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Richland 1 highlights student achievements, district arts programs and upcoming showcases
Summary
District arts coordinator and principals described music, theater, dance and visual arts programming across elementary, middle and high schools and highlighted student honors, including a student accepted to the National Youth Orchestra program.
Walter Graham, Richland 1 coordinator for visual and performing arts, and school orchestra directors presented a summary of arts programming and student honors to the board on March 25, listing field trips, district honor events and recent student awards.
Why it matters: The district’s arts offerings — from elementary music classes and field trips to high school AP and IB arts courses — serve large numbers of students and contributed to multiple regional and state honors this school year.
Highlights from the presentation
- District programming: Graham said elementary students receive music and visual arts; fifth graders have orchestra options and some schools offer dance and theater through grants. Middle schools offer band, orchestra, theater and other courses; high schools offer concert band, jazz band, orchestra, AP and IB arts courses and specialized classes up to music theory.
- Field trips and partnerships: Elementary field trips this year included Columbia Children’s Theater, South Carolina Philharmonic and the Koger Center performances. Graham described a partnership with the Antebellum Foundation and a youth songwriting field trip that included student performances.
- Student honors and a notable student: Graham read a list of statewide and regional selections — All‑State ensembles, choir and orchestra honors, and state fair visual arts awards. Orchestra director Dr. Constance (presenter) introduced student Xavierne Boyd Gray, who described his musical experience and said, “I cannot imagine what I'll be doing with my life if I didn't play the double bass.” Dr. Constance noted he had earned principal positions in region and All‑State orchestras and won summer scholarships.
- Upcoming events: Graham listed district arts events including a secondary visual arts exhibit and awards at the Koger Center, a district dance showcase at AC Flora High School, a district jazz concert and an elementary visual arts exhibit and awards in April.
Ending
Board members praised the programs and asked staff to consider tracking arts participation against discipline and attendance measures to support funding and community outreach. Graham said several arts grants awarded this year will provide multi‑year funding for selected schools.
