February, 2022
Topeka Public Schools Monthly Fine Arts Newsletter
Save the Date! Upcoming events you won't want to miss:
- 02/07/22 from 7-8pm : Jazz Band Concert in the THS band room
- 03/04/22 & 03/05/22 @ 7pm, and 03/06/22 @2pm : Musical production: Fiddler on the Roof. Tickets are $8.00 and can be purchased, cash only, at the door. This production is being presented as part of the celebration of Topeka High's 150th Anniversary, as such THS alumni have been invited to take part on stage in the opening number, "Tradition," as well as playing in the pit orchestra.
Topeka West High School
- 02/10/22-02/12/22 @ 7pm, and 02/13/22 @ 2pm : Musical production: School House Rock Live, admission is $8 (see bottom of newsletter for more information)
- 02/07/22 : West Area Orchestra Festival (the first ever!) at 7pm, free admission, features all of Landon MS, French MS, and Topeka West orchestra students!
Chase Middle School
- 02/24/22 @ 6:30pm: Musical production: Disney's High School Musical Jr, admission is $2 with limited seating
Ross Elementary
- 02/09/22 from 6:30-7:30pm : Second and Third Grade Music Program
McClure Elementary
- 02/10/22 from 6-6:30pm : Kindergarten Concert
- 02/10/22 from 7-7:30pm: Third Grade Concert
Lowman Hill Elementary
- 02/08/22 from 6-6:30pm : Second Grade Program
- 02/08/22 from 7-7:30pm : Third Grade Program
KMEA
The Convention
"The mission of the Kansas Music Educators Association is to support music educators by fostering leadership, providing professional development, and promoting the advocacy of music learning in schools and communities.
KMEA will provide leadership in:
- Recruiting, retaining, and mentoring of music educators
- Encouraging the professional growth and development of music educators
- Improving the quality of music education in Kansas
- Responding to the changes that technology brings to music education
- Strengthening performance ensembles
To achieve this mission, KMEA will continue to strengthen its organization through a teamwork
approach that reaches out to individuals and groups within communities" (ksmea.org)
The All-State Ensemble Members
KMEA All-State Treble Choir:
Rachel Gaul, TWHS, Alto 1
Autumn Lane, THS, Alto 1
Lilia Potter, TWHS, Alto 1
Patience Wagner, TWHS, Alto 1
All-State Mixed Choir:
Tagan Ortega, THS, Tenor 1
All-State Band:
Grace Erwin, THS, Flute
Walter Evans, THS, Clarinet
Julian Ramcharan, TWHS, Trumpet
Owen Deines, THS, Alternate Tenor Sax
All-Sate Orchestra:
Andrew Anderson, THS, Cello
Miles Cusick, TWHS, Trumpet
Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art and Writing Competition
Students of Topeka Public Schools submitted photos to the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. After being accepted, they can be awarded a gold or silver key. Gold key winners have a chance for their artwork to move further in the competition for greater awards.
Congratulations!
Gold Key Entries
(Click on the desired picture to see it full-screen)
OKAY
Dane Split
Cow
Silver Key Entries
Street Runner
Comfortable in My Own Skin
Down Town
Time Flys
Red/Blue
Obscure Self Portrait
Daily Metamorphosis
Lilian also received an honorable mention for her mixed media entry, Consumed
Jewelry Piece
Moriah also received two honorable mentions for her mixed media entry, Every Stich Counts, and her art portfolio, The Story of a Life
Those Who Suffer
The Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition will be featured in Mark Arts School of Creativity and Youth Gallery from February 18 – March 26, 2022.
The Mark Arts galleries are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.
The annual Thespian Festival occurs in Wichita on January 6th. This festival allows students to watch productions from other visiting schools, compete in various theater-related activities, and attend workshops on acting, auditioning, stage make-up, playwriting, singing, dancing, etc. After the annual festival comes the International Festival in June.
Topeka West HS Theatre Troupe #3061: Gold Troupe Status!
Troupe #3061attended the annual Thespian Festival, and also competed in the Theater Quiz Bowl (an event in which two teams compete in a high-stakes game of theater smarts), taking first place, earning them Gold Troupe Status!
During auditions, two students qualified for nationals, and three seniors auditioned for colleges. One of those seniors received over 25 callbacks and was offered a spot as one of twelve for a private school back east! To qualify for nationals, students to participate at IFT (International Thespian Festival), students must first earn an overall Superior score at a qualifying event (which is State Thespian Festival). Students must then fundraise, because attending Nationals is a bit expensive (it is around $850.00 per person if they are sent).
Topeka High Thespians Earn Superior and Excellent Ratings!
Painting Clay for a Day
Fine Arts Holidays
Happy...
... National Ukulele Day (Feb 2)
... National Guitar Day (Feb 11)
... Library Lovers' Day (Feb 14)
... Floral Design Day (Feb 28)
Thoughtful Throwback: Living the Dream, Inc. Competition
Contact Information
Consulting Teacher of Fine Arts
Kailey Johnson
Data Recorder, Music Librarian
Email: creynolds@tps501.org
Website: topekapublicschools.net/
Phone: (785) 295-3944
Like and subscribe to this newsletter for monthly updates on the Topeka Public Schools Fine Arts programs! Have a great February.