The Edmond Creative

This time of year, it is common to be asked, "What are you grateful and thankful for?" As I ponder on that question, I am reminded of a story I read a few years back about a teacher who asked her class to draw a picture of what they were grateful for...

When Mrs. Klein told her first graders to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful, she thought what some of these little children, who lived in less than perfect situations, actually had to be thankful for. She knew that most of the class would draw pictures of turkeys or of bountifully laden Thanksgiving tables. That was what they believed was expected of them.

What took Mrs. Klein aback was Douglas’s picture. Douglas was so forlorn and likely to be found close in her shadow as they went outside for recess. Douglas’s drawing was simply this:

A hand, obviously, but whose hand? The class was captivated by his image.

“I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one student.

“A farmer,” said another, “because they grow the turkeys.”

“It looks more like a policeman, and they protect us.”

“I think,” said Lavinia, who was always so serious, “that it is supposed to be all the hands that help us, but Douglas could only draw one of them.”

Mrs. Klein had almost forgotten Douglas in her pleasure at finding the class so responsive. When she had the others at work on another project, she bent over his desk and asked whose hand it was. Douglas mumbled, “It’s yours, Teacher.” Then Mrs. Klein recalled that she had taken Douglas by the hand from time to time; she often did that with the children. But that it should have meant so much to Douglas…

Perhaps, she reflected, this was her Thanksgiving, and everybody’s Thanksgiving—not the material things given unto us, but the small ways that we give something to others.

Sometimes we need a reminder that just the smallest act or gesture can make the biggest difference with those in which we encounter. Thank you for making each moment special for every student that crosses your path. You make an IMPACT!!!

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have.

The arts ARE alive, and well, in Edmond Public Schools!!!

-EH

On September 30th, vocal music students from the secondary sites auditioned at Edmond Memorial HS for a spot in the Central Oklahoma Choral Director Association Honor Choir. EPS had 145 students chosen to be a part of 3 Honor choruses.

COCDA Results

68 - HS Mixed Honor Choir

52 - JH Mixed Honor Choir

25 - JH Treble Honor Choir

We are proud to all students who auditioned and we appreciate your hard work and effort!

On October 7th, all three Edmond High School bands competed at the Mustang Marching Invitational hosted at Bronco Stadium in Mustang, OK. After preliminary performances, our Edmond band swept Bands of America Classification AAAA with Memorial receiving 3rd, North receiving 2nd, and Santa Fe receiving 1st place. After finals, Memorial placed 5th, North placed, 3rd, and Santa Fe High School was named Grand Champion. In addition, Santa Fe swept all captions receiving Outstanding Musical performance, Outstanding Visual Performance, & Outstanding General Effect awards. This will be the third year in a row that the Santa Fe band has been named Grand Champion. Congratulations to all of the students, staff, and parents for their extraordinary effort!!!

This Middle School Music Grant Program supports the efforts of teachers in leading their students to a fruitful life of behavioral kindness and emotional wellness, by nurturing empathy and compassion through community service, and an inspiration to become more accomplished musicians. Additionally, the Grant provides funds directly to music teachers for the enhancement of their classroom music education program.

Milik Coffer has been named OkMEA's 2024 Young Music Educator of the Year!!! This honor recognizes music teachers who have completed no more than five years of teaching who have demonstrated outstanding practice of music education early in their careers. In addition, the recipient has demonstrated excellence in the teaching of music, as evidenced by competition, awards, and peer or administrator statements. Milik will be recognized at the OkMEA Winter Conference which will be held in Tulsa, OK in January. We are very proud of you, sir!!!

Santa Fe Performing Arts kicked off their big "Debut" with an incredible variety show that featured acts from Finale (Show choir), dance groups, vocal soloists, a saxophone quartet, and much more. Congratulations on a job well done by all the performers and staff to put on such a multifaceted production!!!

We are so incredibly proud of our students who were selected to be a part of the OkCDA All-State Jazz Chorus. Only 24 students (with 8 alternates) are chosen for this chorus from across the state.

From left to right:

Tate R., Drake R.- alternate, Livy H., Laynee H., Colin N.- alternate, Seth R.- alternate, Connor H.

Edmond Memorial presented their Fall Concert on October 24th. The show began with "Time" themed production by Act II, EMHS's show choir, featuring timeless classics that energized the crowd. After an introduction of student's selected for honor choir, the Treble chorus sang performed a series of wonderful selections, including a fun selection - Music Lead the Way! including a Descant ensemble. The Tenor Bass chorus followed with their portion of the concert, including a selection led by a EMHS student conductor that brought the crowd to an uproar. Finally, the Advanced Mixed Chorus ended the concert with a spectacular performance including selections with guest musicians from band and orchestra. Phenomenal job by all on a great start to the concert season!

On Thursday, October 26th, Memorial hosted the annual OBA Send-Off for the Edmond High School Marching Bands. All of the HS marching bands performed their show in exhibition performance before their state competition in Broken Arrow. In addition, donations were taken to benefit Project 66 - A non-profit food and resource center who provides assistance for those facing food insecurities. Great work to all on a wonderful night of fellowship and musicianship!

EPS secondary orchestra students auditioned on October 7th for the North Central Honor Orchestra at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Edmond Public Schools were represented very well and had a 107 students selected to be a part of the group.

NCHO Results

34 - 7th grade Orchestra

35 - 8th/9th grade Orchestra

38 - High School Orchestra

Thank you to all that were able to make this wonderful experience possible for our students!!!

Second graders at Chisholm Elementary had the opportunity to interact with the EPS Director of Fine Arts as he read a story that introduced musical instruments. The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom by Colleen AF Venable is a great story that introduces students to several instruments. Students were able to listen to sound clips of each instrument, pretend to play the instrument, and discuss their favorites. Students raved when they learned about the "Sackbut" (Trombone) 🤭 Teachers that would like this opportunity for their students simply need to email Mr. Hudson to schedule a visit.

Heartland STEAM Art (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) students considered the importance of Structural Engineering. Students created a large 3D paper mache’ masks from cardboard, tape, newspaper and paper mache glue. Students considered how to interlock support beams (cardboard) for strength as well as how the interlocking beams can be used to form and shape their designs. Other challenges students explored were layering of the newsprint for strength, functionality of wearable art, constructing a 360 degree self portrait, and will they be able to physically see from under their structures.

Bravo to the Edmond North Orchestra on a phenomenal Classics concert on Thursday, October 12th. The ENO performed classic works from William Grant Still, Mendelssohn, Offenbach, and many more. Congratulations to all the directors and students for a spectacular evening of orchestral literature!!!

Advanced Theatre students from Santa Fe visited Scissortail Elementary on October 25th to perform a skit and talk to future Wolves about making healthy choices during their Red Ribbon Week festivities. These students coordinated the entire program, from writing the script, creating set pieces, and teaching the elementary students drama games. Principal Crawford even got to participate in the game "Late to School"!

Students participated in singing and playing instruments to a spooky soundtrack in "Rocktober"! Such a fun performance. Great work by all in this fall production!!!

Edmond North Vocal Music presented their Fall Concert on October 17th, entitled, "For the Love of... A Choral Concert about Love" with their vertical feeders, Cheyenne MS & Sequoyah MS. The night started with performances from both middle schools, including a few selections from a combined middle school chorus. The night proceeded into the High School portion with performances from Northern Lights, Treble Chorus, Advanced Treble Chorus, and Mixed Chorus. As an encore, all choirs from the North Vertical unified and sang a lovely selection entitled "There is More Love Somewhere". Thank you to Mr. Stock, Mrs. Ross, & Mr. Boatright for a wonderful evening of love and music!!!

Edmond HS vocal music teachers had the opportunity to observe choral ensembles at Oklahoma City University under the director of Dr. Julie Yu during Staff Development Day on 10/23. Thank you OCU and Dr. Yu for allowing are teachers to observe and interact, it was extremely fulfilling and delightful!

November 2nd

Santa Fe Jazz I

UCO Jazz Lab

7 pm

November 2nd

All-City HS Orchestra

Edmond North Siberian Gym

6:30 pm

November 2nd

COCDA Clinic and Performance

Southern Hills Baptist Church - OKC

All Day

November 2nd

3rd Grade Program - "Big Dreams"

Centennial Elementary

6 pm

November 2nd

Lyric Interactive Theatre - "Oklahoma"

Sequoyah MS

1 pm

November 2nd

3rd Grade Program - "Lighten Up"

John Ross Elementary

6 pm

November 3rd & 4th

OSSAA Speech Contest

Broken Arrow & SNU

All Day

November 6th

November School Board Meeting

EPSAC

6 pm

November 7th

Elementary Music Program

Russell Dougherty

10 am & 6 pm

November 7th

6th Grade Vocal Festival

Edmond Memorial High School Auditorium

All Day

November 9th

Elementary Music Program - 3rd grade

Heritage Elementary

6 pm

November 9th

Elementary Music Program

Cross Timbers Elementary

6 pm

November 9th

Elementary Music Program

Washington Irving Elementary

6 pm

November 9th

3rd Grade Music Program

Redbud Elementary

6 pm

November 9th

4th Grade Music Program

Orvis Risner Elementary

6:30 pm

November 9th

4th Grade Music Program

Ida Freeman Elementary

6:30 pm

November 10th

Veteran's Day Breakfast

Centennial Elementary

7:45 am

November 10th

Veteran's Day Program

Will Rogers Elementary

9:15 am

November 9th & 10th

Don't Rock the Boat

Summit MS Drama

Summit Gym

7 pm

November 9th, 10th & 11th

Legally Blonde Jr.

Cheyenne MS Drama

Cheyenne MS Gym

7 pm (9th, 10th & 11th) & 2 pm (11th)

November 10th & 11th

Oklahoma Art Education Association Fall Conference

University of Central Oklahoma

All Day

November 10th & 11th

OSSAA Speech Contest

Bishop Kelley

All Day

November 10th & 11th

Elf Jr.

Sequoyah Gym

6:30 pm (10th & 11th) 2:30 pm (11th)

November 11th

OkMEA All-State Second Round Auditions

University of Central Oklahoma

All Day

November 14th

OCDA All-State Chorus

First Moore Baptist Church

All Day

November 14th & 15th

OSSAA String Orchestra Contest

Edmond Santa Fe Auditorium

All Day

November 16th

Elementary Music Program

Clegern Elementary

10 am & 6 pm

November 16th

4th Grade Music Program

Scissortail Elementary

6:30 pm

November 16th

5th Grade Music Program

Frontier Elementary

6 pm

November 16th

3rd Grade Music Program

West Field Elementary

6 pm

November 16th, 17, & 18th

The Crucible

Edmond North HS Auditorium

7 pm

November 17th & 18th

OSSAA Speech Contest

Edmond North High School

All Day

November 17th & 18th

NCHO Orchestra Clinic

Oklahoma City University

All Day

November 20th - 24th

Thanksgiving Break

No School

December 1st & 2nd

It's a Wonderful Life

Edmond Santa Fe HS

7 pm