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Annual Report of the Arts Education Department, Northwood High School, Pittsboro, NC. NHS is part of the Chatham County Schools district.
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NORTHWOODARTSA
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Northwood High School in Chatham County, nc serves a diverse population of more than 900 students and the Arts Education Department is one of the most
vibrant parts of the landscape. Hundreds of students enroll in arts classes and participate in band competi-tions, choral ensembles, drama productions, visual art exhibitions and dance concerts. This retrospective highlights their activities and achievements during 2007–2008 academic year.
Northwood High School ★ Pittsboro, NC 27312 ★ 919.542.4181
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Pursuing ExcellenceAmerican Anthems, the NHS Marching Charger Band competi-tion program, introduced students to music of the distinguished, Pulitzer-prize winning American composer, Morton Gould. Partici-pating in five area festivals, the band brought home two Grand Cham-pionships. Lewis Jones (baritone sax) and Joe Graybeal (french horn), were named to this year’s nc Band-masters’ Association All-District Band and performed in concert at
unc’s Memorial Hall. Jones was named a finalist for Appalachian State University’s premier Hayes Music Scholarship, and in April received an asu Chancellor’s Scholarship. Graybeal was named to this year’s All-State Band and Andrew Southerland (Euphonium) was
selected to attend Governor’s School with a concentration in Music dur-ing the summer of 2008.
In November, Lori Carlin’s Acting Ensemble presented three powerful performances of The Diary of Anne Frank. To prepare, the cast traveled to the Holocaust Museum in Wash-ington, dc and met with Dr. Carlin’s former teacher and mentor for a weekend of study and reflection.
The 2007 NHS Marching Chargers were awarded A/AA Band Championships at both the 34th Annual Central NC Band Festival in Elon and the Brick Capital Classic in Sanford.
The Acting Ensemble’s presentation of The Diary of Anne Frank drew the largest audience ever for a fall drama production.
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Two December concerts presented more than 70 danc-ers performing works by dance instructor Leah Smith and student choreographers, Hannah Pendergrast, Renee Difranco, and Hailey Allen. Students also created cos-tuming and lighting design to mount this annual pro-duction. A highlight, Good Tidings We Bring, included student musician Preston Mason in a live performance on the mandolin with the Dance Company.
Holiday Festival, the annual winter music concert, fea-tured performances by the nhs Concert Choir, and the nhs Marching and Symphonic Bands. Choral works in-cluded, among others, a capella English carols, the 16th Century Spanish carol, Riu, Riu, Chiu, and a movement from Haydn’s Creation. Band perfor-mances included two selections by Leroy Anderson, A Christmas Festival, and Senior Lewis Jones’ arrangement of Sleigh Ride for brass ensemble. 2007–2009 marks a national centen-nial celebration for Anderson, one of the most popular American com-posers of instrumental works in the 20th Century. The concert is also noteworthy as the 7th Annual Ben-efit Concert for cora, the Chatham Outreach Alliance. Held each year in conjunction with the nhs Key Club, this community service event is the largest food drive of the year for cora.
Eli Clark-Kramer, president of the NHS Chapter of the National Art Honor Society, presented one of the Senior Exhibits at the Winter Art Show in January.
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Spring CollaborationsThe new year’s Winter Art Show featured work from all of Leslie Burwell’s classes, including senior exhibitions from her advanced students. In February, artist-in-resi-dence Vidabeth Benson joined art students for a two-week concentration in silk screen printing. Art student Travis Mann was selected to attend Governor’s School in Winston-Salem with a focus on visual arts studies.
March is Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Theater Month, and Art in Our Schools Month. So it’s especially appropriate that at North-wood, March is synonymous with the Annual Spring Musical. Open to the entire student body, this interdisciplinary, volunteer effort is a collaboration of the entire arts education department. As many as a hundred students participate not only on stage as cast members, but
as set builders and decorators, technicians, musicians, graphic designers, stage hands, costumers and make-up artists. This year’s exuberant revival of Grease! (previously mounted at nhs in 1988 and 1998) broke all previous attendance records during Dr. Carlin’s 11-year tenure and sold-out two of the three performances. May brings the Spring Dance Concerts, this year with 18 seniors performing for the final time on the North-wood stage. The Dance Company then took a much anticipated trip to New York City. They participated
The cast of Grease! presented a rousing version of “Born to Hand Jive” for Chatham K-8 students the week before opening night .
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in three master classes—one with a member of the Broadway cast of Chicago, another with a cast mem-ber of Hairspray, and a third at the famed Alvin Ailey Dance Center. During the four-day trip, they also attended three Broadway shows: Chicago, Hairspray, and the 2008 Tony Award Best Musical, In the Heights.
Back at Northwood, the Vocal Ensemble presented solo recitals, as well as Encore! The Music of Our Time, a program in conjunction with the nhs Show Choir, now in its second year.
Before the academic year ended in June with the Spring Art Show, one more tradition took center stage, the An-nual Concert for Memorial Day, presented by the nhs Concert Band. This year’s program included Rhythm Danse by Richard Saucedo, taught and conducted by Senior Lewis Jones. [See this performance online at http://chathamncschools.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2079231%3AVideo%3A982] A special treat was the return of more than 20 nhs alumni musicians who joined the band for the finale, America’s Finest, a musical tribute to each division of America’s armed forces. Alumni also sat in with the Jazz Ensemble for the reception and dance that followed. Parent Chris
More than 20 NHS alumni musicians returned to perform America’s Finest with the Concert Band at the 2008 Concert for Memorial Day.
Sixty-six dance students and parents traveled with Ms. Smith to NYC for a week of master classes and Broadway shows.
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Hooft received the 2008 Richardson Award, presented by the Band Boosters, for dedication and service to the instrumental music program.
Reaching OutThrough a wide range of activities, the faculty makes a concerted effort to present performances and informa-tion sessions for middle schoolers to introduce them to opportunities for arts study in high school. During the fall, the Marching Band toured area schools presenting the American Anthems program along with a question & answer session. The band also offered a Shadow Program at Northwood. Middle school band students (and parents) were invited to several open rehearsals to see how marching band competition programs are put together, and to learn the basics of marching on the field with the band members.
Choral students toured area schools during the holi-day season. Each year, the spring musical company goes on tour, visiting Chatham elementary and middle schools to present a preview of the upcoming produc-tion. Students see musical numbers by the performers in costume, and get to ask questions. The nhs Concert & Jazz Bands visited Perry Harrison, North Chatham, and Horton schools to introduce students to the various high school instrumental music programs. [see the Jazz Band’s performance of St. Thomas online here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9EFVHXCAGg]
Northwood’s Summer Drama Camp gives Chatham elementary and middle school students a taste of working
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in the theatre and also provides high school theatre students leadership experience as camp counselors. Dur-ing the week with Dr. Carlin and the counselors, students work on acting techniques, improvisation games, putting together skits and preparing a short play for family and friends.
Lifelong LearnersEach year, Northwood faculty mem-bers pursue professional development activities and we celebrate the recent achievements of two members of the arts education department. Visual Arts Instructor Leslie Burwell became nhs’s newest Board Certi-fied Teacher in the fall of 2007. In February, department chair Lori Carlin successfully defended her dissertation to receive her phd degree in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from ncsu.
Building Community Support For many years, parents and community volunteers have worked as nhs Band Boosters, primarily to support the marching band, as well as the entire nhs Instrumental Music Department. It has become a cor-nerstone of the program and vital to the its continuing success. Boosters provide crew members for competi-tions (moving musicians and instruments on and off the field), provide transportation to events, organize
This year’s Drama Camp play was A Stone in the Road. The young performers drew an audience of about one hundred parents, family, and friends.
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snacks and water for musicians on competition days, and chaperone the band. They also assist students raising funds, and provide continuity, leader-ship, and mentoring. Boosters oversee an annual budget in excess of $30,000 to support these award-winning student musicians. Visit the March-ing Charger Band website throughout the year to learn about their ongoing activities (http://northwood-chargers-marchingband.blogspot.com/).
During the summer of 2007, the ex-ecutive board began discussions about
establishing a similar organization to support the entire arts education department. nhs faculty responded with enthusiasm.
In September 2007, the nhs Arts Education Foundation was formed with a core group of parents, students, fac-ulty, and community members. It is a community initia-tive with a stated mission of “ensuring excellence in arts education by identifying, creating, and supporting pro-grams that enrich learning, foster student achievement, and increase community involvement.” An inaugural benefit concert and auction was held April 12 to fund the establishment of five annual $1000 college scholarships—one each for achievements in Choral Music, Dance, Drama, Instrumental Music, and Visual Arts. Presenta-tion of these scholarships was made on May 29 at the
2008 NHS AEF Scholarship Recipients
Charity AlstonVisual Arts
Nathan BrightInstrumental Music
Eli Clark-KramerTheatre Arts
Jason HadleyInstrumental Music
Hannah PendergrastDance
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nhs Awards Night ceremony. In addition to fund raising efforts, foundation members promote arts program-ming, instruction, and outreach efforts. They provide hospitality at nhs arts programs and are a resource for arts education faculty members. Visit the nhsaef website (www.nhsaef.org) for news, alumni updates, and to see photo albums of nhs arts events. There you can also become a member or make a donation.
The Band Boosters and the nhsaef are eager to welcome not only parents, but community and business members as well. Join these groups to share your time, talents, ideas, and expertise. Contact Arts Educa-tion faculty members or leaders of the Band Boosters and the nhsaef to volunteer for the exciting year ahead! ★
“A student whose life is enriched by the arts has a better chance of staying in school, achieving in school, and succeeding after he or she graduates from school. Academically and socially, through self-confidence and improved communication skills, a young mind is broadened and a life enriched.“
—Senator Edward Kennedy
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NHS Patrons & Sponsors2007–2008
Show StoppersJohn & Janet Allen
Dr. Walton and Laura AveryThe Balint Family
Alton Chewning & Suzanne HarrisTh Clark-Kramer Family
Jeff & Gina HarrisonDennis and Jeannie Major
The McClarnon FamilyKarl and Kathy ShafferAndrea and Bob Stark
Page & Jim Vernon
EncoreJim & Mary Schoonard
Hats OffJim & Sharon Kirkman
Susan Strozier & Dave SmithLib & Thomas Harriss
The Perry Family
ApplauseCharles Anderson & Nancy EasterlingCassidy & Fahrbach Design PartnersPatty Blanton & Bob McConnaughey
Cynthia HermansPaul Harrell & Rebecca Peel
Chris & Jane KamanHart and Michael Phillips and Carole Lee Bresky
Michael Poole & Marjorie Rohrbach
AdvertisersAntonella’s Salon & European Skin Care
Chatham Marketplace
CrystalTrip.com
The Food Fairy, Inc.
Fusions Art and Fine Craft Gallery
Tom Harriss
Lib Harriss, Stampin’ Up
Local Latte
Pittsboro Chevrolet Pre-Owned Super Center
Pittsboro Merchants Association
SunTrust Bank
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NHS Arts Education Faculty 2008–2009
Leslie Burwell Visual Arts
Lori Major Carlin, chairTheater Arts
Eugene Cottrell Instrumental Music
Marilyn Shugart Vocal Arts
Leah Smith Dance
Supporting Northwood Arts
NHS Band BoostersMartha Almond
co-president [email protected]
Liz Absherco-president
[email protected]://northwood-chargers-marchingband.blogspot.com/
Gina Harrisonpresident
September 27 Marching Band Competition,
Dixie Classic, Danville, VA
October 18 Marching Band Competition,
Central NC Band Festival, Elon, NC 25 Marching Band Competition,
Brick Capital Classic, Sanford, NC
November 1 Marching Band Competition,
Viking Classic, Southern Pines, NC 13 Drama Performance, 7 pm 14 Drama Performance, 7 pm 15 Drama Performance, 7 pm
December 11 Band & Choral Winter Concert, 7 pm 13 Dance Concert, 7 pm 14 Dance Concert, 3 pm
January 9 Senior Exhibition, Art Show & Dinner, 6 - 9 pm 10 Art Show
March 19 Band Contest Preview Concert, 7 pm 26 Spring Musical, Into the Woods, 7 pm 27 Spring Musical, Into the Woods, 7 pm 28 Spring Musical, Into the Woods, 7 pm
May 14 Jazz & Percussion Concert, 7 pm 16 Dance Concert, 7 pm 17 Dance Concert, 4 pm 19 Voice Ensemble & Lyric Choir Recital, 7 pm 21 Band Memorial Day Concert, 7 pm 28 Art Show, 7 pm 29 Art Show, 7 pm 30 Art Show, 7 pm
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Visit Northwood High School online athttp://www8.chatham.k12.nc.us/nhs/index.html
