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Congratulations

Congratulations to the wonderful AHSO students who are mentioned on this page. 
We salute their achievements  in orchestra. 

If you have an item you would like to add, please contact Ms. Vandiver and she will get the information  posted. 

04/16/13

Dear Parents and Students,

This is UIL week for AHSO String Orchestras. During this week, every orchestra at AHSO will perform prepared pieces for a panel of three judges. Here is where the weeks of rehearsal will be put to the test. Afterward, they will face another daunting panel of three judges for the sight reading exercise. Here they are given a piece of music that they and Ms. Vandiver and Mr. Law have never seen or performed. After a few moments review, they then perform this piece. They are judged on how well they perform unfamiliar music and how well they pay attention to the director as they are led. Thrilling and nerve wracking!

Congratulations are in order for the combined orchestra of Beginner and Sinfonia. They received an excellent rating in both concert and sight reading. It is amazing how far some of these students have come this year. You are an amazing group.

Congratulations also to Chamber Orchestra. This group received a Superior rating in both concert and sight reading. They received a 1 rating from all six judges and so are awarded Sweepstakes. Quite an accomplishment and all of AHS is very proud of you!

Wednesday will be performances by Philharmonic and Symphony, Thursday will be Camerata.

It is sure to be a week of honor for AHSO. Watch for another post tomorrow.

04/02/13

Dear Parents and Students,

The AHS Full Orchestra has received an invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic in December 2013! This prestigious honor was based on the submission of a recording of our performance and we were selected from all the entries nationwide.

What is Midwest Clinic? This is an annual conference of music educators from all over the United States and beyond. They flock to this conference to hear all the latest compositions and arrangements from the most important composers. Music history is made here. A select few groups (meaning us!) are invited to perform in order to give the full experience to these decision makers. The premier list of vendors are also present to offer the latest in equipment, music, recordings, college opportunities - anything you could possibly want musically.  See HERE for more conference info.

What does this mean for AHSO musicians? A chance to travel to Chicago and experience one of the most exciting cities in the Midwest and to perform for a very appreciative audience that can bring even more opportunity our way. AHS was there 5 years ago and we had a wonderful time! Too early to tell what events we will do but know that the performance is only one of the highlights.

For now, just know that once again AHS has won an honor that only a few receive. Congratulations to all the hardworking performers and their wonderful, supportive families.

11/13/12

Congratulations to the nine AHSO Performers who made All-State Orchestra! You have worked very hard to earn this achievement and you exemplify all that AHSO aspires to be. These students will perform at the Texas Music Educators Association annual conference in San Antonio Texas in February of 2013.  You make us proud!

Blake Awodu 2013 Symphony Bass
Roshan Kulangara 2013 String Orchestra Bass
Federico Venturi 2013 Philharmonic Bass
Claire Wood 2013 Symphony Violin
Elaine Wood 2013 Philharmonic Cello
Travis Yeh 2013 Symphony Violin
Jonathan Yeung 2013 Philharmonic Violin
John Yu 2013 Philharmonic Cello
Kevin Zhang 2013 Philharmonic Cello

11/11/12

See our notice in Sugar Land Magazine! http://www.sugarlandmagazine.com/blog/holiday-concert-by-ahs-orchestra

10/27/12

Dear Parents and Students,

24 AHSO Students placed in the Area Orchestra and were allowed to tape for All-State competition. Congratulations to all! Here is how our performers placed.

 

Violin

Russell Kan

Rohan Kondetimmanahalli

            Claire Wood

            Brittany Xiao

            Travis Yeh

            Jonathan Yeung             

 

            Viola

            Mai Ito

Krishna Patel

Patrick Pham

Eric Yeung

 

Cello

Henry Chou

Elaine Wood

Lawrence Wu

John Yu

Kevin Zhang

 

Bass
Blake Awodu

Marshal Connell

Roshan Kulungara

Mohammad Marwan Madi

Toby Tso

Federico Venturi

Amy Williams

Stephen Wilson

 

Piano

            Kruti Mehta

10/13/12

Dear Parents and Students,

37 AHSO Students placed in the Region Orchestra. Here are how our performers placed.

Congratulations!

Symphony

Violin I

3. Travis Yeh

4. Claire Wood

9. Jonathan Yeung

 

Violin II

            5. Brittany Xiao

            10. Stephanie You

            12. Russell Kan

            14. Jenny Ren

            15. Jessica Chen

 

            Viola

            1. May Sumner

            5 . Mai Ito

            10. Eric Yeung

 

Cello

1. Elaine Wood

4. John Yu

7. Kevin Zhang

10. Henry Chou

12. Lawrence Wu

 

Bass
2. Federico Venturi

3. Roshan Kulungara

4. Blake Awodu

5. Mohammad Marwan Ma di

 

Philharmonic

            Violin I

10. Adelina Leong

14. Rohan Kondetimmanahalli

 

Violin II

6. Noah Lee

7. Jessica Lin

12. Jonathan Tieh

14. Casey Luong

16. Joseph Bess

 

Viola

3. Patrick Pham

8. Christine Yu

9. Thomas Brooks

Cello
3. Jessica Morris

10. Quyn Westfall


Bass
1. Amy Williams

4. Marshal Connell

5. Stephen Wilson

6. Toby Tso

Harp
2 Sydney Zucker

 

04/19/12

Dear Parents and Students,

Symphony and Philharmonic did their UIL performances today and true to our tradition, both groups made 6 1's from the 6 judges. No other high school took 4 groups and made sweepstakes with each and every one of them. AHSO rocks!

04/18/12

Dear Parents and Students,

Our Chamber Orchestra performed today at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest and they made Sweepstakes also! They had 6 straight 1's from the judges and Ms. Vandiver was beaming with pride as she dictated this email.

Three other items:

A huge thanks goes out to those parents who were able to adjust their schedules and attend the performance today. It is not easy to makes these things in the middle of a work day but it is a wonderfully received symbol of your support when you are able to come. It means a lot.

And a clarification about yesterday - our group was the only High School group in FBISD to achieve sweepstakes. I didn't mean to leave out those hardworking middle school groups who also achieved this honor. Congratulations to them as well.

Philharmonic and Symphony both perform tomorrow, times are posted to the charms calendar.

04/17/12

Dear Parents and Students,

As you all know, this is UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest week for AHSO and the combined group of Beginners and Sinfonia performed today for the panel of judges. Their performance shined! They were the only group in FBISD today to make sweepstakes.

Everyone, please be sure to congratulate them as you see them at school and know that they have set the bar very high.

We are so proud of you!

03/01/12

Dear Parents and Students,

As you know, Full Orchestra Competed in UIL Concert and Sight Reading yesterday and they have done AHS Proud!! Congratulations to Ms. Vandiver, Mr. Winson and all the marvelous performers from band and orchestra.

What is Sweepstakes? Good question. There are a total of 6 judges who listen to the performances - three for concert and three for sight reading. You can get a 1 or superior rating by achieving a 1 rating from two of the three judges in each category. But AHSO not only got superior ratings, they received 6 of them - a 1 from every judge. That is called Sweepstakes and we are very proud of that accomplishment.

Good Work!!!

02/20/12

Dear Parents and Students,

Congratulations!!! AHSO has once again set an all time AHSO record by receiving a total of 198 first division medals - 97 solo, 101 ensemble. And this was in spite of the weather. You are marvelous!

Also, 17 solos and 24 ensembles were certified and these acheivers will be eligible for all-state solo and ensemble in June.

Terrific work to all of you! Performers, Directors, accompanists, volunteers. This was truly a team effort!

11/13/11

Dear Parents and Students,

Congratulations to the talented performers of AHSO who competed and placed in the All-State orchestra. It is quite an accomplishment and quite an honor. You have made AHS, AHSO and FBISD very proud.

Violin

6 Claire Wood, Symphony

42 Travis Yeh, Philharmonic

44 Jonathan Yeung, Philharmonic

Viola

4 Anne Wells, Symphony

40 Mai Ito, String

Cello

12 Jane Lee, Symphony

17 Kevin Zhang, Philharmonic

Bass

16 Blake Awodu. Philharmonic

37 Ankit Shah, Bands

40 Federico Venturi, Bands

Great Job!!!

11/12/11

Dear Parents and Students,

15 AHSO Students will advance into Round 2 of All-State Judging. They are listed alphabetically below.  Congratulations and Best Wishes for Round 2!

    Violin
          Russell Kan
          Richard Liu
          Claire Wood
          Travis Yeh
          Jonathan Yeung
    Viola
          Mai Ito
          May Sumner
          Anne Wells
    Cello
          Jane Lee
          Lawerence Wu
          Kevin Zhang
    Bass
           Blake Awodu
           Marshal Connell
           Ankit Shah
          Federico Venturi

ROUND 1

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

Piano

Harp

Total

AHS

5 3 3 4 TBD 0 15

CHS

6 2 1 0 TBD TBD 9

DHS

5 2 0 1 TBD TBD 8

THS

2 0 0 0 0 0 2

 TOTAL

18 7 4 5 0 0 34

10/29/11

Dear Parents and Students,

AHSO brings home top honors in Area Orchestra Auditions with the highest number of placements in all of FBISD - a total of 32. Here are how our performers placed. These students recorded etudes and excerpts for submission to All-Sate judging. Congratulations!

 

 Violin
          1  Claire Wood
          2  Travis Yeh
          3  Jonathan Yeung
        12  Richard Liu
        16  Russell Kan
        18  Adelina Leong
        21    Rohan Kondetimmanahalli
        22    William Yang
        23     Jessica Lin
    Viola
          2   May Sumner
          3   Anne Wells
          4   Thomas Brooks
   
       5   Patrick Pham
   
       7   Mai Ito
        10   Christine Yu
        13   Eric Yeung
        15   Abhi Rangarajan
  Cello
          1   Kevin Zhang
          2   Jane Lee
          6   John Yu
          9   Lawerence Wu
        10   Kevin Torrefiel
        11   Alistair Longshaw
        14   Alyssa Suddhi
        15   Janna Tulabot
    Bass (alphabetical, no playoff required)
               Blake Awodu
               Marshal Connell
               Roshan Kulangara
               Ankit Shah
               Federico Venturi
               Amy Williams
     Piano
          2    Amy Chen

      
 Here are how all FBISD Schools fared:

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

Piano

Harp

Total

AHS

9 8 8 6 1 0 32

CHS

7 2 4 0 1 2 16

DHS

6 3 3 3 0 1 16

EHS

0 1 0 0 0 0 1

KHS

0 1 0 1 0 0 2

THS

2 1 1 1 0 0 5

 TOTAL

24 16 16 11 2 3 72

10/01/11

Dear Parents and Students,

Once again AHSO brings home top honors in Region Orchestra Auditions with the highest number of placements in all of FBISD - a total of 49 with 5 alternates. Here are how our performers placed. The next e-mail will have all the detail for all of FBISD. Congratulations!

Symphony
    Violin I
        8   Claire Wood
        9   Richard Liu
        10 Russell Kan
        12 Travis Yeh
        14 Jonathan Yeung
    Violin II
        23 Jenny Ren
        24 Jessica Chen
        31 Samuel Lee
    Viola
       
1   Anne Wells
        3   May Sumner
        7   Mai Ito
        8   Eric Yeung
    Cello
        1   Jane Lee
        2   Kevin Zhang
        6   Lawerence Wu
        7   John Yu
        10 Kevin Torrefiel
        12 Henry Chou
    Bass
        1   Blake Awodu
        2   Ankit Shah
        4   Amy Williams
        8   Marshal Connell

 

Philharmonic
     
Violin I
   
       1        Adelina Leong
          2        Jessica Lin
          4        Rohan Kondetimmanahalli
          5        William Yang
          8        Casey Luong
          9        Aditya Srivatsan
          13    Megan Jiao
      Violin II
          17    Joseph Bess
          20    Alex Luong
          22    Elise Palacios
          25    Leepi Mehta
          28    Kruti Mehta
          32  Alice Ma
          Alt Anmol Gupta
      Viola
          1     Thomas Brooks
          2     Patrick Pham
          3     Christine Yu
          4     Abhi Rangarajan
          12   Alex Pankiewicz
          Alt  Jacob Carda
      Cello
          4    Alyssa Suddhi
          5    Janna Tulabot
      Bass
          1    Federico Venturi
          2    Roshan Kulangara
          5    Stephen Wilson
          6    Toby Tso
          7    Raghav Singh
          Alt Amaar Dawani
          Alt Bobby Nguyen
      Piano
          1    Amy Chen
      Harp
          2    Sydney Zucker
          Alt Micaela May Ortega

 

 Here are how all FBISD Schools fared:

Symphony

Violin I

Violin II

Viola

Cello

Bass

Piano

Harp

 

Total

AHS

5

3

4

6

4

0

0

 

22

CHS

7

7

3

2

0

1

1

 

21

DHS

3

5

2

4

2

0

2

 

18

EHS

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

 

1

KHS

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

 

1

RPHS

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

 

1

THS

1

1

1

0

1

0

0

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Philharmonic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AHS

7

6

5

2

5

1

1

 

27

CHS

2

6

2

4

1

0

0

 

15

DHS

6

2

4

4

1

0

1

 

18

EHS

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

0

KHS

0

2

1

1

1

0

0

 

5

RPHS

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

0

THS

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AHS

12

9

9

8

9

1

1

 

49

CHS

9

13

5

6

1

1

1

 

36

DHS

9

7

6

8

3

0

3

 

36

EHS

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

 

1

KHS

0

2

1

1

2

0

0

 

6

RPHS

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

 

1

THS

2

1

1

1

1

0

1

 

7

01/11/11  

Sydney

****    Travis Yeh is Australia Bound!    ****

 


Dear Parents and Students,  

Congratulations are in order for one of our AHSO performers – Travis Yeh.

 In November, Travis Yeh and Eddie Chen submitted audition videos as entries into the YouTube Symphony orchestra competition. Travis won! He now will travel to Sydney, Australia in March of 2011.  Congratulations Travis. What a great honor.

Here is the web page from which you can find out all about the competition and this year’s winners:

http://www.youtube.com/symphony

Here is the maestro himself expressing his feelings about being selected:

http://www.youtube.com/travisyay23

Here is the ABC Channel 13 clip on the subject:

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=7894718

 

TThe YouTube Symphony Orchestra is a global endeavor devoted to sharing the love of music and celebrating humanity's vast creative diversity. Musicians submitted audition videos and were then selected to perform in the orchestra will be invited to Sydney, Australia in March, 2011 where they will work with world-renowned conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and receive coaching by leading musicians from the world's top orchestras. It was a competitive audition with selections based on international popular votes and a professional selection committee.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you prepare for this wonderful opportunity.

 

10/02/10

**** Region Results – Another Record!  ****

Congratulations are in order to all of AHSO for the tremendous turnout and results of today’s region audition competition. AHSO has set yet another record with 52 total performers accepted into the 2010 Region Orchestra. Your hard work and perseverance have really paid off. See the results in your e-mail or at Charms events. HERE

A heartfelt thanks goes out to Ms. Vandiver for her wonderful leadership. Thanks to all the volunteers, both student and parent, who supported these performers with their time, effort, donations and caring.

Here is how it stacked up:

Instrument Symphony Philharmonic Total
Violin 13 10 23
Viola 7 5 12
Cello 4 5 9
Bass 5 2 7
Piano 1 0 1
  30 22 52

09/16/10

Congratulations to AHSO for being the first orchestra EVER to perform at an Astros Baseball game!

11/09/09
****    Congrats AHSO, You Have Set Another All-State Record     ****

Congratulations to the 14 AHSO Performers who placed in All-State Orchestras. This is a new record for AHSO and a job very well done!

 

Violins

Eddie Chen

Khang Huynh

Travis Yeh

Joy Le

Jonathan Yeung

Danny Johnson

 

Viola

Eddie Sumner

 

Cello

Jane Lee

Jennifer Lin

Michael Perng

 

Bass

Adrian Tabula

Alex Browne

Ankit Shah

 

Piano

Amy Chen

10/31/09

Congratulations to the 33 AHS Orchestra Students who made Area and taped for All-State!

Thank you for all your hard work!

Placement is not available and students are listed alphabetically by instrument.
Once again, AHSO placed more students in Area than any other FBISD orchestra.

Instrument

First

Last
Violin Edward  Chen
Violin Katherine Coleman
Violin Kevin Han
Violin Khang Huynh
Violin Daniel Johnson
Violin Joy Le
Violin Travis Yeh
Violin Jonathan Yeung
Viola Jacob Carda
Viola Brandice  Hulsey
Viola Mai Ito
Viola Sherry Lai
Viola Alex Pankiewicz
Viola Patrick Pham
Viola Abhi Rangarajan
Viola Edward Sumner
Viola May Sumner
Viola Anne Wells
Cello Jane Lee
Cello Jennifer Lin
Cello Michael Perng
Cello Kevin Torrefiel
Cello Michael Tsang
Cello April Wang
Cello Lawrence  Wu
Cello John Yu
Bass Alexander Browne
Bass Marshal Connell
Bass Don Nguyen
Bass Taylor Payne
Bass Ankit Shah
Bass Adrian Tabula
Piano Amy Chen

10/17/09

Congratulations to the 50 AHS Orchestra Students who made Region today in audition!
Thank you for all your hard work, it really paid off!

Instrument Chair Orchestra First Last
Bass 1 Symphony   Adrian Tabula
Bass 2 Symphony   Alexander Browne
Bass 3 Symphony   Ankit Shah
Bass 5 Symphony   Don Nguyen
Bass 6 Symphony   Mosum Shah
Bass 7 Philharmonic   Taylor Payne
Bass 8 Philharmonic   Marshal Connell
Piano 2     Amy Chen
Viola 1 Symphony   Mai Ito
Viola 2 Symphony   Edward Sumner
Viola 4 Symphony   Anne Wells
Viola 6 Symphony   Alex Pankiewicz
Viola 7 Symphony   May Sumner
Viola 10 Symphony   Sherry Lai
Viola 13 Philharmonic   Jacob Carda
Viola 15 Philharmonic   Nikhil Jaiswal
Viola 16 Philharmonic   Patrick Pham
Viola 17 Philharmonic   Christine Yu
Viola 18 Philharmonic   Tiffany Tso
Viola 21 Philharmonic   Maryam Ghaffar
Viola 24 Philharmonic   Nevin Shah
Cello 1 Symphony   Jennifer Lin
Cello 4 Symphony   Jane Lee
Cello 8 Symphony   John Yu
Cello 9 Symphony   Lawrence Wu
Cello 11 Symphony   Kevin Torrefiel
Cello 15 Philharmonic   Michael Perng
Cello 22 Philharmonic   Michael Tsang
Violin 4 Symphony First Violin Daniel Johnson
Violin 5 Symphony First Violin Joy Le
Violin 11 Symphony First Violin Khang Huynh
Violin 13 Symphony First Violin Travis Yeh
Violin 15 Symphony First Violin Kevin Han
Violin 16 Symphony First Violin Jonathan Yeung
Violin 17 Symphony Second Violin Edward Chen
Violin 26 Symphony Second Violin Katherine Coleman
Violin 31 Symphony Second Violin Samuel Lee
Violin 36 Philharmonic First Violin Richard Liu
Violin 37 Philharmonic First Violin Erin Yeung
Violin 38 Philharmonic First Violin William Yang
Violin 42 Philharmonic First Violin Siri Kore
Violin 43 Philharmonic First Violin Adelina Leong
Violin 47 Philharmonic First Violin Aditya Srivatsan
Violin 49 Philharmonic Second Violin Jessica Lin
Violin 51 Philharmonic Second Violin Kruti Mehta
Violin 53 Philharmonic Second Violin Roshni Thomas
Violin 57 Philharmonic Second Violin Elise Palacios
Violin 61 Philharmonic Second Violin Kelvin Pang
Violin 62 Philharmonic Second Violin Mehek Virani
Violin 63 Philharmonic Second Violin Jonathan Tieh

Here is how the schools performed:

  Violin Viola Cello Bass Piano Harp Total
Austin 22 13 7 7 1 0 50
Clements 26 4 10 3 1 3 47
Dulles 9 3 5 1 0 2 20
Elkins 1 3 0 0 0 0 4
Kempner 4 0 0 0 0 0 4
Travis 2 1 2 1 0 1 7
               
  64 24 24 12 2 6 132

09/15/09
****    Congratulations to AHS Full Orchestra and AHS String Orchestra 
                                       for Mark of Excellence Results   ****
 
Dear Parents and Students,
 
AHS Orchestra has once again received a high honor. AHSO submitted performance from the 2008/2009 String Orchestra and the 2008/2009 Full Orchestra for adjudication in the Choice Music Events Mark of Excellence Event. Entries were received from 28 states and AHSO received Commended Winner for each of its entries. AHSO was the only orchestra that submitted and won top honors for two performances. This is a national honor that will provide national recognition, mention in the Midwest Clinic Bulletin and in the TMEA Publications for the annual convention in February. For the future, this honor will bring more opportunities for the entire orchestra and individual students.
 
The Mark of Excellence recorded music contest offers bands, choirs, and orchestras the unprecedented opportunity to earn national recognition for their musical achievement. Mark of Excellence includes the National Wind Band Honors, National Choral Honors and the National Orchestra Honors.
 

Choice Music Events is the performance division of The Foundation for Music Education. It is dedicated to providing all band, choir, and orchestra students positive, educational, and enriching performance opportunities while enhancing the music education profession. Choice Music Events focuses not only on developing and offering exciting new performance events, but also with our Board of Trustees, strives to maintain the standard for quality, educationally sound concert and festival events for students.

 

Congratulations are also in order for Ann Victor and Sartartia Middle school who received the National Winner for Middle School String Orchestra.

Thanks!

05/05/08

Dearest Members of the Stephen F. Austin High School Symphony Orchestra,
 
Please excuse my tardiness in wishing you a most sincere CONGRATULATIONS on your invitation to the 2008 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.  You probably won't realize it until you arrive in Chicago, but this trip and this performance will change your lives! 
 
I learned many things from Mrs. Vandiver during our 2003 Midwest Clinic preparation and performance.  The first thing I learned is that nobody does an orchestra trip like Mrs. Vandiver!  You are in for a first-class experience.  You will fundraise your tails off and the trip won't be cheap, but trust Mr. Westman......Mrs. Vandiver wrote the book on how to plan a Midwest trip!
 
To the string players, I can't begin to tell you about the admiration that I have for all of you.  Starting a string program from scratch has been a humbling experience....to say the least.  It has really given me an appreciation for the level of musicianship that each of you has achieved.  You are role models for groups all over the country (like my group in Avon, Indiana) that are trying to create world-class string players.
 
To the winds and percussion, a word of advice.  Attack this orchestral experience with the same pride and passion that you give every fall to the marching band.  As you prepare your audition music for band placement, keep in mind that the top players are becoming members of the orchestra and making the trip to Chicago!  If you are lucky enough to be placed in the orchestra, approach preparing your music with everything that you have.  There will be some evening rehearsals during the fall that are crucial to your Midwest preparation.  You will be dead tired and these rehearsals are tough...My expectation is that you dig in an give Mrs. Vandiver everything that you have!  Playing in an orchestra of this caliber is an experience that many college students won't ever get.  The more you give to this orchestra and the Midwest experience, the more you will get out of it.
 
You better believe that I will be at Midwest cheering and supporting each and every one of you!  You continue to make me proud!!!!!!!!!
 
Peace and Love,
Mr. Westman  

04/27/08

****    Philharmonic and Symphony Awarded Sweepstakes at UIL   ****
 
Dear Parents and Students,
 
Congratulations to Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. Both orchestras were awarded Sweepstakes Rankings from judges at the String Orchestra UIL Concert and Sightreading Event held Saturday, April 26, 2008. Both groups performed impeccably on and off the stage and have made Austin High School proud once again!

04/02/08

 

Congratulations to Jessica Zhu, Class of 2005!

Jessica has won the Music Teachers National Association young artist piano competition National Finals this past Monday (March 31st) in Denver, Colorado. As the national winner, She was awarded a size M Steinway & Sons grand piano and will be flown to New York City to pick it out at their factory.

Jessica was also selected as the winner of  the San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club competition which gave her a prize of $4000.00. When asked what she will do with the cash, Jessica says she is saving for grad school. Way to go Jessica!

04/01/08


AHSO FULL ORCHESTRA HEADED TO MIDWEST!!!

 

Congratulations to Ms. Vandiver, Mr. Winson and AHS Symphony Full Orchestra on their magnificent performance at Williams Trace Baptist Church on Friday, March 14, 2007. This recorded session was submitted for review to the Midwest Clinic Committee and has secured an invitation for AHSO to travel to Chicago in December of 2008 to perform. This is a prestigious invitation and can only be received once every five years. Thanks to conductors and performers for all your hard work and to parents and supporters who assisted. A special thanks to Elizabeth Myer and Teresa Lin for making video recordings of performances required with our submission. 

01/25/08

Congratulations once again to Jessica Zhu, AHSO Alum of 2005. She has won the South Central Division of the Music Teachers National Association Performance Competition. She now qualifies to compete in the national finals which are in Denver, Colorado March 30th and April 1st. The national winner will receive a prize of a Steinway Grand Piano. Go, Jessica!

Jessica is a junior at the University of Houston and is a Student of Nancy Weems.  

01/02/08

Dear Parents and Students,

 

You are to be congratulated for the excellent performance at the Region 13 High School Orchestra Clinic and Concerts that occurred in December. Forty-one AHS Orchestra students represented AHS and FBISD in this effort. Mr. Stephen Heyde of Baylor, one of the guest clinicians, wrote a letter of glowing praise to Dr. Jenney, FBISD Superintendent of Schools. Click HERE for a pdf of the actual letter. Click HERE for a bio of Mr. Heyde.

 

He wrote:

 

December 16, 2007

Dear Dr. Jenney,

 

Over the weekend, I was privileged to serve as clinician for the Region 13 High School Orchestra at Dulles High School. With the possible exception of two students, I believe every instrumentalist in the ensemble was a Fort Bed students.

 

I was so impressed by the talent, intelligence, cooperation and work ethic of the students that I felt compelled to write to share my congratulations with you. Frankly, this was not a surprise as the excellence of the Fort Bend orchestra program is recognized throughout the state. As one who has conducted literally hundreds of high school festival orchestras during a thirty two plus year career in higher education, I can attest that the level of the assembled talent on the stage Saturday afternoon was superior to many All-State Orchestras I have conducted outside of Texas. 

 

Knowing the unassailable data proving the exceptional correlation between music participation and academic success, I would be surprised if the orchestra students are not among the finest academicians in your program. I also would suspect they represent a healthy percentage of your student leadership as well. 

 

In candor, orchestra programs across the country, with out the athletic connection that band programs enjoy, are under siege by misinformed and short sighted decision makers. Time and again I have seen orchestra teaching loads reduced and experienced string instructors replaced by generalists or non string teachers, with disastrous results. I firmly believe nothing is more important (or more economical) for developing exceptional schools and outstanding future citizens, then building a quality music program, not for the support of athletics, but for the many inherent benefits afforded to students.

 

Programs of exceptional quality, like yours in Fort Bend, only develop with perceptive and informed administrative support. Thank you for fighting the good fight in FBISD and for your advocacy on behalf of the students. 

 

There is no question that your orchestra program is to be celebrated and treasured; it is a model for emulation by many districts in Texas and beyond. Congratulations to you and to your exceptional orchestra faculty. The superb preparation of the students, their focus, understanding, commitment and performance spoke volumes about the teaching and experiences they receive on a daily basis. 

 

Best wishes for your continued success!

 

Cordially,

 

Stephen Heyde

Mary Franks Thompson Professor of Orchestra Studies

Conductor in Residence

Baylor University

 

Music Director, Conductor

Waco Symphony Orchestra

 

National President,

College Orchestra Directors Association

12/29/07

 

Congratulations to Jessica Zhu, AHSO Alum of 2005, for winning the Steinway Young Artists Piano Division in the Forum Music Teachers National Association/ Texas Music Teachers Association Performance Competition held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas in November 2007. 
Click HERE for the link to the Houston Chronicle On-line Article.

Click HERE for a pdf of the actual article.

 

This qualifies Jessica to compete in the next level, held in Dallas in mid-January, and perhaps a chance at the national competition to be held in Denver later in 2008. The national winner will receive a prize of a Steinway Grand Piano. Best of Luck, Jessica!

CONGRATULATIONS JESSICA ZHU (Class of 2005)
YOU ARE INVITED
WHAT:    A Junior Recital by Jessica Zhu
WHEN:    October 20th 2007
               5:00 pm
WHERE:  Dudley Recital Hall
              University of Houston, Moores School of Music

Ms. Jessica Zhu is an alumni (Class of 2005) of Austin High School Orchestra. She is an exceptional pianist, a four year all-stater and a student of Mr. and Mrs. Weems. She has many accomplishments including a solo performance with the Houston Symphony. Come and enjoy Jessica's amazing talent and support one of our gifted alumni.

Congratulations to Peter Schulte, Ray Myer and alum Andrew Vipond on their glowing write-up in the FortBend Lifestyles & Homes magazine. They make us proud!

          


Peter Schulte - Senior,  Andrew Vipond - Class of '07 and Ray Myer - Junior

Reprinted here with permission, the article states:

"Great Day Music" Featured at Rotary Installations

    During the last month, the local classical music group, Great Day Music, provided an elegant atmosphere of music for three major Rotary Club functions in the area. On June 2, (2007) the trio of Andrew Vipond, Peter Schulte and Ray Myer performed for the Installation Banquet of Rotary District 5890 Governor, Jeff Tallas. The installation was held at the Sugar Land Marriott, with over 250 guests in attendance. On June 27, the trio performed for the Sugar Land Rotary Presidential Installation Banquet of Charlie Myer at Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land. The group finished its Rotary tour on July 10 at the Richmond Rotary Club's installation of President Don Dulin, held at Morton Street Gallery in Richmond.
    All three of the featured artists and the other string musicians of the music association are from the award-winning Austin High School Symphony Orchestra. Andrew Vipond and Ray Myer are founding members of Great Day Music, a faith-based and educational outreach association of youth and young adults who desire to develop and share their musical talents with the community. Peter Schulte, the third member of the trio, is active in the Houston Symphony Young Virtuoso program.

Click here to page through the magazine and get the rest of the story
 http://www.fortbendlifestylesandhomes.com/

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID PERNG
CO-President, AHSO
OUTSTANDING PERFORMER
Texas State Solo-Ensemble 
String Solo Contest

****    CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR CO-PRESIDENT DAVID PERNG    ****
 
Dear Parents and Students,
 
Congratulations are in order for AHSO CO-President David Perng. He was selected as an Outstanding Performer at the 2007 Texas State Solo-Ensemble String Solo Contest. Please let him know how proud we all are of his accomplishments!
 
Here is the text of the notification letter:
 
Dear David:
 
On behalf of the University Interscholastic League please allow me to congratulate you for being selected as an OUTSTANDING PERFORMER at the 2007 Texas State Solo-Ensemble String Solo Contest. Of the approximately  85,000 students participating in the regional UIL music contests and the 2,000 musicians who performed at TSSEC, only 220 students earned the distinguished honor of being recognized as an OUTSTANDING PERFORMER. This achievement is truly a mark of musical excellence!
 
In recognition of this honor, please accept the enclosed draped medal. The  medallion is identical to those awarded to state champions in all UIL events. Wear it with pride.
 
In addition, we are pleased to offer you the option of having your picture included in the next edition of the UIL Book of Champions. This annual publication honors Texas high school students who reach the highest level of achievement in UIL competition.
 
Awards of this nature do not come easily and reflect the efforts of many individuals. Your parents, school and teachers are to be commended for the contribution to your success. I encourage you to share this honor with them. At the same time remember that you alone through your own talent, dedication and hard work made this accomplishment a reality.
 
I extend to you my personal best wishes for continued success as you strive for musical excellence.
 
Sincerely,
 
Richard Floyd
State Director of Music
 
cc: Principal, Austin High School
      Carolyn Vandiver, Music Director, Austin High School

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