The FAN Page
Norman Public Schools Fine Arts Newsletter
WELCOME
Hello and welcome to the first monthly Norman Public Schools Fine Arts Newsletter, the FAN page! October and November proved to be a busy month for the fine arts department as we wrap up the year. Below are a few highlights. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to many more fun events next year!
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Fifth grade students perform their program "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" at the All-City Choral Concert on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at OU's Lloyd Noble Center. All-City is an annual Fall event that includes all 1000+ fifth graders from the district, a distinguished guest conductor, a high school orchestra, and various professional local musicians. This year's conductor was Mr. Ken Berg from Birmingham, AL. Students attended an all day clinic with Berg Oct. 23 and 24 in preparation for the performance. The Norman North High School Orchestra accompanied the group.
Art-tastic!
Eight Norman High School students had their art selected to be entered in the statewide Oklahoma High School Art Competition. The works were displayed at Oklahoma City University during the month of November. Senior Haley Bell had two pieces entered, one of which earned her a scholarship of $3,000 (renewable up to four years). Out of over 800 entries, approximately 200 were selected for the show and winners were then chosen from those. Read the story HERE.
"Blue" by senior Haley Bell
"Art is freedom of expression and emotions. My goal with my pieces was to try using new mediums."
"Horror Business" by junior Alex Ridner
"My favorite thing about art is getting to learn new techniques."
"Just A Little Bit of You" by sophomore Santana Jimenez
"I’m very hard on myself on what I want to be able to present to people because I want them to like my art."
A Foreign Exchange
The NHS String Quintet performs at the reception for the Hitachi-Norman Public Schools Teacher Exchange Program on Tuesday, Nov. 7. NPS hosts a visit from Japanese educators each year.
"42nd Street"
Norman High School presents "42nd Street" during Oct. 25-29. Read more HERE.
Composer's Forum
Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty speaks to high school band and orchestra students at the Nancy O'Brian Center for Performing Arts on Monday, Nov. 20. The lecture was aimed at students interested in composing music. Senior Jordan Freidemann who attended the lecture said "I've always been fascinated by composition; listening to orchestra or band pieces, I'll think about the writing process and think 'I would love to do that!' So the idea of an opportunity to talk with and hear from a composer in the flesh was something I jumped on."
Chalk Talk
Norman High School students compete at the first ever Sidewalk Chalk Walk as part of the Norman Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 27. Nine teams competed with "Space Fox" taking home first place. The walk was a collaboration between Firehouse Art Center, Norman Arts Council, and NPS. Chalk was provided by Firehouse and the NAC which gave art supplies to all participating students as well as a sketchbook and drawing pencils for the winning team.
"Space Fox"
By Samantha Markland and Angeleah Castaneda.
"Light Bulb"
By Hailey Willess and Brent Harrison.
"Melting Face"
By Shanna Wilson, Ana Kobriger, and Nia Weryackwe.
Side-by-Side
The Norman North Symphonic Orchestra performs with Southwestern Oklahoma State University's Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Fine Arts Auditorium on SWOSU campus. The groups were directed by SWOSU's Dr. Hsuan Yu Alex Lee and NNHS's Brenda Wagner.
Bah Humbug
Norman North High School presents "A Christmas Carol" during Nov. 15-18. Read the story HERE.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Irving Middle School orchestra poses with Santa and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister at the Governor's tree lighting on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the state capitol. The group was the only orchestra that performed at the event.
It Takes Two
Sixth through eighth grade students partner with OU music students to learn string instruments. The program, which was started by NPS this year, is an attempt to catch up students who got a late start learning an instrument. OU students receive school credit while NPS students receive the benefit of learning an instrument they might otherwise not have had the opportunity to learn. OU students spent the first eight weeks of the semester with the Alcott Middle School Band and the remaining eight weeks with the Irving Middle School Orchestra.
O Christmas Tree
Joel Deardorf conducts the NHS Jazz Band at the Governor's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
CONGRATS!
Congratulations are in order for the following:
- Choral director Christine Hrubik for being named Longfellow's 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year!
- Fifth grader McKenzie James for making the All-State Children's Chorus. McKenzie was the only student in the district to be selected.
- The Norman High Chorale and conductor Stephania Abell for being selected as an honor group for the 2018 OKMEA conference in Tulsa. The group will perform in January.
Fine Arts Calendar
Be sure to check out all fine arts events going on during the month of December.
Good Night Norman
The Norman Public School Foundation recently published "Good Night Norman," a children's book illustrated by NPS visual art teachers that highlights unique places and events which make Norman a special place to live. The book is available for $20 at the Administrative Service Center, Cayman's, Fred Jones Museum of Art, Occasions, Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, and Tulips. All proceeds benefit teachers in Norman Public Schools through the Foundation's Grants-to-Teachers program.