The Arts

The Arts at Bishop Dunne have been very busy this year, with students excelling in many different ways.

Our theater students returned to the stage in a spring production of The Book of Will.

The show chronicled the creation of the First Folio, a massive collection of 36 of William Shakespeare’s plays that guaranteed the bard’s legacy survived to this day. The cast and crew of 13 students worked exceptionally hard to create a wonderful show. Despite setbacks and schedule changes, the students’ dedication to the show lent itself to two engaging, entertaining performances.

Several students received awards for their accomplishments throughout the rehearsal and performance process. The award for Most Accomplished Actor went to Guadalupe Espinoza, the award for Most Dedicated Member went to both Kendyl Page and Mariah Moreno, and the 2023 Drama MVP Award, as selected by the Drama Club, went to Addison “Archerr” Kuykendall.

As usual, our bands had another successful year! In addition to a great football season with our marching band and drum line, our students displayed their musical talents in several other venues. Strings orchestra played at the Bishop’s Golf Tournament in September, alongside the newly formed Falcon Mariachi Band! This spring, Strings Orchestra also performed at the Meyerson as part of the Director’s Choice Music Festival. Under the direction of Mr. Michael Boss, the Advanced Orchestra performed “El Toro” by Brubaker, “Brandenburg Concerto #2” by Bach arranged by Parrish, and “Toccatina” by Hofeldt. They earned Superior Ratings and Outstanding in Class.

Members of the Bishop Dunne Band program submitted auditions for placement in the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Jazz Band. Junior alto saxophonist Patrick Adao-Perez was selected first chair for the state in the auditions. This makes his first year to be selected to the All-State Jazz Band and his second year as part of the TPSMEA All-State Musicians, having been selected as first chair with the TPSMEA Symphonic Band as a sophomore last year. Congratulations to Patrick on his incredible work as a musician of the highest caliber!

In early December, several band mem- bers auditioned for the ATSSB Region 3/20 Honor band. Of the 14 students who auditioned, the following students advanced to the ATSSB Area North Auditions and were invited to participate as a member of the ATSSB Region 3/20 Band: Ari Buck, David Taylor, Patrick-Adao Perez, Alex Real, Elias Young, and Donielle Woodard. In January, freshman Ari Buck traveled to be a part of the ATSSB Region 3/20 band, where he prepared and performed an entire concert in about 24 hours. Congratulations to Ari on his fantastic achievement!

Band students traveled to participate in the 2023 Four States Bandmaster’s Conference, where there were two concert bands and one jazz band. Bishop Dunne had four students selected to participate with the concert bands: sophomore Elias Young on tuba, juniors Gabriel Rodriguez on clarinet and Donielle Woodard on percussion, and senior David “Tripp” Taylor on contra clarinet. One student was selected for the jazz band: junior Patrick Adao-Perez.

In February, eleven musicians with the Bishop Dunne Band program participated in the TPSMEA North Region Honor band at Greenhill School. Eight high school students worked under the baton of Dr. David Robinson for some eight hours, over a 24-hour period, to prepare an ambitious program.

Congratulations to: freshman, Ari Buck on clarinet; sophomore, Elias Young on tuba; juniors, Austin Johnson on clarinet, Gabriel Rodriguez on clarinet, Patrick Adao-Perez on saxophone, Alejandro Real on euphonium; seniors, Leanne Cross on percussion, David “Tripp” Taylor on contra clarinet (selected to participate but was unable to attend).

Three middle school students participated with the middle school honor band under the baton of Mrs. Robin Owens. Congratulations to: 8th grade flutist Alandra Barfield, 7th grade trombonist Scarlett Schwegmann, 8th grade trombonist Elliott Williams.

Middle school musicians, 8th grade clarinetist Rosemary Keglovits, and 7th grade trombonist Abigail Griffin, also qualified for the honor band but were unable to attend. Congratulations to the fantastic work by these amazing young musicians!

Finally, The Bishop Dunne Falcon Band