The Edmond Creative

☘️Greetings and Salutations,

Can you believe that we are only two weeks away from Spring Break?!?! 2024 is moving so quickly and a lot of exciting events are on the horizon. Be sure to check in on the upcoming events with the Edmond Fine Arts Calendar, as well as, visiting our new Fine Arts webpage through the Departments tab on the Edmond Public Schools website.

March is recognized as Youth Arts Month and we have been working hard to provide opportunities for arts education awareness in our community. We will be exhibiting pieces of student art at the Administration Center, providing student art to teachers through our subscription boxes, as well as a few "shout-outs" to our teachers for believing in the creative and artistic abilities of our youth. Lots of great things in store to celebrate the arts!

Lastly, I wanted to share another quote for everyone as we endure this final push into Spring Break. The "Farches" (February + March = Farch; The long haul to Spring Break) are nearly behind us! -

"May your trouble be less. And your blessings be more. And nothing but happiness come through your door."

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

Factory Obscura is a for-profit B-Corporation with a mission to support arts education in the community. One of the ways they accomplish this mission is through funding projects and programs in Oklahoma City that enhance access to arts learning, and by supporting the artists at the core of those programs.

Grant applications should meet one or more of these goals.

• Create new and innovative methods for learning through the arts.

• Provide access to arts education for diverse audiences.

• Build community through programs that foster collaborative art-making.

• Support artists by providing opportunities to learn new skills.

For the purposes of this grant, Art is defined as: Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts.

More information regarding this excellent opportunity can be found here.

On February 15th, Frontier's 4th graders "Rocked around the 50's" by singing tunes made famous in the Rock n' Roll era. Each class featured a different tune made famous from this era and demonstrated some fancy dance moves found common during this era. Thank you to the teachers, students, and community for supporting this fun and exciting program!

Elementary music teachers spent the Saturday working with David Row, Orff Music Specialist and renowned elementary music educator and blogger of Make Moments Matter. Teachers were able to work together on new strategies for the classroom and try out fresh new ideas to implement in the classroom. Thank you to the Oklahoma Orff Chapter and Heritage Elementary for making this all happen for our elementary music educators.

February 15th - 17th, Central Middle School Theatre Arts presented Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. This animated film adaptation was wonderfully produced for the stage. It was a spectacular show filled with amazing singing, dancing, acting, and special effects. Kudos to the Mrs. Rottmayer and her cast and crew for another fabulous production!

Photo Credit: Ellie Piper Photography

On February 29th, 2nd graders at Scissortail put on a fantastic program called "Pajama Party". Students shared songs about putting their toys away, getting ready for bed, and even the monsters under the bed. Great job on a adorable show by all the students and teachers!

Throughout the next few weeks, 5th graders from across the district will have the opportunity to meet with their future middle schools and get a sneak peak of some class options that are available to them in 6th grade. Students watched performances from groups like band, orchestra, choir, drama, and were able to be introduced to their counselor, administrator, and tour their future school. Thank you to everyone that is involved in this big task that provides insight for our incoming 6th grade families.

Do your students have a story to tell, but aren't sure how to share it with the world? Do they love movies and dream of being a filmmaker someday? We hope you'll spread the word about this fun, intensive workshop series! Over two weekends, students will learn the fundamentals of making a short film from a master teacher - and translate their artistic vision into storyboarding, shooting, and editing their own short film.

Apply today! The application deadline is Monday, March 11.

WHO: Applicants must be Oklahoma residents, 8th through 11th grade. No prior filmmaking experience necessary! Up to 16 students will be selected for the workshop.

WHAT: Over two weekends, students will learn the ins and outs of filmmaking and finish their experience with a completed short film. Tuition and meals are provided. Transportation and overnight accommodations (if necessary) are the responsibility of the student. A discounted room rate will be provided for selected students at a hotel nearby. Financial assistance is available for selected students who demonstrate financial need. Please do not let financial concerns deter you from applying – we will work with you!

WHEN and WHERE: Selected students must attend all four sessions:

• Saturday, April 13, 9:30am-4:30pm at Oklahoma Arts Institute office (111 NW 9th, OKC)
• Sunday, April 14, 9:30am-2:30pm at Oklahoma Arts Institute office (111 NW 9th, OKC)
• Saturday, April 27, 9:30am-4:30pm at Moore Norman Technology Center (470112th Ave NW, Norman)
• Sunday, April 28, 9:30am-2:30pm at Moore Norman Technology Center (470112th Ave NW, Norman)
• Students will also be asked to attend Zoom meetings between the two weekends at an agreed-upon day and time.

APPLICANTS: Interested applicants must complete this application. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 11. All applicants will be notified by Friday, March 15.

TEACHERS: Click here to recommend a student (You do NOT need to be a film/media teacher to recommend a student for this workshop; any subject area is fine.). The deadline to recommend students and apply is Monday, March 11. All applicants will be notified by Friday, March 15.

On February 13th & 14th, OSSAA held their Full Orchestra contest hosted at Edmond Santa Fe High School auditorium. Edmond Orchestras had the most entries in the state with 10 orchestras competing from their high schools on the stage and sightreading contests. Great job by all the orchestra staff on an amazing showing by our extremely talented groups!

On February 1st, Will Rogers 4th graders told the tale of Caps for Sale, a story that teaches the moral of problem solving and resolution. Students re-enacted the tale while performing various percussion instruments. This whimsical comedy was fun and entertaining and performed will by all. Great job to all involved on this fun production!

On February 23rd, Edmond Middle Schools had the opportunity to be cliniced by Master Teacher Debbie MacDonald and Mike Lowery as they prepare for their upcoming contest. Students gained valuable feedback on their contest selections, and were able to practice their sight reading procedures. Thank you for providing this educational experience for our children.

On February 14th, Heartland MS, Edmond Santa Fe, and Edmond Memorial Show Choirs traveled to Duncan High School to compete the their annual Show Choir Showcase. All 3 Choirs came back with hardware including:

Heartland Thunderettes: Best in Class 6A JH & Junior High Sweepstakes

Edmond Santa Fe "Finale": Most Entertaining

Edmond Memorial "Act II": Best in Class 6A High School, Best Vocals, & High School Sweepstakes

Congratulations on a very well represented contest for Edmond Vocal Music!!!

March 2nd

OSSAA District Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest

Deer Creek High School

All Day

March 2nd

OSSAA District Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Contest

Edmond Santa Fe High School

All Day

March 4th

Pre-Contest Concert

Sequoyah Band & Orchestra

Sequoyah Gym

6:30 pm

March 5th & 6th

OSSAA Middle School Orchestra Contest

Santa Fe Auditorium

All Day

March 5th

Elementary Music Program

Russell Dougherty Elementary

6:00 pm & 6:45 pm

March 5th

Sequoyah Choir Concert

Sequoyah MS

6:30 pm

March 5th

2nd Grade Music Program

Ida Freeman Elementary

6:30 pm

March 7th, 8th, & 9th

Beauty and the Beast Musical

Edmond Memorial Theatre Arts

Memorial Auditorium

7 pm

March 7th

OSSAA District Vocal Contest

Deer Creek High School

All Day

March 7th

OSSAA MS Concert Band Contest

Santa Fe Auditorium

All Day

March 7th

1st Grade Music Program

Centennial Elementary

6 PM

March 7th

2nd Grade Music Program

Frontier Elementary

6 PM

March 7th

5th Grade Music Program

Cross Timbers Elementary

6 PM

March 7th

3rd Grade Music Program

Will Rogers Elementary

6:30 PM

March 8th

OSSAA Regional Speech and Debate

Various Locations

All Day

March 9th

Cleveland Winterguard Contest

ENHS Winterguard

All Day

March 11th

ENHS London Send-Off Concert

ENHS Auditorium

7 pm

March 12th

6th & 7th Grade Band Concert

Sequoyah Band

Sequoyah Gym

6:30 PM

March 12th

Elementary Music Program

Clegern Elementary

6:30 PM

March 12th

2nd Grade Musical Program

Sunset Elementary

6 pm

March 12th

2nd Grade Music Program

Orvis Risner Elementary

Various Locations

March 14th, 15th, & 16th

West Side Story

Santa Fe Auditorium

7 pm

March 14th

5th Grade Music Program

Heritage Elementary

6 PM

March 14th

4th Grade Elementary Program

Northern Hills Elementary

6:15 pm

March 18th - 22nd

Spring Break

No School

March 25th

Pre-Contest Choir Concert

Edmond Santa Fe Choir

7:00 pm

March 26th

EPS 6th Grade Vocal Festival

ENHS Auditorium

6:30 pm

March 27th

OSSAA State 6A-E Vocal Contest

Norman North High School

All Day

March 28th - 31st

Spring Trip - Edmond Memorial Orchestra

Washington D.C.

All Day

March 28th

Elementary Music Program

Washington Irving Elementary

6 pm

March 29th

Edmond Memorial Jazz Collective

Choctaw Jazz Festival

Choctaw High School

All Day