Arts Spotlights

“The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic…music, dance, painting, and theater are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment.”

–William Bennett, Former US Secretary of Education

Music, dance, painting, theatre … writing, journalism, debate … UMS-Wright arts programs offer a home for everyone. From our award-winning drum line to our nationally-recognized yearbook to our entertaining stage performances and fascinating art exhibits, students of all ages utilize those keys that “unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment.”

K4-5^th grade Keys

In the spirit of teaching the whole child, the lower school curriculum integrates music, art, and class plays in each child’s schedule. Each month, a lower school grade presents a class play with an accompanying art exhibit that celebrates the play’s theme. The Lower School Chorus represents the school at various area events such as Bellingrath Gardens' Holiday Lights show. After-school activities include ceramics, painting, creative drama, and piano.

Music Notes ~ Band, Symphony, Chorus

Under the direction of Richard DeLaFuente, UMS-Wright Band received the Superior ratings at state band competition in March 2013. Four of our music students were selected as members of the Mobile Youth Symphony. Our outstanding choral program earns recognition on local and state level with superior ratings at state assessments. Under the direction of Tracy Mank, our students are consistently selected for All State Choirs and All State Show Choir.

Forensics Honors

Under the direction of Diane Maisel, the forensic or debate team participates in regional tournaments. In the 2012 Youth Judicial program, UMS-Wright was named the top prosecution team in the state.

Art Accolades

Hundreds of visitors enjoy rotating exhibits in the Moorer Reception Gallery each month. Art teachers Pier Hardin and Margaret Delaney with photography teacher Catherine Helmsing explor topics ranging from the green world to portraiture in 2D and 3D work. An AP Studio capstone exhibit highlights the work of outstanding studio artists each spring.

Seventy-five percent of students who took the 2011 AP Art History course earned a 4 or 5 on the AP exam, and 100% earned 4 or 5 on the 2012 exam.

Stage Spotlights

The Theatre Guild produces five entertaining plays each year such as the famous Kaufman and Hart comedy You Can’t Take It With You, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Gothic romance play, Jane Eyre, and Broadway musical favorites like How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

The audition-only company, Wright Players, participates in district and state-level competitions including the prestigious Walter Trumbauer Festival and the National Endowment for the Arts Shakespeare Festival. Under the direction of Diane Maisel, fourteen students advanced to the state level in the 2012 Trumbauer Festival and all received superior ratings. The one-act entry, "In Juliet's Garden," took 1st place on the Studio stage. The Wright Players brought home Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and two scenes took 1st place.

Each winter the Middle School Drama Club produces a play under the direction of alumna Margaret Delaney. Over 40 students take part in the productions as actors and tech crew. Past plays include Peter Pan, Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, and Mrs. Delaney's original play, Boogeyman's Revenge.

Our 2012-2013 season includes upper school productions of Jane Eyre, "In Juliet's Garden," and Get Smart. The winter Middle School play will be "Cinderella and the Substitute Fairy Godmother."

Mrs. Laura Roberts

Arts Director

Arts Center Manager

251-470-9024

lauraroberts@ums-wright.org

Literary Acclaim

UMS-Wright sponsors three literary publications each with curriculum support for those who are interested. The student newspaper staff produces five issues of the Crimson & Grey each year, one per quarter plus the popular Senior Will edition.

Newspaper and Yearbook sponsor Janey Miller consistently coaches each staff to achieve excellence that has garnered national recognition for The Cadet, the yearbook. In 2012, the yearbook earned National Scholastic Press Association: First Class with four Marks of Distinction, Columbia Scholastic Press Association: Gold Medalist, and Alabama Scholastic Press Association: Superior Rating. Additionally, Herff-Jones Publishers selected The Cadet for inclusion in "Discoveries," a design magazine sent to schools throughout the country.

The Literary Magazine, Mind’s Eye, is a student-published magazine of poetry, prose, and art. Under the guidance of Pier Hardin, the 2011 Mind’s Eye was the most ambitious publication to date for the magazine, and it earned All-Southern and All-Alabama awards.

The arts are indeed alive and thriving at UMS-Wright. Follow our schedule on the website, browse the gallery exhibits, stop in for a tour of the facilities. Let us entertain you in the 2012-2013 school year!