Etobicoke School of the Arts

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Etobicoke School of the Arts
Address
675 Royal York Road
Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Y 2T1, Canada
Information
School board Toronto District School Board
Principal Kathleen McCabe
Vice Principals Marcia Diakun
Cindy Butler
School type Arts High School
Grades 9-12
Language English
Area Etobicoke
Mascot Eagle
Team name ESA Eagles
Colours Blue, Gold, Scarlet
Enrollment 823 (Spring 2006)
Founded September 8, 1981
Motto Vita Brevis Est, Ars Longa. (Life is brief, art is long.)
Homepage http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/esa/ and http://www.esainfo.ca

The Etobicoke School of the Arts is a specialized public arts-academic high school located in Etobicoke area of Toronto, Canada. Founded on September 8, 1981, the Etobicoke School of the Arts has the distinction of being the oldest, free standing arts focused high school in Canada.[1] It has been publicized in Maclean's, The Toronto Star, a national newspaper The Globe and Mail and in the September 2006 issue of the Toronto arts magazine Toronto Life, ESA was named Toronto's best arts high school.[2] As well as being the feature of CTV's Canada AM in September 2006.

Contents

[edit] History

By the late 1970’s The Etobicoke Board of Education had gone through the process of closing over thirty schools because of a dramatic decline in enrolment, which dropped from 65,000 to fewer than 35,000 pupils. In spite of this, the senior staff felt compelled to resume innovative programs that had characterized the Board during the 1960’s and 1970’s. One idea had been talked about in the program department was a school for artistic students.

In 1979, the late William Moore, Superintendent of Planning, took a proposal to the senior officials that an investigative committee be formed to assess the feasibility of this idea. The late John Londerville, who was Superintendent of Programs was asked to come out of retirement and co-chair the committee. Murray Young, Assistant Superintendent of Administration, served with him.

In the fall of 1979, they began their investigation by visiting the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City as well as a comparable school in Buffalo, New York. They came away convinced that a successful arts school would have to have an exclusive program, that is, a program that would function on its own, without sharing space within an existing secondary school. To ensure that the right students enrolled, they also agreed that admission would be subject to an audition.

The next phase was to share the concept with principals and department heads. There was general support for the concept except that some department heads were concerned that they might lose their "best" students to the proposed school. Developing the curriculum was a major undertaking especially since it was expected that graduates would be qualified for any university program on graduation.

With the co-operation of the Ministry of Education the proposed curriculum was approved which included music, visual arts, drama, and dance specialities along with all other required academic subjects. It was now time to move ahead and present the concept to the Board of Trustees. Its reaction was predictable. Why open a new school that will draw students from our existing school and make them even smaller? Ultimately, they decided that the students of the 1980’s, like those of the previous decades, should have innovative options available.

With that approval, an implementation committee was established and included principals, subject co-ordinators, consultants, Ministry personnel, Federation representatives, vice-principals and senior staff. Two more decisions were needed: a location and a staff. The school was opened on September 8, 1981 at the closed Queensway Senior School.

The staff was recruited from existing staff who expressed an interest in working in such an environment and who had the necessary qualifications. The key staff member was the appointment of a principal who began organizing and choosing teachers in September, 1980. The first principal was Nancy Main, herself an artist and the right person at the right time and at the right place.

In the meeting with the parents of potential students, it was explained that there was not another like this one in all of Canada, consequently, there was an element of risk. Their response indicated they had confidence in this new concept and wanted their children to be a part of it. The first year was for 100 grade nine students with 100 added each year for the next four years. Some applicants, who were already in Grade Nine wanted to repeat so that they could be a part of the school. Applications came from across Metro Toronto, Peel, York, and Durham and Roman Catholic separate schools, which made the selection difficult. That first year was a success as has been each succeeding year.

Silvio Sauro, Former Director of Education and Secretary Treasurer recalls presiding at the official opening in the basement at the old Queensway Senior School which was filled to overflowing. The guest speaker was Elwy Yost and the Chair of the Board, George Malo, declared the school officially open.

In September 1983 ESA moved to its current home in the building of Royal York Collegiate which had been closed in June 1982. The school gained a strong reputation over the next decade as one of Toronto's best secondary schools. Students began to apply from all over the GTA and southern Ontario.

Musical Theatre had been offered at ESA since its founding, but in 1987 school administration determined that there was a need to expand the arts program with the addition of Musical Theatre as a full arts discipline. With the this the schools population also grew.

In 1992, after 11 years of loyal service to the school, its firsts principal, Nancy Main announced her retirement. She was replaced by Ms. Elizabeth Downie who would stay until 1998.

In 2006 ESA celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a series of events over the weekend of June 2nd - 3rd, 2006. On Friday the 2nd evening a party was held at the Drake Hotel where Alumni performed. On Saturday the 3rd an open house was held which featured the End of Year Art Show, a variety of short performances by students and a documentary of ESA's first 25 years. That evening the 25th Anniversary Gala performance was held. The show was a compilation a pieces by current and former ESA students. It was attended by former and current principals, teachers, school board administrators, trustees, politicians and students.

[edit] Overview

ESA is part of the Toronto District School Board and accepts students from all over southern Ontario from Grade 9 to 12. The school runs on a two-day schedule with 4 periods a day. Each week is either week A, or week B, and based on which week it is, the 2 afternoon classes are switched in order to ensure a student does not miss the same class every week for rehearsals or appointments. The female-to-male ratio of the school is about 5 to 1.[3]

[edit] Application and Audition Process

Students are accepted into their chosen field, namely Drama, Dance, Visual Arts, Music (Band or Strings) film and Musical Theatre, after undergoing an application process and passing an audition the year before. They must submit their elementary report cards, as well as undergo an interview, write an essay, and submit three personal references, one being from their prior principal. Each year approximately 1000 students are auditioned and 200 students are accepted, primarily at the grade 9 level, however, some students may be accepted at higher grade levels should places become available.

[edit] The Arts

ESA offers a wide array of artistic programs for students who successfully complete the audition process in the major of their choice, namely Drama, Dance, Visual Arts, Music (Band or Strings) and Musical Theatre (with the Addition of Film in the upcoming 2008-2009 school year). At ESA students have the chance to work with an experienced arts faculty as well as numerous professional "visiting artists".

[edit] Drama

The Drama Department, like the rest of the school, had humble beginnings. The first drama classes were held in makeshift old typing and business study rooms. Even then however the view and reach of the department was grand in scope. Mainstage, the departments headliner production has been held since the school opened in 1981. Even during the fledgling period of the early 1980s, the plays were anything but modest. Plays by the like of Chekhov, Moliere, Shakespeare and Sophoclese were some of the earliest choice productions by the department. Since then the range has been extended even more to include more modern lyrical works like Neil Simon's Rumors and Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. The department participates in many endeavours and competitions such as the Sears Ontario Drama Festival where it has won many awards in its history.

The curriculum of the Drama Department is broken up into four years, Grades 9 through 12, each year building on the last. With the culmination of this work, students produce their Drama Showcases, performed through the final months of the school year.

Grade 9 Drama is the study of monologues, myths, rituals, mime; Greek and children's theatre. Through the study of the early classical theatre styles students build a base on which to grow. Student then adapt children's stories and fairy tales. For Grade 9 Drama Showcases, both classes write and perform their own children's plays which are performed for younger audiences.

Grade 10 Drama is an in-depth look into comedy and comedic stylings. Students study Improvisation, Commedia dell'arte, stand up, clown, monologues and sketch comedy.

Grade 11 Drama moves students toward higher Studio-based scene study by building on basic skills and the development and performance of One Act Plays.

Grade 12 students continue with script and scene study, begin Theatre History and about the many different styles of theatre, along with costume, set and prop design and creation.

[edit] Visual Arts

The Visual Arts Department is responsible for the teaching of fine arts at ESA. In 1981 the department began with two teachers and a handful of students. Yet in it time it has grown to have five teachers, all specialists in fine arts.

The department has created several murals and pieces on commission. Some of the murals have included those for Norseman Public School, Humber Valley Village School, Future Bakery, Toronto City Hall, the Daily Bread Foodbank and Woodbine Race Track.

As well as exhibitions at ESA, many off-campus shows have also been held. Notable exhibitions were held at the Woman's Arts Resource Centre, Harbourfront, Praxis, Gallery 44, Arts Junktion and the Yukon Arts Centre Public Art Gallery

[edit] Music

Music is the largest of all Majors at ESA, making up just under a quarter of the student body. The Music Department is divided into two streams: Strings and Band. In addition to the Student's choice of study, all Grade 9, 10 and 11 Students must take Theory, or Rudiments,. In grade 12 students have the option of taking Orchestration.

In Grade 9 and 10, students will begin to perfect their skills, both as individual performers, and ensemble players in groups. Technique work is focused on, as well as overall ability. In theory, the focus is on basic theory work (taken from the RCM Elementary and Grade 1 Rudiments both as individual performers, and ensemble players in groups. Technique work is focused on, as well as overall ability. In theory, the focus is on basic theory work (taken from the RCM Elementary and Grade 1 Rudiments Curriculum), as well as the History of Music. Through help from their theory and instrumental teacher, students focus on personal improvement, both in their practical classes, and in theory work. In Grades 11 and 12, students move towards perfecting a personal playing style, as well as focusing on their technique.

In theory, Grade 11 completes the History of Music, and broadens theory skills to proficiency in fields such as composition, harmonization, and listening skills. Grade 12 students take the Orchestration course, which focuses on abilities pertaining to writing, transposing and organizing music, as well as a History component.

The culmination of the Music students' career at ESA is their Grade 12 recitals. Alone, or in groups of 2-3 members, students are responsible for mounting a full musical recital, including rehearsals, staging, lighting, and publicity.

Performing Groups

ESA Stage Band - A full stage band which performs in many styles of big band jazz music, including swing, Latin, and funk.

TOJO - Originally known as the Junior Stage Band, and directed by Lorant Oswald, since 2004 it has been directed by a different Grade 12 student each year. It is currently under the direction of Denise Simpson. TOJO is an acronym for "The Other Jazz Orchestra".

MOSAIC - Also known as the ESA Jazz Combo or simply Combo, MOSAIC is a small group of jazz specialists in the Music department, as hand-selected by Director Bryan Humphreys, who occasionally accompanies the group on drums. MOSAIC has appeared as a Silver award recipient at the finals of Musicfest Canada, and at many corporate functions and Toronto District School Board events.

Junior Concert Band- conducted by Dr. Karen Kress. Open to anyone students Grade 9 and 10 who play an instrument and wish to play. It is mandatory for all Band Majors to join.

Senior Concert Band - conducted by Dr. Karen Kress. Open to anyone students Grade 10 and 11 who play an instrument and wish to play. It is mandatory for all Band Majors to join.

Concert Strings - conducted by Ms. Charita Holod. It is mandatory for all Strings Majors to join.

Stradivarius Strings - conducted by Ms. Charita Holod. Commonly abbreviated to 'Strad', this is a group of approximately fifteen Strings players, who are the hand picked best of ESA's Strings Majors. They are known for their incredible playing ability and dedication to their discipline.

Etobicoke School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra - conducted by Ms. Charita Holod and Dr. Karen Kress. Consisting of ninety members accepted on completion of a successful audition, Symphony is ESA's largest performance group. They play at all music concerts and have performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

[edit] Dance

Dance is the smallest major at ESA, with under one hundred students. The dance department teaches ballet, modern and jazz techniques. Students work with experienced teachers and choreographers, and the programme focuses on building dance & performance skills. Dance students have two chances each year to present their own original choreography in the November and February Choreographic Workshop performances. Dance is taught by Shari Wolfson, Gabby Kamino, Colleen Friedman and Melissa Rosario. Recent guest choreographers have included Niki Johnson, Danny Grossman, Julia Aplin, Benjamin Kamino, and Alex Kamino.

At the beginning of May, the dance department puts on a year-end show called Dance Night, involving all dance majors and company members. Dance Night 2008 will be a rendition of the Dark Side of Oz, using the music of Pink Floyd and the storyline from the book The Wizard of Oz.

The department also runs an extracurricular dance company called DancESAtion. In the past, this company has performed in many professional settings, including with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Recently, DancESAtion also took part in a workshop with the talented Dancemakers company.

[edit] Musical Theatre

The Music Theatre program offers students an opportunity to study three disciplines in one major. Throughout their four years in the program they are trained in vocal music, dance, and drama. as their requirement for this program. Aside from these requirements music theatre students also learn music theory as one of their compulsory courses. Performing groups which students can be involved in or audition for include: Lunch Bunch, SPLASH, Chamber Choir, and JAMME. The department has performed all over. These included: in February 2005 the Grade 9 classes performed at the Tsunami Spirit Awards celebration for Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty and other dignitaries, and in May of the same year the Chamber and Treble Choirs and Stradivarius Strings performed at a Chamber Music concert at High Park Morningside Church in the west end of Toronto.

Performing Groups

SPLASH - Directed by Mr. Paul Aikins and Assistant Director Lizzie Kurtz, Musical Direction by Mr. Michael Vieira, Costumer Ming Wong and Dance Technique by Ms. Colleen Freedman and Gabby Kamino. ESA's premier musical company. Students from any Major are selected on completion of an audition. Performers are required to be able to sing and dance.

SPLASH performs at the 2006 International AIDS Vigil at Cawthra Park.
SPLASH performs at the 2006 International AIDS Vigil at Cawthra Park.

They have had the privilege of working with distinguished professional choreographers including Milton Myers, Danny Austin, David Connolly, Mark Kimelman, Marianne McCord, and Gerard McIsaac While performing at all Musical Theatre shows, they have performed all over Toronto and Canada. These performances include the opening of Festive Season at the Eaton's Centre, the annual Wal Mart convention, Youth Philanthropy Initiative Awards celebration, the 2006 International AIDS Vigil at Cawthra Park[4][5] and the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta.

Chamber Choir - Under the direction of Mrs. Warnock by audition. In addition to school performances, the choir has been a guest participant at the International Bach Festival, and they have performed in many venues including the Ontario Vocal Festival, and National MusicFest in Ottawa, Ontario, receiving a grade of silver in their national grouping.

Treble Choir - Under the direction of Mrs. Warnock, sometimes treble choir is formed from the Chamber Choir audition. An all-girls choir usually consisting of girls from the Chamber Choir among others.

Bass-Baritone-Concept (B.B.C) - Under the direction of the performers themselves. By audition into Chamber Choir. An all boys group that made its debut in the 2006 spring show, Collage. This group is currently not performing due to the maternity leave of Mrs. Warnock, the founder.

JAMME - under the direction of Ms. Megan Benjafield. By audition and ear test. A small mixed voice jazz choir.

"Lunch Bunch" - under the direction of Mr. Paul Aikins, Ms. Megan Benjafield, and Ms. Patricia Warnock Lunch Bunch is ESA's largest choir as it is mandatory for all students in Musical Theatre to join consisting of over 200 students. Lunch Bunch rehearses every Wednesday. Students are marked on attendance, that is, part of a Music Theatre student's report card includes attendance percentages. This is considered controversial as student rights in Ontario conclude that marking based on attendance is prohibited.

[edit] Film

After years of a film course run by Mr. Johnson, It has been announced that a film major will begin in the 2008-2009 school year. It will begin with Grade 9 students and over a four year period will fill out to include 9-12. The film course has run many years and there has been a flim club and a film festival, but no such major. The course will focus on telling the students stories on the big screen and teaching the students about the film industry.More information about the new major is yet to be announced.[6]

[edit] Performances

Every year, the school puts on a variety of shows and performances that vary each year. The shows demonstrate each of the five majors, and the students, and display them in a way that befits each.

The Drama Department puts on a yearly production known as "Mainstage". Past productions have included The Crucible by Arthur Miller, Michel Tremblay's Les Belles-Sœurs and William Shakespeare's Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer Night's Dream. On April 12 - 14, 2007 the department completed a successful run of Moisés Kaufman's The Laramie Project, directed by Richard Burdett. This years production will be an English Rendition of the French play Tartuffe by Moliere.

The Dance Department produce "Dance Night" in which all the dance students perform, most notably ESA's dance company "DancESAtion". Previous Dance NIghts have included Romeo and Juliet, Madame Butterfly and other original works. This year's Dance Night production is the Dark Side of Oz. The department also produces two choreographic workshops of staff and student pieces which perform in the fall and spring.

The Visual Arts Department hosts an annual art show which student artwork is showcased and sold, and produces an annual fashion show, which is also its largest fundraiser.

The Music and Musical Theatre Departments have three concerts each year: the December holiday concert, "Festive Celebration", the mid-winter variety performance "Ensemble Night" and a spring show called "Collage". The musical put on every spring is the final show for the two departments each year. In 2006 they performed "Broadway!", a compilation of musicals celebrating ESA's past to coincide with ESA's 25th Anniversary. In 2007, the musical was Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber. In 2008, the musical will be Anne of Green Gables - The Musical.

ESA shows are renowned for their professional quality and its performances draw crowds from all over Toronto. Throughout the year, all the departments have smaller shows that focus on work produced in class.

During the year, two concerts called "Goatstock" and "Solstice" are put on. Goatstock serves as a fundraiser for World Vision. Solstice is a school concert near the end of the year strictly for the students enjoyment. These concerts usually include "rock" styled bands which play a variety of music from rock and roll, indie, ska, jazz, blues, fusion and many others.

[edit] Academics

Most standard Ontario curriculum courses are offered, including classes in the social sciences, science, math, languages and physical education. An abnormally high number of students exceed provincial levels in standardised tests, including both the Grade 10 Literacy Test and the Grade 9 EQAO[7] math test which are nationally recognised benchmarks set by the EQAO.

[edit] Exams

There are two examination periods a year at ESA, the first either in December prior to the Holiday break or in mid January after the break. The second is in June before the summer break. During these exam periods, there are no classes, and students only attend school to write their exams as needed. In total, there are twelve combined exam days in a school year. ESA is a termed, rather than semestered, school. This means a student could have to sit up to eight exams during an examination period, instead of four in a semestered school. Exams in June may be part of the 30% required Culminating Activity. Two report cards are given out after these exam periods, and also once in March.

[edit] Extracurricular

For many years the music department has participated in and won numerous awards at the Kiwanis Music Festival.

In 2007, ESA's photography students participated in Gallery 44's exhibition Cameralinks 2007 - URBAN.

[edit] Sport

Although being an arts school, ESA has a strong athletic program, as well as student run intramural sports program. The school participates in numerous athletic activities; fielding teams in no less than nine sports. These are:

Hockey
Girls Softball
Boys Baseball
Badminton
Volley Ball
Swimming
Golf
Soccer
Alpine Skiing
Cross Country Skiing
Basketball
Cross Country Running

[edit] Facilities

Providing both a strong arts and academic program requires that ESA be equipped appropriately. So in addition to excellent classroom facilities for the academic subjects, ESA has many spaces especially designed for the study of the arts. The Drama Department has four rooms which are used for classes and rehearsal space, as well as an intimate 40 seat Thrust style studio theatre. Visual Arts has a printmaking studio, a photography room and three spacious studios for drawing, painting and sculpture as well as unlimited wall space for exhibitions. Two large, well-lit dance studios with bars and mirrored walls serve the Dance Department. The Music and Musical Theatre Departments share spaces that include a listening lab, an electronic piano lab, small practice rooms and three separate rooms for vocal, string and wind instruction.

The Nancy Main Auditorium.
The Nancy Main Auditorium.

ESA's main performing venue, The Nancy Main Auditorium which is named after the founding principal, is 571 seat proscenium arch style theatre. The Nancy Main is well equipped and is constantly updated and provides students with performing opportunities and the chance to learn about technical production. ESA has on staff a professional theatre technician who oversees all productions at the school.

The school has two modern graphics computer labs, one equipped with 25 Pentium IV Dell PC computers and 2 iMac Mac OS X workstations, scanners and both black and white and colour printers. The main lab contains 26 iMacs and 5 Dell PC computers. Both labs use contemporary graphics software including iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Adobe Editor for Film editing; PhotoShop, In Design, Flash and Go Live for design, animation and web page production.

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ "Etobicoke School of the Arts TDSB School Profile"
  2. ^ Balkissoon, Denise. "The Best Schools. Best for Arts: Etobicoke School of the Arts." Toronto Life September 2006: 55.
  3. ^ TDSB School Profile" Our Students
  4. ^ "Etobicoke School of the Arts Web Page Music Department
  5. ^ "International AIDS Vigil Participants
  6. ^ http://schools.tdsb.on.ca/esa/urls/home.html
  7. ^ "Etobicoke School of the Arts EQAO and Grade 10 Literacy Test Results"
  8. ^ Torontoist : Staff