Denton ISD Fine Arts

High school and middle school music students have the opportunity to audition for the Texas Music Educators Association's All-Region Bands, Choirs, and Orchestras. These students perform the TMEA audition music for a panel of judges and are ranked among all the auditioning students in Region 2, which includes Denton, Argyle, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, and Northwest ISDs. The top-ranking students earn a position and the opportunity to perform with the All-Region group at the annual Region 2 Clinic and Concert. High school musicians that rank among the top percentage in the Region can also qualify to advanced rounds of auditions for a chance at making a TMEA All-State group.

Congratulations to the Denton ISD students who have been selected to a TMEA Region 2 band, choir, or orchestra. Visit the pages linked below to see a list of those students and details about their concert. Best wishes to the HS band and choir students who are still auditioning!

11 selected to the All-Region Jazz Ensemble
32 selected to the HS All-Region Orchestra
20 selected to the MS All-Region Choir
34 selected to the HS All-Region Choir
22 selected to the MS All-Region Band
20 selected to the MS All-Region Orchestra
Nov 17, Dec 1, 3 - Region 2 HS Band Auditions

Congratulations to the students so far who have been named to TMEA All-State:

Arianna Shepherd, Braswell 11th gr (All-State Jazz Ensemble 2, trumpet)
Celine Cho, Guyer 11th gr (All-State Philharmonic Orchestra, violin)
Audrey Lee, Guyer 12th gr (All-State Philharmonic Orchestra, violin)

Congratulations and best wishes to the nine DISD choral students who have advanced to the TMEA Area auditions in January, the final round to determine if they make the All-State Choir.

Guyer HS: Sidney Brooks (Tenor 1), Aiden Daniels (Bass 1), Jayden Hollister (Tenor 2), Maxwell Douglas McCullough (Bass 2), Anastasia Reed (Soprano 2), Cody Rosengren (Tenor 1)

Ryan HS: Favour Ayeni (Alto 2), Jack Bowman (Tenor 2), Andrea Smith (Soprano 1)

Denton ISD Theatre students had the opportunity to attend the Texas State Thespians Festival in Grapevine at the Gaylord Convention Center. We are proud to announce that 14 Denton ISD Theatre students qualified for the National Thespians Festival - 13 from Braswell HS and 1 from Ryan HS. Braswell and Denton HS were also named All-Star Troupes. Congratulations to these outstanding students and their teachers!

Braswell HS Theatre - All-Star Troupe

Directors: Michelle Greene, Ben Parker, & Chris Rogers

Group Acting: Raegan Bell, Riley Jade Bowers, Ace Cabrera, Ainsley Eiffert, & Destiny Pastor

Group Acting: Kamaren Brown, McKenzie Christian, & Tatiana Nuno

Solo Musical: Maddie Hamby

Solo Musical: Hannah Blake

Costume Design: Sarah Smith

Sound Design: Hailey Gwata

Stage Management: Emalee Searles

Denton HS Theatre - All-Star Troupe

Directors: Michael Cleveland & Kerri Peters

Ryan HS Theatre

Directors: Jeannene Abney & Scott Thompson

Monologue: Ella Bynane

On Saturday, November 12, the percussion sections from Braswell and Denton HS bands performed in the Lone Star Classic Drum Line Contest in Lewisville. Braswell competed in the Standstill II Silver group, placed 3rd, and won the award for Best Snare Line. Denton High competed in the Standstill II Red group and won 4th place. Congratulations to these two outstanding Denton ISD drum lines for their well-deserved awards!


Braswell HS Percussion 3rd Place Best Snare Line Alan Miller, director	Denton HS Percussion 4th Place Phillip Elder, director

Braswell HS Percussion

3rd Place

Best Snare Line

Alan Miller, director

Denton HS Percussion

4th Place

Phillip Elder, director

On November 14, the Denton HS Lab Bands and Jazz Singers performed their fall jazz concert at the new Denton HS Fine Arts Center, featuring special guests, Brave Combo. The audience enjoyed performances by DHS Lab Bands 1 and 2, under the direction of Jesse Woolery, the Jazz Singers, under the direction of Kyle Feather, a combined set by Lab Band 1 and Brave Combo together, and finally, a set of fan favorites of Denton's own Brave Combo. It was incredible experience for the students to perform with and experience Brave Combo, who has won multiple Grammy awards for their professional recordings. A photo gallery of the event is below.


	Ryan HS Dancers	Denton HS Dancers

Ryan HS Dancers

Denton HS Dancers

Students from Denton ISD's high school dance programs attended Texas Woman's University's "College Dance Day" on Thursday, November 17. Students participated in dance masterclasses, took a tour of the campus, had a Q&A session with the TWU Dance Department student choreographers, and completed the day by attending the TWU Dancemakers concert. Many thanks to TWU and Denton ISD's outstanding dance directors for making this experience possible for DISD dance students.

The Crownover MS Show Choir, directed by Charlie Lotspeich, performed the Star Spangled Banner at the Dallas Mavericks basketball game on November 15 at American Airlines Center. The choir did an outstanding job representing Denton ISD with their performance and they were joined by 80 members of the Crownover community, including fellow students, family members, and staff members.


Fillies with Mayor Hudspeth at Salvation Army Kettle Kick-Off, Nov 10	Fillies perform at DHS Veteran's Day Celebration, Nov 11	Strutters perform at Stephens Elem Pep Rally, Nov 16

Fillies with Mayor Hudspeth at Salvation Army Kettle Kick-Off, Nov 10

Fillies perform at DHS Veteran's Day Celebration, Nov 11

Strutters perform at Stephens Elem Pep Rally, Nov 16

Denton ISD is in need of extra bus drivers for Fine Arts trips, like contests, field trips, and football games. Drivers are paid $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 wonderful 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 an opportunity to gain some extra income. Click this link to apply and share it with anyone who would be interested. The job description is titled, “Bus Driver-Special Events”.

Candidates need to earn their CDL, which can be done through the Denton ISD Transportation Department, 940-369-0317. Once hired as a Bus Driver-Special Events, a driver could drive groups to field trips, contests, and events, helping to get 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.