FROM THE FINE ARTS OFFICE
The Arts Are Already in Motion
As a new school year begins, creativity is already taking shape across Bixby Public Schools. Students are finding their artistic voices, building new skills, and discovering the confidence that comes from creating something meaningful together.
This issue of Bixby Fine Arts Monthly offers a glimpse of that work—from summer learning and student mentorship to exceptional artwork, new educators, and statewide recognition. Each story is different, but together they reveal something important: Fine Arts is not simply what our students perform or produce. It is where they learn to belong, take risks, collaborate, and become more fully themselves.
I look forward to sharing their stories with you throughout the year.
Jeremy Parker
Coordinator of Fine Arts
Bixby Public Schools
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Historic photograph courtesy of the Bixby Historical Society.
Bixby Bands Celebrates 90 Years
This year marks the 90th anniversary of Bixby Bands. The program was established in 1936 with 34 student musicians under the direction of H.T. Brown. Even in those earliest years, Bixby students were earning recognition through performances and competitions.
During the nine decades that followed, generations of students, educators, families, and community members helped shape Bixby Bands into the program it is today. Although the uniforms, facilities, and ensembles have changed, its purpose has remained remarkably consistent: bringing students together through music while cultivating excellence, belonging, and pride.
As we celebrate this milestone, we honor those who built this legacy, those carrying it forward today, and those who will add their own chapters in the years ahead.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
The Pride of Bixby Presents One of One
The Bixby High School Marching Band has been working hard since late July in preparation for its fall competitive season. The Pride of Bixby’s 2026 production, One of One, explores the lonely existence of a hero—the weight of expectation, the search for identity, and the realization that even those who appear strongest need connection. Loosely inspired by the Superman story, the production invites audiences to look beyond the familiar image of the hero and consider the person behind it.
Audiences can watch the production grow and evolve throughout the season during halftime at Bixby varsity home football games and at regional and national marching band competitions.
Watch the official One of One trailer
Stay up to date with the Pride of Bixby: Facebook · Instagram · BixbyBands.com
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE
Bixby High School Mixed Choir Named 2027 OkMEA Honor Group
The Bixby High School Mixed Choir has been selected as a 2027 Oklahoma Music Educators Association Choral Honor Group. This prestigious recognition places Bixby among a select group of outstanding school and university choirs from across Oklahoma chosen to perform at the 2027 OkMEA Winter Conference.
Congratulations to our talented student musicians and their conductors, Jace Caldwell and Avery Finley, on this exceptional achievement!
The Bixby High School Mixed Choir will perform on January 21 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in downtown Tulsa as part of the OkMEA Festival Concerts.
Follow Bixby Vocal Music: Facebook · Instagram
SUMMER LEARNING
Building Skills—and Future Leaders—at Percussion Camp
Bixby’s summer Middle School Percussion Camp gave incoming seventh- and eighth-grade musicians an opportunity to strengthen their technique, explore a variety of percussion instruments, and perform alongside their peers.
Led by percussion instructors Geoffrey Anikienko and Jackson Johnson, with assistance from Bixby High School percussion students, the camp also created something especially valuable: younger musicians learning from students who once stood where they stand today.
These talented young percussionists will perform alongside their middle school bandmates at concerts throughout the school year.
THEATRICAL ARTS
Broadway in Bixby Brings Young Performers to the Stage
This summer, Broadway in Bixby once again gave young performers the opportunity to build confidence, develop their theatrical skills, and experience the excitement of bringing a production to life.
The program is led by Toni Ross, Bixby Middle School drama teacher and Broadway in Bixby Artistic Director, and Shay Pool, a former Bixby Public Schools drama student who now serves as the program’s Executive Director. The staff also includes several alumni of the Bixby Drama Department, allowing today’s students to learn from artists who once performed on the same Bixby stages.
Since its founding in 2019, Broadway in Bixby has grown each year and supported the creative growth of hundreds of young performers. Its continued success reflects the lasting power of theatrical arts—and the special impact created when former students return to inspire the next generation.
Follow Broadway in Bixby: Facebook · Instagram
HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA
Bixby High School Drama Prepares Radium Girls
The Bixby High School Drama Department’s “The Troupe” is preparing its fall competitive one-act production of Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory.
Inspired by a true story, the play follows the young women who became seriously ill after working with radium-based paint during the 1920s—and their courageous struggle to hold a powerful corporation accountable. Through this challenging production, Bixby students are exploring an important historical story while developing the focus, collaboration, and artistic discipline required for competitive theatre.
The community is invited to a free public performance on October 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the C.E. Gray Auditorium. Join us in supporting these talented student performers as they prepare to represent Bixby in one-act competition.
Follow Bixby High School Drama: Facebook · Instagram
STUDENT ART SPOTLIGHT
Creativity in Full Color
Bixby Middle School art teacher Kara Minton proudly shares two vibrant animal portraits created by her students. Through bold color, expressive details, and imaginative interpretation, these young artists transformed familiar subjects into works filled with energy and personality. Projects like these help students strengthen their technique while developing the confidence to express their own creative voices.
WELCOME TO BIXBY FINE ARTS
Meet Our New Educators
Amelia Russo
Amelia Russo joins Bixby East Intermediate as its new art teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Northeastern State University and has also studied 3D animation and visual effects. Her artistic experience, technical knowledge, and educational leadership will bring exciting possibilities to the young artists of Bixby East.
Welcome, Rilla Stone
Bixby Fine Arts is pleased to welcome Rilla Stone as the new piano accompanist for the secondary vocal music department. Her musicianship and collaborative work will support Bixby’s singers and choral directors in rehearsals and performances throughout the year.
Bixby Bands Welcomes Two New Directors
Andrea Bahena, Assistant Band Director, is a woodwind specialist and classical flutist who earned her music education degree from Oklahoma State University. She joins Bixby after serving in Rice, Texas, where her middle school program earned straight superior ratings at UIL Evaluation for the first time in nine years.
Jack Johnson, Assistant Percussion Director, earned his music education degree from the University of Oklahoma. His experience includes teaching at Holland Hall Schools and working with the Pride of Bixby and Zephyrus Drum and Bugle Corps. He returns to Bixby in a new role with a passion for helping young percussionists succeed.
OUR MISSION
Bixby Fine Arts helps every student discover and develop their creative voice through excellent instruction, meaningful artistic experiences, and a community where they are known and valued. Across every artistic discipline, we pursue excellence, foster belonging, and help shape confident, thoughtful people.
What We Create Shapes Who We Become.
BIXBY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FINE ARTS
Instrumental Music · Vocal Music · Visual Arts · Theatrical Arts · Elementary Music
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