Academy Awards, Honors and Kudos
Three Academy musicians who performed at the TSSEC (Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition) held at UT over the Memorial Day weekend (2008) received letters from Richard Floyd, State Director of Music with exciting news that they were named UIL Outstanding Performers for the entire state of Texas. Of the approximately 85,000 students participating in the regional UIL music contests and the 22,000 musicians at TSSEC, only 256 students earned the distinguished honor of Outstanding Performer. This achievement is truly a mark of musical excellence.
Our McCallum musicians to receive this award were Kimberly Davidson (12) horn player; Rob Chapman (10) marimba; and singer Reno Bostick (11) tenor.
The Young Masters Program, sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts, is intended to encourage talented young Texas artists. Recipients receive a scholarship for up to $2,500 a year, to be renewed for up to three years. It is intended for Texas students from 8th to 12th grade; it is not intended for college study. The scholarship enables the recipients to pursue advanced artistic study through summer intensives and special unique training opportunities. In 2007-2008, Rachel Milton received this scholarship for Visual Arts. In 2006-07 three of those students were from McCallum: Sarah Crowe, visual artist; Sarah Welch, visual artist; and Marco Villa, classical guitarist.
The McCallum Fine Arts Academy was one of 42 schools nationwide selected on the basis of its remarkable music program as a 2005 Grammy Signature School.
Photo courtesy of Oleson Photo.