Ware Concerts Delight Audiences and Kick Off Spring!

Ware Academy’s Fine and Performing Arts Department wowed the audiences during both Spring Concerts held on Thursday evening, April 15th and Friday morning, April 16th at Abingdon Episcopal Church in White Marsh, VA.

The performances were a part of our Grandparents’ Day celebrations; an annual event held to honor grandparents and their traditions, and family values. With Music Director and Ware alumni student, Aaron Ward, at the helm, students from grades Pre-Kindergarten through Eight performed through song or by playing the handbells for a combined total of seventeen pieces. The students were accompanied by Randy Joyner on piano, Ann Thomas on organ, Peter Booker on trumpet and Nina Busby on cello. A special guest Ladies Chorus with members Ashley Moore, Gale Ferraro, Rosabeth Kissman (Ware Alumni), Ann Thomas and Helen Ward also sang with the students.

The performances included pieces from Ma Bella Bimba,an Italian Folk Song arranged by Donald Moore, to Sing Away Sadness by Neil Harmon. The concert ended with a full-school performance of So Long, Farewell from “The Sound of Music” arranged by Ed Lojeski. This finale piece was significant because Ware’s very own First Grade Teacher, Sandy Van Leeuwen played violin.

“I have the joy of teaching these students and seeing them reach their fullest potential through performing. I am constantly touched by the efforts and talents of our students. There is nothing better than to watch a child’s face light up at the surprise of their own ability to sing, and to enjoy it at the same time. I am so thankful that the Arts are an important part of the Ware Academy mission to educate the whole child,” said Aaron Ward, Ware Academy Music Director.