Guests at HISD’s 2015 State of the Schools luncheon got a side order of entertainment with their meal. Westside High School’s Wind Ensemble of 35 students provided music throughout the program under the guiding hand of Conductor Joey Brunson, and students from 19 HISD elementary schools sang the national anthem.
Category Archives: Fine arts
Twenty-seven HISD students land 2015 all-state ensemble seats
More than two dozen HISD students earned a spot on a Texas Music Educators Association All-State Ensemble this year.
Trumpeter Esmeralda Sandoval (Waltrip HS) and baritone saxophonist Grace Estrada (Westside HS), as well as five students from Bellaire High School and 20 from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, will perform in various groups during the TMEA’s annual convention in February.
All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. Approximately 1,750 students were selected through a process that began with more than 64,000 students from around the state vying for the honor to perform in one of 15 ensembles (bands, orchestras, and choirs).
Last year marked the first time a Westside student had ever been selected, and the same student (Grace Estrada, now a senior) is returning this year. You can read more about her achievement in this school-based newsletter.
HSPVA alumnus bringing Black History Month to life for HISD students
Jason Moran poses for a photograph at HSPVA, February 3, 2015. (Houston ISD/Dave Einsel)
Jazz pianist Jason Moran to collaborate with three schools on community art project
It’s one thing to hear about inspiring, but long-dead, historic figures as a part of Black History Month, but it’s another entirely to have a living, breathing legend in your classroom—and almost beyond imagining that as a student, you might get to work alongside that person on a creative project.
But that is exactly what students at three HISD schools will be doing over the next couple of years, as a part of the Jason Moran Homecoming Residency sponsored by Da Camera.
Dozens of students win regional recognition through Scholastic contest
A Gold Key winning painting entitled “Childhood,” by Carnegie Vanguard HS student Oulu Li
More than 120 students from 11 different HISD schools earned recognition at the regional level of the Scholastic Art & Writing competition this year, which qualifies them to advance to the national level of judging in New York City.
Forty-two students won the Gold Key award, while 31 took home Silver Key awards, and the remainder earned Honorable Mention.
Westside High School student Christine Willis was also the only HISD student to be named an American Visions finalist. American Visions and American Voices nominees are considered regional “best of show” winners in art and writing (respectively). Each receives a $250 scholarship from sponsor Texas Arts Supply, and one in each category will earn the national medal in March.
The winning entries were selected from approximately 5,000 submissions at the regional level. Visit the HCDE website to see a complete list of winners. Other HISD students on the list are from: Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard, DeBakey, Waltrip, and Westside high schools; Pershing and Pin Oak middle schools; T.H. Rogers, The Rice School, and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
HISD to host inaugural districtwide dance montage festival on Jan. 31
Event to serve dual-purpose: performance experience for students and constructive criticism for all
HISD’s Dance Educators Organization (DEO) will be hosting its very first dance montage festival on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the public is invited to watch.
The event will take place at 5 p.m. in the Holmes Performance Hall at Lamar High School (3325 Westheimer, 77098), and students from more than 25 different dance programs will be performing.
HSPVA grad to appear on NPR’s ‘From the Top’ starting Jan. 26
A 2014 graduate of HISD’s own High School for the Performing and Visual Arts will be performing on National Public Radio’s “From the Top” program starting on Jan. 26.
Carnegie Vanguard HS students mastering art, music, fencing
Ariel Simmons
Three students from Carnegie Vanguard High School are making news this week for being at the top of their respective games.
- Cole Bennette, a junior, recently entered and won an art contest titled “Houston in 2025,” in which he had to envision what the Bayou City would look like in another 10 years. Cole’s artwork now adorns a billboard on I-45 at Smith Street, whose space was donated by Clear Channel Communications. The contest was sponsored by the Center for Houston’s Future.
- Ariel Simmons, a senior, won gold medals at two prestigious fencing competitions: He won the U.S. title for 20 and under in Salt Lake City, Utah, earlier this month and the U.S. title for adults last month in Dallas. His sport is epee check.
- Junior Kerrigan Quenemoen and her partner, Kenneth Yu (a senior at Bellaire High School), have once again advanced to the national finals of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Senior Piano Duet Competition in March. They also shared this honor back in 2013.
Congratulations to these talented students!
Elementary students take art ‘on the road’ to promote fine arts magnet program
The lobby of Spring Hill Suites by Marriott will be transformed into an art gallery from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, thanks to the creativity of 30 Crespo Elementary School students.The event will help raise public awareness of HISD’s outstanding magnet programs, and Crespo is honored to represent the fine arts programs in particular.
HISD announces district’s holiday greeting card artwork for 2014
Designs are also available for purchase by the general public through Friday, Dec. 5
Each winter, HISD sends out holiday greeting cards to hundreds of people and organizations, including school principals, board members, legislators, local leaders, parent groups, and community partners. Since 2003, these cards have featured the artwork of district students, and this year, three designs were chosen to showcase their creative talents.
Some campus carnivals give visitors a sneak peek inside magnet programs
Parents considering Parker ES’s music program can see its advanced bands perform Oct. 18
Many HISD schools hold campus carnivals each fall to raise money for various programs and initiatives, but some also offer parents a sneak peek at their magnet programs.