By Holly Sullivan, Head of Performance Studies and Arts Coordinator
16 May 2025
As the school year wraps up, we’re looking back on another packed and inspiring term for the arts at ICS. From theatre to visual art to music, students across all ages have had the chance to get involved, try something new, and share their creative voices—and they’ve done so with energy, imagination, and a real sense of community.
On Stage and Behind the Scenes
The Middle School Production of Alice in Wonderland was a real highlight. With bold characters, inventive set design, and plenty of teamwork behind the scenes, it brought together students with all sorts of talents—not just actors, but designers, technicians, and stage crew too.
ArtsAlive returned this semester as our after-school live lounge, and once again it proved to be a firm favourite. Students performed original songs, covers, and more in a relaxed setting, and for many, it was their first time in front of a live audience. We even had our first stand up comic! The honesty and creativity on display made it a special evening.
Our Pop-Up Performances kept things lively throughout the term—unexpected moments of music at lunchtime that reminded us how much creativity is woven into our everyday life at school.
This semester also saw ICS represented beyond our campus. ICS string ensemble took part in the SGIS Symphony Orchestra, joining students from across Switzerland for a weekend of intensive rehearsals and high-level collaboration. A highlight of the experience was a Q&A session with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, who spoke about music’s power to connect people and cultures.
The weekend concluded with a stunning performance at the prestigious Rosey Concert Hall, giving our students the rare opportunity to perform in a world-class venue. It was a challenging and inspiring experience that pushed their musicianship and left a lasting impression.
At the inaugural SGIS Theatre Festival, our students worked with peers from other schools and professional UK theatre company The Paper Birds, exploring collaborative, issue-based performance.
We also brought The Paper Birds into school to run a workshop with our Grade 8 Theatre students, who created powerful verbatim pieces using real interviews—an inspiring experience that deepened their understanding of theatre as a tool for social storytelling.
In the Gallery and Studio
In the Visual Arts, our DP students presented their final exhibition through a carefully curated vernissage—a formal opening that offered families, staff, and peers the chance to engage with their work in an intimate gallery setting. The exhibition reflected a wide range of media, themes, and personal perspectives, showcasing the depth of thought and creativity developed over the two-year course.
On the primary side, creativity was in full swing at the PYP Exhibition and the Primary Arts Night. Whether through song, paint, sculpture or storytelling, students confidently shared the results of their inquiry and imagination with friends, families, and teachers.
Music and Performance All Around
A standout moment this term was SongFest at the International School of Zug and Luzern, where—for the first time—our Primary and Middle School choirs came together. Each group performed individually before joining forces for a combined piece, creating a powerful moment of musical unity.
Closer to home, all of Grade 5 and 6 had the chance to experience The Villains on Their Way to Umbidu at the Tonhalle Zurich—a vibrant classical concert that followed four quirky instruments on a journey of teamwork and self-discovery. Through music by composers like Bach, Purcell, and Ligeti, students explored how collaboration and creativity can bring even the most unlikely characters together.
Back at ICS, our Primary “Perform a Play” ECA group will close the semester with a joyful sharing of their work—reminding us that theatre truly begins with play.
And we’re not done yet—there’s still the International Festival to come, with student musicians set to take the stage and celebrate the global spirit of our school through performance.
Looking Ahead
This term has shown just how many ways students can get involved in the arts at ICS—whether it’s their first time picking up a paintbrush or their tenth time on stage. There’s space here for trial, for risk-taking, for polish, and for pride.
Thanks to all the students, staff, and families who made these moments possible. We’re excited to see where the arts take us next.
Holly Sullivan
Head of Performance Studies and Arts Coordinator