Performing Arts

Philosophy

Education in the arts is an important aspect of a child’s education. The philosophical foundation for the district’s K-12 arts education curriculum is rooted in our goal to develop in students a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and, for those who choose, the ability to perform in music ensembles, theater productions, and a variety of visual arts media. Through performing, describing, and creating, arts students learn to understand what they see and hear.

The district’s formal Performing Arts curriculum includes music education and theater education instruction. The Visual Arts program is described separately on the Visual Arts page (see sidebar at right). Although dance is not a formal part of the curriculum, it is woven into the fabric of the district through creative movement and folk dance in physical education, music classes and classrooms, as well as through field trips and performances by visiting artists in our schools.

Goals

• To develop lifelong appreciation for the arts.
• To develop student understanding of the fundamentals of music (i.e., melody, rhythm, harmony, form, tone color, expressive qualities) and/or theater (i.e., stage movement, characterization, vocal production, lighting and set design, costume and make-up design, stage management, directing, play analysis, and marketing).
• To develop student ability to perform, describe what is heard, and create music or drama.
• To develop student instrumental and/or vocal music skills to a high level of performance capability.
• To develop student rehearsal and performance practices which are essential for participation in excellent musical ensembles and theater productions.

Achievements

• Three Rivers High School Symphony Band and Marching Band consistently receive high ratings and trophies in competitions and festivals. These ensembles are known for their musicianship, ability to perform a variety of literature well, and overall excellence in the concert hall and on the marching field.
• Vocal music ensembles from the Middle School and High School receive frequent invitations to perform in the community and area. The enthusiastic, fine quality performances of the Aristocrats, High School Choir, and Middle School Choirs are well received. The number of students enrolled in the secondary choral music program is on the rise.
• All students in grades K-5 receive music instruction from a music specialist. All of these students have the opportunity to perform at least once a year and always sing for a “packed house.” The majority of class time is devoted to singing, listening, movement, and music literacy experiences.
• Drama productions are presented once or twice a year giving our students the ability to showcase their acting talents.
• The 969-seat Performing Arts Center offers a state-of-the-art performance space for use by all of the schools in the Three Rivers School District as well as the community. In addition, professional touring performing arts groups are regularly booked at the P.A.C. throughout the year.
• The Band Boosters and High School Choir Boosters work hard to support music education in the Three Rivers Community Schools.
• There are many efforts by community and school staff members to assist our performing ensembles in a number of ways.

Performing Arts Staff

Cheryl Thomas

BME--Western Michigan University, MM in Conducting--Southern Oregon University

Mrs. Thomas has taught at Three Rivers Community Schools since the fall of 2020.  She earned her Master's Degree in Conducting from Southern Oregon University in 2007, and her Bachelors of Music in Music Education in 2002, from Western Michigan University.  Mrs. Thomas directs the Wildcat Marching Band, HS Symphony Band, HS Jazz Band, 7th Grade Band, co-directs 8th Grade Middle School Band, and teaches the brass and percussion students in the 6th Grade Beginning Band.  Mrs. Thomas currently serves in the MSBOA as the Vice President of Adjudication for District XI.  Her primary instrument is the trombone, and she performs in the trombone section in the Kalamazoo Concert Band.

Glen Falk

BME--Western Michigan University

Mr. Falk earned his Bachelor's of Music Education from Western Michigan University in 2022 and has been the assistant Band Director at Three Rivers Middle and High School since November of 2023. Mr. Falk teaches the 6th grade beginning woodwind class, co-teaches the 8th grade band, leads the High School Concert Band, and assists with the Wildcat Marching Band. Mr. Falk is a clarinet player and has performed in the Kalamazoo Concert Band and Kent Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also played trombone in community bands at Grand Rapids Community College and Western Michigan University.

Alana Dyer

BME - Western Michigan University

Ms. Dyer received her Bachelor's of Music Education from Western Michigan University in the spring of 2023 and has been the Director of Choirs at Three Rivers since August of 2023. She teaches all of the middle and high school choirs at Three Rivers. She actively performs with the Kalamazoo Choral Arts at Kalamazoo College.

McKenna Laabs

BME & BMus - University of Evansville

Miss Laabs received two degrees at the University of Evansville for Music Education and Music Therapy. She taught in Niles at Brandywine and Merritt Elementary schools for a year before coming to Three Rivers to teach music at Andrews Elementary and Norton Elementary.  Miss Laabs will be at those two schools again this year as well as Park Elementary.