Huether Lasallian Workshop

When the members of the Regional Education Board, during their fall 2001 meeting, began tossing around the idea of focusing on the arts for the 2002 Huether Lasallian Workshop, they couldn’t have possibly imagined what an uplifting celebratory event it would be.

From November 21–23 in Chicago, the Huether Lasallian Workshop came alive thanks to an extremely creative planning team, the over 200 teachers of the arts and administrators, and dozens of student performers. The theme of “Visual and Performing Arts Education and the Lasallian Mission” provided the context to make the annual U.S./Toronto Region workshop an unforgettable and inspirational experience.

Traveling from as far away as Berkeley (CA), Providence, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and as close as the Southside of Chicago, the student performers and their directors dazzled their audiences with performances of energetic dance, lively music, melodic choirs, humorous drama and even eye-opening performance poetry. In a makeshift gallery, art enthusiasts were treated to magnificent student work, including pieces from Calvert Hall, West Catholic (below, right; from Leonard Raines) and La Salle University (below, left; from Melissa Comber). La Salle College High School’s Jazz Band and strings section played to rave reviews on several occasions.

An extremely valuable exchange of best practices with regards to arts education took place both during formal breakout sessions and particularly as arts educators and administrators networked informally throughout the three days. The Best Practices Sessions were broken down into five groups: Visual Arts, Drama and Dance, New Media, Music, and Administration of Arts Programs.

Members of the Baltimore District conducted three of the breakout sessions. “Put Yours Hands On. This is a Flick UP” was the title of a presentation by Br. Gerry Molyneaux, FSC, and Sidney MacLeod, AFSC, both from the Communications Department of La Salle University. They led the participants through a creative examination of ways to integrate film and TV clips into a stimulating learning experience.

La Salle University also supplied the presenters for another breakout session, entitled “Envisioning the Future.” Sandy Camomile, an Assistant Professor in the Digital Arts and Multimedia Design Program, and Sabrina De Turk, the Assistant Provost, employed stunning examples of student work and an effective hands-on exercise to introduce the innovative concepts of La Salle University’s Digital Arts and Multimedia Design program, which integrates arts and technology curriculum with the liberal arts core of the institution.

At still another session, Joseph Ciccimaro, the Director of Music at La Salle College High School, shared his wealth of experience accumulated throughout his more than forty years as a music educator and professional muscian. He spoke onwhat it takes to initiate, develop and sustain an instrumental performance program.

At the workshop, the Region officially recognized Br. Richard Buccina, FSC, from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, as the Baltimore District’s Distinguished Lasallian Educator for 2002-03. Br. Richard is the chairperson of the Fine Arts Department and art teacher at West Catholic, as well as an outstanding accomplished artist himself. (He is pictured seated above, with Br. Bob Schieler, FSC, standing to the left and Br. Kevin Dalmasse, FSC.) He was honored for, among other things, his firmness and compassion in his interaction with his students, his ability to motivate his students to gain an appreciation for and develop a talent in the arts, his tremendous involvement in school programs and activities, and his characteristic unceasing generosity and even-temperedness.

The keynote address, which began to bring closure to the event, was given by Br. Michael McKenery, the President of La Salle Academy in Providence, RI. His insightful and informative words produced an eruption of applause and an echo of requests for a copy of his speech. It has been posted at the Christian Brothers Conference website. (Click here to download a copy of the address: http://www.cbconf.org/cbc.nsf/newsview/E0203F14ED88261686256C7D000DD95F.)

By the end of the three days, no participant could refute that the arts are or should be essential components of an authentic Lasallian education. (For additional photos, click here: http://www.cbconf.org/cbc.nsf/PhotoAlbum?OpenPage.)