Magnolia Art Show

Magnolia Elementary hosted a Spring Showcase on Thursday, May 2.  The Spring Showcase included a showing of the students' artwork.  Magnolia's art teacher is Callie Ward.

HTHS Choirs Receive Superior Ratings at Alabama Vocal Association State Choral Performance Assessment.

Hewitt-Trussville High School had 140 students to participate in Alabama Vocal Association’s State Choral Assessment. Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale and Chamber Choir each went through the 45 minute cycle of warmup, performance and sightreading. The performance judges were from the University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee, Huntingdon College and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Points totaling 72-88 qualify as a Superior rating. Each choir received the following scores in sightreading:
Concert Choir - 79, 82, 81, 85
Women’s Chorale - 78,79, 84, 85
Chamber Choir - 84, 85, 84, 86

Remarks made in the adjudication sheets from the Concert Choir performance:
“Great balance and blend”
“Lovely opening sound and attention to dynamics”
“Gorgeous full tone”
“Fabulous work!!!”

Remarks about Women’s Chorale:
“Lovely tone”
“Great job navigating this disjunct melody”
“Very nice balance ladies”
“Excellent professionalism”
“Great soloist”

Remarks about the Chamber Choir:
“Great dynamic contrast and phenomenal energy”
“Exceptional intonation on opening clashes”
“I love the attention to tuning!”
“Great dynamics”
“What a joy to hear this group!”

Allen Gillespie is the choral director at HTHS.  Congratulations to these talented and hard-working students and their teacher.  

HTHS Students Selected for All State Choral Festival

Congratulations to the following students who auditioned and were selected to be a part of the All State Choral Festival March 7-9 at Samford University: Kathleen Caraway, Abby Cunningham, Bailey Dodson, Andrew Easterling, Alyssa Edwards, Kent Glover, Becca Hasenbein, Brendon Hathaway, Kalen Kenedy, Jordan Long, Jay Naylor, Austin Sandford, Alyssa Serena and Maya Viinkinsalo.  The HTHS choral teacher is Allen Gillespie.  

HTHS Chamber Choir Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

The Hewitt-Trussville High School Chamber Choir is performing "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" February 14-17 in the HTHS choir room.  Musical directors are Allen Gillespie and Kim Hutchens.  Choreographer is Kim Hutchens.  The show features 18 musical numbers with twenty-one talented performers.  These students are quite talented, and the performance is outstanding.  This is one show you will not want to miss! Click here for a quick peek at this spectacular performance. 

Magnolia Art Show

Over 1300 pieces of art adorn the halls of Magnolia Elementary this week. The students' artwork is outstanding!  The art show coincides with their book fair this week. Parents are invited to a special showing tonight, May 8. 

TCS Wins Best Community for Music Education!

For the third consecutive year, Trussville City Schools has been named a Best Community for Music Education! The Best Communities for Music Education acknowledges schools and districts across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education. We are fortunate to have such a great staff of music educators and supportive administrators across our district. A press release from the NAMM website is below. There are 583 school districts recognized from across the US and only five from Alabama (Albertville City Schools , Auburn City Schools, Hoover City Schools, Vestavia Hills City Schools and Trussville City Schools).

Trussville City Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. 
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, representatives from Trussville City Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

This award recognizes that Trussville City Schools is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. 

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.

HTMS Bands Performing this Week

Parents were invited for an early preview today of the HTMS Symphonic Band and Honors Band. The HTMS Bands will be performing in the Alabama Bandmasters Association Music Performance Assessment this week. TCS will host this event for metro area middle schools in the HTHS Performing Arts Center.  The bands will be scored on tone, intonation, technique, rhythm, balance, musicianship, and general factors (stage deportment/appearance, posture, choice of appropriate literature, discipline).

Paine Holiday Spirit

On December 20, Paine Elementary had full Grade Level Sing-Alongs with their students. Students got to pick which songs they wanted to sing.  Dr. Cocke said, "I'm very proud of the progress we have made while having such fun!  If this doesn’t put you in the Christmas Spirit, I don’t know what will!"

To get in the Christmas spirit, listen to these beautiful voices of the Paine students.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5_9P5bXZ3QzQ1JPU3otbm1ZWEE/view?usp=sharing

Cahaba's Show Choir Performs

SHINE, Cahaba Elementary's show choir, presented holiday song and dance numbers this morning for the staff and student body.  The pictures below show how enthralled the students were with the presentation.