Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

The BISFA newsletter is going through some updates and improvements. The newsletter will be going out once a month. Information for the newsletter is needed by the 20th of the previous month. The first official will begin in October.

Thank you!

Check out our fantastic new promotional film for BISFA, created by our recent Master Class artist, Thad Reid. Please share it widely!

🏦This is important because you can gain regional and national recognition which can make you eligible to receive scholarships. The Scholastic Art & Writing Award is an achievement award, so many colleges will take the award into consideration when determining admissions and scholarships. Once again, we would like to see many of you submit artwork.

🔻🔻🔻

The Andrew Bryan Farnen Fund for the Arts, Mathematics, and Technology makes an annual grant in memory of Andrew, who was known for his love of both the arts and sciences, particularly mathematics, at which he excelled.

🚩🚩🚩Applications are being accepted now through December 1st, 2025, at 11:59pm. 🚩🚩🚩

Grants will be made to help students explore their passion through the purchase of musical instruments, art supplies, computers, books, experiences, and other educational materials. It is the intention of Andrew's family to award funds to those candidates who have a strong desire to learn and create -- whether through the visual arts, musical performance, mathematics, or computer science/technology. Pursuing new and thought-provoking topics was at the core of Andrew's personality. It is hoped that these funds will foster the imaginations of young people who likewise have a passion for knowledge, artistic expression, mathematics, or computer science/technology. These funds are not intended to be used for tuition.

✅ Applicants for this grant must be between the ages of 14 and 21 on October 1 of the year in which they apply. Applicants must live in Maryland, with preference given to those residing in Washington, Frederick, Carroll, Howard, or Baltimore Counties.

Grant funds are paid through a qualifying fiscal agent which will disburse funds as qualifying estimates, quotes or expense receipts are received.

We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to Craig Kilgore, Director and owner of Next Level Visions, for his incredibly generous donation of equipment to our department!

Craig Kilgore, Director at Next Level Visions, for his donation of essential, high-quality equipment, including monitors, professional microphones, stabilizers, and more! This donation ensures our students have the very best tools to create truly incredible work. He donated over $2000 worth of equipment! This will immediately enhance our students' production capabilities. We are so grateful for this support!

Accepting the donations were Mrs. Green, along with students Annabella Buchman, Caleb Hoffman, and Avigale Williams. Thank you, Mr. Kilgore, for helping us take our students' work to the Next Level!

Come support the theater department while you croon your favorite...

💽Hits?

🎤Bops?

🎹Jams?

However your generation defines their music, come sing at the Dugout at Veva's on Potomac:

📅December 18th from 4:30 - 7:30 pm.

🎶$5 to participate - all proceeds benefit the BISFA Theater Department

We invite you to 'Walk This Way' and 'Let It Go.' Maybe we'll 'Rock and Roll All Nite...' or at least until 7:30.

Submissions are needed for the BISFA student Magazine.

The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Holiday Spectacular tickets are on sale!

Here are the ticket links:

Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15006329BE03230A

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/15006329BE07231F

You can use the links or call the box office at 301-790-2000 to purchase tickets. You may avoid additional fees by going directly to the box office to purchase tickets.

IMPORTANT: Tickets are only sold through The Maryland Theatre's website (via Ticketmaster) and their box office. Any tickets being sold on other websites are fake.

Scroll to minute 28:24 to see Liam accept his award!

The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is proud to share that Grey Palmer, a senior creative writer, is a national winner in the 2026 YoungArts Competition for Poetry. Every year thousands of talented high school artists from across the country enter the competition in a variety of arts, each hoping to be recognized for their work. Out of this exceptionally competitive field, Grey is one of only 100 creative writers selected nationwide.

For Grey, this award brings national recognition and opportunities for creative growth, including participating in workshops, connecting with fellow writers, or tapping into mentorship and professional networks. Recognition in this competition is an important moment in her artistic development and speaks volumes about her commitment to her craft.

Congratulations to Grey on this well-deserved honor. We in the Creative Writing program at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts are proud of her accomplishments.

Jillian Burton, a sophomore in the Vocal Music Department, has been accepted by audition into the highly selective American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Region Honor Choir.

Each year, outstanding young vocalists from across the Eastern United States audition for limited positions in this distinguished ensemble. Jillian’s acceptance places her among the region’s most exceptional high-school singers and recognizes her remarkable vocal ability, musicianship, and dedication.

As a member of the ACDA Eastern Honor Choir, Jillian will rehearse and perform with top student vocalists under nationally recognized conductors at the ACDA Eastern Region Conference, taking place in Providence, Rhode Island in February 2026.

Jillian’s achievement highlights her hard work and reflects the strength of the vocal program at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, which is dedicated to fostering artistic growth, leadership, and excellence in young performers.

Congratulations to the BISFA Mascot Contest Winner, Malaika Thiombiano!

A huge thank you to all the participants who dedicated their time and effort in submitting their designs. We are continually amazed by your talent! Selecting a timeless design that truly represents the entire school was challenging, but we believe Malaika's design stands out as an excellent choice.

We are also happy to announce that we have chosen an

additional student design to represent the school with our Summer Arts Academy

and recruiting efforts. Congratulations to Autumn Taylor! Her design will be our new "Future

Phantom" logo!

Congratulations to Piper Hemingway whose holiday card image has been chosen to be the official 2025 Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation Holiday Card this year. Piper will receive a $75.00 cash award. Way to go Piper!

The South Rebel Robotics team competed in a tournament on Saturday, 11/22 at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland. All four of their robotics teams performed well against some tough competition. Congrats to Irene Crim from the visual arts program who is also a member of the robotics team!

Alumni Julia Muller (2015 Visual Arts) recently received her PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology!

FOR BISFA 2026-2027

🔻🔻🔻Deadline December 6, 2025🔻🔻🔻

Holiday ornaments are available for purchase. There is limited stock available.

Please reach out to the Parent Liaison for your department with the Parent Guild if you wish to purchase.

Mr. Geiman: geimatod@wcps.k12.md.us

Ms. Merchant: merchbra@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr. Sheredy: shereste@wcps.k12.md.us

Mr Youngblood: youngma@wcps.k12.md.us

Instagram

Facebook

Creative Writing Links

The Phantom

Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:

1. Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
2. Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
3. Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.

🎵Join us for our Senior Solo Vocal Recitals, Dec. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Ave, Hagerstown. 7:30 p.m. Family and friends are welcome. FREE!

The Vocal Department Choirs will be performing in BOTH performances of the Holiday Spectacular! The pianists will be playing for the opening of the Art Show in the BISFA Gallery, the first night only! Attendance is mandatory. Please note that all students are required to stay through the striking of the stage at the conclusion of our performances the evening of Dec. 18.

Get your tickets before they sell out! You can get them in person from the Maryland Theatre Box Office to avoid online ticket fees! OR you can go online to Marylandtheatre.org

See our CALENDAR for additional upcoming events and activities.

Nov. 22 - Maryland All State Senior Choir Auditions (grades 10-12) - Clear Spring HS

Dec. 1 - Senior Recital Dress rehearsal after school, Trinity Lutheran Church 4:45 - 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 1 - BISFA Piano/Guitar Rehearsal BISFA Ballroom 4:45 - 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 2 - BISFA Piano/Guitar Recital BISFA Ballroom 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 4 - Senior Vocal Recitals - Trinity Lutheran Church 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 - Holiday Spectacular rehearsal (Chamber Choir ONLY) Md Theater 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 17 - Holiday Spectacular 7:00 pm performance. Stay at school all day through the perf.

Dec. 18 - Holiday Spectacular 7:00 pm performance. Stay at school all day through the perf

Dec. 19 - Cantala Performance - St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Williamsport - noon

If you haven’t already, please access these important resources…
Vocal Dept. Handbook

Vocal Google Calendar

Vocal Department Website

Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us

We will be planning some amazing fundraisers over this year, more details to come soon!

We will need parent volunteers, too! Watch for emails or posts from Sign Up Genius and Sign Up!!

OOMPa @ BISFA Facebook

BISFA Facebook

BISFA Instagram

BISFA Instrumental Instagram

Callie Hart

oompaatbisfa@gmail.com

240.367.0146

Hello and a warm welcome from the Instrumental Music Department at BISFA!

I’m Callie Hart, of OOMPa – The Organization of Musical Parents and this is my second year as a BISFA Parent.

OOMPA is now a 501 (c) 3 organization and able to accept tax deductible donations.

Contact Ms. Callie Hart if you have any questions about making a Donation of any kind!

Reach out to Callie Hart if you are interested in joining the OOMPa Board!

The CGDA department is working on developing a mentorship program to begin in February in partnership with Williamsport Elementary. BISFA students will provide mentoring to a student interested in a future in CGDA.

CGDA students will be going to Magfest in January.

The deadline for BISFA applications is fast approaching! If you know any motivated 8th-grade students interested in joining the Photo & Cinema program, please encourage them to apply!

• All students have been working hard on their Holiday Spectacular Films, which will premiere as part of the school's annual spectacular! We can't wait for you to see them!

• Premiere Dates: Wednesday, December 17th and Thursday, December 18th

Action: Get your tickets now! The films will play both evenings.

• 9th Grade: Just finished their first major project exploring the elements of photography and camera basics.

• 10th Grade: Is currently immersed in analyzing Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, "Vertigo." Students are learning all about the underlying components that make a film powerful and breaking it down to see what techniques are used to amplify the story.

• 11th Grade: Is diving into the power of image and text through mixed media and film, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

• 12th Grade: Our seniors are exploring the upcoming spring musical and strategizing how they will create a commercial to help promote it, all while diligently working on their impressive capstone portfolios.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091540342023 or search for BISFA Photo & Cinema.

Instagram: bisfaphotocinema

Hashtags: #bisfaphotoandcinema

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0bxskGbkSpWu1xyGtUutmw

Parent Guild 2025-26

Denise Hunt: HuntDe@wcps.k12.md.us

Robert Hovermale: HoverRob@wcps.k12.md.us

Co-Presidents

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Treasurer
Foundation Members

Rachel Thomas: RachelT@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Ally Sirbaugh: allys@barbaraingramfoundation.org

Visual Arts:

Kristi Bachtell: kristib71@hotmail.com

Stacy Morris: rasberrypetal1@gmail.com

Theater:

Jennifer White: midwifejenwhite@gmail.com

CGDA:

Tara Jenkins: tarakjenkins@gmail.com

Photo / Cinema:

Heather McCauley-Fitz: lafickle@yahoo.com

Vocal:

Inez Schwarzenegger: inez.schwarzenegger@gmail.com

Instrumental:

Karri Dawson: kamajada01@gmail.com
Heather Hall: heatherbarsu@gmail.com
Stephanie Halling: Stephanie.halling@gmail.com
Kelly Harman: Kann1217@aol.com

Creative Writing:

Lindsey Meekins: newmrsmeekins@gmail.com

Dance:

Leah Putterman: Leah.putterman@gmail.com

Shaquita Taylor-Fleming: s.taylorfleming@gmail.com

The Parent Guild:

• Connects parents to teachers & students

• Creates a successful unity between all departments for our students, staff and parents

• Helps to support departmental programs through fundraising with the assistance of The Barbara Ingram Foundation.

• Provides sign-ups for Thanksgiving & Easter Baskets

• Hosts Teacher Appreciation Week in May

• Sells BISFA Gear

• Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5:15 PM - all parents are welcome.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 5:00 pm

We will be hanging the signs up on Monday, November 24th. We are placing 54 signs this year and brought in $2500.00 in sales. Thank you to TMG for making the signs for us again this year.

We are at 65% for board participation. You can make your donation to HFA and Supporting the Arts for your business.