WHS Orchesis closes out year with 'Footnotes'

The Wheeling Orchesis show, "Footnotes," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 25-27 in the school's Sang Theatre. The program features works by guest artists who have worked with the students this school year, and includes a variety of student- choreographed works in styles such as hip-hop, tap, jazz, lyrical, and modern. Tickets $8 (all seats reserved) and can be bought in advance though Diane Rawlinson, (847) 718-7121 or at the door.

Over the past several months, Wheeling Orchesis members have had the honor of working with five guest choreographers and one guest composer. The artists and the pieces they set for Orchesis are: a dramatic work by Diona Pridgeon (on faculty at Lou Conte Studios); a retro piece by Wilfredo Rivera (Cerqua Rivera Art Experience); an improvisational piece by student teacher Jennifer Foss; a jazz piece by Richard Smith (Inaside Dance Company); and a modern work by Scott Bartell (Spectrum Dance Theatre of Seattle). Bartell's work premiered on Dance Chicago's New Moves Festival at the Theatre Building of Chicago in Nov. 12.

Wheeling High School's Jazz Band, directed by Brian Logan, recorded a Spanish-based piece for the Orchesis group number, choreographed by director Diane Rawlinson. The concert will also feature a piece, "A Subtle Execution," choreographed by seniors Janice Gebhardt, Rachael Fromkin, and Megan Donisch.

This work will also be performed on March 19 at the Gussman Theatre in Miami during the student choreography showcase of the National High School Dance Festival.