Mustang Fine Arts Update #9

Several Mustang students received recognition in the 2023 Scholastic Art Awards. Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of America's most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol.

The students who were recognized (pictured below from left to right) include:

Joanna Rivera, Art Portfolio, What Shaped My Life, Honorable Mention

Amy Ha, Mixed Media, Nature's Depression Room, Honorable Mention

Amy Ha, Digital, Migraine, Honorable Mention

Olivia Mulrane, Sculpture, Till Death Do Us Part, Honorable Mention

Alexis Bonjour, Painting, Vicinity, Gold Key

Tyson Combs, Painting, Untitled, Silver Key

Alexis Bonjour is a Gold Key recipient and her awarded work will be in an exhibition at the Gardiner Gallery of Art located in the Bartlett Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University and then advance to the national level of adjudication in New York City.

Two Mustang band directors received grants that allow them to expand offerings at their schools.

Chris Ozinga at Mustang North Middle School was recognized by Charlie's Car Wash as an Outstanding Teacher Who Makes a Difference. This $500 award comes from nomination by customers. This nomination came from one of Mr. Ozinga's students at MNMS.

Jessica Holt, Mustang Central Middle School, received a $1000 grant from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation. These funds will be used to develop an outreach program involving MCMS band students performing and interacting with senior adults at local facilities. This is another way MPS Fine Arts is working to improve our community.

Theater 2 students, under the direction of Emily Farnham, presented this wonderful play about putting the Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch of the West on trial for their crimes in Fairy Tale land! Performances took place a some select elementary schools and at the MPAC. With the elementary performances, some of our young students got to enjoy their very first experience with live theater.

The MHS Native American Club welcomed the Moore JOM Dance Troupe earlier in February for a demonstration of both Northern and Southern Native American Dance styles. The power of the singers along with the traditional attire and dance is a moving experience that those attending got to share. It is always wonderful to see how the Fine Arts have impacted and continue to impact the multiplicity of cultures that make up our community.

If you ever wanted to know what a 6-year old thinks of bedtime, then Pajama Party the Musical was the place to learn. Mustang Elementary First Grade under the direction of music teacher Sheryl Whitehead, presented their musical at the Mustang Performing Arts Center to a packed house. For most of these students, it was their first performance on stage and they killed it!!

When one plans a performance during February in Oklahoma, they never know what may happen when our weather hits. After several days of school closure due to Icy roads, the MHS Improv Troupe presented their improvisatory show. Due to the incredible training they received from MHS Theatre teacher Emily Farnham, the show was an amazing success. Their improv skills had to shine and they did indeed.

Mrs. Thomas had second grade students from Riverwood teach families and friends who attended their performance/informance about all the elements of music they were learning in their classroom. They then sang songs about of these elements. We learned about tempo, pitch, and terms like Largo and Presto. It was a great evening of music making and music learning!

Several Mustang elementary, intermediate, and middle school students joined students from Western Heights to participate in Region 2 of Circle the State With Song. Circle the State is an opportunity for exceptional music students to work with guest choral clinicians on challenging music with other students from across the region. This year, students worked with guest conductor/clinician Myles Simpson from Norman to present a wonderful concert with many of their teachers accompanying them on all kinds of instruments. It was great day of music making!!