The Arts News Archives

On April 28, 2026, Loyola Academy's choirs took the stage at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center for their annual Spring Concert, offering an evening that reflected both artistic excellence and the formation of students as expressive, reflective performers. Under the direction of Mr. Jesse Borower, with Ms. Megan Fletcher accompanying, the concert brought together Concert Choir, Honors Chorale, Honors Chamber Singers, and the student-led a cappella group Nothin' But Treble in a program that spanned centuries, styles, and cultures.

On May 1, the Loyola Academy Orchestra's final concert of the year offered a vibrant celebration of collaboration, creativity, and student artistry, bringing together musicians, dancers, and guest performers for an unforgettable evening.

Loyola Academy is proud to recognize Teddy Berhane '27, who has been selected for the 2026 Student Perspectives Juried Student Show at Perspective Gallery. The highly competitive exhibition received more than 750 submissions from high school student artists across the Chicago area, making Teddy's selection a significant achievement.

On Thursday, April 16, the Loyola Academy Band filled the Leemputte Family Theatre stage in the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center with beautiful music for its final concert of the school year. Ramblers delivered an evening that showcased both the depth and diversity of the program.

On Thursday, April 23, Loyola Academy's Dance Program brought energy and nostalgia to the stage of the Leemputte Family Theatre in the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center with its annual spring showcase.

Loyola Academy fine arts students recently had a unique opportunity to step inside the world of professional theater, without ever leaving campus.

Loyola Academy's Artistic Director Aaron Umsted brought Broadway to Lake and Laramie on Friday, April 17. Students gathered in the Leemputte Theatre of the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center for a live Zoom conversation with company members from the national tour of Hamilton. The interactive Q&A, moderated by Umsted, connected students directly with working professionals across various facets of the production, offering an inside look at what it takes to bring one of the most celebrated musicals in the world to life night after night.

On Thursday, April 16, Loyola Academy celebrated the opening of its Spring Student Art Exhibition with a welcoming reception in the lobby and gallery of the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center. The exhibition, which will remain on display through May 8, offers a compelling glimpse into the creativity, discipline, and artistic growth of Loyola’s student artists.

Loyola Academy's Honors Chorale and Honors Chamber Singers traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, on April 18 and April 19 to participate in the prestigious WorldStrides Choir Festival, where both ensembles delivered outstanding performances among a competitive national field.

From March 27–29, Loyola Academy’s McGrath Family Performing Arts Center was transformed into a world of gods, monsters, and heroic discovery as students brought The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical to life in a dynamic and heartfelt production.

Members of the Loyola Academy community gathered in the art gallery of the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center on March 5 to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition featuring the work of faculty member Colleen Aufderheide LdM '85.

On Wednesday, March 18, Loyola Academy welcomed Chicago-based artist LaRob K. Rafael for a visit that left a lasting impression on students.

Rafael spoke during a rehearsal with Loyola’s Honors Chamber Singers, which was also open to other choir students with a free period. As the ensemble rehearses music rooted in the tradition of African American Spirituals, students benefited from Rafael’s deep expertise in the genre, gaining both historical context and artistic insight into its rich tradition. The choir will bring this repertoire to Nashville, Tennessee, in April to compete in the Heritage WorldStrides Choir Competition.

Loyola Academy's Fine Arts Department and Physical Education Department recently welcomed the dynamic artists of the South Chicago Dance Theatre for a special in-school field trip that immersed students in performance, creativity, and conversation.

On Saturday, March 7, members of the Loyola Academy Orchestra competed in the 2026 IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest, delivering an outstanding performance that earned the school second place in the state in the Class AA Strings (Solo/Ensemble) division.

Loyola Academy's Winter Orchestra Concert filled the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center with an evening of vibrant music on March 5, as students from the Beginning Strings, Symphony Orchestra, and Honors Orchestra shared their talents with the Loyola community. Under the direction of Orchestra Director Patrick Rustandi, the program offered a rich and varied repertoire that reflected the growth and dedication of Loyola’s young musicians.

Loyola Academy's Orchesis Dance Company took the stage in the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center on Friday, February 6, and Saturday, February 7, for its third annual concert, showcasing an evening of student creativity, leadership, and performance.

Loyola Academy's Thespian Troupe #4729 attended the Illinois High School Theatre Festival from January 8 to January 10 at Illinois State University, joining thousands of students and educators from across the state for the world’s largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival. This year’s gathering marked a milestone, celebrating the festival’s 50th anniversary.