School to showcase its Grammy talent
Web posted Wednesday, May 12, 2004
By Greg Rickabaugh | Staff Writer
Not many Grammy award ceremonies take place in high school theaters.
But tonight, Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School can feel right at home when it receives the 2004 National Grammy Signature School Award during a gala celebration in the school theater. The gala will be punctuated with remarks by Grammy Foundation Vice President Griff Morris, a musical performance by singer Edwin McCain and a $25,000 check presentation.
Most of the night belongs to Davidson students, who will showcase why the Los Angeles-based Grammy Foundation picked them as the best music education program among the nation's public high schools. In a sold-out concert, Davidson will present performances involving symphonic winds, chorale, photography, ballet, jazz dance, acting and orchestras.
It should be the beginning of an exciting year for Davidson. Just ask officials with Klein Forest High School in Houston, last year's winner.
"The thing that was so great about this thing was that we didn't know what to expect," said Paul Worosello, director of bands at Klein Forest.
The excitement began with a visit by singer Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child and Matthew Knowles, singer Beyonce Knowles' father. But instead of receiving a top prize of $7,000, as the Grammy Foundation promised, 7-Up matched the amount, and Mr. Knowles added his own $7,000 for school programs.
Later, Mr. Knowles invited some students and faculty members to attend the world premiere of his daughter's movie, The Fighting Temptations, where he presented the money. Finally, the school was filmed by Black Entertainment Television for a feature on Grammy programs. The half-hour spot has been running regularly on the cable network.
"That was an unexpected bonus," Mr. Worosello said. "So the school really did get some national exposure."
Grammy officials have invited a group of Davidson students and faculty members to attend the Grammy Awards in February 2005, to be held in New York City or Los Angeles.
GRAMMY NIGHT
Davidson students have prepared an impressive night for the public and Grammy officials. Here's a look:
Symphonic Winds: Finale, Portrait of a City
Chorale: Trial by JuryAdvanced Studio and Photography: Multimedia presentation
Ballet: "Episodes"
Modern Dance: "Opinionated Chaos"
Jazz Dance: "Hot Lunch Jam"Acting III: Medea
Concert and Chamber Orchestras: Holberg Suite, Op. 40, Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 12, Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20
The great thing about it is that this is the school I graduated from, and I'm very happy for them. This school does great things each year, and events like these make me feel glad that I actually went there.
So, how y'all feel about this?
