Superintendent’s Corner – Dana Addis
One of the biggest assets I believe we have in Hudson City Schools are the amount of student opportunities. From class electives to group trips throughout the U.S. and beyond, we provide students with experiences beyond the typical classroom settings that help them become college and career ready.
One of the amazing opportunities offered is our performing arts programs districtwide. From orchestra and band to choir and drama club, our students can express their artistic talents through a wide range of activities.
With the popularity of these programs, however, comes the need to expand and update our performing arts facilities. This is why we are launching the “Harmony: Performing Arts Project,” in partnership with the Hudson City Schools Foundation. The Harmony project will add an orchestra room to Hudson High School, renovate the band and choir rooms and update the auditorium to a state-of-the-art facility. This $5.5-million project will be a joint venture of both public and private funds.
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When the orchestra program originally began years ago, it was a high school club with about 30 string musicians. Over the years, it has grown and now boasts almost 100 participants. When the “new” Hudson High School was built back in the early 1990s, an orchestra room was in the original plans. However, in order to stay within the financial parameters at that time, it had to be eliminated from the building project.
Orchestra students practice daily on the auditorium stage and are in need of a more permanent space to rehearse and house instruments. In addition, renovations are needed for both the band and choir rooms, as well. Lastly, the auditorium, which is used by groups in and outside of the district, will undergo changes that include new seating and carpet, updated lighting and a new orchestra pit cover, scaffolding, and more.
In the coming weeks and months, you will hear more about the Harmonyproject and see the renderings revealed as we move forward.
With project donations will come the potential for naming rights, along with the immense satisfaction of ensuring that students in Hudson City Schools will have the proper facilities needed for years to come.
If you are interested in being a project donor or have additional questions about Harmony, please reach out to me at addisd@hudson.k12.oh.us or 330-653-1216. ∞