Fine Arts
Choral Music
The St. Patrick Regional Secondary Choir consists of over half of the student body enrolled. Many are willing to participate and experience the variety of opportunities it offers such as scholarships and a music theory course. Our Chamber and Concert Choirs were the first Canadian high school choirs to participate in the US National Choral Invitational “Festival of Gold” where we have received three consecutive Gold Rankings. Additionally, our high school choir has been invited to perform in international conferences and festivals throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Music is a required quarter term elective. In grade 9, 10, 11, and 12, students can choose to take Choral Music as a full-term elective. Chamber Choir is an elective course for which students audition for every year in spring, St. Patrick Regional Secondary School hosts the Spirit Alive! Choral Music Gala, an event that takes place at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. This event showcases the talented students at St. Patrick and their dedication to enhancing their artistry. It also showcases their ability to perform and spread the magic of music around the world.
Meet our Choral Director – Dr. Tony Araujo
Our award-winning choir is led under the direction of Dr. Araujo, who is a proud alumnus of St. Patrick Regional Secondary, a recipient of the Prime Minister Award for teaching excellence, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal recipient.
Under the direction of Dr. Araujo, the choir has become world renown with the creation of multiple CDs demonstrating their vast talents in music. Dr. Araujo has also directed other choirs, such as the BC Boys Choir and the Corpus Christian College Choir to many titles.
Choral Music is offered as an elective at every grade level. In grade 8 Choral Music is a required quarter term elective. In grade 9, 10, 11, and 12, students can choose to take Choral Music as a full-term elective. Chamber Choir is an elective course for which students audition for.
Drama
Drama classes are offered to grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and extra-curricular opportunities include our annual theatre production. For the theatre production, learners have the opportunity to be involved in an area they are interested in, such as acting, stage crew (set building), stage management, costumes, hair and makeup.
Drama director: Ms. Jessica Van Elk
“Welcome to St. Patrick Regional Secondary School’s Theatre Department. Our theatre department offers a variety of drama classes and extracurricular opportunities for our students.”
Scholarship Music Theory
St. Pat’s is the only high school in the lower mainland that offers a scholarship music theory programme. As a leader in the arts, our school offers its students the opportunity to learn from the experienced Mrs. Carla Bevacqua and Ms. Shenette Salgadoe, who have been part of the St. Pat’s community for over ten years. Through the exciting environment of this course, students learn about elements of music and develop basic sight-reading skills to soon become fluent readers of music.
The great part of this course is that no prior experience is needed! The teachers believe in the artistic potential of students that everyone has a voice and the teachers will work with each individual according to their abilities, regardless of grade or experience. Ms. Bevacqua and Ms. Salgadoe do a fantastic job of preparing students to receive the final certificate. This afterschool program runs on Wednesdays from 3:15-5:15.
