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St. John’s School of the Arts to celebrate 20th anniversary

This month, the St. John’s School of the Arts, 2101 Newberry St., celebrates its 20th year of offering music and the fine arts education to the greater Williamsport community.

A ministry of St. John’s-Newberry United Methodist Church, the school plans to commemorate the occasion at a special “Service of Celebration” at 10:45 a.m. Sept. 25 at St. John’s-Newberry Church.

Among those taking part in the service will be current and former students, faculty, advisory board members, a special anniversary flute choir comprised of 20 flutists and led by director and flute instructor Anne Keely, and a dance ensemble of current students of Theresa Kendall.

In addition to incorporating music, art, drama and dance into this special service, “Several individuals will give testimony relating to how the school has impacted their lives over the past 20 years,” said Dr. Ellen Davis, a member of the school’s advisory board and faculty who is coordinating the service. “Not only will we be recognizing this milestone anniversary, but we’ll be celebrating the spiritual dimension of the music and arts in worship and the important role they can play in the lives of our students, their families, our churches, and our community.”

The service will begin with the uplifting “Bells of Freedom” for piano and handbells/chimes, arranged by Jon Schmidt, and will conclude with an en masse hymn about the arts that features dance, instrumentals, voice, piano, organ and congregational singing.

A light luncheon will be held immediately following the service, where guests will fellowship and enjoy memorabilia pertaining to the school’s 20 year history.

Past and present students, faculty, families and friends of the School of the Arts are invited to attend these festivities.

“We think the 20th anniversary of the St. John’s School of the Arts is an occasion worth celebrating,” Keely said. “While the tremendous growth we’ve experienced over the past 20 years is exciting, I believe the success of the school cannot be measured in numbers. Nor can it be measured in a tangible sense.”

“Our students may come wanting to learn a new instrument, improve their vocal skills, or join an art or dance class, but they often leave with so much more than technical instruction,” Keely added.

The community is invited to attend the celebration service and luncheon, but an RSVP for the luncheon is requested by contacting the school at 570-327-5575.

For more information, visit www.schoolofthearts.susumc.org or call 570-327-5575.

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