The Arts at UMEI
UMEI Christian High School students have many opportunities for enrichment in the arts through classes, extracurricular activities and trips. Education and expression in the arts is a fundamental part of UMEI’s whole-person education. All students are encouraged to explore Music, Drama and Visual Arts throughout their high school career.
The drama class rehearses for the 2022 Senior Drama
Dress rehearsals for the 2019 production “And a Child Shall Lead”
Music
Choir rehearsals
UMEI has a long-standing reputation for excellence in music. UMEI offers music courses and opportunities for students of all skill levels and interests. Courses include Music in the 21st Century, Guitar and Junior Band depending on interest, but by far the most popular course is vocal choir, which is available in all four grades. The choir learns sacred music in four-part harmony and performs at local churches, long term care homes, and municipal events. The choir has recently sung with The Three Tenors at Caesars Windsor, and with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra at the Capitol Theatre. The most exciting part of choir is travelling to the annual mass choir festival and joining voices with hundreds of other students.
In addition to courses, students are welcome to join the Worship Band which leads the entire school in weekly music chapels. There are two talent show nights throughout the year where students can showcase their talents.
Choir rehearsing at the Mennonite Schools Council choral festival
Students on stage at the Capitol Theatre for Holiday Pops! with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra
UMEI choir members with the Three Tenors at the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
Drama
Rehearsals for “The Musical Comedy Murders of the 1940s”
Drama is an integral part of at UMEI education. In fact, all students in Grade 11 take Drama and perform a play every year, commonly called “the Grade 11 play.” Not only do students act in the play, they are responsible for the entire production, including, sound, lights, set design and construction, costumes, hair and makeup, and promotion. All students develop confidence, public speaking skills, collaboration and leadership through this course and its public performances. The class performs the play for hundreds of elementary school students and for the public.
Junior Drama is also offered as an option in the Grade 9 and 10 years. This is a hands-on and active class involving monologues, pantomime, tableau, and voice. The class performs a short stage play for the Christmas concert.
The Junior Drama class performs at the 2022 Christmas concert
Aidan Brown runs tech for the 2022 production of “The Giver”
Visual Arts
Students participating in Visual Art
Visual art is available for all four grades at UMEI. Students learn different processes and techniques, and enhance art knowledge by learning and the elements and principles of design. They work together in a collaborative safe space to explore their creativity and interests. The art class also has the opportunity to visit local galleries and include their work in different art shows.
An extracurricular Art Club is available to all students with the purpose of finding art projects to bring more joy and beauty to the school community.
Art work by Jocelyn Giroux
Art work by Natalia Good
Art work by Ryan Friesen
