Arts
Join one of our middle school music programs
The district has several pages in the Visual and Performing Arts section dedicated to helping you and your student prepare for Band, Choir and Orchestra. Find all you need to know about picking an instrument and more on our information pages:
Preparing for Fall 2021 - Band
Preparing for Fall 2021 - Choir
Preparing for Fall 2021 - Orchestra
We look forward to having your student in our music programs for the 2021-22 school year.
Theatre
Director: Rebecca Brummett
Theatre is alive and thriving here at Bussey Middle School! Theatre 1 is the intro class that all first year students are required to take, but after a successful year there students are able to audition and interview for Technical Theatre and Production.
Technical Theatre
What students learn:
- Set design and construction
- Costume design and construction
- Lighting
- Sound
- Stage Management
- Real world life skills
Lighting Design for The Wizard of Oz
A Bussey theatre student paints the final touches on their set for Alice in Wonderland.
Pictured above:
Left - The final product after Bussey Theatre students designed the Professors "steampunk" inspired costume for The Wizard of OZ.
Right - Technical Theatre students constructing a skirt for The Wizard of Oz,
Production
Students who are selected for production are in charge of acting in and producing all of the main stage shows at Bussey Middle School. We have our One Act Festival in the fall, and a children's show in the spring that production students will produce and act in.
What students learn:
- Line memorization skills
- Improvisation
- Ensemble building
- Characterization
- Voice and Diction
- Projection
- Teamwork and responsibility
May 2018 May 2019
Bussey Owlet Theatre Presents: Bussey Owlet Theatre Presents:
Alice in Wonderland The Wizard of Oz
Ms. Brummett has been teaching for 8 years, this being her 3rd at Bussey Middle School. She holds a BFA in Theatre with a teaching certification from Texas State University.
Bussey Owlet Theatre 2021-2022 Season:
Fall Festival One Act Play: Alicia by Elaine Romero
Spring Children's show: TBA
Performance times and dates are TBD.
Other activities that theatre students can be involved in besides the main stage productions are:
- U.I.L. Oral Reading
- Mayfest Staff
- Steamposium - for costume design
Art
Teachers: Wade Colwill, Amanda Jennings
Art class is a place where students can express themselves visually and experiment with a variety of materials.
Bussey offers the following classes:
- Art 1 - Beginner
- Art 2 - Intermediate
- HS Art 1 - High school credit - 8th grade only
Amanda Jennings graduated from the University of Texas - Dallas in 2008. She was previously a resource math teacher at Bussey, and has been part of the staff since 2012.
Choir
Director: Karen Hancock
Garland ISD U.I.L. Sweepstakes winner 2018-2019
Reasons to Join Choir:
- You love to sing
- To learn how to sing
- To improve your singing voice
- Choir parties
- Learn how to read music
- To make new friends
- You get to sing every day!
- It is fun to sing
- Girls love guys who can sing
- Learn to sing on pitch (in tune)-->no more weird looks from family members
No prior experience needed!
Frequently asked questions:
- Do I have to know how to sing or read music?
- Not at all! The purpose of choir is to help you LEARN how to sing and how to read music. These are things we practice and work on every day.
- Does it cost money to be in choir?
- There are some costs, but they are very small and we do fund-raising to pay for most of our activities.
- Are there performances outside of school?
- We have many performances outside of school. We also travel outside of the district (on buses) to festivals and competitions.
- I already sing in the shower, why should I join choir?
- Singing in choir can give you benefits that solo "shower" singing cannot. In choir you will learn how to sing with a healthy tone and learn how to sing in harmony with other voices.
- How do I sign up?
- Mark your choice sheet when you register for classes. We will take it from there! Sign up with a friend and have twice as much fun!
- How often will I go to my elective course?
- Choir will meet everyday, during the day, just like math, science, and history….
- Can I be in choir and sports?
- YES! Choir is a class, and so is athletics. For both classes, passing your core subjects is still required.
Band
Director: Miguel Morales
Assistant Director: David Cantera
Students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades learn to play an instrument in Beginning Band classes separated by instruments (i.e., trumpet class, percussion class, etc.). No prior musical knowledge is necessary (you are taught that in Beginning Band). After one full year of instruction, students audition to be placed in either the Symphonic or Honors Bands which meet with all of the instruments combined each day. The bands perform at pep rallies, football games, formal and informal concerts, and contests.
Mr. Morales graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelors in Music Education in 2016. This is his fourth year teaching, his third at Bussey Middle School.
Mr. Cantera graduated from Northwestern State University with a Bachelors in Instructional Music Education in 2016. This is his third year teaching, his second year at Bussey Middle School.
To sign up for an instrument fitting for a new Bussey student, Please click here.
Arts, A/V Technology, Yearbook, Robotics and Communication
Instructor: Patrick Hughes
The goal of this course is to create a culture of high expectation and continuous improvement that provides middle school students with a foundation for success in high school, future studies, and careers. This course provides an overview to the various fields of creative and computer technology applications. Students will explore college and career planning within the Arts, A/V Technology & Communications cluster. The students research labor market information, learn job-seeking skills, and create documents required for employment. Students use self-knowledge to explore and set realistic goals. Career exploration knowledge and skills will be offered in a variety of instructional arrangements.