Performing Arts at Linden Christian School
A Rich Tradition of Musical Excellence
The Performing Arts Program
Opportunities
We believe that children should be encouraged to appreciate and nurture their God-given gifts and talents. We strive to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment as students learn to express themselves through the arts. Our desire is that students will develop a life-long appreciation of the arts.
Our students are given the opportunity to:
- develop specific skills required for each Performing Arts course
- develop an understanding of the language and structure of a specific genre
- expand their interests and talents within the Performing Arts
- perform in public
- develop self-discipline and pride in their accomplishments
- enhance their ability to work in a team
Our most important objective is to connect the students’ growth and learning with serving God and the community. Whatever one’s level of talent might be, we believe that all creativity originates from God and this gift should be used in good stewardship.
Early Years Musical Development
We are proud to have a strong Early Years music program at Linden Christian School and are committed to providing creative musical experiences for every child. Through the Orff process, the students enjoy singing, movement, instrumental playing and listening activities. All of our children play the barred instruments and non-pitched percussion from Kindergarten through Grade 4. Recorder, which is introduced in Grade 3 and continues until Grade 5, is an invaluable instrument that helps develop musical literacy and ensemble skills in preparation for playing a Band instrument in Grade 6.
Music is taught three times per school day cycle for a total of ninety minutes by a music specialist. Students in Grades 3 and 4 participate in both regular music classes and choir. The grade 3 and 4 choirs focus on developing their vocal skills including breathing, diction, phrasing, dynamics and blend. These choirs perform at special chapels such as Thanksgiving, Remembrance day or Easter, the Christmas and Spring Concert and at the Winnipeg Music Festival. The choirs have performed well at the Winnipeg Music Festival receiving gold ratings and several trophies, including the Helen Derksen and Sir Hugh Roberton trophies.
Throughout the Early Years program we provide opportunities for the students to express themselves musically and develop their God-given musical abilities.
Band
Linden Christian School celebrates a tradition of musical excellence and allows students to flourish in concert and jazz
band opportunities. Our band programs are not exclusive and all grade 6-8 students have band as a regular part of their
timetable. All students in grade 9-12 may take band as a full credit option. Linden Christian School also offers
opportunities for students in grade 7-8 who are interested in pursuing extra band performance in preparation for senior
years’ band. Students may audition for Junior Wind Ensemble which rehearses before school twice each week. Linden
Christian School’s grade 9-12 bands participate in regular festivals where they consistently receive the highest accolades for both their performance and character.
students have choir as a regular part of their timetable. All students in grade 9-12 may take choir as a full credit
option. Those students in grade 9-10 who are interested in pursuing choir in a smaller ensemble may audition for Vocal
Ensemble which is a half credit course which takes place during alternating lunch hours. Linden Christian School’s choirs
participate in regular festivals where they consistently receive the highest accolades for both their performance and
character.
Accomplishments
Linden Christian School’s Performing Arts program has developed a reputation for excellence over the years. Our bands and choirs have received numerous awards at both local and international festivals. The ensembles consistently perform at a high standard and are regularly commended for their Christian character in all venues. Students in Linden Christian School’s performing ensembles are actively pursuing musical excellence as a means of worship, while being salt & light in the world.
Our Senior Years Concert and Jazz Bands are consistently invited to Nationals based on their performances at the Optimist Band and Jazz Festival. Both our Senior Years Concert Bands and Senior Years Jazz Bands have a tradition of being awarded perfect five star ratings.
Performing Arts Photo Gallery
Middle Years Band
Visual Arts at Linden Christian School
Creative Freedom Within a Supportive Academic Environment
Linden Christian School offers an exciting visual arts program with strong education in the classroom in early years, instructionin middle years as a class course, and as an elective choice in our senior years. Our spacious and bright art room enhances the creative experience and supports art instruction for students and staff alike. The addition of a kiln to our program has strengthened the education experience with a ceramics component.
The Visual Arts Program
Linden Christian School visual art students are given the opportunity to:
- develop the habits of a growing artist
- engage in purposeful progress through creative process
- explore a wide variety of art mediums, allowing for their God-given creativity to shine
- develop an understanding of the language surrounding art techniques, mediums, styles, and art history
- establish formal skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, graphic media and other art mediums
- cultivate pride in their accomplishments
- reflect on and construct meaning in response to their own and others’ visual art
- gain respect for artistic expression
Visual Arts Photo Gallery
The School of Fine Arts Program
The School of Fine Arts (SOFA) offers expert instruction by gifted, Christian educators. Our goal is to provide excellent and personalized 
education, allowing students to grow their unique gifts. Our teachers are experienced and caring Christian instructors who provide a safe and stimulating environment for their students. SOFA instruction is available to all Winnipeggers, not just current LCS students. SOFA’s mandate is to provide:
- Training in a variety of art forms reflecting high standards of artistic excellence
- A Christian perspective on the role and functional usage of the art form in the life of the student
- Opportunities for the student to use his or her skills in local ministry
Courses Offered: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Voice & Piano Combo, Flute, Theory, Violin, Cello, Viola, harmony, history and pedagogy, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, euphonium, french horn, tuba, trombone and percussion.Under the guidance of qualified Christian instructors, students receive private lessons that allow them to develop their musical skills, and to use those skills in a variety of ministry settings. Lessons are customized to meet each student’s individual needs.Private music lessons are typically held once a week and are offered throughout the school day, before school, after school, and in the evening. Lessons are usually 30 minutes, but longer lessons can be arranged to meet grade or level requirements.
- Students may prepare for Royal Conservatory or Conservatory Canada exams
- Students may participate in the Winnipeg Music Festival Competition
- Students are encouraged and motivated by the many performance and ministry opportunities we provide: retirement home visits, the LCS Christmas Tea, the annual Musicathon, LCS chapels, and recitals in December and June
SOFA students at Linden Christian School have the opportunity to take private music lessons in the disciplines of piano, flute, violin, voice, voice & piano combo, guitar, cello, theory, harmony, history and pedagogy, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, euphonium, french horn, tuba, trombone and percussion.
SOFA also offers group lessons (Art and Introduction to Musical Theatre). Register for private lessons at any time throughout the year by contacting our Administrator of the School of Fine Arts Rita Zurzolo at sofa@lindenchristian.org.
SOFA Band Student Mentor Program
The LCS Band department and the School of Fine Arts have introduced the Band Student Mentor Program for the 2018-2019 school year. SOFA is now providing private instruction in clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, cello and other instruments upon request. Instruction is offered by Grade 12 band students recommended by LCS Band Department Head Mrs. Bobbie Fast. Lessons take place in the practice rooms located in the band room before, during or after school. For students looking for extra support on their instrument or are switching to a new instrument and just need a few lessons to catch up, this is an accessible and efficient solution. To register email sofa@lindenchristian.org. We have openings now and in January!
Group Lessons
ART CLASS / GRADES 5-8 / INSTRUCTOR LISA MENDIS / $399.00** WEDNESDAYS / 24 weeks / 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm/ STARTS SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 *
SOFA students will learn a variety of different mediums throughout the class to enhance and refine their artistic skills. Each student is encouraged in developing their natural style, while embracing new techniques in each medium they explore. We will look at the influence of various artists and draw inspiration from them. Together we will engage in drawing activities that use pencil, pastel, watercolour and India ink, dive into colourful expression through acrylic paint, create characters and stories for original comic books, shape and mold crazy shapes with clay, and design compelling posters through printmaking and collage. Students are encouraged to think creatively as they work independently as well as collaboratively with one another.
LISA MENDIS is a published illustrator, printmaker, art educator and comic book creator. She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours (2011), is an instructor at Martha Street Studio since 2012, works as a technician at the Winnipeg Art Gallery since 2014, and teaches art classes with the WAG studio programs.
*all classes subject to a minimum enrollment
** includes registration fees and supplies
***Art teacher meets students in grades 1-4 at library at 3:20 pm until ready to move to classroom for 3:45 start. At the library entrance students snack, teacher takes attendance, gives information on the project students are working on that day.
MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS / GRADES 5-8 / Instructor NIKITA LABDON / $380.00 (Includes supplies)**/24 weeks – Tuesdays / 3:45 – 5:00 pm / STARTS SEPTEMBER 17, 2019*
This course will provide students with a safe, fun, and educational exposure to musical theatre. The course will include group vocal lessons focusing on healthy singing techniques, improvisation and rudimentary acting techniques and simple choreography. Students will work in small groups and ensemble situations with the focus on teamwork. There will be an informal Christmas presentation and a final production comprised of 5-8 different scenes in March.
Nikita Labdon is an alumni of Linden Christian School as well as of the School of Fine Arts. She has completed her Bachelor of Music Vocal Performance degree at the University of Manitoba. Nikita has taught voice and piano to students of varying ages for five years. Nikita has studied and performed opera and art song in Oxford, England, New York City, and recently in Opera Nuova. She has also performed with Manitoba Underground Opera for three seasons.
Nikita’s work through the University of Manitoba includes leading roles in two full operas and performing in countless opera scenes. Nikita’s passion for music and theatre flourished in her time as a student in SOFA and she is thrilled to be able to be a part of this program teaching private voice lessons and musical theatre classes.
*all classes subject to a minimum enrollment
** includes registration fees and supplies
INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS / GRADES 2 – 4 / INSTRUCTOR MARGOT SIM / $185.00 ** / 10 weeks – Thursdays 3:45 – 4:45 pm / STARTS SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 *
This is a beginner’s course in communicating on stage through songs, poems, dialogue, gesture and staging. Fun and creativity with movement and music: warm-ups for the voice and body, Improv games and Theatre games will be enjoyed. Young students will build confidence as performers through team-work. The class will present a short, mini-musical at the end of the course.
Margot Sim has worked as a professional singer-actor and adjudicates Speech Arts and Musical Theatre in festivals across Canada. She is the Minister of Music at Grace Bible Church and a voice and voice/piano combo lesson instructor at SOFA. Margot believes in a high-energy learning environment and in finding the “fun” in fundamentals.
*all classes subject to a minimum enrollment
** includes registration fees and supplies
Click here to download Group Class Registration forms and Private Music Instructions Request Forms.
Private Music Class For Fall
| PRIVATE VOICE & PIANO COMBO LESSONS / INSTRUCTOR MARGOT SIM / DIPLOMAS IN VOICE (AMM,LMM,ARCT), ORGAN (ARCT), PIANO (ARCT) AND RECORDER (AMM) Combining voice lessons with piano lessons allows students interested in singing to keep up with their piano skills or add beginner piano to their weekly voice lessons. Each 45 minute lesson will provide an opportunity to: learn the mechanics of singing (technique) through warm-ups and games, learn songs of different styles (including Musical Theatre songs with staging), and learn (or refresh) piano skills through warm-ups and piano pieces. Having a piano or keyboard at home is mandatory. A commitment to weekly practise of both voice and piano will be expected (although not both every day). Piano is a huge asset for singers of all levels. It encourages independent singing away from recordings (‘creating’ rather than ‘imitating’) as the singer learns how to track melodies. As piano skills improve, the singer will be encouraged to ‘self-accompany’ easier repertoire with piano chords. For pianists at a more advanced level (RCM Grade 6 and up), a one hour lesson slot is recommended for Voice/Piano combo lessons. |
Contact our School of Fine Arts Administrator Rita Zurzolo at sofa@lindenchristian.org with questions and to register your child for lessons.