finest for the 5th Annual South Central Service Cooperative Fine Arts Conference hosted by Bethany Lutheran College. Schools in attendance included Blue Earth, Winnebago, Jordan, United South Central, Belle Plaine, St. Peter, New Ulm, Nicollet, numerous Mankato schools and home schooled students.

“Miranda’s Amazing Adventure,” by playwright Amy Seham, Gustavus Adolphus College Associate Professor, was professionally performed by St. Peter Arts Center and Three Penny Productions. Students not only experienced fine theatre but learned the dangers and evils of cyberspace as well. Three student-chosen sessions filled with hands-on activities followed. Praise for the sessions was reflected in their evaluation forms.

The finale left all in awe. “Jaw dropping,” “amazing,” “unbelievable,” and “I loved it,” were among the countless raving comments left by the students, other presenters, visiting adults, volunteers, and staff. Lydia Heldner, a 9-year- old from Mankato, began with her rendition of “Breathe (2 AM)” by pop artist Anna Nalick. With an appealing folk rock vocal sound, she performed confidently and with poise. Aaron Smith, St. Peter High School sophomore, picked up the beat with his incredible self-composed drum solo and was an instant hit. Finally, 13-year-old, Katherine Kjeer, an accomplished violinist from Mankato, closed the day with a mesmerizing performance of Wieniaswki’s Violin Concerto #2 in D minor, 1st movement. The objective of the finale was to motivate students to perfect their own art forms by listening to their peers. The applause of the crowd assured South Central Service Cooperative staff their goals were met!

Thank you to more than 30 area artists who shared their talents along with several volunteers from Bethany Lutheran College who directed traffic, lent helping hands in sessions, and interacted positively with youth. Bethany Lutheran College staff deserves a hearty thank you also for their dedication to educational enrichment programs and their generous use of their beautiful facilities.




SCSC News Calendar of Events *Programs and Services* Accounting Briefs / AYP-Student Improvement / News from the Center for Academic Excellence / Cooperative Purchasing / Health and Safety / SOCRATES / Special Education / Wellness Program *Student Enrichment Programs* Chess Tournament / Fine Arts Conference / Knowledge Bowl / Minnesota Student Inventors Congress / Young Writer's Conference Winter 2008 Issue Home Page Previous Issues of Cooperative Link Return to SCSC Home Page	FINE ARTS CONFERENCE 2008 Fine Arts Conference: A Splendid Arrangement! By Bridget Serig Over 300 students, parents, chaperones, teachers, presenters, performers, volunteers and staff gathered to experience a variety of art forms at their finest for the 5th Annual South Central Service Cooperative Fine Arts Conference hosted by Bethany Lutheran College. Schools in attendance included Blue Earth, Winnebago, Jordan, United South Central, Belle Plaine, St. Peter, New Ulm, Nicollet, numerous Mankato schools and home schooled students. “Miranda’s Amazing Adventure,” by playwright Amy Seham, Gustavus Adolphus College Associate Professor, was professionally performed by St. Peter Arts Center and Three Penny Productions. Students not only experienced fine theatre but learned the dangers and evils of cyberspace as well. Three student-chosen sessions filled with hands-on activities followed. Praise for the sessions was reflected in their evaluation forms. The finale left all in awe. “Jaw dropping,” “amazing,” “unbelievable,” and “I loved it,” were among the countless raving comments left by the students, other presenters, visiting adults, volunteers, and staff. Lydia Heldner, a 9-year- old from Mankato, began with her rendition of “Breathe (2 AM)” by pop artist Anna Nalick. With an appealing folk rock vocal sound, she performed confidently and with poise. Aaron Smith, St. Peter High School sophomore, picked up the beat with his incredible self-composed drum solo and was an instant hit. Finally, 13-year-old, Katherine Kjeer, an accomplished violinist from Mankato, closed the day with a mesmerizing performance of Wieniaswki’s Violin Concerto #2 in D minor, 1st movement. The objective of the finale was to motivate students to perfect their own art forms by listening to their peers. The applause of the crowd assured South Central Service Cooperative staff their goals were met! Thank you to more than 30 area artists who shared their talents along with several volunteers from Bethany Lutheran College who directed traffic, lent helping hands in sessions, and interacted positively with youth. Bethany Lutheran College staff deserves a hearty thank you also for their dedication to educational enrichment programs and their generous use of their beautiful facilities.	This newsletter is also available as an Acrobat PDF (4.0 MB) Free Acrobat Reader required for viewing.