BHS Symphony makes the Finals!

On June 9, 2007, The BHS Symphony Full Orchestra was named as a finalaist in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra competition. The six Orchestras that were selected as finalists will be judged in the final round on July 23, at the Texas Orchestra Directors Association Convention in San Antonio. The finalists were selected by a panel of five judges listening to recordings submitted by the sixteen entries. The six finalists are (in Alphabetical order) Allen HS, Berkner HS, Creekview HS (Lewisville), Klein HS (north of Houston), Klein Forrest HS, and Westwood HS (Round Rock). For the final round, a new judging panel will listen anonomously to the six finalist and determine the final ranking. The winner will perform at the TMEA convention next February, 2008. This is the same process used last year to select the BHS Symphony String Orchestra as the TMEA String Honor Orchestra for 2006-2007 and is the highest achievement an instrumental group can attain in the state. There are only three Orchestras that made the finals for both String Orchestra and Full Orchestra this school year- Klein, Westwood, and Berkner. Because of the TMEA String performance in February, 2007, the BHS Symphony Full Orchestra only had 21/2 weeks to prepare their Full Orchestra program (usually a 7-8 week process). The recording made at their UIL performance on March 6, 2007, is the recording that was submitted for the Full Orchestra contest. No Orchestra in the last 20 years has made the Full Orchestra finals the same year they won the String Orchestra contest and performed at TMEA. This has been a history making year in the life of the BHS Symphony Orchestra!

Apollo Full Orchestra enters TMEA competition

The Apollo Junior High Full Orchestra has submitted a recording for a State contest hosted by the Texas Music Educators Association. Each year, TMEA selects through a competitive process, one MS/JH Full Orchestra to perform at their annual convention in San Antonio. The Apollo Full Orchestra is conducted by Orchestra director, Lynne Thorton and Band director, Robin Owens. Top students from both performaing groups came together in a collaborative effort throughout the Spring semmester and performed at the Apollo Band and Orchestra Spring Concert and at the Peak Music Festival, hosted at the Murchison Performing Arts Center at the University of North Texas. If selected, this would be the first time a JH Full Orcestra from Richardson would perform at TMEA. Good luck Apollo Symphony Orchestra!!!

BHS Symphony Invited to perform for RISD Convocation

Coming off of one of the most successful years in BHS Orchestra history, the BHS Symphony has been invited to perform at RISD's annual District Convocation. This is only the second time that a High School Orchestra has been invited to perform at the annual event which is attened by every teacher, administrator, and support staff in the district. Convocation is August 23, 2007, 9:00 a.m. at the Garland Events Center. Be on the lookout for a letter concerning our rehearsals in preparation for this district wide event!