May 2022

Dear Harrison Families,

It is with great excitement that we opened the doors, drew back the curtains, and welcomed family, friends, and community to revel in the live performances and in-person art exhibits of our students. The depth and breadth of their talents and passions, supported and guided by our incomparable faculty, were revealed to us all.

The Fine and Performing Arts programs are integral to our instructional program, rigorous, welcoming, and aligned with IB standards. Students study the arts - music, visual and digital art, dance, and theater -  as they develop artistic literacy and voice.  We are delighted to share their achievements with you.

We hope you explore and enjoy their many accomplishments in the  Harrison Arts Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Ariella Blackman  to Perform in 2022 Macy’s Parade

HHS Junior Ariella Blackman was selected to perform in the 2022 NYC Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Great American Marching Band. Participants are selected through an audition process. Since its debut, the band has become a time-honored tradition that brings together the finest musicians from high schools nationwide. Ariella has been an actively involved member of the HCSD band program since elementary school and currently plays flute in the HHS Concert Band, Marching Band, and Symphonic Winds advanced chamber music group.

Lauren Ugarte to Study at Tanglewood

HHS Junior Lauren Ugarte was selected to participate in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and perform alongside member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Lauren plays the double bass in the high school orchestra. The Institute is an internationally recognized program for young musicians. After a rigorous evaluation and audition process, Lauren will work with professional musicians at Tanglewood, the summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 

Senior Joshua Feldman Earns All-State Band Honors

HHS senior Joshua Feldman, earned the position as first chair French Horn in the All State Symphonic Band. Joshua competed with students from across New York State to earn the position.  Joshua has studied instrumental music since elementary school and has been an active member of the Harrison High School Band where he participates in concert band, symphonic winds, and marching band as one of the drum majors.  (Photo courtesy of D. Feldman)

 

Students Perform NYSSMA Solos

We are proud to have 75 students represent Harrison with the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). NYSSMA sponsors opportunities for students across New York state to perform a solo piece, that is evaluated by a panel of judges who provide critical feedback to student performers. Participating in the NYSSMA is a rigorous, challenging process that requires much preparation and practice. Congratulations to the Harrison students who participated in NYSSMA!

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Dance

Victoria Peralta and Lauren Homem Earn Award for Excellence in Dance

Victoria Peralta and Lauren Homem entered the NYS PTA Reflections Choreography Competition and were recognized at the regional level for their work.  Lauren's piece was called, "The Mirror" with a theme reflecting body dysmorphia in women.  Victoria's piece titled, "Breathe" was about mental illness in families.  Choreography is judged on interpretation, creativity, and technique.

Students Inducted into NHS for Dance Arts

Twenty-four HHS Dance students were inducted into the 2022 National Honor Society for Dance Arts, sixteen students were inducted last year. Student induction is based on grade point average in dance and points scored based on meeting the honor society’s general guidelines: collaborative teamwork, motivation and participation in the many aspects of dance, including choreography, performance, production, and community outreach to the HHS dance program. Students must earn a minimum of thirty points, those who earn forty-five or more points achieve honors level recognition. Senior dance students also receive the National Honor Society for Dance Arts honor cord and honor gold pin to be worn during graduation. Congratulations to our honorees:  Senior Members (inducted in 2021) Isabella Beardsley,** Olivia Burghouts,** Haleigh DePalo,** Amber Detlefs,** Harley Dichter, ** Gianna Fuca,** Lauren Homem,** Sofia Lago,** Veronica Moloney,** Isabel Paris,** Victoria Peralta,** Katherine Pflieger,** Jocelyn Pittelli, Remy Rabin,** Abigail Roth, Caela Vasilkioti,** Gianna Vukel,**  (** indicates honors level) Junior and Senior 2022 Inductees: Angel Aguilar, Talya Appelbaum, Grace Byrnes, Andrea Cardona, Rachel Conti, Sabina Cosmo, Lauren Davidson, Patricia Diaz, Jack Eiff, Aidan Flores, Kieran Flores, Shayna Forgione, Vitoria Ianni, Rachel Kindler, Natalie Lanza, Vanessa Loguidice, Mariah Maldonado, Rachel McGovern, Juan Orozco, Ava Palombo, Andrea Sanchez, Cassandra Sanscartier, Hayanna Silva, Bianca Vukel 

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CHORUS, ORCHESTRA & BAND

8th Annual String Extravaganza a Rousing Success

On April 7th, the orchestra program celebrated the 8th Annual String Extravaganza, a district-wide festival featuring more than 250 students in grades 5 through 12. Strings musicians of all ages performed for each other and a packed auditorium in the Performing Arts Center at Harrison High School. This year's theme was “Come Together: The Music of the Beatles,” each orchestra level performed popular songs by The Beatles.

HHS Sirius Jazz Workshop Presents Jazz Night

Harrison High School Sirius Jazz Workshop presented an evening of energetic, personal musical expression at the 2022 Jazz Night. Members of the LMK Jazz Club joined high school musicians for the final three numbers of the first set.  The audience was bobbing heads and tapping feet in the band room transformed into a jazz club for the evening (thanks to the HHS custodial staff!).

Concerts Take Center Stage

Harrison students have performed from stages throughout the District for live audiences of family, friends, and members of the Harrison community. There was a feeling of delight and celebration as audience members enjoyed musical performances at Harrison High School and LMK Middle School. A schedule of upcoming concerts and performances appears at the end of the newsletter.

Sophomore Lana Waights Designs Showcased 

This year, the high school spring concert programs featured an original design by Digital Art & Design, Year 1 student, HHS Sophomore Lana Waights. Lana reflected on the opportunity to present her work and found “being involved in many aspects of the fine and performing arts to be “a fun challenge.” Lana described her experience: “Applying the skills I have learned and developed in Digital Art & Design, I combined my original photography with an eye for typography and graphic design. I truly enjoyed playing with different elements, creating distinctive compositions and working with interesting color palettes.” Digital Art & Design, Year 1 -- is offered to 10th - 12th graders as a full year art elective. Students may choose to continue on to Year 2 and 3... as Lana plans to do!

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THEATER PERFORMANCES

HHS Footlight Players Performs Urinetown

The Harrison High School Footlight Players performed Urinetown, a Tony Award winning musical on March 31^st, April 1^st and April 2^nd in the Harrison Performing Arts Center at the high school.  Members of the community enjoyed the amazing performances by HHS students in the award winning musical satire. 

Junie B Jones Jr. Presented by LMK Drama Club

The LMK Drama club performed Junie B. Jones Jr. based on the books by Barbara Park. The musical follows Junie and her friends through the challenges of first grade.  Members of the community were entertained by the middle school student performances of the joys, trials, and excitement of being in first grade. 

HHS Playhouse Stages Dear Chuck

Live theater returned to Harrison High School in November with the HHS Playhouse production of Dear Chuck by Jonathan Dorf. Theater teacher and HHS Playhouse advisor Nina Haberli selected Dear Chuck because it was an excellent vehicle for the many talented actors in the club. The wide array of scenes and monologues in this production showcased the diverse talents of HHS Playhouse club members. 

Elementary Students Take the Stage

Students at our four elementary schools delighted audiences with live musical productions. Preston and Purchase Elementary Schools performed Willy Wonka; Harrison Avenue and Parsons Elementary Schools performed The Wizard of Oz. The shows are presented in partnership with the District Elementary Enrichment Committee (EEC) and each school’s PTA.  The EEC, a volunteer committee comprised of representatives and PTA Presidents from all four District elementary schools, funds enrichment programs for all children kindergarten through grade five. On-going programming includes Cultural Arts Programs, the Visiting Author’s Programs, and Theatre Arts.

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FINE & VISUAL ARTS

Student Work Presented at IB Art Exhibition

Students in the International Baccalaureate Art High Level exhibited a culmination of their work and study during an exhibition at Harrison High School. IB Art classes are designed to “promote, encourage and facilitate the creation of a body of work that is directed by the interests and concerns of the student, informed by exposure to the interests and concerns of other individuals and cultures, present and past.” Over two years, students explore and work in a variety of media and methods, study art history and study the techniques and inspirations of past and contemporary artists. IB Art HL students reflected on their experience: “I learned about practice and techique by studying great artists that generated a love of art history that will stay with me into the future.” "There is so much more to art than just creating. Understanding other artists is important part of the process. Finding inspiration in the old masters is the best way to learn and create art.” 

Young Artists 2022 Featured at Katonah Museum of Art

Harrison High School seniors exhibited their work at the Young Artists 2022 exhibition at the Katonah Museum of Art, which presents the work of the most talented high school seniors from Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Fairfield counties.  The annual exhibition offers student artists a chance to participate in all aspects of a museum exhibition and is designed to feature the “next generation of creative thinkers and artists.” HHS Students featured:  Eileen Dockery, Julia Bonaiuto, Marina Misic, Georgia Robb, Kotomi Inaba, Amelia Kraus, Danielle Duffy, Anna FitzPatrick.

Student Work Presented at Identity Exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art Westport

Artwork from Harrison High School students Ami Goble, Gianna Allegretti, Angelea Nicaj, Sasha Konigsberg, Annalena King, Gianna Salvo, Rion Yoshimura, and Aaron Oro was featured in the Identity Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Westport. The theme of this year’s annual high school exhibition was Identity. The exhibit featured student works that encompass the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self. Students submitted one entry of either a drawing, painting, digital/graphic image, photograph, sculpture or video that explores the theme of Identity. 

HHS Students Earn Scholastic Art Award

HHS students Angelea Nicaj (Gold Key) and Gianna Allegretti (Honorable Mention) earned awards from the Scholastic Art Awards Competition. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards recognize creative efforts of students in grades 7-12. Students throughout the country submitted approximately 340,000 original works that are judged based on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision.

Digital Arts: Where Artistry & Technology Meet

Digital Art and Design introduces students to a new way of seeing the world by exploring  all areas of digital art-making: photography, graphic design, web design, digital illustration & videography. Through authentic and collaborative approach, students cultivate both artistic abilities and technological aptitude and integrate new technologies with traditional forms of artistic expression. Explore the creativity of our students’ work in the Digital Art and Design NEWSLETTER and Photography Exhibit

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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & OPPORTUNITIES

 

Explore the variety of art classes offered as part of the District Summer Program offerings.