NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Sept. 25, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov

BETH BERKENBILE TO RECEIVE
GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARD

Oklahoma City, OK -- Beth Berkenbile, Hennessey, will be honored by Governor Brad Henry at the 33rd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards. Berkenbile will receive an Arts & Education Award which recognizes an individual organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, 15 individuals and three organizations will be honored for their contributions to the arts in their communities or throughout the state. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 23rd in the 4th Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol and is open to the public. Presiding at the ceremony will be Council Chair Jim Tolbert and Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Suzanne Tate. A reception on the first floor of the Capitol will follow the 4 p.m. ceremony.

As choral director of the Hennessey Public Schools, Berkenbile has inspired a new generation of Oklahoma’s vocalists, performers and educators to help extend our state’s proud musical tradition. She developed a music festival for students from smaller, mostly rural schools of Class 3A and below. The Hennessey Vocal Festival now attracts more than 700 students from throughout the state who compete in a challenging choral production.  

In addition she has helped build community support for education in the arts by bringing exceptional musical programming to Hennessey and surrounding communities. Berkenbile has directed two successful musicals with the high school chorus and includes many adults from the community. By utilizing non-traditional vocal students, including those with sports and agricultural backgrounds, Berkenbile has rejuvenated Hennessey’s interest in vocal music.

In March 2006, the town enjoyed three performances of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”  For many, it was their first opportunity to see high school athletes enjoy performing, singing, and dancing on stage.  In September, 2007, she also directed three performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” in conjunction with the Oklahoma Arts Council’s celebration of the state’s Centennial.

Since she began to teach music in 1998, Berkenbile’s students have qualified for regional and state honor choruses every year. As state chair for the All-State Children’s chorus, she codified and refined the audition process for chorus candidates which leveled the playing field for all participants.By serving in several positions at the state level, she has contributed to the musical education of Oklahoma’s children.

Under her direction, the Hennessey Middle School Honor Choir was named Outstanding Organization of the Day which contributed to the Chorus Department receiving Vocal Sweepstakes at Tri-State Music Festival in Enid.  The Middle School Honor Chorus auditioned and was invited to perform in both 2007 and 2008 at the Oklahoma Arts Festival in downtown Oklahoma City.

A complete list of Governor’s Arts Awards recipients and their photos are available at www.arts.ok.gov.

For more information, contact Ann Dee Lee, Public Relations Director, Oklahoma Arts Council, (405) 521-2931 or anndee@arts.ok.gov.

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL

The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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