Ashland City Schools celebrating talents of K-12 students with arts festivities
ASHLAND - With the United States Navy Band kicking off the festivities, more than 2,000 Ashland City Schools students will be participating in a three-week celebration of the arts.
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Beginning with a 7:30 p.m. concert on May 2 by the Navy Band and rolling through May 21 with an AHS Jazz Band Big Band Dance at Trinity Lutheran Church, the days in between are filled with opportunities for the community to engage in various fine art promotions and productions.
Also on the agenda is an opportunity for the community to view student artwork at the high school during the weekend of May 6.
“Over the course of the month approximately 500 students will be involved,” said AHS Director of Bands and Media Arts Marty Kral. “It’s important for students to understand the value of the arts outside of the music or art classroom.”
The U.S. Naval Academy Band is the third oldest active duty military band in America and one of the oldest professional musical organizations in the country originally founded on Nov. 22, 1852.
“Large events like concerts, presentations and art shows, bring in families, friends and the greater community to share in the gifts and talents of our students,” added Kral. “These moments also help promote the viability of the fine arts as a career path after high school.”
Orchestra concert scheduled May 5 at Ashland High School
Events continuing after the Navy Band’s performance at the high school will include an orchestra concert on May 5 with grades 4-6 performing at 6 p.m. and grades 7-12 playing at 7:30 p.m. May 6 will feature Reagan Choir at 5, Edison Choir at 6 and the Sixth Grade Choir at 7 p.m.
Taft Choir will be performing at 2 p.m. on May 7 and a trio of bands will be performing on May 9 beginning with fifth and sixth grade band at 6 p.m., seventh and eighth grade band at 6:30 p.m. and the AHS band wrapping up the day at 7 p.m.
The performances help showcase a year’s worth of dedication, hard work and growth as musicians by the students.
“Performance is the culmination of study, practice and growth,” said Kral. “The students in Ashland’s Musical Department are thrilled to get the opportunity to perform at such a high level for the community.”
On May 11, the AHS Fine Arts Student Advocates will promote the arts at the Governor’s Awards for Arts in Columbus.
On May 14 and 15, the always popular AHS Choirs’ May Fiesta Concert will be performed at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m respectively, with the seventh and eighth grade choir given the chance to shine on May 16 at 7 p.m.
May 17 is Fine Arts Signing Day at 3 p.m. Kral said that all of the events will take place at the high school unless otherwise noted.
“Not only are they (students) performing,” added Kral. “but they are also advocating for the fine arts and celebrating their achievements in Ashland and beyond.”
Visual arts has more than 2,000 participants
“The Ashland City School District’s 51st Fine Art Show celebrates the work of K-12 students who participate in the visual or performing arts,” said AHS art teacher Nancy Boyer. “Art students display pieces created in their art classes and music students perform at their respective concerts. In the visual arts, we will probably have 2,000-plus students participating in K-12.”
The artwork will be displayed on May 6 from 6-9 p.m., May 7 from noon until 5 p.m. and May 8 from noon to 4 p.m.
“In addition to the displays and performances, a face painting station will be available in the AHS Arrow Arena Lobby all three days,” added Boyer.
This three-day event is an experience for the entire family.
“At the high school level, art students are required to choose one piece for the show,” said AHS Visual Art and Media Arts Teacher Cameron Dedrick. “This is a minimum requirement (as) most students will have more than one piece. At the elementary and intermediate levels, each student will have one piece in the show. Essentially we fill Arrow Arena with art.
“This year is also unique because we have a visiting artist on Saturday. Richard Duarte Brown is a Columbus-based teaching artist who is heavily involved in the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and the Ohio Arts Council. He will be at the show Saturday from noon- 5 p.m. where he will not only display and discuss his work with visitors, but will also set up an art-making station.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland City Schools having a three-week celebration of the arts
