Fine Arts at St. Mary Catholic Schools

Fine Arts Program

Studies show that students who participate in fine arts activities perform well academically, manage their time well and appreciate culture and arts. As part of a well-rounded education, SMCS encourages students to explore their talents in the areas of visual, vocal and instrumental fine arts, as well as theater and forensic performance. Whether offered as part of the curriculum or as co-curricular opportunities, fine arts in St. Mary Catholic Schools is a valued educational experience.

Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center (FAEC)

Built in 2012, the state-of-the-art Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center is for student arts opportunities for the entire SMCS community. The venue is used by students and staff from the five SMCS schools, as well as alumni and community members for concerts, performances and events. The theater is equipped with ample, ADA-compliant handicap seating, an assisted hearing loop and assisted listening devices.

It is modeled after the same advanced, professional technology used by the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center with the intent of exposing our students to opportunities in all aspects of the fine arts.

The 22,000 square-foot facility includes seating for 495 guests and includes state-of-the-art audiovisual, lighting and production equipment, a staging fly system and Yamaha grand piano. The facility also includes a set-building studio and costume shop, as well as a comfortable green room.

In addition, the lobby area is perfect for events such as fundraisers, visual arts displays and the senior prom. An authentic black box theater that seats 96 patrons is used for one-set plays, forensic activities, seminars, small combo instrumental performances and more.

Fine Arts Education Center Resources & Additional Images

• Seating Chart
• Upcoming Schedule
• Hearing Loop Information
• Lighting & Production Equipment
• Staging Fly System
• Production Set-Building Studio
• Green Room

Fine Arts Programs at St. Mary Catholic Schools

St. Mary Catholic Schools offers a variety of fine arts opportunity to our students, both as part of the school’s well-rounded curriculum and as co-curricular activities. A fee may be required to participate in some of these programs, but financial assistance is always available.

Forensics (High School)

Open to all grades, students practice and compete from December through March, participating in approximately three meets per year. Categories include play-acting, group interpretation, prose, poetry, solo acting, storytelling and demonstrations.

Marching Band (High School & Middle School)

A combined ensemble comprised of members from the middle school and high school bands, this marching group performs at halftime of the high school homecoming game, as well as parades at homecoming, the Appleton downtown Christmas parade and Neenah-Menasha Memorial Day parade.

Art & Photography Club (High School)

SMCHS Art Club is for students who are passionate about art and would like to participate and spend more time interacting with others with the same interests. It focuses on producing high-quality pieces of artwork to be displayed around the school to help everyone further appreciate the value of fine arts.

Jazz Ensemble (High School)

The jazz ensemble performs throughout the academic year at all high school instrumental concerts, WSMA festivals, community tours, as well as various corporate business functions throughout the Fox Valley. Students perform challenging music representing all facets of the Jazz genre. Membership is open to all interested students, and students are expected to participate in the SMCHS concert band or have the instructor’s consent in order to participate in this co-curricular group.

Liturgical Choir (High School)

Liturgical choir rehearses one Activities period each week to prepare music for liturgies. While traditional music is used, we strive to bring energy to Masses with contemporary selections as well. Singers and instrumentalists are encouraged to join as we praise God, lead our school family in worship, and have fun while doing it.

Zephyrs Theater (High School)

Zephyrs Theater is SMCS’s ensemble of drama students. The program is for any student interested in experiencing the various aspects of theater, including acting, singing, choreography, directing, stage management, light/sound management and set building. Zephyrs Players has the opportunity to share their learned experiences and talents every fall and spring with a productions in our state-of-the-art Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center.

Art Club (Middle School)

SMCMS Art Club is for students who are passionate about art and would like to participate and spend more time interacting with others with the same interests. It focuses on producing high-quality pieces of artwork to be displayed around the school to help everyone further appreciate the value of fine arts.

Marching Band (High School & Middle School)

A combined ensemble comprised of members from the middle school and high school bands, this marching group performs at halftime of the high school homecoming game, as well as parades at homecoming, the Appleton downtown Christmas parade and Neenah-Menasha Memorial Day parade.

Musical Theater (Middle School)

SMCS Middle School presents junior editions of a musical each year. Past productions include junior versions (adapted for middle school) of Annie, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, and Peter Pan. Students take on acting, assistant directing, producing and stage crew roles. SMCMS will perform its next musical, Junie B. Jones, in January 7-8, 2022, at the Jane Bergstrom Fine Arts Education Center.

Enrichment Program (Middle School & Elementary School)

• More Information

Optional fine arts offerings include a multitude of dance, theatrical, vocal and visual arts classes through our SMCS Enrichment Program, as well as band which a student can begin as early as fourth grade. Students from all three elementary schools come together for concerts and performances to form the SMCS Elementary Band.

Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters (ZFAB) – Corporate & Friends

ZFAB funding is a stabilizing resource for our fine arts programs. Please help us continue to offer teacher and student grants, as well as purchase wish list items. Each year, while SMCS staff focus on forming mature artists, musicians, and life-long art lovers, donors like you help ZFAB provide the resources that maximize student opportunities.

Thank you to all our ZFAB Friends for your help in making our amazing performances and artworks possible. ZFAB funding is a vital resource for SMCS fine arts programs. Please help support our students, teachers and all the possibilities an excellent fine arts education can offer. Help SMCS fine arts students by becoming a ZFAB sponsor today.

Click here to support Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters.

Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters (ZFAB) – Volunteers

The Zephyrs Fine Arts Boosters help create new and exciting fine arts experiences for our students through volunteering and raising money for unique class activities, visiting artists, equipment and resources. Our committee is made up of parents, alumni, and staff invested in providing a more rewarding fine arts experience for our students. If you’re interested in helping out with Fine Arts at ZFAB, please take a minute to fill out this form. 

We are very proud of our community’s positive response, rallying around the SMCS fine arts program with their generous donations and volunteer hours. Thank you to all of our ZFAB Friends, volunteers and gifted teachers who make our fine arts program thrive. It takes time, money and creative teaching to generate a great educational experience. We are grateful for what these families, businesses, and faculty members have done to make SMCS fine art special.

ZFAB Meetings

2023-24 Meeting Dates

ZFAB Sponsors