Mustang Fine Arts Update #10

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers present Scholastic Awards annually. More than 100,000 students submitted more than 260,000 works of art and writing to the 2023 Scholastic Awards. Less than 2,000 works received a National Medal. This places student artist Alexis Bonjour and her teacher Sierra Machado in the top 1% of all submissions.

Since 1923, the Awards have celebrated teen artists and writers from across the country. Alexis is now part of that legacy, joining the ranks of notable alumni, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol—all of whom, won Scholastic Awards when they were teens.

Alexis and Mrs. Machado have been invited to attend National Awards Week in New York this summer where the award will be presented.

Choirs from MCMS directed by Holly Sheargold, MMS directed by Sarah Green, and MNMS directed by Benjie Hughes all performed at OSSAA District Contest. Choirs from all three schools received superior ratings in concert performance and sight reading.

Along with faculty sponsor, Samantha Waldrop, our Bronco Arts Ambassadors took part in Youth Arts Day at the state capitol. These students enjoyed a rally in the 2nd floor rotundra and then delivered flyers to members offices. They enjoyed meetings with Mustang members in a full day of Fine Arts advocacy.

Bands from all three middle schools performed at the 2nd annual Mustang Middle School Band Festival. Adjudicators and clinicians from all over the state of Oklahoma joined the bands in the Mustang Performing Arts Center for a day of performances and clinics. The Mustang Band program was well-represented this day!

In our second round of recognitions, this group of students was recognized for their selection to OkMEA Children's Choir , OKMEA All State Band/Orchestra, or selection as OSSAA All State Actors on the March school board meeting.

The MHS Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Cleon Chai, performed a joint concert with both the "Jazz O" and "Jazz U" ensembles at Catlett Music Center on the OU Campus. This was a wonderful evening of great jazz music our students shared in.

Middle school theatre students under the direction of Teri Hood and Ian Eastland presented their third Showcase of the year to a packed house in the PAC Black Box. It was a great night of all kinds of Theatre.

Both the JV and Varsity Winter Guards had successful competitive seasons this year. Under the design and direction of Daniel Adkisson, the guards placed in finals competition at a Winter Guard International Regional competition in Omaha, Nebraska. At WGPO State Competition, the JV guard placed 2nd in the state in their class and the Varsity guard placed 5th in the state in their class. Many hours of work pay off!!

The Mustang Performing Arts Center was packed with art lovers from all over as the MPS Art Teachers presented their student's artwork in the MPS District Art Show. Works of all types and kinds were present for several of our K- 12 students. Our AP students participated in live art making demonstrations during the evening. The evening was a total triumph for all.

The MHS choirs have had a busy month, first traveling to Nashville where they worked with professors from Vanderbilt University, recorded in RCA studio B, where numerous famous musicians, including Elvis Presley recorded, and enjoyed time at the Grand Ol' Opry.

They presented a wonderful night of concerts from all of the high school ensembles in preparation for OSSAA Choral contest.

Finally, they enjoyed a visit from Dr. Richard Zelinski and members of the OU Chorale as they prepare to perform on a shared concert of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana on the OU campus in April.

Many MPS students of Native American heritage had the opportunity to enjoy a brand new ballet based on a Chickasaw origin story about how fire entered the world. Using music from Native American and Oklahoma composer Jared Tate, OKC ballet presented this new production and then remained on stage to answer questions from the students in the audience. It is wonderful to have professional dance on our campus.

Under the leadership of music teacher Mrs. Kathy Howard, Lakehoma 2nd grade presented this comical musical about a cow who refused to Mooo! There were too many smiles to share.