Our MS Honor Orchestra Festival held yesterday with 6 hours of rehearsal followed by an evening public concert was a huge success. Congratulations to each of you for your commitment not only to your daily music education responsibilities but to the extra time you devoted so that your selected students could have such a wonderful experience with UA Professor Phillip Alejo.
At the evening concert, we had excellent attendance and support from family and friends. Thanks to TUSD Communications for inviting KGUN to cover this important event. I hope you saw the coverage of our festival on the 10 PM news. It surely put TUSD middle school programs in a very positive light.
Of particular note, I was proud of
- the students' dedication, focus, and attention to details the conductor gave them (as well as wearing appropriate concert dress)
- the Honor Orchestra Committee's oversight for the months it took to organize - Carol Reeves, Paul Ensey, Alina Taylor, and Stephen Warner - the music selection was varied, challenging, and interesting
- participating orchestra teachers' commitment to last minute details including technical issues and tuning
- the aesthetic appeal of Catalina HS' beautiful auditorium - thanks to the care and attention of Antonio Heredia, Fine Arts Department Chair at CHS, and Facilities personnel who adjusted the temperature for us
- the new instruments students played as a result of Dr. Trujillo and the Governing Board's Fine Arts Expansion Funds; and the care given to them by Instrumental Repair Technicians Sean Randel and David Morgan
We have much to celebrate and recognize the role you each played in making this a huge success. Thank you!
Joan Ashcraft, DMA
Director, Fine and Performing Arts
Opening Minds through the Arts
