2/28/26 Fine Arts Department News

The Cast/Crew of the 2026 UIL One Act Play, The Sweet Science of Bruising by Joy Wilkinson, will perform at the District 12-5A Contest at The Colony High School on March 11, at approximately 11:50am. We would love to see as many supporters as possible there to cheer us on!

The HPISD Choral Programs kicked off our 4th and 5th Grade Honor Choir, welcoming more than 65 students from University Park Elementary, Armstrong Elementary, Hyer Elementary, Boone Elementary, Bradfield Elementary, and McCulloch Intermediate School. Students joined Mrs. Durbin-Nyoka, Ms. Pickett, Mrs. Walker, and Mr. Patel at the high school after school to experience what it is like to be part of a choir.

Over the next two months, students will rehearse once a week and learn three songs, culminating in a combined concert with the middle school and high school choirs in March. (see invitation above) We hope to see you there!

HP Arts hosted its annual Teacher Appreciation Reception on February 19th. Fine Arts teachers enjoyed student performances, afternoon snacks, and door prizes while getting the opportunity to visit with each other and the HP Arts Community. HPMS/MIS Orchestra Director, Shelby Dickey, was named K-8th Grade Fine Arts Teacher of the Year, and Highlander Band Director, Marc Nichelson, was named High School Fine Arts Teachers of the Year! Thank you to HP Arts for their support of the Arts in our District!

HPHS Fine Arts would like to congratulate our nine STATE CHAMPION All-State musicians! From Band: Sam Stobaugh, Carson Critcher, and Ryaan Khan; from Choir: Caroline Davidson, Jaron Pierce, Raj Luthra, and Luka Anderson; from Orchestra: Alec Fang and Raymond Wu. These students competed against over 70,000 other students from Texas at the District, Region, and Area levels, and their achievement of All State means that they are in the top 2% of musicians in the state!

The students traveled to San Antonio where they presented concerts for the membership of TMEA on Valentine's Day! Performing at TMEA represents the highest honor a Texas music student can achieve. Their accomplishment reflects exceptional preparation, discipline, and a commitment to excellence that defines our programs.

Congratulations to the Highland Belles on their success at the Crowd Pleasers Independence Dance Showcase on February 21st! The Belles competed in several styles of Team Dance, and many individuals performed solos or duets for adjudication, demonstrating their individual artistry as well as team precision.

Our spring performance ensembles have also opened their competitive seasons with strong results. The Highland Park Color Guard earned 2nd place at the NTCA Winter Guard Competition in Azle, demonstrating outstanding performance quality and excellence. Our Indoor Drumline opened their season with a 4th place finish at the NTCA Drumline Competition in Burleson, marking a strong start as they continue refining their production.

Three Highlander Band students have qualified for the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest after earning First Division ratings:

• Christian Patterson, one of our featured band twirlers, earned a First Division and will advance to the State Solo Contest.

• Preston Telfer earned a First Division on his Bass Clarinet solo and is State-bound.

• Saryan Pandey earned a First Division Class 1 rating, also qualifying for State.

These achievements represent months of focused preparation and individual accountability. We are proud of the musical maturity and work ethic these students continue to demonstrate.

Fourteen vocal soloists from the HPHS Choir earned a 1 on a Class 1 solo, advancing them to the State Solo and Ensemble Contest in May! Choir students prepared for the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest by performing in their studio recitals. All students enrolled in private voice lessons shared their solos in front of friends and family, and we were so proud to witness the growth and dedication they have shown throughout the semester.

A special thank you to our incredible voice teachers, Rachel Pfieffer, Kathryn Pina, Amy Canchola, and Tracey Deen, for their guidance and support in preparing our students for success.

Following their recitals, 35 students performed these same solos at the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest for adjudication. We are excited to share that all of our students earned either a 1 or a 2 rating, the highest possible ratings at the University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble Contest, with 14 advancing to state! Congratulations to everyone on their outstanding work!

The MAPS Architecture Students created Mardi Gras mini floats for competition. Winners of the “my favorite house” theme were:

Student favorite: Maison de Mardi Gras

Teacher favorite: Mardi Gras at the Casita

Most Joyful: Welcome to the Circus

Most architectural: The burrow (Weasleys’ house)

On February 10th, MIS 5th Graders had the opportunity for a "Field Trip" to the Band Hall, Choir Room, Orchestra Room, and Black Box Theatre at HPMS! Students heard from current middle school performing arts students and directors about their programs and choice of electives for the 2026-2027 school year. 5th graders had the opportunity to select two electives to be a part of during their 6th grade year! The Raider Band, Choir, Orchestra and Drama Programs look forward to having these rising 6th graders join us!!!!

A record number of Raider choir students participated in the All Region Choir this year. Because of the ice storm, the initial clinic and concert were unable to happen, so we had an impromptu concert at the end of a rehearsal where they showcased their songs. Mrs. Durbin Nyoka was asked to fill in as the 6th grade clinician and conductor. We are so proud of our students for adapting last-minute and making HPISD proud!

Choir students have also had the opportunity to socialize! The 7th and 8th grade Tenor Bass Choir had their social event at Kaze. They enjoyed hibachi and karaoke! The 6th grade Tenor choir brought their friends bowling and had a blast!

On February 19th, HPMS Orchestra presented their Pre-UIL Concert in the HPMS Auditorium. 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra students performed their Concert repertoire for an audience as well as adjudicators, receiving valuable feedback for their upcoming March 4th and 5th UIL Contest.

Raider Drama took home a 1st place trophy from the UIL One Act Play contest on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 in Hillsboro, Texas! This years' entry was "These Shining Lives" by Melanie Marnich, directed by Genevieve S. Croft and Shannon Howerton. This is the 2nd year that Raider Drama has participated in the UIL One Act Play (winning 2nd place last year at District Contest)!

Other Awards included:

Best Performer: Andrew Blanchard, 8th Grade

All-Star Cast: Caroline Miller-8th, Maggie Boone-8th, Kate Waldron-7th

Honorable Mention All-Star Cast: Delaney Owen-8th, Soren Wurzbach-8th

All-Star Crew: Madelyn Brown, 8th

The kindergartener's at Boone Elementary filled everyone's heart at their Valentine's program! They explored concepts like steady beat, tuneful singing, improvisation, and folk dancing!

Music students at UP are busy preparing dances for the International Festival! Students are also incorporating their new bass bars funded by HP Arts, building musical patterns, and writing rhythms.