 In the spring of 2022, CVU students learned that our fall musical would be Amélie. Two weeks before school resumed in August, dozens of students joined Mr. Brownell and me (Stacy) to audition for this whimsical story. Camp officially kicked off with a read-through of the show, with the next few days devoted to the musical score. Students worked their way through every song with Mr. Brownell and set a goal to master and memorize the opening sequence of the show. An intention they met! By the following Friday, 44 students performed the first four numbers with choreography for the CVU faculty and staff.
Layered into this process was the beginning of a larger conversation on content and purpose. Following the read-through, we began to assess what was at stake in the telling of this story. What it meant to survive childhood trauma and neglect. The psychological impact over time. Isolation. Cycles. Breaking cycles. Through the beauty of imagination and the surreal, Amélie manages to balance what might otherwise be heavy content with levity and joy. What a gift in itself. The insights from these students were profound. And as we all came to a unifying understanding of the material and its importance, individual character work began. Much fun was had diving into characters' history, intention, motivation, even the way they walked.
Above all, this story is about connection. How one kind deed offered can ripple its way through a community. A message we are eager to dive more deeply into in this uplifting and creative project. Stacy Chadwell is CVU's Theater Director. Come see Amélie, the charming musical based on the beloved French film, November 11, 12, and 13th, at the CVU Theater.
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In February 2022, CVU Band and Choir students spent their Winter Break traveling to the island of Oahu for a 9-day performance tour after nearly 6 months of rehearsals. It was an amazing opportunity to provide an outreach performance for the residents of the Plaza Assisted Living Facility in Pearl City, serenade shoppers in the International Market Place on the Queen's Court Stage minutes from Waikiki Beach, and make new friends at an exchange performance with Kaimuki High School in Honolulu. Although we went to Hawaii to share our music talents, we had plenty of time to see the sights and soak up the sun! We had Dole whip at the Dole Plantation; Mr. Miskavage led a group of students on a scuba dive, while the rest of us went on board the Dolphin Star for a snorkel cruise; we climbed Diamond Head for some amazing views; we relaxed on the Secret Island Beach at Kualoa Ranch; and ended the trip with an unforgettable dinner at Germaine's Luau, where Mr. Miskavage showcased his best hula dance moves. But the dancing didn't stop there! The CVU music students and the students of Kaimuki High School bonded over a rousing performance of the Macarena! It was an unforgettable trip of a lifetime and we can't wait for 2023! New York City, here we come! Cameron Brownell is the Chorus Teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School, where he directs the school's curricular and co-curricular choral ensembles, serves as Vocal Music Director for the school musicals, and teaches music theory and theater electives.
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