Music, dance and other visual arts filled the gymnasium of Anderson Middle School Tuesday evening as family, faculty and students participated in the first Visual and Performing Arts Showcase of 2009.

The 6 p.m. program involved a blending of the school band, dance, chorus and art classes, creating a full program rich with student enthusiasm and talent.

Several students played multiple roles, particularly in the musical portions. Regina Wiles, seventh-grade counselor, gave an example of the student’s overlapping res-ponsibilities.

Students participate in Anderson Middle School's Visual and Performing Arts Showcase Tuesday. Advertisement

“We have six students in chorus,” Wiles said, pointing to a nearby line of six chairs filled by three singers waiting patiently for their performance.

“Three of them are also in band. When they finish playing over there, then they come over and join the rest.”

After a welcome and invocation, principal James Russell addressed the full gymnasium and gave the audience an overview of the eve-ning’s event.

“The arts help to enhance learning, and studies show that students who practice in the arts learn better, learn more,” he said. “But also as important is what we hope to accomplish aside from the academic success. We want the students to feel through their participation that they’re part of the school in a positive way, that they belong as a community. That belonging and self-confidence brought about by the arts then translates into success, academically and otherwise.”

Performances were given by Anderson Mid-dle School Band, the Hip-Hop/Jazz Dance Group, the Lyrical Dance Group and the Anderson Middle School Chorus.

At the program’s midpoint, art teacher Dei-ondra Brown was introduced. Anderson Middle School’s Teacher of the Year, Brown recognized and praised the work of the art class.

Band teacher Charles Guardia directed the band throughout the evening. Leading them through short bits of music to warm up for the performance, he was pleased with how well they were doing.

“The kids are doing great,” Guardia said. “They’ve been working really hard. We’ve been practicing together since February, since right af-ter Mardi Gras.”

The event was sponsored by Anderson Mid-dle School and Louisi-ana GEAR UP, which funds programs through grants and provides college funds for scholarships for successful seventh-grade participants.