Denton ISD Fine Arts

Denton ISD is proud of the Guyer and Ryan Theatre programs for their advancements through multiple rounds of UIL One Act Play Contests. They both advanced in class 5A (Ryan) and 6A (Guyer) from District, to Bi-District, and to Area. Guyer Theatre's production of Hamlet performed in the 6A Area contest March 31. They were selected as the alternate to the Region round. Congratulations to the Guyer HS cast, crew, and directors Eleshia Crotwell and Chris Crotwell for an outstanding season and for advancing all the way to Area!

Ryan's production of scenes from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Area on March 27 was selected to advance to the 5A Region contest that will take place April 19-20 at Texas Tech in Lubbock. Congratulations to the Ryan HS cast, crew, and directors Jeannene Abney and Scott Thompson for advancing. Break a leg at Region!

The 2023 Denton ISD High School Art Exhibition will be April 4-30 in the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center at the Greater Denton Arts Council, 400 E. Hickory St., Denton, Texas 76201. An opening reception for the artists, their families, and their teachers will be Thursday, April 6, 5:00-7:00pm. Celebrate our high school artists' talent, creativity, and skills in this district-wide showcase. Artwork from Braswell, Denton, Guyer, and Ryan High Schools will be presented. Many thanks to the HS art teachers for coordinating this and to our friends at GDAC for hosting. Admission is free.

Denton ISD’s middle school bands and choirs recently performed their annual UIL Region 2 Concert and Sight-reading Assessments. 16 DISD MS choirs earned a 1st Division “Superior” Award and 8 of them received Sweepstakes Awards (1st Division “Superior” ratings in both Concert & Sight-reading). 14 DISD MS bands earned a 1st Division “Superior” Award and 9 of those bands earned a UIL Sweepstakes Award. Best wishes to our HS choirs performing in UIL, April 11-13 and to our HS bands performing in UIL, April 19-21.

Congratulations to these outstanding students and their directors!

MS Band UIL 1st Division “Superior” Awards:

Calhoun MS

Band Directors: Marco Gonzales and Linden Lanier; DHS Zone Percussion Director: Phillip Elder

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Non-Varsity Band – Concert

Crownover MS

Band Directors: Christin Bunch and Dr. Kyle Mullins; GHS Zone Percussion Director: Devin Garza

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Non-Varsity Band - Concert & Sightreading

Harpool MS

Band Directors: Bryan Stone and Emily Staniszewski; GHS Zone Percussion Director: Devin Garza

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Non-Varsity Band - Concert & Sightreading

McMath MS

Band Directors: Travis Harris and Kelsey Gaskill; DHS Zone Percussion Director: Phillip Elder

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Myers MS

Band Directors: Emily Standlee Gomez and Brad Winders; RHS Zone Percussion Director: Frank Chapple

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Navo MS

Band Directors: Elizabeth Anderson and Paul Hudson; BHS Zone Percussion Director: Alan Miller

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Non-Varsity Band – Concert

Rodriguez MS

Band Directors: Dr. Kelly Desjardins and Sandy Osborne; BHS Zone Percussion Director: Alan Miller

Varsity Band – Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Band - Sightreading

Strickland MS

Band Directors: Nachel Konemann and Ray Velasquez; RHS Zone Percussion Director: Frank Chapple

Varsity Band – Concert & Sightreading

Non-Varsity Band - Concert

MS Choir UIL 1st Division “Superior” Awards:

Calhoun MS

Denise Stephens, Director

Treble Varsity Chorus – Sight-reading

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

Crownover MS

Charlie Lotspeich, Director

Treble Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Tenor-Bass Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Harpool MS

Tawny Rybowicz, Director

Treble Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Tenor-Bass Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

McMath MS

Shelly Swafford, Director

Treble Varsity Chorus – Concert

Myers MS

Kevin Rybowicz, Director

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

Tenor-Bass Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

Navo MS

Michael Leonas, Director

Treble Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

Tenor-Bass Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

Strickland MS

Vinny Thomas and Adriana Martin Del Campo, Directors

Treble Varsity Chorus – Concert & Sight-reading

Treble Non-Varsity Chorus – Concert

On Saturday, April 15, Texas Woman's University is hosting the Denton ISD Mariachi and Folklorico Showcase. The morning will include clinics for the Denton ISD mariachi students on voice, trumpet, guitar, vihuela, guitarron, and violin. In the afternoon, mariachi students will rehearse together with the folklorico dancers. The showcase performance will be 5:00pm in TWU's Margo Jones Hall. This is an outstanding opportunity for the students in DISD's mariachi ensembles to grow and perform together. Many thanks to Jason Molina, our orchestra directors, and TWU for collaborating to make this event happen.

The Ryan HS Strutters competed in two recent contests, Crowd Pleasers North Dallas Showcase at Lebanon Trail HS on February 10-11 and Crowd Pleasers DFW Showcase at Timber Creek HS on February 17-18. They made DISD and the Home of Champions proud, and brought home the following awards. Congratulations to the Strutters and directors, Keli Jones and Emily Schaefer.

North Dallas Showcase:

*2nd Runner-Up 11th Grade Soloist - Jayden Luster

*1st Runner-Up Medium Ensemble - Jazz Elite

*1st Runner-Up Large Ensemble - Highsteppers

*Officer Jazz - Best in Class

*Officer Lyrical - Best in Class

*Officer Modern - Best in Class

*Officer Novelty - Best in Class

*Grand Champion Classic Large Officer Line

*Team Jazz - 1st Runner-Up

*Team Modern - Best in Class

*Team Novelty - Best in Class

*Team Pom - 1st Runner-Up

*Crowd Pleaser Award - Team Novelty

*1st Runner-Up Grand Champion Classic Large Team

*Showcase Elite - 4th Runner-Up

DFW Showcase:

*2nd Runner-Up 11th Grade Soloist - Jayden Luster

*2nd Runner-Up Medium Ensemble - Jazz Elite

*1st Place Large Ensemble - Highsteppers

*Officer Lyrical - 1st Place

*Officer Novelty - 1st Place

*3rd Runner-Up Grand Champion Classic Officer Line

*Team Jazz - 2nd Runner-UP

*Team Modern - 1st Place

*Team Novelty - 1st Place

*Team Pom - 2nd Runner-Up

*Academic Excellence Award

*2nd Runner-Up Grand Champion Classic Large Team

*5th Runner-Up Overall Grand Champion Classic Team

The Braswell HS Royals and JV Jewels went to competition at Lewisville HS and did an amazing job. The Royals won Grand Champion in their division for the first time in school history! Below is a list of all their awards. Congratulations to the Royals and directors, Kristina Shelburne Rankin and Jessica Mott.

Royals Awards

Team Grand Champions

Team Sweepstakes and Judges Award (score of 90 or higher on all 3 routines)

Team Hip Hop Best in Category Winner

Team Contemporary Best in Category Winner

Team Pom 2nd Runner Up

Officers Champion Circle

Officer Sweepstakes & Judges Award (score of 90 or higher on all 3 routines)

Officer Hip Hop Best in Category Runner Up

Officer Novelty Best in Category Winner

Officer Jazz Best in Category Winner

Social Officer Runner Up & First Division Award

Medium Ensemble Jazz Elite Winner

Grand Champion Director Award Kristina Rankin & Jessica Mott

Solos Jasmin Spencer & Amy Campos First Division Award

JV Jewels Awards

Team Champion Circle

Team Sweepstakes and Judges Award (score of 90 or higher on all 3 routines)

Team Novelty Best in Category Winner & Novelty Supreme Award

Team Pom Best in Category Runner Up

Team Hip Hop Best in Category Winner

Officers First Division Award

Officer Jazz Best in Category Winner

Solo Ella Jensen First Division Award

The Guyer HS Silverados went to two different competitions and were spectacular. The Silvos entered three team routines, three officer routines, two duets, and 18 solos. We are very proud of their success and all the hard work they have put in. Congratulations to the Silverados and directors, Rachel Simpson and Lauren Uddin.

March 4 Danceline DFW Finale at The Colony

TEAM GRAND CHAMPIONS- Medium Division II-intermediate/advanced

RING OF CHAMPIONS 2nd place of the entire contest

Overall Best Military

Overall Best Prop

Precision award from the judges for Military

Platinum Sweepstakes (Scoring 95-100 on all dances)

OFFICERS- Overall Best Contemporary and Sweepstakes

9th-10th 3rd place solo Addy Lee

11th-12th 2nd place solo Rosie Adams also award the Anita Jefferson Conley award of Excellence

Technique challenge winners!

High Kicks- Kate Weatherley and Kate Morris

Turns- Rosie Adams and Lauren Sutton

Leaps- Addy Lee

Toe touches- Addy Lee and Kinslee Guiley

February 25 - Crowdpleasers Independence Showcase at Independence HS

TEAM 1st runner up GRAND CHAMPIONS Medium Select-Intermediate/Adavanced

TEAM 7th runner up of the entire competition

Best in Class and High Platinum Pom awarded outstanding performance quality

Best in Class and High Platinum Military awarded outstanding performance quality and outstanding choreography

Best in Class and High Platinum Prop awarded outstanding performance quality and outstanding choreography

OFFICERS 4th runner up GRAND CHAMPIONS Medium Select

BEST in Class and High Platinum Lyrical awarded outstanding performance quality, outstanding choreography, outstanding technique, and outstanding execution

High Platinum Jazz awarded outstanding performance quality and outstanding choreography

High Platinum Contemporary outstanding performance quality and outstanding choreography

The Greater Denton Arts Council hosted the annual Youth Art Month exhibit of artwork created by students from Denton ISD's elementary schools. The exhibit was on display in the Gough Gallery at GDAC's Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Downtown Denton, through March 25. Many thanks to Denton ISD's elementary art specialists and GDAC for making this event possible in order to share with the community the outstanding work and creativity of our art students.

Nick Schiller, a student at Rodriguez Middle School, has been selected for the Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. Nick will perform Bass Trombone in June with the Middle School Honors Junior Band. Participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated young performers from across the world.

Nick auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was recently accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording.

Nick has studied music for 3 years and is a member of the Rodriguez MS band program under the direction of Dr. Kelly Desjardins. Nick has been previously selected for Denton All-District Middle School Bands in 2021-22 (2nd Chair Trombone) and 2022-23 (1st Chair Trombone). Additionally, Nick was formerly selected to the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 2 All-Region Honors Band in 2021-22 and the top-level Wind Symphony in 2022-23 (3rd Chair Trombone). In response to his selection, Nick said, “I was truly surprised to be nominated and accepted to the Honors Performance Series. I’m very excited to be able to perform with such a gifted group of my peers from across the country and ready to face the challenge.”

Nick will join performers from 39 states and the District of Columbia for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. The finalists will come together in New York City where they will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other performers, and get a taste of The Big Apple. The Honors Performance will take place in June and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased beginning approximately 60 days prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office.

We are pleased to announce that Kennedy Modica, a 5th grade student at Hawk Elementary, has been selected by audition to perform in the 2023 Texas Choral Directors Association Elementary Honor Choir. The TCDA Honor Choir will be a part of the TCDA Convention to be held in San Antonio in July. This auditioned group is comprised of approximately 150 students who have completed grades 4, 5, or 6. Students selected to the chorus will experience 3 musical and fun-filled days and will conclude with a concert performance on Saturday of the TCDA Convention for over 1,000 choral directors, families, and guests. This is a once in a lifetime experience for students, and an incredible opportunity to work with the wonderful master teacher, Elizabeth Shepley. Many thanks to her music teacher at Hawk, Christine Stratton, for helping Kennedy enter and prepare for her audition.

Seven students from Cross Oaks Elementary entered artwork in the 2023 Martin Luther King Recreation Center's Black History Month Art Exhibit: Black Resistance. Congratulations to two outstanding Cross Oaks artists who won awards. Many thanks to Cross Oaks art specialist, Stacy Bzdok.

August Barnes - 1st Place in the K-3rd category

Parker Green - 1st place in the 4th-6th category.

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.