Denton ISD Fine Arts | Smore Newsletters for Education

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Dr. Jackie deMontmollin is retiring from Denton ISD and her position as Director of Fine Arts at the end of February. She has served our district in this role since the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. We are very thankful for her leadership, her positive influence on our Fine Arts programs, and for her help in planning the 2018 bond's new and updated facilities. Her advocacy for Denton ISD's Fine Arts students, teachers, and programs both locally and statewide, have made a tremendous impact. Thank you, Dr. deMontmollin for your 5+ years of incredible service to Denton ISD and to Fine Arts students and teachers around the state during your career. Congratulations on your retirement and on a job well done!

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On February 8, Denton ISD's middle school theatre programs performed in the UIL One Act Play Contest, hosted by Ryan High School. The contest was originally scheduled for February 3-4 but had to be rescheduled due to the winter storm on that date. After all eight middle schools had performed and been judged, Calhoun Middle School, under the direction of Cynthia Abeln, was named the 2023 One Act Play Champion. Congratulations to the Calhoun cast, crew, and Ms. Abeln!

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Denton ISD's band, choirs, and orchestras perform in the UIL Region 2 Concert and Sight-reading Assessments each Spring semester. On February 23-24, our district's high school and middle school orchestras performed their UIL assessments, hosted at Guyer HS. In all, they earned 15 1st Division ratings for their concert performances and 20 1st Division ratings in sight-reading. 14 DISD orchestras were awarded UIL Sweepstakes for earning a 1st Division "Superior" in both concert and sight-reading. We are very proud of our orchestra students and directors for their outstanding level of performance. Best wishes to our bands and choirs that will perform their UIL assessments in the coming weeks.

Braswell HS - Directors: Michael Burris & Michael Dandron

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Denton HS - Directors: Sandy Cubero & Michael Jones

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Guyer HS - Directors: Michelle Hanlon & Sarah Wright

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Sub Non-Varsity Orchestra - 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

Ryan HS - Director: Jeremy Atkins

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Calhoun MS - Director: Sara Bollinger

Varsity Orchestra - 3rd Division "Average" Concert & 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & Sight-reading

Crownover MS - Director: Angela Harvey

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

Harpool MS - Director: Ryan Napier

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

McMath MS - Director: Gina Segapeli

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Myers MS - Director: Carrie Atkins

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

Navo MS - Directors: Eric Wolf & Michael Dandron

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & Sight-reading

Rodriguez MS - Director: Dr. Justin Fulfer

Varsity Orchestra - 1st Division "Superior" Concert & 2nd Division "Excellent" Sight-reading

Strickland MS - Directors: Rachel Richardson & Amber Schwister

Varsity Orchestra - 2nd Division "Excellent" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

Non-Varsity Orchestra - 3rd Division "Average" Concert & 1st Division "Superior" Sight-reading

Art students from Denton ISD's high schools participated in the Texas Art Education Association's Region 11 Visual Art Scholastic Event, or VASE. We are proud to announce that 153 DISD high school art students earned the top rating of "Superior" from the judges for their artwork and received a medal from TAEA. 15 of those students also had their work advance to State VASE, which takes place, April 28-29 in San Marcos. Congratulations to all of these outstanding student artists!

Click here to see the complete list of Region VASE award winners.

Click here to see the artwork by the students below who have advanced to State VASE.

Braswell HS:

Sanaa Hampton

Jennifer McLeod (2 works qualified)

Samantha Melendez

Savannah Miller

Jayden Ojeda

Ashlynn Smith

Alazjah Tates

Guyer HS:

Enrique Gutierrez

Christin Park

Koki Shinha

Yuri Sung

Eden Fitzpatrick

Ryan HS:

Hailey Belcher

Olivia Kinard

Emily Stanley

On Saturday, February 25, 5th grade students from all across Denton ISD performed in the DISD 5th Grade Honor Choir Concert at the Strickland Middle School Auditorium. These students auditioned to make the choir and practiced their music diligently for this special day. Guest clinician and conductor, Cecile Johnson, rehearsed with the students throughout the morning on Feb. 25 in preparation for their afternoon concert. Parents, family members, and friends of the Honor Choir members enjoyed a wonderful concert by incredible young singers from all the elementary schools all over the school district. Many thanks to Cecile Johnson and to all our elementary music teachers for making this event possible for the students. Congratulations to all of the 5th grade students selected for the Honor Choir!

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The Braswell High School Chamber Choir competed in the 2023 American Classics Madrigal/Chamber Choir Contest, among 68 choirs, representing 23 school districts from across Texas. The Braswell Chamber Singers, under the direction of Derrick Brookins, received a Division 1 in the "Newcomers" Category and received the Rising Star Choral Award. Congratulations, Braswell Choir!

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On Thursday, February 16, the Denton High School Fine Arts Center opened the exhibit, "Creature Creations", a special collaboration between 1st grade students from Newton Rayzor Elementary School and art students from Denton High School. The Newton Rayzor students used their imaginations and art skills to create unique creatures. The Denton High art students then used those original drawings as inspirations and used their art skills to create their own versions of the creatures designed by the Newton Rayzor students. The opening reception allowed the high school and elementary students and parents to see their artwork side by side in the new art gallery at the DHS Fine Arts Center. Many thanks to the art teachers at Denton HS and Newton Rayzor ES for working together to create this opportunity for these students to make and experience each other's art.

On January 28, high school orchestra students from all over UIL Region 2 performed in the UIL Solo and Enesemble Contest, held at Ryan High School. Hundreds of Denton ISD students learned solos and chamber ensembles to perform in the event and further develop their skills. Each performer received valuable feedback from their judge, and students who earned a 1st Division "Superior" rating were awarded medals. Students that earned the top rating for a performance of a Class 1 ensemble or a memorized Class 1 solo, also qualified to perform in the Texas State Solo & Ensmeble Contest in Austin at the end of the school year.

We are proud to announce that 136 DISD orchestra students won a medal for their "Superior" rating, and 52 of those students have qualified for State. Click the links below to see the results from each campus. Congratulations to these outstanding orchestra students. Many thanks to their directors, private lesson teachers, and accompanists for guiding them as they prepared for this event.

Denton HS Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Results - Directors: Sandy Cubero and Michael Jones

Guyer HS Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Results - Directors: Michelle Hanlon and Sarah Wright

Ryan HS Orchestra Solo and Ensemble Results - Director: Jeremy Atkins


UNT Jazz Singers	DHS Lab Band 1	DHS Jazz Singers

UNT Jazz Singers

DHS Lab Band 1

DHS Jazz Singers

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.

Denton ISD Fine Arts

Denton ISD Fine Arts

Denton ISD Fine Arts

Dr. Jackie deMontmollin, Director

Eddy Russell, Assistant Director

Steve Bonham, Fine Arts Specialist

Becky Taylor, Fine Arts Specialist

230 N. Mayhill Rd, Denton, TX 76208 sbonham@dentonisd.org 940-369-0228 dentonisd.org/finearts

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