Plano ISD Students Earn
Musical All-State Recognition

March 3, 2006

The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) recently announced membership in the All-State Bands Jazz Band, Choir and Orchestra. Eligible students from across the state participated in a final round of auditions on January 7. A total of 19 wind players, percussionists and singers from Plano ISD programs earned positions in one of several ensembles.

These students, in addition to 24 string players named in November, participated in three days of rehearsals with outstanding conductors that culminated in concerts on the final day of the TMEA Conference on February 18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio.

In addition, two Plano ISD featured ensembles performed at the TMEA conference - Plano West Orchestra and Barksdale Global Grooves. Plano educators also shared their talents at the event.

All-State Musicians (Band, Jazz Band, Choir, Orchestra)
Plano Educators Involved in TMEA Conference

Congratulations, All-State Musicians!

Band

Clark – Mike Korson
Jasper -- Emily Breeding
Plano East – Sean Berkstresser, Kara LaMoure, Danny Mao, David Marchuk, Kevin Marchuk and Melissa Villarreal
Plano – Kristen Carter and Graham Gibson
Plano West – Michael Matushek

Jazz Band

Plano East – Paul Jenkins

Choir

Jasper – Bobby Noble
Vines – Dain Ussery
Plano – Kim Borge, Christine Li, Gullierno Valentin, and Leslie Wadleigh
Plano West – Katie Coburn, and Coleman Yates

Orchestra

Clark – Brian Allred, and Danny Hahm
Jasper - Susie Choi, Susie Fu and Tiffany Kuo
Shepton – Rebecca Glass, Suyun Lee, Michael Li, and Kristy Luk
Vines – Jeremy Ying and Rex Huang
Plano East – Jeremy Chao, Chike Okaro, Thomas Wang and Elaine Whitmire
Plano – Gabriel Ha, Jeff Li and Andy Tien
Plano West – Christopher Choi, Tim Fang, Megumi Fujii, Duk-Hwa Jin, Joanne Liu and Joanne Shih

Plano Educators Involved in Conference

February 15-18, 2006 - music educators, student and professional musicians, music industry vendors, parents and administrators convened in San Antonio for the 2006 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention.

Among the more than 10,000 participants in this, the largest music education convention in the nation, were many Plano ISD staff and students who played leading roles in the workings of the convention.

Performances

Two groups of students will be presenting invitational performances. On February 17, Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Jo Wallace-Abbie, presented a challenging program of outstanding orchestral music as the 2006 TMEA Honor String Orchestra.
In addition, members of the Barksdale (Elementary) Global Grooves ensemble presented a performance in the East Registration Area Showcase of world music, drumming and dance. They also assist their teachers, Christina Raymond and Heather Coleman, in presenting a session of music from across the globe entitled "Around the World and Back Again."
Carpenter Band Director Rich Colodney performed at the conference with the Dallas Wind Symphony at the prestigious TMEA President's Concert.

Presentations

Plano Director of Fine Arts Kathy Kuddes presented a session for elementary music teachers which featured "Traditional Voices of Texas."
Plano East Band Director Evelio Villarreal participated in a round table discussion of Essential Musicianship, as a contributing author for this music method book.
Kathy Hackett, Plano West Choir Director, joined a team of choral experts for a session called "You Say 'Reh' and I Say 'Ray': There is Unity in Diversity."
A group of Honor Orchestra directors, including Jo Wallace-Abbie, Plano West discussed the secrets to their success in a panel discussion.
Other music teachers presiding over sessions include Derrick Brookins - Plano Senior High Choir Director, Jackie Digby - Jasper Band Director, Phyllis Braund - Andrews Music Specialist, and David Gadberry - Brinker/Daffron Music Specialist.

Judges

A number of other Plano music teachers will serve as judges for the final round of auditions for chairs in the various all-state ensembles, including

Orchestra Directors Andrew Goins - Clark, Julianne Booth - Jasper and audition monitors Jeff Turner - Plano Senior High and Betsy Thomas - Plano East.
Band judges included Jackie Digby - Jasper, Glenn Lambert - Shepton, Travis Smith - Williams and Jana Harvey & John Brennan - Plano East.

Other Roles

Evelio Villareal - Plano East Band Director concluded his duties as TMEA Region 24 President. He will serve on the Texas Music Adjudicators Association Committee on Standards of Adjudication and Performance Practice.
Jeff Turner - Plano Senior High Orchestra Director served on the convention Facilities Committee for Orchestra and is the orchestra representative to the Resoultions Presidental Committee
John Brennan - Plano East Band Director, coordinated percussion for the All-State Philarmonic.
Travis Smith - Williams Band Director, who serves as Texas Chapter President of the American School Band Directors Association, conducted this organization business meeting.
Wells Elementary Music Specialist Shonda Huffman was featured in a short video produced by TMEA to highlight the activities and professional development benefits of conference attendence. The video can be viewed or downloaded from the TMEA website.