Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota Museum of American Art P
Media Contact:
Jessica Petrie
651-282-3113
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota Museum of American Art Partner to Celebrate Local Student Talent
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (March 30, 2015) More than 450 Saint Paul student artists, vocalists and instrumentalists will showcase their talents during the 24th annual Honors Concert on April 14 at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. The annual showcase, presented by the Ordway and Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), in partnership with the Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA), includes an instrumental and vocal concert, a performance by the Ramsey Drumming Ensemble and a projected slideshow of original student artwork. The evening will be emceed by artist, activist and SPPS alum, Tou Ger Xiong.
The Honors Concert will feature a performance by high school orchestra, band and choir students conducted by Dr. Emily Threinen (band), Jean R. Perrault (orchestra) and G. Phillip Shoultz, III (choir), and accompanied by Thomas Bartsch. The event will also include a K-8 student showcase prior to the concert.
The student art work will also be shown at the MMAA Project Space in the Pioneer Endicott Building during the Honors Art Exhibition, April 23-May 3. The exhibition is free and open to the public, and will feature selected paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other works submitted by SPPS students.
Its a privilege for the Ordway to host this wonderful concert showcasing the immense talent in our schools. Were delighted to be able to partner with such wonderful organizations to celebrate the accomplishments of Saint Paul students and continue to inspire them to achieve their potential in the arts, said Patricia A. Mitchell, president and CEO of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts.
Over the course of its 24-year history, the annual Honors Concert has showcased the musical and artistic talents of more than 8,000 Saint Paul students through vocal and instrumental performances, spoken word poetry and visual art exhibitions. Students are selected to participate through auditions and art submissions.
The annual Honors Concert is the highlight of the school year for many of our students, said Valeria Silva, superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools. For many, its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform onstage at one of the states premier venues or have their art work shown in a professional gallery. The joy and confidence they gain from this experience is immeasurable.
General admission tickets to the Honors Concert are $5 and can be purchased by calling 651-224-4222.
24th Annual Honors Concert, Performance Art and Art Exhibition Event Details
Honors Concert and Performance Art
Tuesday, April 14
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
5:30 p.m. K-8 Showcase
6:30 p.m. Honors Concert and Performance Art
Tickets: $5, general admission
651-224-4222
Honors Art Exhibition
Thursday, April 23Sunday, May 3
Minnesota Museum of American Art Project Space
Historic Pioneer Endicott Building
141 E. 4th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Entrance located at the corner of 4th and Robert Streets.
Opening reception: April 23 from 5:00 p.m.7:00 p.m., with a brief program at 5:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public
For gallery hours, visit www.mmaa.org
About Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nations leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Pauls most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordways Music Theater and Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordways mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Childrens Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a charter high school with a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances. For more information, visit www.ordway.org.
About Saint Paul Public Schools
Founded in 1856, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) provides a world-class education to more than 39,000 students in 69 community and magnet schools. SPPS is one of the most diverse school districts in the nation with programs that include aerospace and engineering, language immersion, International Baccalaureate, and visual and performing arts. Visit us online at www.spps.org
About the Minnesota Museum of American Art
The Minnesota Museum of American Art (MMAA) strives to make the visual arts more accessible to members of the community through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives and collaborative ventures. Based in St. Paul, MMAA focuses on American art from the 19th century to the present with special emphasis on the work of Minnesota artists and artists who create in the field of fine craft. With its recently opened Project Space in the Pioneer Endicott Building on the edge of St. Pauls burgeoning Lowertown neighborhood, the museum has a platform for producing innovative and engaging programs that connect the museum with the community. Its traveling shows focus on introducing Minnesota artists to the state, region and country at large. With roots in the 19th century, MMAA brings history and the present together in a celebration of the visual arts that shape our lives. For more information, visit www.mmaa.org.
