Weekly Accolades

May 26, 2008

Basketball

Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Lady Wildcats, the 2008 Southern Champions, for their involvement in the Middle School Athletic Program Varsity Game. Our sincerest appreciation to Coach Derrick Jackson for leading our ladies to the championship twice in the last three years!

Chorus

The Wildcat Magnet Chorus performed their end of the year show on May 8th under the direction of Dr. Denning. The chorus performed before a packed auditorium, to rave reviews as always.

Drama

Our very own Steven Nikolic starred in the lead role of Romulus in "Romulus Hunt", a modern day family opera written by Carly Simon. This one act musical opera made a special one=-night performance at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, May 17th. Originally commissioned by the NY Metropolitan Opera Guild, the story follows a 12 year old boy’s journey through his parent’s divorce, where youthful idealisms are challenged by domestic discourse. Free tickets were made available to all faculty members and their family. Thank you Ms. Marchant!

Weekly Accolades

Week of May 5, 2008

Band

- The South Miami Middle School Magnet Band program had 13 participants in the 2008 Superintendents Honors Music Festival. The following students participated in the following ensembles.

Honors Jazz Band: Alex Curbelo, Monica Serrano, Jenner Brown, Robert Rivero, Silvio Benites, Juan Botero

Honors Concert Band: Natalie Reyes, Andres Lopez, Oscar Deng, Stefan Kirkcaldy, William Hodges, and Daniela Contreras

Honors Orchestra: Nathaniel Velasquez (Bassoon)

- The South Miami Middle School Magnet Wind Ensemble and Concert Band earned two more superior ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 16 Middle School Concert Band Music Performance Assessment totaling seven superior ratings in six consecutive years.

- The South Miami Middle School Jazz Band earned their third consecutive Straight Superior rating at the Florida Bandmasters Association District 16 Middle School Jazz Band Music Performance Assessment also receiving accolades as the best middle jazz band program in Miami-Dade County.

- The South Miami Middle School Magnet Band program participated in the Fiesta-val Music Festival in Gatlinburg, TN and earned two excellent and one superior ratings for the concert band, wind ensemble, and jazz band, respectively. The Wind Ensemble earned a third place finish in the middle school/junior high division of the competition while the jazz band earned first place in the open division, outperforming five high schools and four other middle schools in addition to being named the Fiesta-val Jazz Grand Champion outperforming all vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles regardless of division. Additionally, two band students earned outstanding solo awards for their solos during jazz band and wind ensemble performances. Alex Curbelo earned a solo award as an alto saxophonist in the jazz band and another as a flutist in the Wind Ensemble, while Robert Rivero earned a solo award for his flugel horn solo in jazz band.

Chorus

Over the weekend of May 3-4, students from the South Miami Middle School Chorus magnet traveled to Jacksonville for the Florida Federated Music Clubs State Level Competition. Students from around the state compete to be known as "the best in Florida". The students from SMMCS won every award in the middle school categories except one! (12 out of 13 awards!)

Please congratulate the participating students who all sang their best and represented our school and county well!

The winners are as follows:

Vocal Ensemble - State Winner

Musical Theater Junior

Jose Contreras -State Winner

Alexis Coello - Honorable Mention

Manuel Rodriguez - Honorable Mention

Classical Duet Junior

Amber Griffin & Michael Regalado - State Winner

Jose Contreras & Rebecca Bartleson - Honorable Mention

Damien Cayro & Jessica Perez - Honorable Mention

Classical Solo Junior 1

Michael Regalado- State Winner

Michelle Guerra - Honorable Mention

Classical Solo Junior 2

Ashley Nunez - State Winner

Classical Solo Junior 3

Jessica Perez - State Winner

Manuel Rodriguez - Honorable Mention