[PHOTOSTORY 4: WORK SHIFT] A Day With the Director of Fine Arts at Calvary Day School

 By Julia Sellman

Drew Whitlow is working on the light settings in the chapel in preparation for Calvary's All School Chapel showcase that morning. Calvary has an all school chapel showcase once a month in which they have the dance team perform, the theatre department act out a scene from the bible, and their praise band accompany the showcase. 

Calvary's dance department is practicing their choreography for the showcase. "They have to learn new choreography each month for the chapel showcase once a month". 

Calvary's theatre department is acting out a scene from the Gospel of John. They mainly do musical theatre scenes, but prepare a scene from the bible each month for the chapel showcase. 

Drew is accompanying and conducting his choir practice for Calvary Upper School. They meet every Monday and Wednesday for an hour to rehearse different choir pieces for the Fine Arts Academy Recital that is in a few weeks. 

Cierra Lopez (middle), and Chloe Gains (far right) are getting feedback on their solos in one of the pieces. They each have solos throughout one of the pieces. 

Greg Dale is singing a solo that Drew picked out for him. "Dr. Whitlow really pushes us to try and take on solos and get us outside of our comfort zones. I think it's really made me a better performer getting to do these solos."

Drew is focusing on the boys' parts in one of the selections they're singing. They recently got a new part and are still getting familiar with it. 

Angie Lane (middle) shares a laugh with Rachel King (next to her). "Choir practice is one of my favorite classes. I grew up singing and I get so much joy being in this group with Dr. Whitlow and my friends." 

Drew is saying to use more emotions when singing and try to embody the character of the song. "I have to tell them to over exaggerate their emotions sometimes in this class, because they get all shy and embarrassed." 

Drew is teaching a voice lesson, and explaining how to breathe properly when singing. "Don't breath in too fast, you want to make sure it's a slow and even breathe." 

Cierra Lopez warms her voice and breathing up with Drew. She has been working on the proper breathing techniques needed for singing. 

Cierra Lopez laughs as Drew is talking to her. Drew is telling her about a story of when he forgot his words while singing from memory once, and started reciting poetry and matching it with the tempo and notes he was singing, and managed to pull it off.  

Dalphne Rae smiles as Drew compliments her development on her new piece. "I started lessons with Mr. Whitlow a few months ago, and I've really enjoyed getting to study with him. He really cares about helping students and being there for them when they need help."

Dalphne is singing "Georgia On My Mind" for the Fine Arts Academy Recital in a few weeks. "I'd never heard this piece before and Mr. Whitlow send me a video recording of it and I knew immediately I wanted to sing it."

Drew is pointing out a measure Dalphne miscounted. The time signature changes later after the beginning of the piece so it can be easy to get off. 

Drew is checking his school emails. "I spend a lot of time at this desk, I think maybe 80% of my job here is having to work at my computer." 

Eric Samir is trying to write out a rap in Drew's music appreciation class. "Drew has shown me how music has so much variety and there's so many genres I want to listen to now."

Eric is learning about different rhythmic values in music reading. Drew has them putting words to each rhythmic notation to create a rap, and the words have to match the rhythm in syllables. 

Lauren Henderson is working with Josh Rich on their rap, and Drew is listening to their ideas. "Magical Elves in the woods, eating pizza with some forks, I think that's pretty creative, we're going with that one." Josh says. 

Craig Lane (Left) and Bud Hall (Right) are doing their rap together with Drew's help. Drew's music appreciation class ends with the official rap battle from the students.