Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
October 2025
BISFA NEWSLETTER
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!
UPDATES/REMINDERS
2025 Bill Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Fund
The 2025 Bill Dorsey Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts has been opened. The deadline for applications is Monday, November 10th, 2025, at 11:59pm
Mummer's Day Parade - FLOAT HELP
The Parent Guild and the Foundation typically organize the Mummer's Day Parade float. We are seeking support from each department to determine if we have the human power, funds and materials required to pull off a float this year.
Prizes for this year for a School Float are $1500 – 1st , $1000 – 2nd , $500 – 3rd
Walking Group prizes are $500- 1st , $250- 2nd - $125, 3rd , $75- 4th and $50 - 5th.
Submissions for walking groups and float entries for the parade must be completed by October 10th. We are hoping to get enough parent feedback and volunteer power in order to pull off a float for this year. We have some items already being donated from the school including an amp for power and sound system. Our department is planning to walk in the parade so please also let us know if you are able to offer any help for this as well.
If you can please complete the survey by October 3rd the Parent Guild and Foundation would truly appreciate it.
UPCOMING DATES
10/1/25 Cabaret Night at Hub City Vinyl
10/6/25 - Hadestown TEEN All School Musical Auditions - Dance.
10/8/25 - PICTURE DAY
10/8/25 - Hadestown TEEN All School Musical Auditions - Monologue/Singing
10/8/25 - Parent Guild Meeting 5:15 pm
10/9/25 - PA Renaissance Faire
10/9/25 - 10/8/25 - Hadestown TEEN All School Musical Auditions - Monologue/Singing
10/10/25 - Hadestown TEEN - Call Back
10/11/25 - 7:00 - Maryland Theater - BISFA HOMECOMING
10/16/25 - Trip to NYC
10/18/25 - Dancing with the ARC Stars
10/21/25 - Jazz and Small Ensembles Concert - 7 PM - Dance Floor BISFA
10/22/25 - 6:00 - Dance Floor - BISFA Fall Reading - 6pm
10/23/25 - Fall Choir Concert - Trinity Lutheran Church
10/25/25 - Mummer’s Parade
10/28/25 - 7:00 - Maryland Theater - Bisfa Spooktacular Concert
11/3/25 - 9:00 - CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE 2
11/5/25 - MAKE UP PICTURE DAY
11/6/25 - 7:00 PM CLUE Performance
11/7/25 - 7:00 PM CLUE Performance
11/8/25 - 2:00 PM CLUE Performance, 7:00 CLUE Performance
11/12/25 - Maryland Theater - BISFA INFO NIGHT
11/20/25 - Hollyfest @ MD Theater (Call time will be announced at tech)
11/21/25 - 7:00 CLUE Performance
11/21/25 - Hollyfest @ MD Theater (Call time will be announced at tech)
11/22/25 - 11:00 CLUE Performance
12/2/25 - Piano and Guitar Recital - 7 PM Dance Floor BISFA
12/9/25 - Maryland Theater - Sno Ball - 7 PM - MD Theater
12/15/25 - HOLIDAY SPEC TECH WEEK
12/16/25 - HOLIDAY SPEC TECH WEEK
12/17/25 - 7:00 - Holiday Spectacular
12/18/25 - 7:00 - Holiday Spectacular
PICTURE DAY!
PICTURE DAY IS COMING
Picture day - October 8, 2025
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR TICKETS
HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR TICKETS
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.
CELEBRATIONS!
PICTURES
NEW STUDENT APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
FOR BISFA 2026-2027
8th GRADE EXPLORATION PROGRAM
Do you know an 8th grade student in Washington County interested in:
- Theater
- Visual Arts
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Vocal Music
- Instrumental Music (brass, woodwinds, strings, piano, percussion)
If so, you're invited to apply for the Washington County Public Schools' BISFA Arts Exploration program!
This exciting program takes each Saturday at The Barbara Ingram School for the Arts from November 1, 2025 to December 6, 2025. Sessions are from 9:00 a.m. - noon.
During the four-week session, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in their chosen primary interest area.
FUNDRAISERS
Holiday Ornaments
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.
VISUAL ARTS
VISUAL ARTS OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
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
CREATIVE WRITING
🎤 Fall Reading Night
Date: Wednesday, October 22 at 6:00 PM on the BISFA Dance Floor
Students will share their original work in a public reading.
Seniors are responsible for organizing and preparing the bake sale during the event.
Sign-Up Deadline: October 8
Students who wish to participate must sign up in the Google Classroom for Ensemble.
🖋️ Young Artists Contest
All Creative Writing students are expected to submit work. All information on what and how to submit is in the Ensemble Classroom and has been covered two times in class with students.
Submission Deadline: October 8
Fee Waiver Requests Due: September 30
If your student needs a fee waiver, please have them request one from Mrs. Irwin or Mrs. Kann by the deadline.
🎭 Hagerstown Mummer’s Parade
Date: Saturday, October 25
Creative Writing students will walk with a departmental banner, hand out pencils with writing-themed messages, and distribute flyers promoting our program.
Students are welcome to perform spoken word poetry during parade pauses.
Attire:
- BISFA parade T-shirts (available for purchase)
- Any BISFA gear
- Plain black or purple T-shirt
Clothing will not prevent anyone from participating—we want everyone to feel welcome and included!
Creative Writing Links
DANCE
THEATRE
Stay informed!
Ensure all guardians receive important notifications from Mr. Ryan and the Theater Liaisons this year by:
- Emailing theaterliaison@gmail.com requesting we add parent/guardian to our distribution list
- Texting @bisfat to 81010 to join Mr. Ryan's Remind class.
- Texting @7hc9k6 to 81010 to join Theater Liaison Remind class.
VOCAL MUSIC
October Events
1- Vocal Dept. Cabaret - Hub City Vinyl 28 E. Baltimore St. Hagerstown 7:00 p.m. $10. Fee.
7-10 Hadestown Auditions
10 - Vocal Masterclass with MSO guest artist Jonathan Parrish
15 - Lauren Jelencovich, Mini-concert sponsored by HCCA
21 - BISFA Vocal Dept. at APOLLOᐧ5 Workshop/Concert, Harper’s Ferry, Charlestown, WV
all day/evening
23 - Fall Choir Concert - Trinity Lutheran 7:30 pm $5. tickets
25 - Mummers Day parade - Time/Location TBA
Wow! What a great start we’ve had to the 2025-26 school year!! What a great masterclass we had with Ms. Estela Estrada from Sevilla, Spain. Estela was an exchange student at BISFA in 2018-19. It was wonderful having her return to her beloved BISFA, and share her exceptional talent and vocal training with our students.
Hadestown TEEN- All School Musical Auditions
Oct. 6 for everyone (dance auditions), and your choice of Oct. 8, 9 (monologue/singing), the Oct. 10 if you get a call back.
After School All State/All Eastern Choir Audition Music Help
Oct. 1 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 4:30-5:30 p.m.
All County Chorus Music Help
Oct. 22
Oct. 29
Nov. 5
Nov. 12
Cabaret Night at Hub City Vinyl - October 1st
Come hear our vocalists sing solos at Hub City Vinyl (28 E. Baltimore St.) $10 donation. Lite fare and drinks available for purchase.
Choir Uniforms
All students should have either brought home a dress/tux or been measured for a new one. Reminder to parents that tuxedos are NOT washable. Dresses ARE washable (please remove the pin before washing). Also, it is the responsibility of the students to contribute the following to their uniform:
TUXEDO PANTS/JACKET w/tie,cummerbund
- White buttoned down front dress shirt
Black socks
Black dress shoes
GOWN w/decorative pin
- Black flat, closed toe dress shoes.
Upcoming Fall Choir Concert
If you haven’t already, please access these important resources…
Vocal Dept. Handbook
Mrs. Melissa J. Mackley - Vocal Department Chair macklme@wcps.k12.md.us
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Upcoming Concerts:
10/1 2025
Tri-M Induction Ceremony - Dance Floor 6:30-8pm
10/8/2025
Tri-M Meeting - Band room 8:15-9:00am
Young Artists Competition
There are opportunities for cash prizes, grants, awards, mentorships, and performance opportunities
🎶 BISFA Instrumental Apparel Store NOW OPEN! 🎶
**Orders will be delivered to BISFA the week of November 24th!**
Fundraisers
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!!
Stay Connected
Callie Hart
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!
COMPUTER GAME DESIGN AND ANIMATION
PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
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
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
Laura Allen: laallen.safetypro@gmail.com
Dance:
Leah Putterman: Leah.putterman@gmail.com
Shaquita Taylor-Fleming: s.taylorfleming@gmail.com
What is the Parent Guild?
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: October 8, 2025 5:15 pm
BISFA FOUNDATION
Career Coach Corner
We have a career coach and will be adding a career coach corner to our newsletter!
Here's a link to Make an Appointment!
