The Arts News Archives

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.