About Catalina Foothills Orchestras
Mrs. Alexander, Mr. Watson & Mrs. Jihee Cha, Orchestra Directors
*Video about our orchestra program*
Mrs. Terry Alexander has over 30 years of experience as a string teacher in the Marana School District. Since 2012, she has served as the chapter president, communications chair and coordinator for the teacher workshops for the Arizona String Teacher Association. In 2014 she was awarded with the National Leadership award by the National Arizona String Teacher Association. Terry is a violinist in the Tucson Pops Orchestra. Mrs. Alexander is looking forward to creating an exceptional orchestra program in CFSD. Recently Mrs. Alexander was awarded Arizona Public school string teacher of the year 2019 by Arizona String Teacher's Association.
In 2017 - 2018 School year Mrs. Alexander launched the Catalina Foothills String Orchestra Program in all elementary schools. We have over 250 string players! This coming school year we will expand to offer two level string classes at our middle schools and one mixed level class at the high school.
Mr. Watson taught orchestra in Las Vegas, Nevada for 14 years. He started the orchestra program at Del Sol High School in 2004 and in 2007 he became director at Coronado High School in Henderson, NV. Under his leadership, the program grew to one of the largest high school programs in Las Vegas serving 170 students with 3 levels of orchestra including a full symphony orchestra. Mr. Watson earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Arizona, where he studied string pedagogy with Dr. Donald Hamann, viola performance with Hong-Mei Xiao and conducting with Dr. Carl Hancock. Mr. Watson teaches private viola and violin lessons and has coached and adjudicated extensively across Las Vegas. He has served as the President of the Nevada Chapter of the American String Teacher’s Association and has served as the CCSD orchestra festival chair for the past 8 years.
Mrs. Jihee Cha taught at Glenwood Middle School and Tridelphia Ridge Elementary School in Maryland as a string orchestra director. In addition, she was a violin faculty member at TWIGS of the Baltimore School for the Arts and OrchKids, sponsored by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, which are outreach programs providing lessons to inner-city school children.
Mrs. Cha received a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance in 2012 and her Masters of Music degree in violin performance/pedagogy with Mr. Herbert Greenberg and Mrs. Rebecca Henry from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University in 2014.
Active as a violinist and a chamber musician, Mrs. Cha was formally a member of The Peabody Symphony Orchestra and The Washington Chamber Orchestra. She wanted to share the experience of performing on the stage with students, so she decided to earn a teacher certificate and completed the program at The Peabody Conservatory in 2015.
Canyon View Elementary Manzanita Elementary
Sunrise Drive Elementary Ventana Vista Elementary
Esperero Canyon Middle School Orange Grove Middle School
Catalina Foothills High School
Committed to Excellence
Our goal is to work with you to achieve a superior music education for your child, and to create a nurturing yet challenging environment in which each child grows as both a musician and an individual. Each child will experience the sense of achievement and the heightened self-esteem that come with successfully building music skills as a vehicle to self-expression, as well as experiencing the satisfaction of performing as part of a team. Orchestra is a rewarding and exciting educational opportunity offered by our schools. Your investment will pay tremendous dividends in your child’s life for years to come.
Mrs. Terry Alexander & Mr. Ryan Watson, Catalina Foothills School District Orchestra Directors.
If you have any questions, please email me at talexander@cfsd16.org
JUMP START CAMP
Saturday, August 17 - 9:30 am -12 noon * CFSD Auditorium, mini-concert for parents at 11:30 pm
This camp helps "jump start" students with professional musicians. Students enter their first class knowing basic care and maintenance, posture, bow hold, first notes and more! Students should bring:
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Instrument in its case
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Supplies (shoulder rest/rock stop, rosin, cloth, pencil
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Optional--Bottle of water, small snack for break
Dress casual
We will provide stands
VIOLIN-VIOLA
CELLO-BASS
Instrument Selection: Students will be able to choose from violin, viola, cello, or double bass. Students should select an instrument that has a sound that they love! No matter what instrument they choose to play, the right size is available for the student, as string instruments come in fraction sizes. Your student will have the opportunity to try instruments before a final decision will be made.
HARP
Harp is included in all of our classes. Many arrangements for string orchestra include harp. Harpist may gain ensemble experience by playing in our large group classes. The harp adds a beautiful tone color to the orchestra.
Due to the difficulty of the instrument, students must have previous experience. Students are encourage to study with a private harp teacher.
Benefits of playing a musical instrument are demonstrated in this TED TALK.
Orchestra Registration
Elementary Registration for 2020 - 2021
Students:
Please register if you are interested in joining. Click on the school link below to register.
All elementary students will register on "Elementary School Orchestra" below.
Esperero Canyon Middle School Orchestra
Orange Grove Middle School Orchestra
Catalina Foothills High School Orchestra
District Honor Orchestra Auditions will be held in September 2020. Prepare a short solo and one scale to perform at the audition. Please register here with this link.
JUMP START CAMP
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 2019 AT 9:30 AM
CATALINA FOOTHILLS HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
Orchestra Camp is an optional activity, but student participation is strongly encouraged for all beginners. The more students who participate in the Orchestra Camp, the less time we have to spend in class showing EVERY student how to assemble their instrument properly, care for it, make a sound, etc. It will greatly benefit the whole class if students learn these things at the camp in groups with only their instrument, rather than in class with up to 10 different instruments at the same time. We have hired top professional musicians in town to work with the students at the camp. It will be well worth the $20.00 fee to pay these professionals for their expertise!
If you would like your child to participate, please check the box on the online registration form indicating that your child will participate in Jump Start Camp.
Orchestra Jump Start Camp is scheduled for August 17 from 9:30-11:30. A contribution is requested to defer the costs of master classes at camp, as well as awards, a T-shirt, and refreshments that will be provided during the school year. Please use the InTouch payment system found at http://www.cfsd16.org/. * see payment button below.
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