| Number of Schools Managed |
29 |
5 |
| Number of Students Managed |
21,039 students |
3,252 students |
| District Total Revenue |
$228,185,000 |
$31,820,000 |
| District Expenditure |
$229,429,000 |
$33,069,000 |
| District Revenue / Student |
$10,846 |
$9,785 |
| District Expenditure / Student |
$10,905 |
$10,169 |
|
- Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts is a seven year (6-12) school for the visual and performing arts of the Gary Community School Corporation in Gary, Indiana, United States.
- Staff
-
The faculty includes nearly 35 teachers.Notable Faculty:
- Robert Herr, DramaMarian Lynn Boynes, Vocal Music Dept.D. Lemmon, Band DirectorC. Semmes, Orchestra InstructorMichal Davis and Larry Brewer, Dance InstructorJudith Neville, Piano InstructorR. Sutton, Art Instructor
- Jane Srnick, Technical Theater DirectorLea Larson, Arts CoordinatorNoah Riley, Principal
- History
-
Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts, named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, was one of the most prestigious high schools in the Midwest when it opened in September 1908. Everything it had was state of the art and set many of the standards of high schools in Gary today.Emerson was home to the first high school maintained zoo in Indiana.
- Emerson was also the site of one of the most outrageous incidents in the history of race relations in the United States. In October 1927, 1400 white students went on strike against the presence of 24 Negro children in their classes. Unfortunately, the Board of Education buckled to this prejudice (the Ku Klux Klan was a major political influence in Indiana at the time), and transferred the black students to Froebel High School. (Theodore) Roosevelt High School was subsequently built, primarily for black students. Unfortunately, Gary and the surrounding area has remained segregated for much of its history.
- Emerson was closed in 1981 due to under population. It was reopened during the mid-80s as the first Visual and Performing Arts schools in Indiana.
- The school is one of the most successful schools in the Gary area, with high graduation rates and successful major programs. There have been numerous reports of threats to close the school based on decisions of the school board.
- Mission Statement
- Belief Statement
-
We believe an Emerson student will be able to:
- Qualify for admission to chosen institutions of higher leaning.
- Enter the world of performing or exhibiting artist.
- Improve performance on standardized test.
- Act as a total individual in terms of character, personality, self-discipline and citizenship.
- Establish positive interpersonal relationships
- Respect the differences of others.
- Be exposed to, and develop an appreciation for the fine arts.
- Demonstrate academic and artistic proficiency.
- Work as ‘unit’- Helping others academically as well as artistically.
- Participate in community service and school organizations, projects, and activities.
- Majors
- Band
-
The Emerson VPA band is one of the best high school bands in the city of Gary, Indiana. The directors, Mr. Carson and Mr. Lemmon, make a dynamic duo. The band plays all types of music. The band is both a concert and marching band. The jazz band’s music will bring you to your feet. Emerson’s band has won may awards. Including many solo performance and group performance awards at the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) contest.
- Dance
-
The Emerson Dance Department is dedicated to delivering fun, inspirational, and professional performances. Mrs. Davis and Mr. Brewer are excellent teachers whose patience and determination drive the dancers to do their best. The Emerson Dance Team has won numerous trophies in the New York City Dance Alliance competitions, and the Indiana High School Dance Team Association. Notable dance majors include Chester Gregory, who's know to have graced the stages of Broadway. Emerson Dance alliance was formed in 2002, giving the public some of the greatest dance recitals to date, including the recurring Urban Nutcracker. Other notable shows include, Ubiquity and Juxtaposition. The department is known for allowing student to choreograph pieces, some great student choreographers are Davonna Edwards, Amansu Eason, Carlton Barnes, Sankara McCain and Joshua Ishman. The department is also known for joining forces with other dance companies like, Deeply Rooted and Alvin Ailey. This department is very successful.
- Drama
-
The Emerson Drama department can be described in only one word, “fantastic!” Within a single performance audiences may experience a wide range of emotions. Teachers, Mr. Herr and Mr. Peters bring with them real world experiences that both educate and inspire their students. The program is an key factor in the success of the school putting on productions that has wowed many people of all ages. Some works included in the repertoire of the drama department include, Once upon A Mattress, A funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Carmen Jones, the Little Mermaid and recently High School Musical Bang Bang...You're Dead, Waiting for Godot and Antigone. The drama department joins forces every spring with vocal coach Marian Boynes to put on the most amazing musical spectacles yearly. Upcoming works have been rumored already be in the works. Notable students in the department have been William "Brotha Bill" Johnson, who co-starred in the film Blue Hill Avenue. The most noted roles every to take stage at Emerson were portrayed by Ramon Ishman and Roderick Emery in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum the team work tirelessly to provide the most comical performances to date. Many will not allow the two to live down the roles once being asked to reprise the role for a tour (this however was rumored).
- Orchestra
-
Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass make up the elegant Emerson Orchestra. Conducted by Mr. Rovelli Grib, and with the aid of Ms. Carol Semmes and Ms. Lucy Ludkovsky, the Emerson Middle School and Concert Orchestras continue to strive for excellence. The Emerson Orchestra has had many awards in the Indiana State Music School Association Solo and Ensembles competitions.
- Piano
-
The Emerson piano majors play music that you need to witness for yourself. From the elegant styles of classical flair, to contemporary delight, the piano majors never cease to amaze and captivate their audience in a musical euphoria. Led by Mrs. Neville, piano majors play music that you simply must hear.
- Technical Theater
-
Technical Majors are very involved with the artistic life of Emerson. When there is a production or a prop to be placed, the tech majors are there to do the job. They are involved with lighting, sound and other stage aspects. These are skills that are necessary to keep Emerson’s shows and exhibits running smoothly. Ran by Mrs. Srnick, the “techies” always manage to get the show going. They have provided the drama department with some of the most elaborate and amazing sets.
- Vocal
-
Under the direction of Ms. Boynes and Ms. Brinker, the High School and Middle School chorus have achieved many great things over the years. Their sound is very professional for such young people. They have performed concerts in numerous places, and seeing them perform is a real treat. They have achieved many awards through the Indiana State School Music Association. The vocal department is seen as one of the strongest majors at the school. Heavily noted for their Concert Choir under the direction of M.L. Boynes. The choir has traveled to various places including New York City, San Diego, California, Salt Lake City, Utah and Indianapolis, In. The choir has had numerous awards given to them including a day named in their honor by the states governor. The choir most notable performance was in New York at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, 41 students traveled there to give a concert. Performing at the cathedral is one of the highest honors a choir could get. Notable students in the Department are Jesse Powell, Dennis Gates, JaQuay Gilbert, Morisha Turner, and Kevin White ( A basketball student at Tennessee State University.
- Visual Arts
-
In galleries, art shows, and even peoples homes. Emerson Art Majors have accomplished it’s objective by captivating the eye. Through the instruction Ms. Weiss, Mr. Sutton, and Mr. Hoblitzel, the art majors put their unique creations down on paper or canvas for the world to see. With exquisite self portraits, sculptures, and various paintings, the Visual Art department not only stimulates your eyes, but also your heart and mind.
- School Uniforms
-
All GCSC students from pre-Kindergarten through the 12 grade are required to wear school uniforms. Starting the 2007-2008 Academic School year, all schools will follow the new "school uniform" policy.
- To book performances by certain groups/ majors
-
Contact Lea Larson via the school.Emerson School for the Visual & Performing Arts301 Parke St.Gary, IN 46403Phone: (219) 938-1750
- External links
- Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts Official Site
- Friends of Emerson
- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
-
Add/edit information about this school (e.g., awards, news stories, notable alumni, fun facts)
|
View current housing listings in this area
Find your graduating class at Classmates.com
Review school: 
