News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 26 - 41 of 41
Sisters Folk Festival (SFF) was a weekend full of extraordinary music, entertainment, and community joy. The Festival didn't only span the weekend; the artists also performed elsewhere during their stay in Sisters. One of these venues was Sisters High School (SHS). For 23 years SHS has hosted a select number of these visiting musicians to perform in a school-wide assembly. Brad Tisdel, creative director of SFF, invited three separate bands to share their music. Handmade... Full story
For 16 years, Sisters High School has held the tradition of performing musicals to share with the community. Every other year, Director Rick Johnson chooses a specific script to perform. A lot of thought goes into this decision. Johnson has to take into consideration his current choir makeup, the rating of the play, and the enjoyment of the experience from an audience’s perspective. This year, after much deliberation, their pick was the unorthodox “Spongebob.” “A lot of people might cringe when they hear that, but when yo... Full story
In the creatively inclined town of Sisters, music can usually be found just around the corner. From hosting musical venues throughout the area, to being the origin of the Sisters Folk Festival, music is a passion many Sisters citizens share. Robert Sposato, previous college professor and current father and arts activist, is a man who encourages this passion. "I love jazz," said Sposato. "Ever since I heard Coltrane play 'Round Midnight,' I was hooked. But now it's a lot about... Full story
For 48 years the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show has been a source of creative and communal fun in the Sisters area. In addition to showcasing stunning works of art, the quilt show also aids in fundraising for several different causes. One of these fundraisers is the bed and breakfast hostel for quilt show attendees, hosted at Sisters Middle School (SMS). Its goal is to fundraise money towards the music program at Sisters High School (SHS), including instrument repair, festival... Full story
As the school year comes to an end, so does time for the graduating seniors of 2023 to attend Sisters High School. After going through COVID-19, distance learning, and hybrid classes, these students are well equipped for facing future adversities. This year, there are about 89 graduating seniors, each with their own ambitions for the future. Around 51 of these students college tuition were supported by the scholarships distributed through the nonprofit organization,... Full story
Sisters musicians shone in the spotlight on a beautiful Friday at Mt. Hood Community College, where the OMEA (Oregon Music Education Association) held its annual State Jazz Championship. More than two-dozen schools attended this event, 5A and 6A schools on Saturday and 3A and 4A on Friday. The Sisters High School Jazz Band qualified for the 3A event, which they attended with their group of 15 young musicians. Under the direction of Kayla Golka, the band played "Moanin'," "I'm... Full story
For the first time in 13 years, the Sisters High School Wind Ensemble qualified to attend the OSAA (Oregon State Activities Association) annual state competition for bands. The group left on May 10 with 20 musicians, and first-year band director Kayla Golka. The band left promptly at 6 a.m. to make it to their destination in Corvallis at 9 a.m. As they set off on their journey, the students conversed in nervous chatter, knowing that being able to participate in this competition was a huge honor. “I remember being tired on the... Full story
Sisters High School students embrace any chance they have to bring the community together - and they did just that in their annual spring pageant last weekend. "It originally started as a spoof pageant, so it's not overly serious, but it still showcases who these students are," said Jami Lyn Weber, lead teacher coordinator for the pageant. The goal of the event is to fundraise money for the Sisters Family Access Network (FAN), which works to ensure that children have access... Full story
Educators know that visual arts are highly beneficial to students of all ages. Sisters School District honors this by offering a variety of artistic programs - including the 24th annual ARTifacts program held at Sisters High School Tuesday, April 18. This event allowed high school students of all ages to showcase their hard work to their friends and family. Sisters High School hosted multiple observational art booths and hands-on art stations for community members to try.... Full story
Sister High School’s Wind Ensemble is made up of some extremely hardworking musicians. Their determination shines through in their qualification to compete at Oregon State University for the OSAA State Championship. This is the first time the band has attended the competition in 13 years. The band is made up of 20 participants, most of whom have been playing their instruments for over three years. The age of these students range from 14 to 18. Some of the upper classmen remember qualifying for State in 2020 but not attending... Full story
The Sisters High School Jazz Band focuses on making community connections as well as musical ones, and the festival they attended last month embodied that ethic. The band visited West Salem to compete in the 3A division for its eighth annual Jazz Festival. The band had been working towards this competition for about two months, and felt prepared. With 15 members attending the event, the band was small but mighty. The group performed four musical pieces, playing for 20 minutes... Full story
Contributing to community knowledge and learning outside the classroom is a priority in Sisters School District. The Sisters High School Astronomy Club plays a big part in this culture. Emily Moss, a senior at Sisters High School (SHS), recently visited the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, to help collect data for NASA’s Lucy Mission, joining a team to learn more about the Trojan asteroid Polymele, and its moon Shaun. The trip lasted six days and provided h... Full story
Finding community and friendship in work is a difficult feat, but the Sisters Skate Alliance managed to embed that outcome within the skatepark expansion project in their hometown of Sisters. The recent construction that the local park underwent over the past year is both extensive and impressive. The skatepark itself has been a part of the Sisters community for over a decade. It is a place for excitement, growth, and support. Over the past 13 years, many changes have been... Full story
Seven Sisters musicians worked with their accomplished peers from across the region in a district meet earlier this month. For 20 years Central Oregon Music Education Association (COMEA) has hosted an annual district meet at Bend High School. The experience consists of nine hours of ensemble practice, spanning over two days, to culminate in a final performance on the last day. The production featured guest conductor Diane Soelberg and combined students from nine different... Full story
As the holiday season approaches, so does the Sisters School District Holiday Showcase. The performance will be hosted by the Sisters High School Jazz Choir and is set for this Thursday, December 8, at 7 p.m. at Sisters High School auditorium. “The holiday showcase is an opportunity for the high school, middle school, and elementary school music programs to share holiday music with the community,” said Choir Director Rick Johnson. The variety of acts in the Holiday Showcase highlights performances from all over Sisters. “Th... Full story
Sisters Dance Academy’s 12th annual holiday performance, the Winter Wonderland Ball, is set for Saturday, December 10, at Sisters High School. Owner of the Academy, Lonnie Liddell, said, “Sisters Dance Academy (SDA) opened in 2009. We have held two shows a year, every year. I think it is an amazing way for the community to come together to support our youth and is also such a positive, joyful event.” Each dance recital has had a different theme. “This year’s theme was inspi... Full story
