Denton ISD Fine Arts

The Guyer High School Orchestra, under the direction of Michelle Hanlon, commissioned composer Andres Martin to write a piece of music to feature Christian Luevano, four-time Texas All-State bassist. Martin composed Noche de Alebrijes for Solo Double Bass and String Orchestra to feature the virtuosity of Christian and celebrate him as a highly decorated high school player before he graduates and starts his collegiate career at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. The world premiere of this special piece was performed by Christian and the Guyer Rhapsody Orchestra at the Spring Concert, May 19. Enjoy the recording of that performance using the link below.

Denton ISD's annual district-wide art show, "Outside the Box", was held May 16-20 at the University of North Texas College of Visual Art and Design. It featured incredible art work by students in grades K-12 from campuses all across the school district. Many thanks to Denton ISD's art teachers and our partners at the UNT College of Visual Art and Design for making this exhibit possible. Congratulations to all of the young artists who had work selected for the exhibit.

High school art students in Denton ISD participated in the Region round of the Texas Art Education Association's Visual Art Scholastic Event or VASE. This year, 19 Denton ISD works of art advanced from Region to State VASE. Students that enter VASE create artworks, write about their creative processes and understanding of visual art, and articulate information about their artwork during an interview with a VASE juror, who evaluates their work using a standards-based rubric.

Congratulations to Guyer's Alex Luna who earned the Gold Seal Award at State VASE. Only 150 of the 31,000 entries from across the state of Texas are awarded the prestigious Gold Seal.

Click on the links below to see the list of State VASE students and their incredible artwork. Many thanks to our excellent art teachers in DISD who help build the skills in our students to create such wonderful works of art.

State VASE Qualfiers:

Braswell HS Artwork

Guyer HS Artwork

Ryan HS Artwork

Congratulations to the Guyer High School cast, crew, and directors, Eleshia and Chris Crotwell, for their outstanding production of Matilda the Musical. The Casa Manana Betty Buckley Awards were presented at a ceremony on May 19. Guyer's production of Matilda was nominated for eight awards and had two award winners:

Best Musical Nominee

Best Choreography Nominee

Best Costume Nominee

Scenic Design Nominee

Leading Male Actor Winner: Corbin Ross

Supporting Male Actor Winner: Jalen Wheaton

Leading Female Actor Nominee: Emma Grace Freeman

Supporting Male Actor Nominee: Cristian Cendejas

Guyer's production of Matilda the Musical was also nominated for three prestigious Broadway Dallas HS Musical Theatre Awards: Best Direction, Best Ensemble, and Best Crew and Technical Execution. At the awards ceremony on May 20, senior Ryley Patten was named winner of a Broadway Dallas Theatre Major Scholarship.

Congratulations to the Guyer Theatre students and directors for this recognition of their outstanding performances!

As the 2021-22 school year comes to a close, the Denton ISD Fine Arts department would like to thank all of the family members, friends, and patrons for attending and supporting the hard working students and teachers in our Fine Arts programs. This was a re-energizing year of revival in our programs as we have begun to safely come out of the coronavirus pandemic and the see a lifting of the restrictions on performances and public events in the past year. Performing for live audiences and welcoming them into our facilities for events has been rejuvenating for our students and teachers.

Thank you to our students for all of the hard work you have put into growing and developing your skills in your artforms. The performances and exhibits you put on this year were incredible and we are extremely proud of the work you have done. To the seniors, congratulations on graduating from high school. We hope that your time in Denton ISD's Fine Arts programs has helped to prepare you for what lies ahead, no matter what career you may be entering into. We send a special congratulations to all of the seniors who will be majoring in Fine Arts and to those who have earned scholarships in the arts.

And last, but certainly not least, many thanks to all of the amazing teachers in Denton ISD's Fine Arts programs for the outstanding work they do every single day, serving the students in our school district. Because of our teachers, their expertise, and their dedication, our Fine Arts programs in Denton ISD continue to be among the very best. Thank you for your commitment to empowering artistic growth in every student, every day.

Below, enjoy the gallery of images from our end of year events from around the district.

Denton ISD is in need of bus drivers for special events, such as Fine Arts events and field trips. Denton ISD has created a new job description titled, “Bus Driver-Special Events”. This type of driver will be paid $18-$20 per hour to drive groups to field trips, contests, and after school/weekend events. This is an excellent, flexible part-time job and a way to serve students in Denton ISD. We encourage Denton ISD volunteers and PTA members to consider applying for this as an option to serve the students and programs in Denton ISD, and also to gain some extra income! Click this link to apply and share it with anyone who would be interested.

Candidates need to earn their CDL, which can be done locally. The Denton ISD Transportation Department can provide information on how to achieve the requirements in order to qualify as a driver. Once hired as a Bus Driver-Special Events, they could drive groups to field trips, contests, and events, getting students and their teachers/chaperones to their destination safely and on time. This important work makes Fine Arts contests and events possible and contributes greatly to the educational experience of our students. Please share the application link above with anyone who would be interested in this opportunity.