Information and materials are now available for the 2009-10 All-state orchestras.

see http://web.mac.com/coda.music/CODA/Audition_Excerpts.html

These are two different audition orchestras made up of high school musicians (grades 9 to 12)  from all over the state that meet once a year to prepare a concert.  It is a challenge and an honor to try out for and be invited to play with these orchestras.  It is also a chance for you to meet, work, and make friends with musicians who are as serious about music as you are.  Last year the secondary orchestra program had 8 students who were accepted to these orchestras.

Colleges and universities view experience in one of these statewide orchestras is viewed very favorably for admissions and scholarships, not just to show a high level of musical ability, but as a demonstration that the individual has the character to challenge him/herself and to succeed at a high level in a particular activity.

Audition is by submitted recording only (you don't have to show up in person for this initial step).  You can record your audition in the comfort of your own home if you have the appropriate equipment.  It is highly recommended that you use digital recording tools -- see the bottom of http://groups.dcn.org/dhs-orchestras/cmea-coda-all-state-honors-orchestra for more information.

The time commitment is whatever it takes for you to prepare the audition material (typically designated scales and a page of orchestral excerpts for strings, scales and a solo piece for other instruments) and to show up for one 2-3 day weekend if you succeed.  There is no commitment to show up for rehearsal or performance beyond the one weekend.

If you don't think that you are a strong musician compared to others in the orchestra, please consider that the Davis orchestra program is one of the strongest programs in the state.  A healthy majority of Davis orchestra members, with adequate preparation, could succeed in these auditions.

There are two all-state orchestra programs and two sets of deadlines.  You may audition for one or both orchestras.  If you read the online materials carefully, you will note that you can use the very same audition material and recording to try out for both orchestras, if you want.

If you are interested, please check out the details online at:

http://www.codaorchestras.org/

and consult with your private teacher and/or Mr. Moreno or Mr. Brucker about preparing your audition materials.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.  I will be collecting audition recordings and forms roughly a week before each deadline.

Hiram Jackson

753-4814

The California Music Educators Association, along with the following Davis Secondary Schools Music Directors, Angelo Moreno, Greg Brucker and Ken Bower are pleased to announce that six students from the Davis School District Music Program were selected to perform in the 2009 California All State Symphony Orchestra on March 12-14 in Ontario, California. 

The students from the Davis School District comprise the largest contingent from the Greater Sacramento and Yolo County Areas.  In all, 127 high school students were selected throughout California to participate in the extremely prestigious  All State Symphony Orchestra.  It is the top honor for an orchestral musician in the state.   Even more notable, is the fact that four of the students are 9th graders enrolled in Davis Junior High Schools. 

The students selected are Shanti Nachtergaele (Davis High School, bass) Kaity Ronning, (Davis High School, bass) Eunghee Cho (Holmes Junior High, cello) Alexander Chong (Harper Junior High, cello), Margaux Filet (Harper Junior High, one of two flutists) William Liu (Holmes Junior High, 1st violin)

Also, in December 2008 Constanza Jackson (Davis High School, cello), Karis Yee (Holmes Junior High, violin) and Jimmy Yo (Harper Junior High, cello) were selected and performed in the California Orchestra Directors Association Honor Orchestra in San Jose, California.  These students and the directors that work with them daily to bring them to this level of musicianship, are representative of the excellence in music that we as a community are so proud to support in our Davis Schools.   Congratulations to those students and to the Davis Secondary Schools Music Programs!        

Saturday, March 15, at the Sacramento Convention Center Concert Hall, the following students represented Davis High School in the 2008 California All-State Honors Orchestra Concert, sponsored by the California Music Educators Association:

Eunah Cho, Violin I and Concert Master

David Looi, Harp

Hannah May, Bass

Amy McFarland, Viola

Rachel McFarland, English Horn

Shanti Nachtergaele, Bass

Jesse Simons, Viola

All of these students are sophomores or juniors (no seniors!).

Eunah Cho earned the position of concert master (first chair) of the All-State orchestra.  Shanti and Hannah earned 2nd and 4th spots on bass, respectively.  Amy earned 3th chair and  Jesse earned 4th chair in the viola section.  Rachel earned 3rd chair oboe,  Rachel playing English Horn and David on harp were the only students chosen for those instruments.

In all 138 students from grades 9 to 12 from all over California performed in the orchestra.  The students from Davis High School represented the largest contingent among Sacramento area high schools. 

The performance was simply Fantastic! Particularly when you consider that they only had two days together as an orchestra.  You can hear each of the pieces performed by clicking on them in the program below

Program