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

“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.

Bright lights, flashing cameras, and escalating music overwhelm the room as guests enter in after modeling their long sequined gowns and tuxedos on the red carpet. The smiles and laughter of these esteemed people reveal the love for film that draws all of them together for one special night. Last Friday, March 20th, CCA’s Fine Arts hosted a similar event that celebrated the talent of those who walk our very halls in school every day.

While it may not have been the Academy Awards, the Second Annual CCA Film Festival sure resembled this event as various judges from different branches in the professional film industry awarded students with everything from best screenplay to best actor/actress in a short film.

The judges included Candace Cameron Bure, Rick Reynolds, Michael Taylor, and Doug Scott. Among those who were awarded that night, Sophomore David Vendrell was awarded best director and best film. The best film award was very special because it was presented by Doug Scott, president and CEO of local production company, U.S. Media Television, and it included a gift certificate to help Vendrell get started in his career in film, an internship with the company, and other valuable assets every movie maker would love to have.

Besides Vendrell, alumnus’ Phil King, Tim Davis, Matt Shippam, and Matt Huston were also awarded. Eighth grader, Andrew Davis, and twelfth grader, Katie Agarth, were awarded for best supporting actor and best editing, respectively. Agarth, who is frequently seen on the high-school Focus videos comments, “As a senior, it’s really cool to see my final project finished as well as see the work of the younger students.”

Congratulations actors, directors, and producers and a special thanks to our Media Arts teacher, Rick Negron, for his direction and development of all of this young talent. If you are interested in purchasing a $5 DVD of the film festival, email Rick Negron at rickn@ccaeagles.org.

Art by (enter name of student here)

So many times we give up on things we enjoy just because we feel that we are not good at them. Or maybe you are on the other end of the spectrum; you haven’t had any formal training but have the natural ability and just lack the courage to show off your talent. Whatever the case may be, never give up on yourself or your abilities. Throw off any hindrances in your way and keep pushing yourself because no matter what other people or your insecurities say, God has given you an amazing talent, and He expects you to do something with it. “God is the Master artist so when we are fresh out of ideas it would be a smart move to consult the greatest Artist and see how He  inspires,” advices Secondary Art Teacher, Noemi Klipfel.

“It’s also very important to know the use of God’s principles of design in a composition. I teach my students that just like there are ingredients for making a delicious cake, there are also ingredients for making good art.” Those ingredients include elements such as: line, shape, color, form, value and space. And according to Mrs. Klipfel, there are also rules on how to use these elements or principles: Movement, Unity, Repetition, Contrast, Rhythm, Balance and Emphasis.

Practice those rules, play with each element, but whatever you do, be bold and take a leap by submitting your artwork to an art show or a publication. We have a place for you in the CCA Messenger called The Artist’s Corner. Take advantage of it.

To be an amazing artist like Picasso or Michelangelo and to make an impact you must first be able to be daring and show off your work. If you have never shown people what you can accomplish, now is the time to be bold and show off your talents.

Best picture, best screenplay, best cinematography, best actor and actress. These are just some of the awards that will be given out at CCA’s second Film Festival on March 20th, starting at 7:00pm in the CCFLTheatre.

In the mix, there will be various videos and clips, including some from ETV and Focus, as well as six original short films produced by CCA’s Video Production students. Those involved in producing the short films had to go through a painstaking process that began back in September which included all aspects of pre production, production, as well as post production.

The film festival will also be a time to display other projects that the TV Production classes have been working on. Director of his own short film, David Vendrell comments, “By going to the Film Festival you will be able to see a program of CCA that doesn’t capture too much attention with the exception of FOCUS. You will laugh and cry as very talented kids show the skills that God has blessed them with.” The cost of admission is $5; don’t miss an opportunity to encourage your fellow students as they display their filmmaking talents!

This is CCA’s first play featuring an ensemble cast of only ten characters. In an ensemble cast, there are no ”leads” or “supporting characters,” rather, all characters have equal participation in the show. The small cast is excited to present this piece to CCA audiences, and is already hard at work in rehearsals. On March 21, tickets will be available online at ccaeagles.org and at the Calvary Chapel Bookstore. The play will be performed in the Calvary Chapel Theater on April 2-4 at 7:30pm. Watch out for more updates and details about the show as opening night approaches for Play On!

Those are the opening lines to CCA’s One Act production The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet by Peter Bloedel. On Friday, January 30, and Saturday, January 31, CCA’s Thespian Troope 6817 competed in the One Act competition at Dillard Center for the Arts. When asked about the two-day competition event, Trevor Glindomrong, who played the role of Monk Larry, said this, “It was an intense day! The competition was filled with copious amounts of good effort from a lot of different schools; the shows were filled with humor, sorrow, and lots of ‘symbolism.’ And it was quite a grand time watching one production in particular, a Kabooke style show, performed by another competing school.”

After two days of rigorous competition, CCA came out with a Superior rating—the highest rating you can get in the competition. Not only was this production rated with a superior, but two of the cast members were also recognized for outstanding performances. Johnny Jones received the All Star Cast Award for his portrayal of the witty and sarcastic Benvolio and Kate Basye received the Best Supporting Actress award for her portrayal of the Nurse. And not only was this production performed for judges at the One Acts Competition, but also at school in the Calvary Chapel Theater last week. Narrating this lamentable comedy was the dynamic duo of Kim Kelly and Savannah Davis. They led the audience through the epic feud between the “Monotones” and “Capitulates,” both families determined to keep their love struck children, Romeo and Juliet—played by Robert DiScipio and Allie Mullen—apart. From the notorious bumballoon battle between Mercutio and Tybalt, played by Chris Day and Jordan Glindomrong, to the somewhat wise but hysterical counsel from Monk Larry, played by Trevor Glindomrong, and his thugs Ben Sturman and Grant Sorrientino, no character went unnoticed.

But in the end, the narrators closed the curtain with, “It was official. The feuding had ended, the lovers kept loving and the families befriended. All from both families, sold their bumballoons, and with all the money they bought a pontoon. And now every night with the fish and the ducks, they all eat together on pontoon ‘potlucks.’… we hope you’ve enjoyed this tragic lament. ‘Cus we’ve all enjoyed it…One-Hundred percent!”