Fine Arts Week 2021
MAR 08
ELEMENTARY ART & MUSIC
4th grade music students will spend the day in a virtual music workshop led by NIU Music Staff. 5th grade art students will participate in an animation workshop led by New Genres Art Space. A culminating video of all of the All City events will be posted to the RPS 205 website by the end of March, 2021.
MAR 09
BAND & ORCHESTRA
Select high school orchestra and band students will spend the day in workshops and rehearsals under the direction of guest clinician Kate Salfelder. A culminating video of all of the All City events will be posted to the RPS 205 website by the end of March, 2021.
MAR 10
CHOIR
High school choir students will spend the day in a virtual masterclass under the direction of guest clinician and composer Jake Runestad. A video of the performance will be posted on the RPS 205 website.
MAR 11
THEATRE
High school and middle school theatre students will spend the day in virtual theatre workshops under the direction of local theatre professionals. A culminating video of all of the All City events will be posted to the RPS 205 website by the end of March, 2021.
MAR 12
Art & Graphic ART
High school art students will spend the day in virtual art workshops under the direction of guest clinicians. A virtual video “gallery” will display student artwork from RPS 205 high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools.
A culminating video of all of the All City events will be posted to the RPS 205 website by the end of March, 2021.
MAR 12
Hall of Fame
The 2021 Fine Arts Hall of Fame will be conducted as a virtual event. Inductees will be announced in November, and the awards video will be posted to the RPS 205 website on March 12th, 2021.
All-City Week Videos
Hall of Fame
2021 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Nomination
The Rockford Public Schools Fine Arts Hall of Fame is a district-wide event that highlights 4-5 individuals or groups per year. This awards ceremony began in 2016 as a way to celebrate the past and current successes of the fine arts in District 205. Nominations are accepted from the community, and a panel of voters makes the final selections based on the information in the submissions.
The nominating criteria are that the individual/group be a former Rockford Public Schools student(s) who went on to achieve tremendous success in his/her arts field, or an educator or advocate who has made a valuable impact on the arts. The nominations are not limited to individuals as the committee will also accept productions or ensembles that performed or demonstrated their skills as a group. Nominations that are not chosen for this year will be reconsidered in subsequent years. Nominators are encouraged to keep nominating their choices every year.
2021 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees
Valerie Brandt-Soetermans is an accomplished performer. A Jefferson High School graduate, Brandt-Soetermans received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and dance at Millikin University. She has performed in numerous music videos and concerts and has taught dance and choreography for nearly 20 years.
Beth Rydberg had a 33-year teaching career, with the last 18 teaching art at Bloom Elementary School. She is remembered for her passion and dedication to teaching and the arts, and for her ability to excite and inspire students. Rydberg was a member of the Golden Apple Foundation and was a 2003 recipient of the Golden Apple Award.
E. Faye Butler is an accomplished and esteemed performer. An Auburn High School graduate, Butler received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting and theatre from Illinois State University and the Goodman School of Drama. She has performed in several Broadway national tours and has received numerous awards for her work.
Jill Heinke Moen is an Auburn High School graduate who has a passion and talent for music and an extensive musical education. In addition to several teaching positions and private lessons, her membership of Areon Flutes in San Jose, and performances with blues-rock group The Shouting Matches, Jill also runs a rock band program for girls at Eau Claire Music School.
Nathan Alan Davis is an Auburn High School graduate and gifted writer. His plays include “Nat Turner in Jerusalem,” “Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea,” and “The Wind and the Breeze.” He has won several awards for his accomplishments.
2020 Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductees
Dorothy
Paige-Turner
Educator
Mario
Panagiotopoulos
Visual Arts
Lisa
Frost
Visual Arts
"Los Primos Cardenas"
Group Performance
To nominate someone for the 2022 awards, please fill out the nomination form on this page no later than October 31, 2021.
Hall of Fame Nomination Form
This year’s award winners will be announced and notified in November, 2021, with event information available starting in January, 2022. Please contact jessica.poulisse@rps205.com with further questions.