The Arts Matter

South offers unmatched programs in disciplines such as piano, guitar, dance and music technology; is home to Nebraska’s first show choir, The Ambassadors; boasts seven choral ensembles, three orchestras and three bands; trains young actors through five yearly theatre productions; produces award-winning studio artists and potters; and offers unique courses in metalsmithing, filmmaking, digital art and mixed media.

While our students pursue their passion through our arts programs, they also excel academically. 86% of our arts majors are consistently on the quarterly honor roll, while 41% have a GPA of 4.0 or higher. 97% are taking one or more honors classes.

Data from the College Board shows that students who take four years of arts and music classes while in high school on average score about 100 points better on their SATs than those who took only one-half year or less.

As our students hone their acting skills, excel at the pottery wheel, sing the music of Mozart, learn to draw the human form, and become adept in a variety of dance styles, they are boosting their cognitive and reasoning skills and learning concepts to guide them throughout life.

Partnerships

South’s continued excellence has led to amazing opportunities for our young, talented artists:

• Named a Grammy Foundation Signature School
• Marching Band represented Nebraska in the 75th annual Memorial Day Parade, in Washington, DC
• Backup singers for Michael Bublé’s Omaha concert and Eric Church’s Lincoln and Omaha concerts
• Dancers selected for workshops with Alvin Ailey II Company
• Visual Artists selected for the South Omaha Mural Project, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, Nebraska Arts Council and City of Omaha Historical Fund
• Christmas at the Kroc performances with the Omaha Symphony
• Nebraska Young Artist Award winners in both Visual Arts and Dance
• Visual Artists are represented through the Governor’s Arts Awards, Scholastic Arts Competition, Audubon Society
• Guitar Ensemble selected to perform at the Nebraska Music Educator’s Conference, a first for any guitar program
• The Ambassadors Varsity Show Choir successfully competes locally, regionally, and nationally
• Thespian Troupe selected to perform at the International Thespian Convention
• South’s pre-professional dance troupe, La Fuerza, won first place at the annual MLK “I Have A Dream” Celebration
• Partnership with the Omaha Community Playhouse provides both onstage and backstage training
• Musical theatre collaborations with Creighton University and University of Nebraska/Omaha