CCSD Fine Arts Color and Chords

Fine Arts!

Our Cluster is kicking off the year by recognizing students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, set a positive tone in the classroom, and help establish a collaborative, creative environment. Each month, we will recognize a different student for Fine Arts Student of the Month.

For years, the award-winning Band of Blue at Harpeth High School has served as a powerful source of pride for Kingston Springs and the entire Cheatham County community. Under the direction of Hayden Upperman, this exceptional group of student musicians consistently dazzles audiences—from energizing Friday night football crowds under the stadium lights to delivering precision performances at regional marching and concert band competitions.

More than just a musical ensemble, the Band of Blue represents the very best of our local youth: teamwork, dedication, resilience, and artistic excellence. These student-artists spend countless hours practicing after school, perfecting their halftime shows, and representing Cheatham County with incredible character.

Be sure to keep an eye out for their upcoming performances this season and join us in cheering loud and proud for the Band of Blue!

Last year was major a success, and we hope to build on that foundation. We had

students audition for and make mid-state and all-state concert and jazz bands, and we

received EXCELLENT ratings on the field and in concert, and SUPERIOR ratings in

sight-reading. We also finished our marching season by making FINALS at the Div I State

Championship for the first time in 23 years!

Mr. Hayden Upperman comes to HHS from Christian County Public Schools in Hopkinsville, Ky., where he served as the sixth-grade beginning band director for the past year.
A native of Starkville, Miss., Upperman earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Mississippi State University in 2020, where he served as mellophone squad leader with the Famous Maroon Band.
Following his graduation, he pursued his master’s degree in music education from Auburn University. While at Auburn, he served as a graduate teaching assistant with the Auburn University Marching Band, assisting with teaching, logistics, equipment and leadership selection.
Additionally, Upperman was a primary conductor with the Auburn Campus Band and led rehearsals with the group each week. He also appeared as a guest conductor for the top two ensembles, the AU Symphonic Winds and AU Concert Band.
Upperman’s primary instrument is the French horn, and he has performed with many ensembles while obtaining his undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Upperman is excited and thankful to be a part of the Harpeth community as he strives to make a positive impact on his students through music.

Anna Haas - Marching Band and Jazz Band

Brandi Edwards - Concert Band

Lauren Lee Shaffer - Concert Band and Theatre

Demetria Englund - Visual Arts

Building Stronger Harmonies: The Southern Cluster Fine Arts Advocacy Parent Group

Art, music, and creative expression are vital to a well-rounded education, and our students thrive when school and home work hand-in-hand. That is the mission behind the Southern Cluster Fine Arts Advocacy Parent Group.

We are a dedicated community of parents, families, educators, and community supporters united by a shared passion: championing and expanding fine arts programs—including band, visual arts, media arts, and theater—for students across our Southern Cluster schools.

What We Do

• Advocate & Support: We serve as a collective voice for fine arts education, ensuring our programs have the resources, visibility, and community backing they need to flourish.

• Connect & Collaborate: We bridge communication between families, music and arts educators, and district leadership to align our goals for student success.

• Enhance Opportunities: From supporting major cluster-wide events to helping secure resources and volunteer power, we work behind the scenes to enrich the creative experiences available to every young artist and musician.

Whether your child is holding an instrument for the first time, designing digital media, or showcasing their creativity on a canvas, your involvement makes a profound difference.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that the Harpeth Middle School Band has been awarded a $1,800.00 grant from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation!

​This generous funding will be directly invested into building and expanding our band program, allowing us to enhance student experiences, provide better resources, and help our young musicians reach new heights.

​We are deeply grateful to the Peter R. Marsh Foundation for their incredible support of music education and our students. Thank you for believing in the power of music and helping us strike the right chord for the future!

Kingston Springs Elementary School Music Performances

November 10th - Veterans Day Program

December 10th - Christmas Program

March 18th - First Grade Spring Program

May 24th - 4th Grade Graduation Program

Harpeth Middle School Band Performances

September 10th - 7th/8th Grade Band Football Game Performances

October 6th - 6th Grade Beginning Band Informance Performance

October 22nd - 7th/8th Grade Fall Concert

November 10th - Veteran's Day Assembly Concert (daytime)

December 10th - HMS Band Winter Concert

• Academic Achievement: Students who regularly participate in arts education show higher academic performance, including higher grade-point averages and standardized test scores, particularly in reading and math.

  
  

• Cognitive Skill Development: Arts education strengthens critical thinking, spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition by challenging students to interpret, analyze, and create complex works.

  
  

• Social and Emotional Growth: Fine arts classes provide a safe outlet for emotional expression, helping students build resilience, self-esteem, self-discipline, and healthy emotional regulation.

  
  

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Ensembles, theater productions, and group art projects teach students essential interpersonal skills, including active listening, compromise, shared responsibility, and peer accountability.

  
  

• Equity and Accessibility: For many students, public school is the only place they have access to instruments, quality art supplies, theater stages, and mentorship, bridging critical socioeconomic gaps.

  
  

• Engagement and Attendance: Access to robust arts programs directly correlates with lower dropout rates and higher daily attendance, as students feel a stronger sense of belonging and connection to their school community.

  
  

• Cultural and Historical Literacy: The fine arts expose students to diverse cultures, historical eras, and global perspectives, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of human history and society.

  
  

• Workforce Readiness: Modern employers heavily value creativity, adaptability, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking—core competencies systematically developed through arts training.

  
  

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Facebook

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Website

https://harpethbob.weebly.com/