CHS Weekly Update #15

Happy Monday!!!! I hope you enjoyed a restful, but chilly weekend!!! The best news of this past week was the passing of the school district's bond/mill initiative...4A and 4B!!! We cannot thank you enough for voting for this, and we are so excited about the much needed changes to our building structure that will be possible now!!!! There will be $68 million allocated to Central High School through this measure. Changes include:

• New building to replace the 100/200/Tech Ed buildings
• Security vestibule in the entrance
• ADA compliance throughout the building
• Renovation of Special Education classrooms
• Expanded athletics area
• Enclose the campus
• New tennis courts

As I stated last week, I wanted to feature some of the cool things happening at CHS, and this week, I wanted to highlight our amazing Performing Arts Department!!! We offer 4 unique programs here, each of which is a great way for students to get involved and be part of a community who loves to perform!!! Our guest authors are Mathew Coronado, Amanda Meltzer, Kara Leonardi, and Hans Snell. All of these teachers instruct a different aspect of our Performing Arts programs and work non-stop to provide opportunities for our CHS students. Please read on to learn more about Performing Arts at CHS.

Warrior Pride: What makes Central High School unique?

Central High School Choir Department: A vibrant, inclusive program of singers from diverse backgrounds and experience levels. Students learn performance and literacy skills, but also build community, leadership skills, confidence, collaboration, and cultural fluency through performance and rehearsal. Recent successes for our department include high scores at Colorado West and CHSAA music festivals, as well as the incredible opportunity to perform as an honor group at the 2024 Colorado Music Educators Association Conference in Colorado Springs. We also offer students opportunities to develop their music and leadership skills through honor choirs such as Colorado Choral Directors Select Choir and the Colorado All State Choir, as well as prepare those who choose to pursue music careers after high school for success.

Please join us for one of our upcoming performances!

• Colorado Choral Directors Select Choir Final Concert: Monday, 11/18, 7:00 pm at CMU's Asteria Theatre
• CHS Winter Choir Concert: Tuesday 12/17, 7:00 pm at CHS' Mariposa Theatre
• CHS Vocal Showcase: Tuesday 2/18, 7:00 pm at CHS' Mariposa Theatre

Central High School Theatre: The mission of the Central High School Theatre Program is to foster a deep passion for theatre in our diverse student body, inspiring them to embrace courage, take creative risks, and develop as artists. We achieve this by providing an inclusive, supportive environment—a true theatre family—where students can confidently collaborate with peers, teachers, and members of the Grand Junction community. We are excited to announce our upcoming spring musical, Anastasia, with auditions scheduled for next week and performances taking place March 6–8, 2025. This production will be adjudicated by the prestigious Bobby G Awards presented by the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. In recognition of our program's excellence, Central High School's Theatre Department received four awards for our 2023 production of Newsies. We invite all Central High School students to join our theatre program, where they can enhance their performing skills, build confidence, take creative risks, and form lasting friendships while sharing their passion for the performing arts.

Central High School Orchestra: The Central High School Orchestra has an exciting season ahead!

• D51 Honor Orchestra Festival: The following week, on November 21, our students will take part in the Honor Orchestra Festival, after months of preparation through auditions, rehearsals, and sectionals with professional musicians.
• Special congratulations to Aaron Schultz, a standout student-athlete and academic, for being selected this year!

• Winter Concert: Both CHS orchestras will perform on December 3, featuring a piece all orchestra members unite to perform.

• February Solo and Composer Collaboration: We're thrilled to announce that local artist Eric Law will compose and perform an original work for solo cello and string orchestra at our February concert. We are truly honored to work with him and have this incredible opportunity.

Central High School Band: The Central High School Band program is reaching new heights this year, with achievements that are setting the standard for excellence and school pride. The Marching Band’s impressive 7th place finish at the state finals is a remarkable accomplishment, one that hasn’t been achieved in nearly a decade, and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of both students and directors. Alongside this success, Central's Band program continues to foster talent, with an exceptional number of students selected for various Colorado honor bands, showcasing the depth of musicianship across all grade levels. In addition, the soon-to-be-launched Warrior Brass Band will bring even more energy to local events, offering a new, spirited way to support Central High School’s activities and traditions. With a stronger-than-ever program, the Central High School Band is not just making noise—they’re making history!

Thank you, Mr. Coronado, Ms. Meltzer, Mrs. Leonardi, and Mr. Snell for your hard work and dedication to the Performing Arts and for sharing with us about your programs!!! We look forward to more of these features, and thank you, Warrior Families, for sharing the gift of your students with us every day, and I hope you have a fantastic week!!!!

Warm regards,

Tracy Arledge

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