StC News

Saints Gather for Alumni and Friends Concert

Saints of all ages come to campus to celebrate the arts, hear from alumni and officially hail the arrival of StC's Arts Center.
Last night, St. Christopher's alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff gathered on campus for a celebration of the arts. The event was a long-awaited chance to formally and officially introduce StC's new Arts Center and welcome our alumni community back to campus. “We’re showcasing not only our facility but what the arts can accomplish at St. Christopher’s,” said Director of the Arts Kerry Court. “As our alumni come back, we see how we’ve provided this artistic foundation. Then they start composing, they perform in Europe and other places and they really take things in their own direction.”

With excited attendees from around the country inside the Arts Center’s Ryan Recital Hall and an audience assembled on the Terraces to watch the event live on a large screen, Saints reconnected with friends, enjoyed the performances and sampled from a variety of food trucks on St. Christopher's Road. “It’s phenomenal to be back,” said alumnus and Grammy Award-winning composer Mason Bates '95, who performed at the concert with the Atlantic Chamber Ensemble. “It’s incredible to see this building after spending 13 years of my life here. It’s great that the School has a facility that’s commensurate to its science and athletic centers.”

Along with Bates and his performance, the audience enjoyed the dancing of Ira White '11, including a dance set to the music of Isaac Hayes and a jazz trio led by Randy Johnston '75. Best-selling author Dean King '81 read a personal short story, which was followed by a song inspired by that story, performed by Will Perkinson '93 and Wells Hanley '93. Opera singer Will Ferguson '95 sang and Buck Dietz performed with StC’s Kerry Court. A trio led by Adrian Duke '87 on piano wrapped up the memorable evening.

This morning, Ferguson visited boys during Upper School chapel. The globally acclaimed opera singer reflected on his time at StC, including his struggles with his sexual identity, trying to figure out his place in the world and finding his calling through his first Ampersand experiences. 

Ferguson said singing at StC changed his world and that music gave him a direction and passion for life. Finishing his talk, he offered advice and inspiration to students: “You are capable of great things and great love,” said Ferguson. “You will meet your people. You will find your person, and you will find your place.” 
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