Students paint to music in symphony art contest

Each year, the San Antonio Symphony League invites students to create a work of visual art in the classroom setting while listening to thematic selections of music. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the contest, and to mark this celebration, the League expanded the contest to K-12.  In conjunction with the San Antonio Philharmonic, the group selected Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" as the music. Teachers participating had access to musical recordings and a Teacher Guide that coordinated the activities with TEKS.

Three judges reviewed the submitted pieces of artwork. Selections of the winning artwork will be showcased at the Young People's Concerts in late February/early March, where the SA Philharmonic will perform "Pictures at an Exhibition." 1st place winners will receive complimentary tickets to a San Antonio Philharmonic concert in March, where their art will be displayed and they will be recognized.  Northside ISD had several winners.  Congratulations to both the students and their teachers.   Special congratulations to the following students whose artworks won first place but were also selected for special recognition.

  • Fifth grader Kathryn Guerra from Timberwilde ES won Symphony League Pick. Art teacher is Tony Garcia.
  • Fourth grader Abriana Saleh from Kallison ES, placed first at the Elementary Level for the movement “Old Castle.” Art teacher is Val Martinez
  • Fifth grader Emma Pina from Myers ES placed first at the Elementary Level for the movement “Great Gate of Kiev.” Art teacher is Grace Ramirez.
  • Senior Mariana Cisneros from Harlan HS won Best of Show at the Middle School/High School Level. Art teacher is Sarah Sharp.

Complete list of Northside ISD Schools and Winners – 2024 San Antonio Symphony League Paint to Music Contest 

Behlau Elementary, Rebecca Torres 

1st Place: Mia Contreras 

2nd Place: Paisley Miller 

3rd Place: Adalynn Gil 

Honorable Mention: Jace Calvillo and Natalia Carvajal 

Bob Lewis Elementary, Amber Gann 

1st Place: Haset Boru 

2nd Place: Evan Aguirre 

Ellison Elementary, Crystal Hernandez/Ms Ng 

1st Place: Ashna Rao 

2nd Place: Jahana Johnson 

3rd Place: Liam Bruni 

Honorable Mention: Evalyn Sofia Perales and Autumn Cortez 

Esparza Elementary, Kerstan Copeland 

Grade 3 

1st Place: Yaretzi Paramo 

Honorable Mention: Patrick Polanco 

Grade 4 

1st Place: Valentina Rodriguez 

2nd Place: David Villegas-Caine 

3rd Place: David Moreno 

Honorable Mention: Giselle Guerra 

Grade 5 

1st Place: Sophie Montoya 

Honorable Mention: Jaelani Almeda 

Glen Oaks Elementary, Irma Garza 

1st Place: Jazlyn Ceasar 

Honorable Mention: Mila Laredo 

Harlan High School, Sarah Sharp 

Bydlo: Honorable Mention - Brianna Copeland 

Limoges: 1st Place – Cadynce Riggins 

The Hut on Fowl’s Legs: 1st Place – Mariana Cisneros; Mariana also won Best of Show at the Middle School/High School Level 

Kallison Elementary, Val Martinez 

1st Place: Abriana Saleh – Abriana also won 1st Prize at the Elementary Level for the movement Old  Castle 

2nd Place: Riley Duncan 

3rd Place: Shinn Morgan 

Honorable Mention: Liliana Sixtos and Tristan Dixon

Langley Elementary, Jerry Gann 

Grade 2 

1st Place: Kylie Robinson 

2nd Place: Evelyn Dietrerle 

3rd Place: Deena Mohammad 

Honorable Mention: Yuliza Cao and Elienai Mendez 

Grade 3 

1st Place: Jazely Jordan 

2nd Place: Mila Ruiz 

3rd Place: Adele Bernards 

Honorable Mention: Ricardo Contreras 

Lieck Elementary, Allison Alvarez 

1st Place: Aubrielle Guerra 

2nd Place: Charlotte Caballo 

3rd Place: Dominick Gruszka 

Honorable Mention: Elena Perez and Viviana Castillo 

Los Reyes Elementary, Julia Colvin 

1st Place: Mackenzie Harwell Hatzenbuehler 

2nd Place: Myah Henricksen 

3rd Place: Sophia Ugalde 

Honorable Mention: Bernadette Nelson and Nora Garren 

Mora Elementary, Alyssa Kuhlmann 

1st Place: Kierra Ortiz 

Myers Elementary, Grace Ramirez/ Michelle Newman 

1st Place: Emma Pina; Emma also won 1st Prize at the Elementary Level for the movement Great Gate  of Kiev 

2nd Place: Monroe Garcia 

3rd Place: Sophia Ochoa 

Honorable Mention: Gabriella Herrera 

Peggy Carnahan Elementary, Kristin Rosario 

1st Place: Marissa Orr 

Scarborough Elementary, Gabrielle Rodriguez/ Jennifer Saenz 

1st Place: Emma Pettigrew 

2nd Place: Aoi Torres 

3rd Place: Paisley Alaniz 

Honorable Mention: Liam Collins and Charlotte Dansie 

Sul Ross MS, Sabrina Martinez 

Bydlo: Honorable Mention - Adam Garza 

Limoges: 2nd Place – Irma Renata Contreras 

The Hut on Fowl’s Legs: 2nd Place – Giankarlo Villa; 3rd Place – Genevie Gaytan

Timberwilde Elementary, Antonio Garcia 

Grades K-2 

1st Place: Preston Harmon 

2nd Place: Viktoria Pardo 

3rd Place: Ivory Jade 

Honorable Mention: Gavriella Garza 

Grades 3-5 

1st Place: Kathryn Guerra; Kathryn also won San Antonio Symphony League Pick 2nd Place: Avamarie Ramirez 

3rd Place: ZaKaila Williams 

Honorable Mention: Luke Mason