Performing Arts

• Overview
• Piano Lessons & Annual Recital
• Countryside Chorus
• Opera Productions

All of Countryside's teachers have been specially trained to teach music and art in their classrooms. Both the music and art curricula are comprehensive and expose children to facets of music and art that are not usually associated with young children, i.e., composing and embroidery.

Countryside's Performing Arts program gives the children an opportunity to display their many talents. The format varies from year to year. Some years, it is only choral music; other years, the children have done historical skits, solo performances on musical instruments, poetry readings, and original compositions.

Piano (Grades K-6)

Piano lessons are offered for kindergarten and elementary students to provide a well-rounded music education. Individually structured lessons encompass history, music theory, composition and literature.

Piano students participate in the annual piano recital at the end of the school year.

The Countryside Montessori piano teacher is Joseph Francavilla. He has given solo piano and chamber music performances in major cities across the United States and abroad. In 2000, he completed a tour of Costa Rica with saxophonist Jason McFeaters, which included a live television performance. Costa Rica's La Nacion, the country's national newspaper, called his playing "vigorous and convincing," while communicating "direct and expressive intensity and drama." Locally, he has performed on the Northbrook Library Series, at the Green Mill in Chicago, on a joint recital with Ursula Oppens and Ralph van Raat at Unity Temple in Oak Park, and others. He is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Northwestern University, where he studied piano with Ann Schein and Ursula Oppens, respectively.

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Chorus (Elementary)

All Elementary students are part of our Countryside Chorus. Typically there is one performance each year with a command performance at Sunset Foods in Northbrook. The Chorus has a standing invitation to come sing anytime. They are accompanied by Joe Francavilla on piano.

This year's program features Songs of the Winter Season; Songs of Peace and Lights: Songs of Classical Tradition; Songs of Christmas. The children sings in unison, harmony, in English, Spanish, German, and the program features original piece written by Sanford Jones. It also features piano solos by Joe Francavilla.

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Opera (Elementary)

The annual school opera is the cultural highlight of the school year. It is performed by the Elementary students, with some roles played by parents, teachers, and a professional soprano after intense preparation which spans an entire month.

Our Jones Little Theater is named in his honor. Parents help by sewing costumes, designing scenery and making props.

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Video: Short trailer of the CMS performance of On the Road to Freedom.

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Youth Opera International

Youth Opera International brings the three elements of theatre -- singing, dancing and acting -- together in an original children's opera. During the month preceding opera week, the children and support team of adults begin the preliminary work: learning the story, text and music, preparing sets, props and costumes, and engaging in cultural studies related to the theme/culture of the opera. (Youth Opera provides the libretto, musical score, guidelines for casting, costuming, set design and props, along with a sample videotape and audiotapes for rehearsal.)

During opera week, each day is given over to rehearsals. The day begins with physical and vocal warm-ups, singing the cast songs, and learning the language of the theatre. From mid-morning to mid-afternoon, the children work on solo and small group songs and dances. By mid-week, rehearsals move to the performance space and staging is begun. Dress rehearsal is Friday morning and the performance is Friday evening.

As the 'reviewers' (children and adults who have taken part in the opera experience) keep telling us, the Opera Workshops make a lasting impression on young lives, giving them heightened self-confidence and goal-oriented focus. It also brings whole school communities -- children, parents and staff -- together in a productive and joyful event.

Click here to learn more about Sanford Jones' Youth Opera International.

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