Denton ISD Fine Arts
Empowering Artistic Growth. Every Student. Every Day.
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, high school band students from Denton ISD performed in the TMEA Region 2 Jazz Ensemble Auditions, competing with high schools from districts in Region 2, including Argyle, Lake Dallas, Lewisville, and Northwest ISD. We are extremely proud to announce that 11 of the 20 positions in the All-Region Jazz Ensemble were won by Denton ISD students, including 6 first chairs. Congratulations to the outstanding jazz band students listed below and to their awesome directors and private lesson teachers. You represented Denton ISD in a most excellent way.
These students have earned the opportunity to perform with the All-Region Jazz Ensemble in the annual Clinic/Concert to be held November 18-19 at the Denton HS Fine Arts Center. They also have the opportunity to perform in the TMEA Area level auditions in October, where they will compete for a seat in the Texas All-State Jazz Ensemble. Best wishes to everyone in their next audition!
Denton ISD All-Region Jazz Ensemble Members:
Braswell HS, Aaron Snipes III, Director of Bands and Jazz Ensemble Director
Caleb Carrillo, 2nd chair tenor saxophone
Arianna Shepherd, 1st chair trumpet
Palmer Biggers, 2nd chair trumpet
Nathan Contreras, 3rd chair trumpet
Harrison Biggers, 1st chair trombone
David Withaeger, 1st chair bass trombone
Denton HS, Jesse Woolery, Associate Director of Bands and Jazz Ensemble Director
Milo Kaplan, 1st chair alto saxophone
Leo Illari, 2nd chair trombone
Daniel Wen, piano
Evan Chuah, bass guitar
Ryan HS, Jarrod Beard, Associate Director of Bands and Jazz Ensemble Director
Dantrell Sanders, 3rd chair trombone
The Mark of Excellence project, sponsored by The Foundation for Music Education, seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school bands, choirs and orchestras. The project gathers entries from throughout the U.S. and provides valuable feedback for all entrants. A unique competitive environment is created which allows ensembles to compare their performance quality to other outstanding groups from across the country. The top 25% of entrants are recognized as National Winners, with the second 25% named as Commended Winners. All entrants receive a compilation recording of the winning performances. Winners are recognized in regional and national publications and conventions.
Denton ISD is proud to announce that three of its high school music ensembles were named Commended Winners by The Foundation for Music Education for their outstanding performances in 2021-22. Congratulations to these hard-working students and teachers for achieving this national recognition.
- 6A Wind Band Commended Winner: Braswell HS Wind Symphony - Aaron Snipes III, director
- HS Jazz Ensemble Commended Winner: Denton HS Lab Band 1 - Jesse Woolery, director
- HS String Orchestra Commended Winner: Guyer HS Rhapsody Orchestra - Michelle Hanlon, director
DHS Sophomore Art Student Wins 2022 Denton Chalk Fest
Sounds of the Stadium, Sept 26 at Collins Stadium
Guyer Theatre's Fall Musical Beauty & the Beast Entertained Crowds
Denton Public School Foundation Awards Grants & Scholarships to 15 Fine Arts Faculty & Staff Members
Steve Bonham, DISD Fine Arts Specialist
Stacy Bzdok, Cross Oaks ES Art Teacher
Julia Freund, Braswell HS Art Teacher
Amanda Gibson, Newton Rayzor ES Art Teacher
Nachel Konemann, Strickland MS Band Director
Kiba Jacobson, Braswell HS Art Teacher
Brandon Jones, Harpool MS Art Teacher
Kennedy Lovette, K-8 Virtual Academy Art Teacher
Jamie McCormick, Adkins ES Art Teacher
Ben Parker, Braswell HS Theatre Assistant Director
Rachel Richardson, Strickland MS Orchestra Director
Jamie Rives, K-8 Virtual Academy Music Teacher
Julia Stoecker, Harpool MS Art Teacher
Christine Stratton, Hawk ES Music Teacher
Ray Velasquez, Strickland MS Band Assistant Director
Bands Begin Fall Marching Band Contest Season
September 24
- Braswell Band at US Bands Saginaw HS
- Ryan Band at Golden Triangle Classic, hosted by Denton HS at Collins Stadium
October 1
- Braswell Band at Plano East Invitational
- Denton, Guyer, & Ryan Bands at Princeton "Sounds of Fall" Invitational
October 8
- Braswell Band at Bands of America Regional in Midland
- Denton & Guyer Bands at Don Hanna Memorial Contest hosted by Ryan HS at Collins Stadium
October 15
- Braswell, Denton, Guyer, & Ryan Bands at UIL Region 2 Contest at Collins Stadium
October 22 - UIL 5A Area B Contest at McKinney ISD Stadium
October 29 - UIL 6A Area C Contest at Mesquite Memorial Stadium
November 7 - UIL 6A State Marching Band Contest at San Antonio Alamodome
Bands, Cheerleaders, Color Guards, & Drill Teams Provide Pageantry & Spirit at Denton ISD Football Games
Fine Arts Event Bus Drivers Needed
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.
Check out the upcoming events on the calendars below and make plans to
enjoy the outstanding work by Denton ISD's Fine Arts students!
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Denton ISD Fine Arts
Dr. Jackie deMontmollin, Director
Eddy Russell, Assistant Director
Steve Bonham, Fine Arts Specialist
Becky Taylor, Fine Arts Specialist
Email: sbonham@dentonisd.org
Website: https://www.dentonisd.org/finearts
Location: 230 N. Mayhill Rd, Denton, TX 76208
Phone: 940-369-0228