French American International School Rallies Community to Celebrate Spring

SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 21, French American & International High School will celebrate the coming of spring with a day-long series of performances, artistic activities and presentations focusing on Igor Stravinsky's 1913 revolutionary ballet Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring). Collaborating with our school in this event are the San Francisco Conservatory, San Francisco Symphony and Keeping Score, foolsFury Theater Company, Hayes Valley Farm, The Walden School, Symphony Parnassus, and California Dance Institute.

Intent on merging creativity and nature, French American's Director of Musical Activities, David Williamson, "thought it would be great for students from our lower, middle and high school to collaborate on Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring.'" When Williamson shared the idea with both school colleagues and members of the local arts community, the impassioned instructor describes how within moments, whomever he spoke with understood and built upon it. Teachers and students alike began to plan activities focusing on renewal and rebirth; from mask making to composting to dance. Some even made the connection between global events and the Earth's natural cycles—whether revolutionary (i.e. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya) or catastrophic (Japan). Together, school members and their community are gearing up for an ambitious day of arts-integrated learning.

For his part, Stephen Paulson, principal bassoonist with the San Francisco Symphony and conductor for Symphony Parnassus, immediately offered to conduct a graduate woodwind quintet from the Conservatory to accompany French American International students in their performance. When it came to finding a venue, Williamson called upon Lindsey Goldberg at the Hayes Valley Farm, with whom the school maintains a partnership. Goldberg agreed not only to host the performance, but also to conduct a workshop on the Farm, which specializes in gardening and farming in a contained urban setting. So what started out as one small seed has spread like spring fever!

SOURCE French American International School

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED