SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Kathryn Humphries
Junior School music teacher Ms. Kathryn Humphries is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Grade 5 Students Stage Tale As Old As Time
The SMUSpaper sits down with Grade 5 students who are ready to perform "Beauty and the Beast Jr." this week at the McPherson Playhouse
SMUS in the News: Actor/Writer Corey Large ’93 Making a Splash Down Under
Corey Large '93 talks to the Times Colonist about his latest film project, In Like Flynn, a biopic about screen legend Errol Flynn
Middle School Tests a Flexible Schedule to Personalize Learning
For one day, May 10, the schedule was wiped clean and students had a modified schedule that allowed for longer, more personalized learning opportunities
Young Singers Rock Out for Choral Concert
Grade 4-8 students took to the stage for a Choral Concert this week that was more like a rock show than a choir performance
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Alex Cecill
Senior School art teacher Ms. Alex Cecill is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: Tessa Pihl ’14 Sets Sights on Feature Film Career
Alumnus Tessa Pihl '14 sits down with the Kelowna Daily Courier to talk about her acting career
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory Closes Its Doors
The SMUSpaper sits down with five students who played varying roles – from Oompa Loompas to stagehands – in the Middle School musical, Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka: Golden Ticket Holders Talk Middle School Musical
The SMUSpaper sits down with the young actors taking a tour of the chocolate factory in the Middle School's musical presentation of Willy Wonka
REVIEW: Opening Night of Ragtime
Senior School students – and members of the pit orchestra – review the Senior School musical, Ragtime
SMUS in the News: Ragtime’s Message Still Rings True
Saanich News promos the Senior School production of Ragtime, and the important message the show presents
Curtain Call: Meet Ragtime’s Coalhouse Walker Jr.
The SMUSpaper sits down with the two students playing Coalhouse Walker Jr. in the Senior School musical, Ragtime
SMUS Teacher Feature: Mr. Peter Butterfield
Choir teacher and boarding houseparent Mr. Peter Butterfield is covered in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
Putting the “Service” in Christmas Carol Service
Our annual Christmas Carol Service brings the community together for a beautiful evening of music and student reflections
SMUS in the News: Singer Anj Djearam ’23 Wins Conservatory Gold
December 1, 2016
Peninsula News Review
Anj Djearam '23
North Saanich girl gets gold medal from Royal Conservatory of Music
(photo courtesy of Peninsula News Review)
Grade 4 String Musicians Make Their Public Debut
After just three months of learning music, our talented young strings musicians took the stage this week and showed off their skills
SMUS Teacher Feature: Ms. Jennifer Fisher
Junior School strings teacher Ms. Jennifer Fisher is highlighted in this week's SMUS Teacher Feature
SMUS in the News: SMUS Rocks Out with Musical Theatre Camp
August 23, 2016
Saanich News
Summer Musical Theatre Academy
SMUS rocks out with musical theatre camp
(photo courtesy of Saanich News)
SMUS in the News: Sarah Donald ’90 On Stage at The Belfry
August 10, 2016
Oak Bay News
Sarah Donald '90
Modern motherhood on stage
SMUS in the News: Film Camp Puts Focus on Kids
July 29, 2016
Saanich News
SMUS's Education Extension: Shoot the Right Stuff
Film camp puts focus on kids
(photo courtesy of Saanich News)
SMUS in the News: SMUS Students Win Nanaimo Parklet Contest
July 13, 2016
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
Fo Wu and Jasmine Yu '17
Nanaimo parklets leave lasting impact
SMUS in the News: Singer/Songwriter Fintan O’Brien Raising Money for Youth Arts Camp
July 14, 2016
Victoria News
Fintan O'Brien '14
Young singer/songwriter raising funds for music camp
Innovation Hour is “Personalized Learning at Its Best”
What is your passion? Every student at SMUS has a different answer to that question. For some their passion lies somewhere in the realm of arts or...
SMUS in the News: Grade 11 Students Have Designs on Parklet Competition
June 8, 2016
Saanich News
Fo Wu and Jasmine Yu '17
St. Michaels students have designs on parklet competition
Grade 5 Opera “Die Fledermaus” Hits the McPherson Stage
The story of Die Fledermaus can be a bit confusing, so to prepare you for the Grade 5 opera (running Thursday and Friday at...
Grade 3 Students Become Poetry Pros
Poetry, as the Grade 3 students in Mr. Brandon Hawes' class have learned this term, is much more than just putting pen to paper. There's the...
SMUS in the News: Small Voices Tackle Big Show (Grade 5 Opera)
May 26, 2016
Monday Magazine
Grade 5 Opera "Die Fledermaus"
Small voices tackle big show (p. 31)
https://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20160526074301142/31
Celebrating 10 Years Since Grade 5 Opera Debut
It's been a decade since 11-year-old Lindon Carter stood onstage at the McPherson Playhouse in SMUS's first-ever Grade 5 opera, Johann Strauss II's Die Fledermaus.
"That was a...
Grade 7 Students Perform Shakespeare in the Park
The 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death was an appropriate backdrop for the Humanities 7 students to bring the magic of The Bard's words...
Middle School Band Clinics Offer Unique Learning Opportunities
Middle School musicians performed in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival this week. For many of the Grade 6-8 students it was their first opportunity...
Spring Break Trip 2016: Europe
Before I went to Europe on a Spring Break music tour, I had never left North America. Being able to see just how similar...
Middle School Artists on Display
Middle School students have spent the last few months putting their creative and artistic talents to work on a variety of projects. Now on...
Middle School Musicians, Singers Perform “Melodies in March” Concert
As a way to showcase all they've learned so far in their musical education at SMUS, our Middle School music students – choir, band...
REVIEW: Opening Night of The Phantom of the Opera
The SMUS production of The Phantom of the Opera premiered on Thursday, February 25. The opening night cast starred Ajay Parikh-Friese as the infamous...
Behind the Mask: Meet the Phantom of the Opera
Tonight the Senior School production of The Phantom of the Opera debuts to a nearly sold-out crowd at the McPherson Playhouse. For months, students,...
SMUS in the News: The Phantom of the Opera Production
February 24, 2016
Senior School production of The Phantom of the Opera
Saanich News
St. Michaels students stage Phantom of the Opera at McPherson
Shaw TV
(see video above)
Phantom Performers: Meet SMUS’s Two Viscount Raouls
The clock is ticking, and we are now less than one week away from the debut of the Senior School musical, The Phantom of...
Phantom Performers: Meet SMUS’s Two Christine Daaés
After months of hard work, long rehearsals and dedication, the Senior School musical production of The Phantom of the Opera debuts at the McPherson...
Grade 3s Develop Fine Motor Skills in Quilting Club
Quilting may not necessarily seem like the kind of skill that a 21st-century learner would want to develop. It's a really low-tech and finicky process,...
Exploratory: Freedom to Try Something New Without Being Graded!
Once every couple of days in the Middle School timetable, all students in Grades 6 through 8 step outside of the traditional classroom setting...
Taylor Rankin ’99 Inspires Students to Play Outside of the Box
SMUS alumnus Taylor Rankin and his violin Leroy returned to SMUS this week to work with our Senior School strings students on improvisation and...
SMUS Community Gathers for Fun Christmas Celebration
As with any family, the holiday season just doesn't feel complete unless everyone gathers together for some fun and merriment. And at SMUS, that...
Primary Students Spread Christmas Cheer at Concert
In what is probably the most adorable show of the Christmas season, our Junior School played host this week to two performances of the...
Music, Reflections Bring Christmas Carol Service to Life
Against the backdrop of the majestic Christ Church Cathedral, our annual Christmas Carol Service is a wonderful way for our school community to assemble and get into...
Middle School Dojo: Earn a Black Belt in Band Karate
While many people view karate as a martial art, it's rooted in the greater concept of self-improvement on a physical, mental and spiritual level....
SMUS in the News: Ajay Parikh-Friese ’16 Returns to the Belfry Stage in...
Oak Bay News
December 3, 2015
Ajay Parikh-Friese '16
Oak Bay teen returns to the Belfry stage
Grade 7 and 8 Students Put Strings Skills on Display
One of the most remarkable aspects of a SMUS education is the introduction to music at an early age. Students pick up their first...
Grade 5 String Orchestra Performs at Junior School
On Friday morning, Grade 5 students brandished their bows – the musical tool, not the arrow-shooting weapon – to serenade classmates, teachers, parents and grandparents...
Exploratory is All About Your Passions and Trying Something New
The Exploratory program at the Middle School gives students in Grades 6 through 8 a chance to try new things, pursue their passions or...
‘Band Geeks’ Heads to Victoria Fringe Festival
Students from SMUS and a handful of other Greater Victoria schools returned to class a little earlier than most of their classmates this summer, all for...
SMUS Musician Shines in ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Symphony Performance
POP QUIZ: Which talented musician performed to a screaming crowd of more than 40,000 British Columbians this past long weekend?
a) Taylor Swift
b) SMUS student Ben...
‘This Has Been The Best School Year Ever!’
Last September, Santiago Mazoy, Alessandra Massa and Silke Kuhn began their school year at St. Michaels University School. The three finalists in our inaugural...
Aspiring Young Fashion Designer Wins National Student Design Contest
For someone who only recently took an active interest in the fashion world, Kiko Wu is very quickly making her talents known.
The Grade 11 student...
Grade 3 Students Embrace Their Inner Poets
Grade 3 students have been learning the basics of writing poetry all term. Each week, as they learn more and more about poetry, they create...
SMUS in the News: Chris Hadfield’s SMUS Chat
Retired astronaut Chris Hadfield's digital visit to SMUS on Monday (May 25) piqued the interest of some of our local media. Two great stories, courtesy of...
Astronaut Chris Hadfield Talks Space, Music and Education with SMUS Students
Astronaut Chris Hadfield became the unofficial ambassador of science to the universe in 2013 when he took command of the International Space Station and gained international attention...
19 SMUS Grads Earn Dogwood Scholarship for Extra-Curricular Excellence
Nineteen Grade 12 students were recently announced as recipients of a $1,000 Dogwood District Award, recognizing their excellence in non-academic work.
The awards, which recognize achievement...
Junior and Middle Schools Get Together for a Choral Evening
It's a great time of year for concerts. The kids have been practicing and are at the height of their musical ability. Everyone is...
Grade 12 Student Composes a Personal SMUS Musical Journey
The journey that is high school is unique and very personal for every student. Most don't express that full experience in a public forum; offering up something tangible that...
Young Artists Put Works on Display at ISA Art Show
SMUS students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 hung their hard work and dedication for all to see, at an art show last weekend hosted...
SMUS’s Club Hub: Photo Club
SMUS students have access to a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities that interest them. We offer more than 100 fun and rewarding clubs or councils that provide students...
SMUS in the News: Andrew Sabiston ’82 and Timothy Williams ‘ 83
Times Colonist
April 25, 2015
Andrew Sabiston '82 and Tim Williams '83
Victoria pair's Napoleon going to New York
Cross-Campus Strings Show Highlights Musicians of All Ages
by Darin Steinkey
Some people are surprised to hear that SMUS students begin learning to play stringed instruments in Grade 4. The real surprise, to...
The Wizard of Oz Comes to a Close
It took a lot of brains, heart and courage from everyone involved to stage such a big production, and after more than half a year of...
Best School Year Ever: And the Winner is…
It happened again. SMUS launched its second Best School Year Ever contest in October 2014 with the tagline: "Wanted: One amazing high school student." What...
Dancing Down the Yellow Brick Road
The Middle School's three-night musical, The Wizard of Oz, kicked off last night in a great and powerful way. Audiences left the McPherson Playhouse...
Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde is a clever title – for a movie, and more so, I think, for the musical the movie begat. Last night our...
Beyond the Blonde: Meet SMUS’s Lead Actors
After months of hard work, our Senior School presentation of Legally Blonde: the Musical opens tonight! Students, staff, parents and volunteers have been at it...
Grade 1 and 11 Students Become Fairy Tale Heroes
Once upon a time there lived a group of young princes and princesses learning about fairy tales in their Grade 1 class. Her Royal Highness the...
Hands-On Learning Through Exploration
Our Middle School Exploratory Program is a great way for students to expand their interests; where the thrill of learning something new becomes priority...
Musicals
Even when you go to yearbooks from fifty or a hundred years ago, a few prominent pages are devoted to the school musical. Depending...
Meet the Best School Year Ever Finalists
The SMUS campus has been buzzing with Best School Year Ever chatter for months now. We launched the 2015-16 scholarship contest in late October,...
Beyond the Blonde: Senior School Musical Behind the Scenes
by Kyus Hicks, Grade 12
Since watching Guys and Dolls while visiting the school in Grade 9, I knew that I wanted to be a...
Junior School Students Look Forward to a Musical Experience
After months of practicing dance routines, memorizing song lyrics and skits, and run-throughs of That's Entertainment!, the Junior School is proud to present the...
Young String Musicians Head Over the Rainbow to Oz
Beyond the enchanting story and colourful characters, The Wizard of Oz is perhaps best known for its iconic music. "Over the Rainbow", "We're Off...
Grade 5 Students Rise to the Challenge of Staging a Musical
Putting on a school musical is never just a walk in the park. They're always a lot of fun and very rewarding, whether you're...
Middle School is Off to See the Wizard
Follow the yellow brick road from the Middle School and it'll lead you on stage at the McPherson Playhouse, where in just over a...
Pitch Perfect: Large Ensembles Concert
If there's one thing that's certain about attending a SMUS concert, it's that your ears are always in for an outstanding auditory smorgasbord. From...
SMUS Filmmakers Get Red Carpet Treatment at the Victoria Film Festival
What do three SMUS students have in common with world-famous directors Martin Scorsese, Frederick Wiseman and Lone Scherfig? They all have films selected to...
Happy SMUS Year! Looking Back at 2014
As is customary for most people at this time of year, the first days of January is a time for reflection; looking back at the previous 365...
Welcoming Winter with Artwork
The students at the Junior school celebrated winter through their art before they left for winter break!
The Grade 5 students made snowflakes out of...
Primary Students Jingle All The Way Onstage
To cap off the holiday season, our Junior School hosted its annual Primary Christmas Concert this week, much to the delight of proud parents...
Middle School Band Students Exude Christmas Cheer
A concert leading up to Christmas doesn't have to simply include traditional holiday music to make it a great show, and our Middle School band students...
Carol Service Brings Reflections on the Holiday Season
Our annual Carol Service is a joyous opportunity for members of the SMUS community to gather and reflect on what the holiday season means to...
Grade 4 Musicians Make Live Performance Debut
Playing a stringed, bowed instrument is no cake walk. It takes a lot of practice to get the technique correct, and a lot of...
Middle School Music: Learning Through Performance
SMUS has a number of amazing opportunities to rehearse and perform as a group and individually. Mrs. Smith's annual Strings Ensemble concert is one...
Small Ensembles: Small on Numbers, Big on Talent
Each year the Small Ensembles Concert, the first major event of the music season, offers students the opportunity to perform in front of an...
Grade 5 Students Bow and Pluck to Make Beautiful Music
Even the most famous rock stars get butterflies in their stomachs before they go onstage and put on a memorable show. But when our Grade 5 students...
A Francophone Adaptation of Goldilocks in Outer Space
This week 70 Grade 6 students performed their way into our hearts with a terrific French-only adaptation of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In...
Middle School Choir Joins Victoria Symphony to Remember World Wars
From the balcony of the majestic Royal Theatre, as Maestra Tania Miller conducts her Victoria Symphony on the stage below, the melodic voices of...
Wanted: Three Amazing High School Students
Last school year, we launched an unusual recruitment campaign: we made available a once-in-a-lifetime contest experience for North American high school students. Up for grabs...
SMUS in the News: Young Musician Makes a Splash
Times Colonist
July 12, 2014
Erik Lin, Grade 5
Victoria music teacher’s young charge makes a Splash
How to Download Images from the SMUS Photo Gallery
The SMUS photo gallery can be intimidating but if you refer to this post, you will have access to more than 200,000 (and counting)...
Grade 5 Opera: The Gypsy Baron
The curtain has fallen on the Grade 5 opera production of The Gypsy Baron. Our young cast gave two great performances at The Royal...
Keeping the Beat For War Child
by Keeley Copeland, Grade 11
This year’s ‘Keep the Beat’ was a great success. The SMUS Arts Council worked together with students, staff and other...
Jazz Night Embraces Rock, Soul and the ’80s
The annual Jazz Night (either the 12th or 13th annual, depending on who you talk to) is a great event for the musicians to...
Grade 5 Students Prepare for Opera Debut
On June 4, our Grade 5 students will take the stage at the Royal Theatre to present The Gypsy Baron, an operetta by Johann...
Young Voices, Old Songs at Choral Concert
Our Junior and Middle School choirs teamed up for a concert this week, filling Christ Church Cathedral with their lovely voices.
For the Grade 4...
Found: Three Amazing High School Students
WANTED: One amazing high school student.
So said the tagline for SMUS's first Best School Year Ever scholarship contest. Who knew we'd find so many...
And the BSYE finalists are…
Ever since January 15, when Kalkidan Amare, David Boroto and Ann Makosinski helped SMUS launch the Best School Year Ever scholarship contest, there's been...
Mixed Ensembles Concert "Out of this World"
by Jake Humphries, University Counsellor and Stage Crew
To be successful as a musician, a performer must have the "big picture" of what music is,...
A Grade 2 Musical
by Sierra
I am doing a musical called The Drum and it is about Jordan, a little girl who wants a drum. Jordan is given...
Middle School Musicians in the Spotlight
Unlike most of our concerts, the Middle School Melodies in March concert is not an annual affair; rather, it happens on the years when...
A New Extreme at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Internationally-recognized artist Chin Yuen has been working with SMUS students as part of the New Extreme program run through the Art Gallery of Greater...
Audience Laughsalot at Spamalot
Last night, the SMUS production of Spamalot debuted on the McPherson stage. Based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and...
Inspiration at the Vancouver Island School of Art
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
This week, the Grade 5 students had the opportunity to attend an art show at the Vancouver Island School of...
Large Ensembles: The Diversity of Music
It was an exciting kick-off to the 2014 music season this week, as Band Director Gordon Clements made his debut on the Farquhar stage....
SMUS in the News: Free School Year
Victoria News
January 24, 2014
Free school year in Victoria for best and brightest
Student Short Film Tops VFF Contest
http://vimeo.com/81909195
Grade 12 student Olivia Sorley took first place in the Senior student category for the Victoria Film Festival, which officially begins on February 7,...
Young Designers Revive House Shirts
The Middle School house shirts have undergone an overhaul thanks to some talented student artists. Every Middle School student submitted at least one t-shirt...
SMUS in the News: Victoria Film Festival Kicks Off
Times Colonist
January 8, 2014
Olivia Sorley '14
Coogan comedy to kick off Victoria Film Festival
Tiny Voices Perform Holiday Tunes
Our Junior School hosted their own very special Christmas concert this week. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 performed a few fun holiday pieces...
Find Meaning in the Season
Our Carol Service encourages us all to connect with the spiritual side of this holiday season, whatever our faith or beliefs. Through music and...
Middle School Theatre, en Français
by Jo Ross, parent
The Grade 6 classes presented Boucles Rouges en route pour Mars for their family and friends. The play was a collaboration...
Strings Musicians Review Concerts
Recently, both our Grade 4 and 5 Strings students gave performances at the Junior School. Below, young musicians talk about how it feels to...
Small Ensembles: Standards and Experiments
A show with a solid foundation of standards punctuated by experimentation and nerves, the Small Ensembles concert is always a good time. With a...
Recitations: Keep Calm and Speak On
http://youtu.be/u4PmY8m8wl8
While the exercise of reciting a monologue in public is a rare occurrence, those who have this skill in their pocket when they need...
Middle School Musicians: Ragtime and Jazz
by Mary Smith, strings teacher
On a bright, sunny day the musicians in this Middle School string orchestra presented pieces by George Frederic Handel and...
The “bravo” moment
At the end of the show – be it an opera, concert, or play – someone in the audience leaps up, waves a hand...
Fall Theatre Production Captures Life of Anne Frank
by Morgan McLeod, Head of Theatre
A mere two months ago, we had our first read through of The Diary of Anne Frank. It was...
SMUS in the News: Victoria Teen Kieran Large Shows Off His Soccer, Acting Chops
Times Colonist
November 15, 2013
Kieran Large '15
Victoria Teen Kieran Large Shows Off His Soccer, Acting Chops
Seasonal Art
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
There have been a variety of art projects adorning the walls of the Junior School this term.
The Grade 5 students...
A Look at Exploratory
Our exploratory program allows Middle School students to choose their own elective course. Each year, teachers come up with new activities and students select...
Music Review
A few days ago, one of my colleagues recalled the occasion, over a decade ago, when she first heard our Grade Five string orchestra...
From Secret Garden to Shakepeare
After taking on the role of Mary in the SMUS production of The Secret Garden last year, Grade 12 student Ellen Law spent her...
SMUS in the News: Shakespeare By the Sea
Times Colonist
August 21, 2013
Ellen Law '14 and Jack Hayes '12
Review: Natural effects light up Midsummer Night's Dream by the sea
Standards and Solos for Jazz Night
Depending on who you talk to, Jazz Night has been an annual event for anywhere from 12 - 17 years. A few changes marked...
Exploring Exploratory
The Exploratory program is a unique Middle School offering that allows students to try new activities without an academic component. Bringing all three grades...
iSpy: A Musical
by Stephanie Geehan, teacher
It has been a lot of fun putting together this musical. The journey began around this time last year, when I...
Gratitude for War Child & Keep the Beat
Words by Lindon Carter, Grade 12; video by Olivia Sorley, Grade 11; pictures by Song Panvichean, Grade 10 and Darin Steinkey
My first year in...
Concerto Spotlights Soloists
The Concerto Concert always stands out in a very hectic concert season, perhaps because its format is so different from the rest of our...
A Lesson in Poetry
by Devon, Grade 4
A week ago, a Grade 12 student named Lindon Carter came to the Junior School to perform a song for us...
Going Solo at the Concerto Concert
With the Concerto Concert coming up on Wednesday, May 29 in the Farquhar Auditorium at the University of Victoria, we thought we'd offer a...
Collaboration Across Continents
by Amal Khan, Grade 11
This year in Art 11, my class had the experience of being involved with a project directed by the Tate...
Art Round-Up
by Angelina Agathoklis, teacher
Many different pieces of art have adorned the walls of the Junior School this year. The Grade 5 students have drawn...
Campuses Unite in Song
by Darin Steinkey
I love shooting pictures at Christ Church. Although it's dark, the light is usually fairly even and the performers are set against...
In Memory of David Gauthier
by Laura Authier
Another op’nin, another show
In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo’
A chance for stage folks to say hello!
Another op’nin of another show…
Four weeks, you rehearse...
Banding Together for a Farewell Concert
by Erin Anderson, editor
It was an exciting and moving concert that marked John Reid’s final appearance on UVic’s Farquhar stage. Special guests, dedicated songs...
Brian Christensen ’11: If I Should Fall
One of the dreams of any music teacher is to see their students go on to love and play music as an important part...
A Look at Ancient Japan Through Art
by Zach, Grade 8
On April 26, the Grade 8 Japanese class went on an amusing and educational field trip to the Art Gallery of...
The Moral of the Musical
by Sharon Goodman, teacher
Our Grade 2 students recently performed The Cuckoo, a Mexican folktale that tells the story of how the Cuckoo lost her...
Cross Campus Strings: Firsts and Finals
In the opening show of concert season at SMUS, the Cross Campus Strings featured appearances (musically, anyway) from Mahler, Saint-Saëns, the League of Legends...
Animate!
How do students show they have learned?
You give them a test, you ask them to write an essay. And more these days, thankfully.
Tests and...
Paris and Amsterdam: Music & Culture
by Danny Park
Although it is difficult to express how spectacular this trip was, I will try.
On March 13th, 36 students and four wonderful music...
Parents Get a Lesson on Learning
During the final week of the term, the Junior School parents are invited to the school to spend time with their child at a...
Energetic Cast Powers Annie
The Middle School launched their production of Annie on Thursday night and we have three reflections on the play supplied by actors from last...
Unearthing The Secret Garden
by Erin Anderson, editor
When I first heard SMUS would perform The Secret Garden, I recalled the book I read as a child, and thought,...
Annie Prepares to Take the Stage
Next week, the Middle School will be on the McPherson stage, debuting their production of Annie. For a three-day run, there is much work...
SMUS in the News: Seeing Double
Victoria News
February 28, 2013
Morgan McLeod; The Secret Garden
Performers hope to have audiences seeing double
Artists Talk Inspiration Behind McPherson Show
by Martha Cohn, Grade 10
The art show at the Mac is always a great exhibit for student work - when I was in Grade...
Behind the Scenes in Musicals Past
Though this year's musical, The Secret Garden, doesn't open until February 27, the production takes months of preparation. As students and staff are hard...
Diving Into Opera
More than 200 children and youth are involved in the production of Noye's Fludde by the Pacific Opera of Victoria, and several SMUS students...
Large Ensembles: A View From the Wings
Although Jake Humphries writes about music as magic (and we agree), as you'll read below there is no magic to getting concerts organized. Jake...
What is an Orffestra?
by Sharon Goodman, primary music teacher
Students at the Junior School receive Orff music instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3. Orff is a very lively,...
Tradition and Innovation Drive Small Ensembles
A yearly tradition, the Small Ensembles concert allows SMUS students the chance to show their musical stuff. In this video, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble...
Holiday Songs Brighten Winter Season
Carols are a staple of Christmas celebration, and with a student body packed with amazing singers, it seems only natural that SMUS contributes a...
Former Students Get Junior School Swinging
by Tim, Grade 10 percussionist in the Swing Band
On November 29th, 30 keen Senior Swing Band students accompanied Mr. Reid to the SMUS Junior...
Inside Our Strings Ensemble
Last week, our Grade 7 and 8 Strings students gave their first concert of the year. The afternoon featured both solo performers and the...
Special Guests Combine Geography and Art
by Anna Forbes, Head of Art
We had some distinguished guests in this week talking to the art and the geography students in Copleand. Dr....
The Complexity of Clay
by Erin Anderson, editor
One of the greatest things about the SMUS Middle School is located way down in the basement, tucked into the corner...
Never Too Young for Strings
by Angelina, Grade 5
On November 20, the SMUS Grade 5 students played a concert at the Junior School. To demonstrate our learning, we played...
And the Winner Is…
This year, we put our second annual Outdoor Education Photo Contest online and let everyone vote on the strongest photos. Thanks to everyone who...
Ocean Centre Visit Spawns Artwork
Some Senior School artists visited the Ocean Discovery Centre to complete assignments working with moving subjects. There were no shortage of captivating creatures to...
Something Wicked for SMUS Boarders
"You are an ambitious soul, Macbeth. You long for greatness, but will you be wicked enough?"by Martha Cohn, Grade 10 boarder
On Tuesday evening, October...
Re-examining Creativity: Everything is a Remix
Video by Darin Steinkey
Kirby Ferguson, our opening Scholar in Residence this school year was first suggested by art teacher Chris Bateman as a presenter...
Ted Harrison Inspires Young Artists
The school year at the Junior School has started off with a variety of art projects. The Grade 5 students created clay leaves, the...
Handmade Fashions Hit the Runway
by Maddi T, Grade 6
The Project Runway exploratory was the best exploratory that I have ever done! We had so much fun learning how...
SMUS in the News: Conductor sees real role as challenging singers to soar
Times Colonist
June 7, 2012
Peter Butterfield, faculty
Conductor sees real role as challenging singers to soar
Concert Bands Mix It Up for Spring
Photos by Darin Steinkey
Last week, the SMUS bands celebrated spring with their annual band concert in the Farquhar Auditorium at the University of...
Ten Years of Keeping the Beat
by Erin Anderson, editor
Last Friday was no ordinary day. Keep the Beat, the annual fundraiser for War Child Canada, returned to SMUS for its...
Original Trilogy Wraps Up with Wakeful Sleeper
by Kaylaa Dornan, Grade 12
Jennifer Fraser’s play Wakeful Sleeper opened last week at St. Michaels University School and was the final piece in a...
Choirs Present Movie Songs and Latin Classics
by Erin Anderson, editor
Last Tuesday, young voices filled the already crowded Christ Church Cathedral, as students from Grade 4-8 performed a range of choral...
Students Prepared for Opera Opening
by Duncan Frater, Director
On May 28 and 29, the Grade 5 students will take the stage at the Royal Theatre to perform an abbreviated...
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Armed Man
by Darin Steinkey, writer
When SMUS choir director Peter Butterfield first asked me to sing in the choir for the Music department’s spring showcase piece,...
Grade 2 Class Stages Mini-Musical
The Grade 2 class is presenting a mini-musical called A Race to the Finish on Friday. They have worked with Mrs. Duffus and Mrs....
An Artist’s View of the ISA Art Show
by Olivia, Grade 6
I really enjoyed the art show. You could see all the different types and styles of art from different perspectives and...
ISA Art Show Highlights Junior and Middle Artwork
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
Anyone can attend the annual Independant School Association art show this Saturday and you can see plenty of SMUS pieces...
Melodies From the Middle School
by Donna Williams, Head of Music
Anyone who was fortunate enough to be at UVic this Monday evening, was treated to an eclectic outpouring of...
Guys and Dolls: Share Your Perspective
Photos by Kent Leahy-Trill
More photos in the SMUS photo gallery.
by Erin Anderson, editor
The SMUS production of Guys and Dolls wraps up on Saturday night...
The Art of Community
by Erin Anderson, editor
Before the lights went up on Guys and Dolls, SMUS took over the McPherson Playhouse for an evening celebrating our talented...
Exploring Exploratory: A New Way to Learn
One of the unique programs at the SMUS Middle School, Exploratory classes, allow students to try out different activities in a relaxed atmosphere. Students...
The Path to Concert Performance
by Darin Steinkey
Throughout the concert season, the Large Ensembles is always a stand-out event. Because of the sheer numbers of students involved, the length...
Scholar in Residence Combines History and Performing Arts
Historical figure Harriet Tubman visited SMUS last week, in the form of veteran performer Leslie McCurdy. Starting her day at the Junior School, she...
SMUS Ensembles Livin’ Large
by Darin Steinkey, writer
How large is the Large Ensembles Concert? Very.
Almost 300 students took to the Farquhar Auditorium stage at the University of Victoria...
Art
Visitors to my office often comment on the art hanging on its walls, their eyes widening when they learn that it is student art....
Victoria Film Festival Features SMUS Pictures
The 2012 Victoria Film Festival runs from February 3–11 and includes two pieces from the SMUS community: Figaro on the Go, a documentary created...
SMUS Artists and Poets Show Their Eclectic Side
by Darin Steinkey
SMUS has partnered with Eclectic Gallery for a very unique show. Artists from Art Foundations 11/12 and poets from Writing 12 collaborated...
The Best SMUS Review Stories of 2011
by Erin Anderson, editor
Since we're embarking on a new year, we thought it was a good time to take a look back at the...
A Look Ahead at 2012
As the calendar year ends, we still have six months left in the school year, and those months are some of our busiest times....
SMUS in the News: Poetry comes to life
Oak Bay News
January 6, 2012
Visual Poetry art show; Alex Davies
Poetry comes to life
SMUS in the News: Visual Poetry with SMUS Students
Focus Magazine
January, 2012
Visual Poetry art show
Visual Poetry with SMUS Students (page 20)
Small Ensembles Perform Big Songs
by Danny Park, Grade 10
On Friday, December 2nd, the Alix Goolden Performance Hall at the Victoria Conservatory of Music was filled with sonorous sounds...
Primary Students Give Holiday Show
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 performed at a special tea for the grandparents and other guests last week. It was a wonderful and...
Strings Students Give Stirring Performance
Middle School parents, students and staff were treated to a wonderful afternoon of music last week. Grade 7 and 8 strings students played a...
Grades 1 and 5 Buddy Up for Art
by Lucas and Marcus
Grade 1 and Grade 5P joined together for a leaf project. We gathered lots of leaves and the teachers showed us...
UVic Professor Studies SMUS Students
Teacher Heather Sandquist's Grade 4 class have been taking part in an interesting experiment. Dr. Sylvia Pantaleo, an associate professor from UVic's Faculty of...
Student Theatre Offers Cathartic Drama
by Sydney Fraser, Grade 11
Aristotle’s Poetics, the latest play to be performed by SMUS’ Student Theatre Society, explores the lives of people who live...
SMUS Seniors Embark on a Tar Trek
by Darin Steinkey
Here's an excerpt from Liam Maclure and Daniel Cameron's (fictional) summer to do list:
cut grass
clean room
hang out with friends
investigate giant multinational oil...
Student Photographers Capture Outdoor Adventures
There was a time on outdoor education trips that you didn't have to worry about how you looked because everyone else who hadn't showered...
Students Get a Lesson in Slam Poetry
by Julia Milden, Grade 11
An outlet to express views on life, relationships and experiences outside of academia or controlled forms of structured poetry, spoken...
Junior School Artists Decorate Their School
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
The Junior School students studied the artwork of a variety of artists this term. The Grade 5 students looked at...
Term 1 – Senior School Clubs and Councils Schedule
There is so much going on at the school and it can be challenging to figure out where and when to be at different...
Art 10 Students Go "Behind the Scenes"
by Alicia Knight, Grade 10
The Grade 10 Visual Arts classes visited a special exhibit at the Royal BC Museum at the end of September....
Grade 6 Artists Dig Into Clay Sculpture
Grade 6 students got their hands dirty this week practicing sculpture fundamentals. They are preparing to learn about glazes and firing clay — knowledge...
SMUS in the News: Good Times for the Party on High Street
Victoria News
August 16, 2011
Nick Houghton '06, Brin Porter '06
Good Times for the Party on High Street
Summer Academy Students Present Modern Opera
On Friday, July 29, a small group of student vocalists will present Pandora's Locker, a one-act opera from Canadian composer Dean Burry.
Inspired by the...
SMUS in the News: It’s Not Over Till The Teenagers Sing
Victoria News
July 22, 2011
Summer Voice Academy
It's Not Over Till The Teenagers Sing
Musical Theatre Heats Up the Summer
Though SMUS students might be taking the summer off, the SMUS campus is keeping busy, hosting a variety of summer programs. The SMUS Summer...
Grade 5 Musical Is a Magical Show
by Nancy Richards, Junior School Director
The opening night of “Pirates in Wonderland” at the Junior School was a tremendous success! The Grade 5 classes...
Choral Concert Features Many Voices
Students in Grades 4-12 sang in the Cross-Campus Choral Concert at Christ Church Cathedral last night, performing a wide range of pieces. The youngest...
Keep the Beat 2011 Kicks Off On Friday
by Madeline Petersen, Grade 12
Friday May 27th is Keep the Beat, an annual fundraiser in support of War Child’s international projects that help kids...
Cross Campus Band Concert Scores Big
At this hectic time in the school year, it's great to have an opportunity for an enjoyable evening of music. On Wednesday night, band...
SMUS Student Theatre Society Presents Distortion
Next week, the SMUS Student Theatre Society unveils its latest show, an original play co-written by SMUS teacher Jennifer Fraser. Distortion tells the story...
Concerto Concert Showcases Soloists
The soloists were not alone on stage, but rather had the support of an entire orchestra. In each piece, there were moments of just...
Grade 5 Students Build a City Scape
by Angelina Agathoklis
The Grade 5 students were asked to create clay skyscrapers that incorporated elements from ancient structures. Stonehenge, the pyramids of ancient Egypt,...
We few
It is a challenge to find a time for an event at the School these days - if you didn’t get it on the...
Grade 2 Class Makes Easter Creations
by Shae and Devon
When the Grade 2 class made Ukrainian eggs, we had to use a tool called a kistka. We put beeswax in...
Junior School Students Put on a Musical
by Marina
The Grade 2 class did a musical called Stone Soup. We performed it for the Junior School and our parents on April 15th...
Student Art at the AGGV
In March, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria opened up the New Extreme show, featuring the oil paintings of the SMUS students who worked...
Student Uses Music to Fundraise
by Emily Hayashi, Grade 12
Looking back on my service trip to Kenya two years ago, I didn’t realize I was signing my initials beside...
Oliver!
by Liz Humphries '05
As I walked through the doors of the McPherson Playhouse on the opening night of Oliver! happy memories of excited nervousness...
Hats Off to My Fair Lady
by Erin Anderson, editor
The SMUS production of My Fair Lady is dazzling. Charming and funny, the classic Victorian musical is full of lavish costumes,...
Breathe
It’s that time of year: large scale musical productions (Senior - My Fair Lady, on right now at the McPherson Theatre; Middle School -...
Brendan McLeod Performs New Monologue
Frequent SMUS guest Brendan McLeod — author, poet, musician — stopped by to share his brand new monologue with our students. The member of...
Artist Rande Cook Visits SMUS Middle School
by Mckenna Haz, Grade 7
Recently, my class had the opportunity to meet a special local artist, Rande Cook, known for his First Nations art...
AP French Class Performs Cyrano de Bergerac
This Tuesday, the AP French class performed an abridged version of the Cyrano de Bergerac tale. In full costume, the performers turned out an...
Junior School Overflows with Student Art
Our Junior School artists have been busy brightening up their school recently, working in different media and styles. The Grade 5 students created some...
Concert Covers A World of Music
This Wednesday, band, strings and choral students from the Senior School performed music from around the world at the annual Large Ensembles Concert. The...
Middle School Musical Taking Shape
The Middle School will put on a production of Oliver this year and students are busy preparing for their big debut. This week, students...
Art Students Learn Chinese Techniques
Art 10, 11 and 12 students all had a workshop with guest instructor Andy Lou, who taught them the unique tricks and techniques for...
Oil Artist Visits Through New Extremes
A few lucky art students are spending eight weeks with artist Tara Nicholson, who will be teaching them how to work with oil paints....
Junior School Celebrates The Season
The Junior School has been very busy this month with many holiday events. This week, they held their own carol service, complete with a...
Students Compete in Film Festival Contest
The Victoria Film Festival includes FilmCAN, a contest for young filmmakers, where the favorite videos go on to be played in the film festival....
Small Ensembles Concert a Festive Event
by Erin Anderson, editor
This week, students graced the stage at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for the Small Ensembles Concert.
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble kicked...
Grade 5 Students Build with Gingerbread
To celebrate the holiday season, the Grade 5 students at the Junior School used some architectural know-how to build gingerbread houses this week. Using...
Middle School Carol Service
by Amita
On December 2nd, the Middle School had its annual carol service. I sung in the Grade 8 choir. The two songs we sung...
Performing in Senior School Recitations
by Sarah Khan, Grade 12
My palms were sweaty. Nerves had begun to take hold, and I had just discovered that my performance was to...
Middle School Students Perform Recitations
by Rachel, Grade 8
On Tuesday, November 30th, we had our Middle School Recitations. I was one out of 16 students who was picked to...
Exploratory: What’s Happening
by Amanda and Amita
Last exploratory, we spent our class visiting some of the other exploratory classes. We visited the cross-stitching, broadcasting, wood-working, games, house...
AP Art Class Visits Vancouver
by Chris Bateman, art teacher
Last Friday, the AP Studio Art students took part in a one-day residency at the Vancouver Art Gallery. In addition...
Meet A Few Cast Members of Oliver
by Amanda and Amita
The Middle School is beginning work on our upcoming production of Oliver and the lead cast was recently accounced. We asked...
Student Theatre Delivers a Transformative Performance
by Priya Mulgaonkar, Grade 12
If you crave an evening of mystery, frequent blackouts, multiple personalities, fizzing potions, sword-canes, and murder, the SMUS Theatre Society...
Tim Williams ’83 Returns to SMUS
by Brandon Chow, Grade 12
Last Friday afternoon culminated in a dramatic finale for many participants in the music programme at the Senior School, with...
Middle School Cellists Play with a Special Guest
by Athena and Keeley, Grade 8
On October 17th, Desmond Hoebig, a professional cellist, came to the Junior School with us. He played the Schumann...
SMUS Review: Middle School Cellists Perform
by Athena Kerins and Keeley Copeland, Grade 8
On October 17th, Desmond Hoebig, a professional cellist, came to the Junior School with us. He played...
Junior School Explodes with Colour
by Angelina Agathoklis, art teacher
Adorned by the artwork of the students the Junior School halls have come alive with colour. The Grade 3 students...
Art Students Sketch at Royal BC Museum
by Colin Smith, Grade 12
This week on October 5th, the AP Studio Art class went downtown to the Royal BC Museum. The intention was...
The Fugitives Captivate SMUS
by Erin Anderson, editor
Last Friday, one the SMUS’ favourite musical guests returned to perform for students. Modern folk band The Fugitives brought their mix...
13: A SMUS Summer Musical
by Cormac O'Brien, Grade 10 student
This year, I had the pleasure and privilege to be part of the SMUS Summer Musical Theatre course, which...
Evolution of an AP Art Portfolio
by Rachel Woosun Kim, Grade 12
The AP studio art course is different from regular art courses in several ways. Unlike regular art courses, it...
Capturing Life After Cancer
by Anna Forbes, Head of Art
A chance email from a teacher at St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School in Oakville, Ontario brought to my attention the organization...
Free Art at Middle School!
A message from Ms. Wilkens
Students, please stop by the Art Room during recess, lunch, or after school this WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY or FRIDAY and pick up...
SMUS Student Tours with National Band
by Victor Ma, Grade 11 student
About six months ago, I was simply checking my email in the library when I noticed a new email...
Senior Art Goes on Display
See slideshow
This Thursday was Art Day, an annual event that allows our student artists to show their peers what they’ve been working on. The...
AP Students Study Art in Seattle
by Laura Gilmore. Grade 12
On Thursday, January 29th, a group of AP Studio Art and AP Art History students embarked on a journey to...
Middle School Students Put on a Show
Anyone who passes through the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre in the next few weeks will be able to see the art work of about...
Visiting Artist Colours SMUS
AP Studio Art and Grade 10 Art students had the opportunity to work with acclaimed pastel artist Nancy Slaght this week, as the former...
Student Artists Make a Splash in Tofino
AP Studio Art students embarked on a trip to Tofino last weekend for a two-day retreat that allowed them to explore rainforest life through...
Art Day Brushes Past
The Senior School library looked more like an art gallery Thursday when students displayed their work alongside exhibits from local artists as part of...