For theatre teacher Robert “Bob” DiMartino, the

performing arts are all about fostering collaborative

thinking, creativity, commitment, and a strong work

ethic. For band director Michael Feroce, the work is

also about that unique experience of creating and

performing with peers, giving participants a sense of

belonging within a community. And for choral director

Janita Ducharme, it is about discovering what we’re all

capable of.

This is the matrix of music, storytelling, and singing

that make up the Cumberland High School performing

arts department.An after school instrumental workshop at CHS.

“Offering music ensembles and classes create

opportunities students may not have realized they had,”

Ducharme says. “Some of my strongest musicians are

students who do not excel in other subject areas. Music

gives them the confidence to do bigger and better things,

make new friends, and push themselves to perform

well.”

CHS’s performing arts program has opened doors, both

on and off campus. Blue Man Group conducted a

workshop at CHS, the Clef Singers earned a superior rating

at the RIMEA Senior Choral Festival, and groups have

performed at the school and in public venues.Members of Blue Man Group presenting an educational workshop at CHS.

Mr. DiMartino, who has been teaching thespians for 26 years, the last eight at CHS, produces three drama shows each year plus showcase performances.

“We are members of the National Thespian Society, an honors society for theatre students, including attending the state theatre conference, where four of our students received “accomplished” ratings, the highest rating awarded,” he said.

Three CHS students plan on bringing their work to the National Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Mr. DiMartino will be teaching a workshop.

“Theatre classes foster confidence and collaboration as well as creative thinking and a good work ethic,” he says.

Students performing on stage at CHS.

In recent years, technology has helped improve the product, he says, but not to the degree it has other subject areas.

“Peter Brook wrote two entire books about how the only thing needed to do theatre is an “empty space. Actor B. D. Wong once told American Theatre Magazine ‘It’s not theatre if you can’t do it without electricity,’” he said. “While those observations are true to some extent, the availability of sophisticated lighting, sound and construction equipment often makes for a more interesting product.”

When he’s not teaching at CHS, Mr. DiMartino can be found at the Next Generation Theatre Company in Cranston.

Technology has had a more significant impact in music

education, says Mr. Feroce, now in his third year

teaching music, and his second at CHS.

“Technology has helped bring music making in the

21st century to life, with online-clinics from music

professionals, Skype chats with composers, and

instant and effective communication and feedback

between students and teacher,” he says.

The CHS band rehearsing for the next concert.

“Performing arts give students a unique experience to

create and perform with peers. Aside from countless

cognitive advantages that directly benefit a student

through music education, it also gives them a sense of

belonging within a community.”

Mr. Feroce says performance art classes have been

linked directly to higher academic achievement,

greater self-confidence, and give students a group of

peers they may call their confidants. - CHS band directorMichael Feroce

Choral director Janita Ducharme, now in her second

year at CHS and her fifth year in the district, agrees.

She says students who perform are creating in a

cooperative and collaborative environment on a daily

basis. “They learn hands-on skills, develop friendships

and relationships, contribute to their community, and

- most of all - they discover what they're capable of as

performers.”

CHS choral groups have performed at the state house and at music festivals.

Technology has had an impact on what students

perform and how they learn music, according to their

choral director.

“Social media has made finding things the kids want

to perform so much easier. YouTube and Twitter have

given my students access to so many music

performances that they are eager to share with each

other to listen to. We even use videos of our

performances to promote our own events. “

“We’ve always had a strong arts community in the

years I’ve been here,” CHS principal Alan Tenreiro

says. “But last year and now this year, parents,

students, and teachers all seem to be making it a

bigger part of our school community.”

This is a direct result of the kind of dedication, skill,

and love for the arts that CHS’s teachers are passing

on to their students.

CHS students rehearsing a scene.

CLASSES

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

CLUBS