MPS Fine Arts Update #3

The Oklahoma Music Educators Association will recognize Mrs. Sohailah Stout as an Exemplary Teacher in the Choral Division at their state conference in Tulsa this January. To be considered for this recognition, teachers must have a minimum of 15 years teaching with at least 10 in Oklahoma. They must be a member of OkMEA. They must have demonstrated excellence in teaching music, as evidenced by competition, awards, and peer or administrator statements. They must have demonstrated personal and academic growth as a music educator. Congratulations to Mrs. Stout for a well-deserved recognition.

The Mustang Performing Arts Center (MPAC) welcomed Oklahoma City Ballet who performed for kindergarten and first grade students from across the district on October 25th. This was the first performance in the Bronco Arts Outreach series. A huge thanks to MAPC Director, Samantha Waldrop for her work in booking these opportunities for our students to have access to professional arts experiences.

If you step into anyone of the schools in the district you are likely to see some amazing student artwork decorating the spaces in the school. Our visual art teachers and students want to make all the spaces in which we learn and teach as beautiful as possible. Here are some examples.

Harrison Green (Sophomore) and Jaiden Bridges (Freshman) were both selected from a national call for auditions to perform with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) 7 - 10 Tenor/Bass Honor Choir. They will participate in rehearsals and a performance at the ACDA National Conference in Dallas, TX this coming March. Congratulations to these young men and their teachers Mrs. Stout and Mrs. Easley.

All the MHS choirs performed their Fall Concert on October 14th to a packed house at the Mustang Performing Arts Center.

Theatre students from Mustang Middle School under the direction of Mrs. Hood along with students from Central Middle School under the direction of Mr. Eastland presented their first quarter Theatre Showcase that included skits, monologues, puppetry, and improvisation games. It is always a fun night at the theater with these young actors.

First and second grade students enjoyed an informative performance of excerpts from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The Sound of Music presented by Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. This is the second performance in our Bronco Arts Outreach series. The final event in the series will be presented by the OKC Philharmonic on November 15th.

The MHS Jazz Collective, MHS Jazz Orchestra, and 2nd and 3rd hour Concert Bands presented their fall concert on October 10th.

Students in our middle school and high school functional skills classes are enjoying music making one day a week. This is facilitated by our new partnership with United Sound and their "Play with Us" program. Teachers from United Sound present weekly live video lessons to our students who participate with their instruments and voices. This curriculum has been made available through the generous support of MPS Special Education and Dr. Wilson.

Supported by a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council, high school students at Mustang Education Center enjoy guitar class each week. It is a wonderful opportunity to make music in a totally supportive environment. Special thanks goes to MEC principal Greg Frederick for his continued support of this program.