Cultural Activities

While there are many activites in the Bay Area that will present themselves there are three cultural activities that are required.

Other programs might treat these activities as "fun events" but we see things differently. Following the Torrey model, every planned activity from the beginning of the day to the end has been well-considered. This model was designed to encourage relationship building and develop the whole person. This is why we incorporate community mealtimes into the curriculum along with intense times of discussion, unparalleled access to faculty... and three mandatory cultural activities.

Terry Scott Taylor

Though the man behind Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies is certainly the father of Christian alternative music, his disarming mannerisms and raw humor belie a sincere devotion with God. Many of Taylor's bands have had the pleasure to open for many of the big bands and artists of the 60's and 70's including Van Morrison, Janis Joplin's Big Brother and the Holding Company and Quicksilver Messenger Service. His solo work, however, showcases a personal side of Terry with lyrics set to music influenced by the sounds he grew up with, namely the Beatles, Beach Boys, etc.

Torrey Berkeley is blessed to have Terry play for us every year. His singer/songwriter renaissance of late is fitting for a man who has always punctuated his music with disarming and humorous lyrics. Taylor is highly regarded for his songwriting skills. These often include allusions to, and reworkings of, material ranging from Elizabethan poets to modern authors. Foremost among Taylor's influences has been William Blake.

One of his bands - Daniel Amos - entitled an album 'Fearful Symmetry' from Blake's poem "The Tyger," and numerous songs across the The Alarma! Chronicles series of albums have Blake-inspired references. Among other poets that have influenced Taylor's work are T.S. Elliot, as heard in "Hollow Man" from the Doppelgänger album. Another example is Christina Rosetti. "Where Dreams Come True" from Taylor's solo LP A Briefing for the Ascent draws heavily from Rosetti's poem "Echo."

California Shakespeare Theater

The California Shakespeare Theater is committed to making imaginative and entertaining interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays, fresh rediscoveries of important works of world theater, and new plays inspired by classic literature. They strive to bring intellectual rigor, emotional depth and theatrical invention to their work in order to create a transcendent, spiritual experience for audiences of all ages. They eschew preconceived notions about the classics and seriously attempt to bring all plays to life for audiences today.

Another unique characteristic of Cal Shakes is their commitment to preserving the natural beauty of their theatrical home. They believe in performing in an outdoor ampitheatre "The Bruns Amphitheater" for two reasons: to create the most comfortable experience for audiences, without diminishing the natural beauty of the Siesta Valley; and to provide artists with the best tools possible to do their work. Some of these tools are the wind, light, and atmospheric conditions that collaborate to make every performance unique.

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

Every year we visit the Legion, and sometimes visit others, to gain a deeper appreciation of beautiful art. The very building itself is an object of beauty and is situated on the water overlooking the Golden Gate bridge.

Built to commemorate Californian soldiers who died in World War I, the Legion of Honor is a beautiful Beaux-arts building located in San Francisco's Lincoln Park. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and all of San Francisco, the Legion is noted for its breathtaking views.

The museum's permanent collection covers 4,000 years of art and includes paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from Europe, as well as international tapestries, prints, and drawings. The 20-plus galleries on the upper level display the permanent collection of European art (paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and tapestries) from the 14th century to the present day. One of the world's finest collections of Rodin's sculptures includes two galleries devoted to the master and a third with works by Rodin and other 19th-century sculptors.