The Edmond Creative

Greetings Edmond Fine Arts Educators and Administrators:

We are off to a great start to the school year and I am so excited to see what the future will bring for you, your students, and your amazing programs. As I visit sites, I have observed so much enthusiasm and joy from your students as they prepare their pieces and upcoming performances. They are truly "shining their light"!

For many years now, I have chosen a word to help guide me on my journey for each school year. I use this to encourage myself and to stay focused on the task at hand. This year, I chose "illuminate".

illuminate - verb: il·lu·mi·nate, i-ˈlü-mə-ˌnāt.

1. make (something) visible or bright by shining light on it; light up.

2. help to clarify or explain.

3. decorate by hand with gold, silver, or colored designs.

All three of these definitions provide me with a clear goal to approach the new year by showing appreciation, clarifying and improving on what we already do, and to embellish and highlight the phenomenal work that you and you students are demonstrating.

Food for thought:

"When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, you don't throw it away, you change the batteries. When a person messes up and finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside? Of course not, you help them change their batteries! Some need AA...Attention and Affection; Some need AAA...Attention, Affection, and Acceptance; Some need C...Compassion; Some need D...Direction.

And if they still don't seem to shine...simply sit with them quietly and share your light."

How can you share your light with others today?

As always, if have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out!

The arts are ALIVE and WELL in Edmond Public Schools!

Elementary Art educators got a chance to meet with Elementary Assistant Principal Scott Goodrich as he discussed Classroom Management in the Fine Arts Elementary Classroom. In addition, Katelyn Van Hoozer provided a overview on SmartPanels and technology integration in the Visual Art Classroom.

Elementary Music educators met with Tara Light - OkMEA Elementary Music VP - on current trends and tips and tricks for the elementary music classroom.

Secondary Vocal Music educators met with Janis Dawson - Past OkMEA President - to discuss Contest ratings and providing discussion on trends of superior rated choruses. Teachers also had a tutorial provided by Dr. Potts on Sight Reading Factory - a program that helps students improve their sight reading skills.

Secondary Orchestra educators met with Jeffrey Grogan - Director of Orchestral Activities at OCU - on techniques for the orchestra classroom. Dr. Grogan brought in several colleagues from across the nation to enrich our EPS Orchestra directors.

On August 24th, Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe competed against each other in the annual Battle of the Bands Car Wash, hosted at Edmond Furniture Gallery. Over 350 Band students and parent volunteers washed cars to raise funds for their respective programs. To add a little incentive, the program who raised the most funds got to take home the coveted "Bucket Trophy" and bragging rights for a whole year. Santa Fe Band was able to raise $3800, but fell short to Memorial who raised nearly $6400. This will be the second year in a row that Memorial has won the competition. Congrats to all the students, families, and volunteers on a very successful fundraiser! Over $10,000 raised for EPS Bands!!!

Journey to Quartz Mountain this fall for an all-inclusive, three-day workshop retreat at the Oklahoma Fall Arts Institute. Taught by nationally renowned artists, workshops are offered for all skill levels and are held at the beautiful Quartz Mountain State Park & Lodge in the Wichita Mountains of southwest Oklahoma. Unlike other workshops, all meals and lodging are included in tuition.

Thanks to partnerships with the State of Oklahoma and generous private donors, scholarship funding is available to cover the tuition costs for Oklahoma PK-12 public school educators. Tuition discounts are available to Oklahoma private school educators, Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute alumni and those working in higher education.

Registration Opens August 1st

On Saturday August 24th, OkMEA hosted its 8th annual Start Up Summit. Educators from across the state joined together on the campus of UCO to enjoy professional development offered by some of the finest in the industry. Some of the breakout sessions included:

• Elementary - Back to School Bops: Songs and Activities to Bring the Magic of Music to Rules and Procedures

• Moriah Holmes (Holmes Sweet Music)

• Choral - Starting in the Key of C(ommunity)

• Tiffany McGrew (Deer Creek HS, Deer Creek PS)

• Instrumental - Must Do’s in the First Days: Setting the Tone for Your Middle School Music Ensemble

• Michelle Contreras (Classen SAS MS, OKCPS)

• Elementary - Setting The Stage

• Emily Funkhouser (Downs ES, Putnam City PS)

• Choral - Simplified Beginnings: Sight Reading, Organization, and Structure to Start Off Strong

• Angela McKenna (Classen SAS HS @ NE, OKCPS)

• Instrumental - Facing a Great Year Backwards: The Art and Science of Planning

• Mike Raiber (Director of Fine Arts, Mustang PS)

The day concluded with a General Session Panel to answer all questions Music Ed. We are so grateful for the educators who took the time out of their weekend to enrich their skills to serve students better. Shine your light!!!

Let the Oklahoma Arts Council support your efforts serving Oklahomans through the arts during the year ahead! The Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to offer a comprehensive listing of grants and programs available from their agency, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. You will find funding opportunities available during this grant cycle for communities and schools. You can also read about upcoming professional development opportunities and calls for artists. Use the link below to access details about each opportunity, and be sure to mark your calendars with the deadlines. Contact the OAC staff at any time as they look forward to assisting you in your invaluable work to bring the arts to Oklahomans.

Our Fall Youth Concerts will be on November 12 and 13, 2024. We have two concerts each day at 10am and 11:40am. The programs are specially geared towards 2nd through 6th grade students, and beginning Band and Orchestra. Choir students are absolutely welcome as well. Of course, these programs are designed for everyone to enjoy, not just music students! The entire orchestra will be performing a 50-minute program of exciting music highlighting every instrument at the Civic Center Music Hall stage. The concerts are completely FREE! Schools are responsible for providing transportation to the Civic Center (please do let us know if you need help arranging transportation for your students). If the Fall dates do not work for your school, we also have Spring Youth Concerts on March 11 and 12, 2025.

Additionally, our "We've Got Rhythm" program in which a small ensemble of Philharmonic musicians visits your school. Performances are fun and interactive!

You may email me at angelica@okcphil.org, or contact our Education Manager directly at chase@okcphil.org.

September 6th

Edlam #1 - North v. Santa Fe

Santa Fe HS Stadium

7 pm

September 6th

Santa Fe Fine Arts Tailgate

Santa Fe HS

5 pm

September 7th

North Orchestra Cookout

Mitch Park

All Day

September 9th

SF College Music Night

Santa Fe HS

7 pm

September 10th

ENHS PACE Soiree

EMHS

7 PM

September 13th

Edlam #2 - North v. Memorial

Memorial HS Stadium

7 PM

September 14th

ENO Car Wash

ENHS

ALL Day

September 14th

SF Orchestra Car Wash

SFHS

ALL Day

September 14th

JH All-State Clinic

SFHS

1 pm - 4 pm

September 19th & 20th

Debut

Edmond Santa Fe HS

7 PM

2PM (20th Only)

September 24th

NHCO Mock Auditions

Summit MS

3 PM

September 26th

Edmond MS All City Orchestra Clinic/Concert

Edmond North HS Gym

1 PM Clinic/7PM Performance

September 28th

COCDA Auditions

Edmond Memorial HS

All Day

September 28th

Owasso Marching Festival

Owasso Ram Stadium

Edmond Santa Fe & Memorial Marching Band

ALL Day

September 28th

Yukon Marching Festival

Yukon Miller Stadium

Edmond North Marching Band

ALL Day