The concert featured some of the all-time favorite Christmas tunes, as well as original work by Music Endorsement students. The night started with a guitar solo by Joey Frevola, playing “Hope,” by Rush, and was followed by several performances by the Middle and High School Band and Choral departments, each accompanied by a dance performance by the Dance Endorsement students. The Middle School Percussion Ensemble had their time under the spotlight too, with some clever tunes that made some people clap their hands and feet to the contagious beat. This was followed by an upbeat tune by Endorsement students, Michael Havens and Kristina Florio, singing “What Christmas Means to Me,” with their band. The night was topped by various other solos, duos, trios, and quartet performances, but two favorites were the duos, Florencia Yalale and Jonny Jones, who sang “Christmas Day,” and Taylor Hecocks and Alexa Romagnolo, an original arrangement by Taylor and A.J. Lowe called, “Oh My Love.” The Night of Hope was truly a night to remember, and thankfully we had two nights to ensure everyone had a chance to share that memorable occasion.

One of the highlights of the Night of Hope was a duet by sophomore, Andrew Davis, who played the trumpet, and junior, Monika McKenzie, pictured below, playing the Saxophone to the all-the favorite tune, “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”

“The CCA ‘Night of Hope’ Band/Choral Concert was truly an amazing experience for me. I felt very proud of all the students that participated and the creative input that several students brought to the program to help make our concert exceptional and unique. I really enjoyed seeing and feeling the expression of hope and the joy of Jesus’ birth in every song presented by the students.”  —Stevyn McCaw, MS/HS Chorus Teacher

From notes and clefs, to pianos and clarinets, CCA’s got Christmas wired with the Middle/High School Choral and  Band Concert. If you were to take a behind-the-scene peak at the chorus and band room this week, you would see students racing with packed schedules as they memorize notes and rehearse songs for the rapidly approaching, “Christmas Around the World” themed concert on Monday, December 14, at 7pm in the Calvary Chapel Theatre.

As it happened, the rehearsal room  was a beehive of orchestral and choral activity this past week, as the three maestros—Middle School Chorus Teacher, Monica Velez-Colon, High School Chorus Teacher, Katherine Salinas, and Middle/High School Band Teacher Jim Mullen, worked together with their students in class and after school on each of the songs that will be performed Monday evening.  

The concert comprises all 235 high school and advanced middle school band and chorus students, in addition to some members of the CCA alumni, who will be joining in the fun, singing and playing some of those timeless Christmas songs we all know and love. This concert not only hopes to bring the spirit of Christmas to our stage this Christmas season, but more importantly, it will shine God’s light through the perfect mix of music and lyrics.

If you happened to catch last year’s concert, you will know that listening to beautiful melodies is only part of the show. Listening to people (who attended) tell it gives you a clue of what’s to come.  But don’t worry; we won’t ruin it for you. Just know this—there’s a great chance that you will be praising God as you hear His message through the wonder of music, and yes… at times, you may even see your feet and hands move without explanation, expectation, or thought. One thing’s for sure, you will hear the gospel in every song.

“Every one of the carols is a gospel message,” says Mullen. “You get that of course with the chorus, because they’re singing the words. But you also get that from the melodies, and they tug at your heartstrings, too. For people who perhaps don’t have a personal relationship with the Lord, it’s going to be powerful.”

Because of this year’s “Christmas Around the World” theme, the songs were chosen with American, French, English and African melodies from around the world. “I chose the songs that I thought would be well suited for the voices of the middle school chorus first,” explained Colón. “I was praying and asking God to give me His vision and theme for this year’s concert—something that would be the thread that pulls it all together.”

As always, God was faithful. He directed Colón to look at the selected pieces and as she highlighted the top of each one, she realized they were from around the world. A theme was born. Christmas Around the World captures all the nations celebrating Jesus, as we see it illustrated in Psalm 98:2.  Colón said, “I think it’s awesome that we’re ending with the Hallelujah Chorus, which is a picture of Revelation 19…all the nations singing to Jesus, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, ’Revelation 19:1.”

So, you’ve heard from the maestros, now come and hear the singers and musicians sing and play before an audience of One, and for you. Yes, come next Monday, December 14, and see how music and lyrics come together melodiously to make one spectacular Christmas concert. One that will not only bring out the Christmas spirit in all people, but also let God’s light shine through in ways not thought possible in the celebration of the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

In order to ensure the safety of the cast and crew, the production was postponed to allow for adjustment to some of the rigging. Even though this happened, Mrs. Lisa Flay commented, “This is however a blessing in disguise because if it hadn’t have fallen then we wouldn’t have been aware of this problem.”

Plans are under way to present this play some time in January. Stay tuned for more details!

Art by CCA 11th grader, Megan Mimnaugh

Anne Tucker once said, “All art takes courage.” You may wonder how this is true. I mean, really, how hard is it to paint a flower on a paper? But the emotion and passion behind the simple painting is more intricate and complex than one might realize at first glance. It takes courage to put something up on an easel and call it your own, and at the same time, being prepared for acceptance or rejection.

Recently, CCA hosted their annual art exhibit. A variety of pieces were shown, ranging from bright, colorful paintings to exotic and unique sculptures. Although most creations came out perfectly according to plan, others took an unexpected turn. This was true for CCA 11th grader, Megan Mimnaugh, when her composition was accidentally altered. Truth be told, she intended to sculpt a perfect vase, but when she left it to set, the next time she placed her eyes on her piece, it was thrown to the ground. The once beautiful vase was reshaped into an awkward position. Confused and frustrated, Megan wasn’t sure what to do with the piece. With a few adjusted elements, the unique creation was made into something that was never seen before. The individual piece of work is now proudly standing in CCA’s Art Exhibit, capturing attention, and absorbing observation from multiple people from the CCA Community.

Megan’s sculpture is similar to the relationship between us and Christ Jesus. Although Megan had a plan for her piece, it was altered and turned out to be something incredible. Jesus is doing the same in our lives. We may think we know what we want in this life, but in reality, Christ may have something different planned out for us. Just as Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you so grateful and humbled to be here performing on this stage….God, we thank you for this amazing opportunity to represent you to so many…I pray that tonight we leave it on the stage! And that in this performance, and in everything we do, all of the glory is for YOU! Amen,” said Senior Jessica Thomas as she led her fellow cast-mates in prayer. This prayer was whispered amongst a quiet circle, firmly holding hands, boldly displaying their dedication and reliance on God, in the wings of the Broward Center for The Performing Arts.

CCA was honored on May 19, by being nominated in seven categories and performing an excerpt from our fall musical Magdalene. And as the cast was about to step onto an incredibly honored and professional stage, Jessica Thomas, who played Magdalene, looked around at our anxious faces, and said, “I feel like we should be doing something!…We should pray!”

And with that our small group waiting in the wings, came together, held hands, and prayed. It didn’t matter that other people were watching and that they might not understand. In that moment, all that mattered was remembering to whom our show really belonged to God. Moments like that, when our faith is displayed in such a simple but incredibly impacting way, serve to be such an amazing witnessing tool to those around us.

At the end of the night, Johnny Jones, who was nominated for Best Male Featured Vocalist, won in that category, for his role as Jesus in Magdalene. The cast walked away from this gala thankful to be amongst the talent represented that evening, and excited to see what God has in store for future theater seasons at CCA.

April 2-4
Spring Comedy – “Play On”
April 22-26

Thespian State Festival
May 4
Thespian Inductions
May 14-15

MS Drama – “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

May 16

Choral MPA

CCA Festival DVD

CCA’s past short films from the Film Festival are available all on one DVD for pre-purchase for $5.00 each. If you would like to order a Film Festival DVD, please email Rick Negron at rickn@ccaeagles.org.

Choral MPA

The CCA Advanced High School Chorus was adjudicated at the Music Performance Assessment Festival on March 19 at Dillard High School. To the honor and glory of God, I am pleased to announce that they received an overall rating of EXCELLENT!  Please join me in congratulating these students on making our first year of participation in this event a successful one.

CCA Fine Arts Presents “Play On,”April 2-3 @ 7:30 pm and April 4 @ 8:00 pm
“A merry heart does good, like medicine,…” Proverbs 17:22
What do you get when you take a community theatre production of a suspense mystery play, add a crazy cast of characters and sprinkle it with a disastrous dress rehearsal?  An uproarious comedy you can bring the whole family to! Come enjoy the CCA Fine Arts High School production, Play On! This comedy will have you laughing all the way home. Tickets Go On Sale Saturday March 21, 2009!
Orchestra Seats $20 (Rows A-G) are reserved seating
Middle Level Seats $15 (Rows H-M) are reserved seating
(Not including $1 convenience fee to print out tickets)
General Admission Seats $10 (Rows N-R) are not reserved seating and will be available for purchase at the Fort Lauderdale campus Calvary Chapel Bookstore!  Reserved tickets will be available online at CCAeagles.org. All tickets are also available at the door 45 minutes before each performance based upon availability. Any student can purchase a $10 ticket at the door only! For handicap seating please contact Josi Dydek at 954-905-5188. Child care is not provided, sorry for any inconvenience.

CCA Film Festival
Come and experience CCA Fine Art’s 2nd Annual Film Festival, Friday, March 20th at 7:00pm in the Calvary Chapel Theatre.  Enjoy student written and directed films for a special evening of fun and entertainment. General Admission tickets are $5 dollars and are available at CCAeagles.org or at the door.  For more information, please call the Box Office at 954-905-5178. All proceeds from this event will benefit CCA Fine Arts.

Choral MPA
This year CCA Chorus students will participate in the Choral Music Performance Assessment Festival. Students are scheduled to be adjudicated on Thursday, March 19 at Dillard High School at 10:45.
CCA Fine Arts Presents
“Play On”
April 2-3 @ 7:30 pm
April 4 @ 8:00 pm
“A merry heart does good, like medicine,…” Proverbs 17:22

What do you get when you take a community theatre production of a suspense mystery play, add a crazy cast of characters and sprinkle it with a disastrous dress rehearsal?  An uproarious comedy you can bring the whole family to! Come enjoy the CCA Fine Arts High School production, Play On! This comedy will have you laughing all the way home.

Kindergarten Art
Congratulations to our kindergarten students whose beautiful artwork displayed in the kindergarten hallway!

The artists are:
Lindsey Flay

Imani Gomez

Joelle Herbert

Michael Mcmullen

John Merryl

Ethan Miller

Chanel Perez

Maya Rachels

Sebastian Stressau  sabastian

Hannah Wormsley

Thank you for making CCA more beautiful!

Fine Arts Events Calendar

Thespian One Act District 7 Festival
CCA Troupe 6817 was adjudicated for their One Act, “The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet” at the District 7 Festival on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Dillard Center for the Arts. Congratulations to these students for receiving a Superior rating !

CCA Artist
Congratulations to Candice Klipfel! Her painting titled “The Harvest” was accepted into the Broward County Scholastic Art Competition. Her piece has received a Silver Key Award. There will be an awards ceremony on Sunday, February 8th at 12:00p.m. in the Main Theater at American Heritage School in Plantation. Following the awards ceremony there will be a viewing and reception in the Black Box Gallery. Her work is on display today through February 8th. The gallery is open Mon-Fri 7:30-5:00 pm.

Get your tickets NOW before they sell out!
“The Greatest Love a Concert in Dance” is a story of sacrifice and redemption from the desolation of mankind to the revelation of His promises. This is God’s love story portrayed through dance and drama!

Orchestra Seats (Rows A-G) reserved seating
Middle Level Seats (Rows H-M) reserved seating
General Admission Seats $15 (Rows N-R) are not reserved seating and will not be available online. Only General Admission tickets will be available for purchase at the Fort Lauderdale Calvary Chapel Bookstore! Tickets can also be purchased at the door 45 minutes before each performance based upon availability. Student’s Rate/$10 at the door only! For ticket information please contact the Calvary Chapel Theater Box Office at 954-905-5178.

Cast & Crew Participation fee payments can be made online at CCAeagles.org on the Fine Arts Dance page. These fees help cover the cost of t-shirts, costumes, rehearsal snacks and meals. Please keep these students and teachers in your prayers as they prepare to minister to the body of Christ. Rehearsal schedules are available online. For further rehearsal information please contact Mrs. Dolan at 954-905-5187 or jenniferdo@ccaeagles.org. 

Dance Concert T-shirts are available for purchase in the Discipleship Building CCA Reception office for $15. Please bring cash or check made out to CCA. Thank you for supporting this CCA Fine Arts production!