News - Press Releases
Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) and the TUSD Fine Arts Department present The OMA Showcase 2012, April 28
Photo by Roger Pfeuffer
Posted on: April 16, 2012
Opening Minds through the Arts and Tucson Unified School District's Fine Arts Department present OMA Showcase 2012, Saturday, April 28, 3:00 p.m., at the Rincon/University High School Auditorium. The event will celebrate 12 years of bringing nationally recognized arts integration programs into the classroom. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
The Showcase will feature the talents of TUSD's students from the ages of Kindergarten through 8th grade in music, dance, drama and visual arts. OMA instruction is conducted by professional artists and specially trained Arts Integrations Specialists – making for a presentation that promises to be more than the typical children's performance fare. Highlighting the afternoon will be the Alice Vail Middle School Jazz Band and Orchestra, the Pistor Middle School Dance Ensemble and a 225 member OMA Honor Chorus.
Andrew Kent, principal of Marshall Elementary School, will host the afternoon event along with guest master of ceremonies Dr. Maria Menconi, the Deputy Superintendent of the district. Dr. Menconi is also a prolific photographer whose work is featured in the recently book, Walk This Way, a collection of inspirational thoughts by Suzanne Doherty. Her photographs will be on display in the lobby along with the creations of OMA students and teachers.
Opening Minds through the Arts (OMA) is currently reaching approximately 13,000 students in 33 TUSD schools. The independent research firm WestEd has determined that OMA not only improves student test scores, but "mitigates the impact of poverty (and) the lack of English proficiency." The program has also been featured on the "Edutopia" website and referenced in numerous books on innovative educational programs.
For more information call TUSD Fine Arts/OMA office at 520-225-4900, or see the OMA Web site.