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Arts students take on the Big Apple
Great Scot | Issue 173 | 2025
Now you’ re in New York! These streets will make you feel brand new Big lights will inspire you Hear it for New York
Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind( Hell’ s Kitchen)
Students also visited some of New York’ s most celebrated galleries— the Whitney, the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art( MoMA)— as well as a new immersive experience at Mercer Labs. Evenings were filled with enormous New York pizza slices and nighttime strolls through the city that never sleeps.
Over the holidays, a group of 20 Scotch boys swapped the classroom for the streets of New York City— soaking up Broadway shows, world-class galleries, and creative workshops. Guided by staff members Ms Hayley Sandpearl, Mr Yudha Scholes, Mr Nick Miller, and Mr Jacob Vuk, the group immersed themselves in the art, culture, and energy of one of the world’ s most iconic cities.
“ The trip began with a tour through blossom filled Central Park, followed by a visit to The Met,” Year 12 student Seb shared,“ we viewed an incredible range of artworks including an exhibition of Gothic and Romantic Art by Mr Scholes favourite artist, Casper David Friedrich”.
“ I was amazed by the vastness of the museum, my favourite area was the Renaissance room,” said Seb.
An appreciation of arts and culture plays a vital role in shaping wellrounded, thoughtful young men. Exposure to creative expression, whether through visual arts, drama, or music, encourages students to think critically, communicate with empathy, and see the world through a broader lens.
“ We explored New York with the assistance of our local tour guide Lili, who navigated us through SoHo, East Village, Harlem and Brooklyn,” Henry( Year 11) shared,“ she educated us on New York’ s history and culture throughout the whole trip”.
The itinerary contained a blend of major highlights and hidden gems. Students visited the 9 / 11 Memorial and Oculus building, walked the bustling streets of Times Square, and explored classic American vintage shops. They also engaged in handson learning experiences, including a photography class and an immersive Brooklyn graffiti tour.
“ This trip was a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of both visual and performing arts, with students from both disciplines taking part in workshops that were unfamiliar to them” Seb said.
Visual arts and drama students alike were challenged through a series of specialist activities— from stage combat training to acting sessions and even a dance class led by a professional Rockette.
Of course, no visit to New York would be complete without a trip to Broadway, and the boys were treated to a range of shows, including The Play That Goes Wrong, the powerhouse musical Hell’ s Kitchen, and the technically brilliant adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
While travelling to places like New York is an incredible privilege, our Scotch boys approached the experience with genuine gratitude and maturity. They appreciated that they were able to take part in a unique opportunity, and intentionally and enthusiastically made the most of every moment.
“ For many of us it was a trip that was a year in the making, and we were excited for the adventure,” reflected Henry,“ It was jam-packed full of amazing sightseeing, gallery admiring and great play watching. A trip that was definitely worth the wait”.
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