Fall 2004, Sixth Grade Suzuki Strings Students Perform for the first time together this year

Sixth Grade Students from each of the District's six Suzuki Elementary Schools performed together for the first time recently. The students are playing together in preparation for the District's first Junior High Orchestra. These students will constitute the first class of Junior High Orchestra Students when they start Seventh Grade next year.

The District's first Junior High Orchestra will be established at Central Junior High for the 2004-05 school year. These students will be attending Central in order to participate in the Orchestra Program. Beginning Orchestra will also be offered at Central for interested students that did not start in Suzuki during elementary school. The HEB ISD Suzuki Strings Booster Club is sponsoring several events during this school year to provide the students the opportunity to play together as a group and to get to know other students that will be participating in Orchestra at Central. These students are learning several Orchestra works in addition to their Suzuki materials.

At this event, which was held during a recent Booster Club meeting, the students played together as a group, then enjoyed the opportunity to meet the other students while eating Pizza and Ice Cream. The food was provided by the Booster Club.

Students in the group range from beginners to students with six years experience in the program. Denae Chance, Suzuki Strings Instructor at Hurst Hills Elementary, is the Sixth Grade Events Coordinator. (Pictured directing the group). Vincent Pugh, Suzuki Strings Instructor at Bellaire Elementary is assisting her. (Pictured playing Violin with the Group.)

The Booster Club meeting was held September 2, 2004, at the Pat May Center. Randy Bartlett, Director of Visual & Performing Arts, is pictured addressing the Booster Club meeting. Mr. Bartlett addressed parents of Suzuki Students of all grades regarding the District's vision for the Orchestra Program. Suzuki Strings instruction is currently offered at Hurst Hills, Bellaire, South Euless, Lakewood, Wilshire, and Shady Brook Elementary Schools. The District's long-term goal is to have Orchestra Programs at each High School, several Junior Highs, and Suzuki Instruction at each elementary school. These programs will be phased in over a term of years as these students move up to higher grades.