RECORD ATTENDANCE FOR THE 7th ANNUAL SCHOOL DAYS EVENT AT THE TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

 

Special 2-Day Event Educated Students in Grades K Through 12 on the Art, Science, History & Culture of the Renaissance Period on November 1 & 2, 2011

 

Plantersville, Texas (November 14, 2011)—History Comes Alive For Students & Educators!  The Texas Renaissance Festival (www.texrenfest.com) hosted the 7thAnnual School Days presented byRadio Disney on November 1 & 2, 2011, which welcomed a record-setting 34,000 students & educators from across Texas and Louisiana. 

The unique educational event, which increased attendance from 2010 by 7%, allows public, private and home school kids from grades K through 12, and their teachers, the opportunity to experience the art, science, theater, history, music and culture of the 16thcentury.  Students stepped back in time providing programming through various music, theatre, English, art, history & science competitions as part of the festival’s events. 

Students also participated in a variety of demonstrations from courtly dance school, coin making and the ancient art of falconry to the history of arms and armor and the Guttenberg printing press, while artisans illustrated the technological advances of the Renaissance age through live demonstrations in pottery making, glass blowing, blacksmithing, armor making and other arts and trades of the 16thcentury.

In addition, students and teachers had the opportunity to interact with King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and hundreds of other costumed characters showcasing the culture, science and literature of the Renaissance period!

SCHOOL COMPETITIONS RESULTS

The School Days program offered a variety of contests across several categories. Individual adjudicated events included art, poetry, essay, costume and trebuchet contests. School groups competed in the Early Music Festival on Tuesday, November 1stwhich showcased choirs, bands and orchestras from across Texas and Louisiana.  The Theatre Arts Festival took place onWednesday, November 2ndfeaturing groups competing in one act plays, group scenes, duet scenes and monologue events. Awards were presented at the end of each day from King Henry VIII to the winners of each contest; the Houston Aeros also provided complimentary tickets to finalists in each non-performance category.

The inaugural Trebuchet Contest, made its debut on Tuesday as studentswere challenged to use math, science, physics and problem solving skills to construct a working trebuchet.  Students researched, designed, constructed and launched their trebuchet in front of a panel of judges and large crowds at the Royal Joust Arena, with teams being scored based on accuracy, creativity, design and spirit.  The following students were awarded for their participation in the inaugural Trebuchet Contest:

• Overall High School Winner: Alex Beck, Alex Noons, Ellen Vaughan, Micah McClimans, John Cramerus, Daniel Rasi & Leighton Moreland with Rainard High School Physics.
• Overall Middle School Winner:Alex Obenza, Rainard School

The Essay Contest was created for students to craft a historical essay by combining their knowledge of history, English and research skills. All essays were submitted prior to the School Days event in order to be judged, while awards for top entries were presented on the day of the event.  Award winners for the Essay Contest include:

• 1stPlace Winners: Darian Slabbaert, Aristoi Classical Academy (Elementary); Sarah Hubert, Hamshire-Fannett Middle School; and Mykaela Dunn, Stafford High School

 

The Poetry Contest was open to all grade levels, challenging students to try their hand at this artistic endeavor with the English language. Winners from the Poetry Contest include:

• 1stPlace Winners: Kiki Voderbruggen, Vorderbruggen Home School (Elementary); Annie Rodgers, Christian School of Kingwood (Intermediate); Matthew Nichols, Christian School of Kingwood (Middle School); and Misbah Baloch, Stafford High School

 

The Art of the Renaissance took artistic works to new levels and soared under the leadership of artists like Raphael and Michelangelo.  The School Days Art Contest featured students of all grade levels creating original masterpieces with a select number of entries being chosen for display on the TRF grounds. Winners of the Art Contest include:

• 1stPlace Winners: Mercy Meier, Meier Home School (Elementary); Cassandra Dixson, Capital City Academy (Intermediate School); Ryan Perez, Roberson Middle School; and Maioma Aimee Charez, Shepherd High School

 

Tuesday’s event proudly hosted 60 choirs from public, private and home schools in the Vocal Section of the Early Music Festival. The choir groups, ranging from Elementary to High School students, performed on a variety of stages throughout the festival grounds. The winners include:

High School Madrigal Choir Contest:

• 1st Place: Madrigal Singer from Houston High School for the Performing & Visual Arts

High School Treble Choir:

• 1stPlace: Royal Jazz Girls from Montgomery High School

High School Large Mixed Choir:

• 1stPlace: Mixed Choir from Kingwood Park High School

High School Small Mixed Choir:

• 1stPlace: Chamber Choir from The Woodlands High School

Middle School Boys Choir:

• 1stPlace: Tenor/Bass Choir from Knox Junior High School

Middle School Treble Choir:

• 1stPlace: Bailey Treble Choir from Bailey Middle School

Large Mixed Choir:

• 1stPlace: Mixed Choir from Magnolia Junior High

Small Mixed Choir:

• 1stPlace: Mixed Choir from Memorial Middle School

Elementary Choir:

• 1stPlace: Huntsville ISD Elementary Honor Choir from Huntsville ISD

 

Tuesday’s event hosted 15 bands from public, private and home schools in the Instrumental Band Section of the Early Music Festival. Each band was given the privilege of performing in front of a panel of judges on the Odeon Stage. Winners include:

Elementary Band Contest:

• 1stPlace: Longfellow Elementary Symphonic Band from Longfellow Elementary School

Middle School Small Band:

• 1stPlace: Small Performing Concert Band from Brookside Intermediate

Middle School Large Band:

• 1stPlace: Wind Ensemble from Moorhead Junior High

High School Small Band:

• 1stPlace – Pope John High Band from Pope John XXIII High School

 

The TRF School Days welcomed 26 Orchestras in the Instrumental Orchestra Section of the Early Music Festival. These Orchestras ranged from elementary through high school and performed on the Odeon and Globe Stage throughout the festival day.  Winners include:

Elementary Orchestra:

• 1stPlace: Mitchell Orchestra from Mitchell Intermediate School

Middle School Small Orchestra:

• 1stPlace: Symphony Orchestra from Clear Creek Intermediate School

Middle School Large Orchestra:

• 1stPlace: Chamber Orchestra from Knox Junior High School and Sinfonia from Lanier Middle School

High School Small Orchestra:

• 1stPlace: Philharmonic Orchestra from Northbrook High School

High School Large Orchestra:

• 1stPlace: Orchestra from Oak Ridge High School

 

The Theater Arts Festival’s One Act Play category featured 23 schools with winning performances from:

                        Elementary Winner:

• 1stPlace: Kinzy Home School, The Tempest

Middle School Winner:

• 1stPlace:Sidney Lanier Middle School, Twelfth Night

High School Winner:

• 1stPlace: Crosby High School, The Liar

 

For a complete list of participating schools and award winners, visit http://www.texrenfest.com/school-days/extras.

The Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) is the Nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance theme park where the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty of the 16th Century come alive for eight magically-themed weekends.  TRF welcomes more the 450,000 guests annually and features nearly 500 costumed performers on 17 stages; 340 shoppes including international food purveyors, unique artisans, merchants and craft vendors; human-powered rides; an abundance of strolling performers and the Royal Finale at dusk.  The Festival is held Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday.  TRF is located 50 miles Northwest of Houston on more than 50 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on FM 1774, between Magnolia and Plantersville, Texas.  For more information, visit www.texrenfest.com.

 

# # #