Ardmore City Schools’ fine arts department provides a state of the art program. We begin at the pre-school level with the teaching of music through movement and improving developmental skills. Our elementary program begins at the primary level through the teaching of art concepts and music appreciation and theory. Classroom teachers provide art instruction, and each elementary school has a full time music teacher.

Art and music assessments are given annually to students in grades three through eight..

Instrumental Music

Our instrumental music department begins at the sixth grade level with an annual enrollment of approximately 260 students and continues through grade twelve. The ensembles included within this department are the string orchestra, jazz band, marching band, concert band, percussion ensemble, woodwind ensemble and the brass ensemble.

The Ardmore High School program has a reputation for excellence in the state, bringing home numerous awards throughout the year. Our students are well represented in the All-District Honor group, as well as at All-State. Many of our students have received scholarships at major universities throughout the nation because of their playing skills.

Our bands compete in various competitions throughout the year including marching and concert where they usually bring home many awards and trophies. This year the marching band competed at the John Parnell Marching contest where they receive second place in class 4A, fourth place overall and the Outstanding Music Playing award overall. The high school band received first place in field and parade competition, outstanding colorguard, drum line, drum major and the Overall Sweepstakes Band at the 2006 Konawa Band Day. The band also represented Ardmore High School at the OSSAA Regional Marching competition where they received a Superior Rating.

Vocal Music

The Ardmore City Schools vocal music program includes all elementary students and is a strong elective at the secondary level.

Our concerts, show groups, musicals and competitions at the local and state level are among the very best. A select show choir, know as the “The Group” consists of 10 performers and a sound technician in which will excite the community with high energy and entertaining shows. We also offer a strong Honors Choir, a Mixed Choir, Music Appreciation classes and a Stage Craft class.

Visual Arts

The visual arts department at Ardmore High School plays an important role in immersing our students in culture through the fine arts. Art students receive instruction in the following areas: two and three dimensional design, drawing, painting, print making, mixed media, art history, ceramic and sculpture.

Many of our students turn their art abilities into scholarships at major universities around the nation.

Drama

Our drama departments are very strong, winning state and national competitions yearly. The confidence our students acquire from drama and debate enhances their academic learning. Our middle students travel each year to the National Speech and Debate contest somewhere in the United States. We were very successful in hosting the contest in 2002.

Competitive Debate

Our students learn the fundamentals of the Lincoln Douglas and Policy Debate.
The skills involve how to conduct research at the library and on the internet and
How to build cases with evidence, analysis and reasoning. Through the debating process, our students gain the ability to look at both sides of a question and gain support for the side that is needed for individuals to reach life goals.

Competitive Drama

Students are taught the history of drama and the confidence to act or speak in
front of others. Our students become very knowledgeable of the eleven events
associated with the events that OSSAA has sanctioned in the State of Oklahoma
for contests. Research tells us a large majority of individuals have a fear of
public speaking . This program allows individuals to be able to conquer their
fear.

We are extremely proud of our fine arts departments.