Orchestras From Johns Creek Schools Take the Stage at Prestigious Symposiums

Taylor Road Middle School’s Advanced Orchestra performed Jan. 27 at the Georgia Music Educators conference in Savannah.  The orchestra is comprised of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students and is under the direction of teacher Nicole Thompson. They performed six selections at the conference, including a tribute to Dr. Michael Allen, who recently lost his battle to cancer and was an internationally known music educator and co-author of “Essential Elements for Strings.”

During the tribute, the orchestra combined with professional bassists to perform Dr. Allen’s “Revenge of the Double Bass.” Many music instructors from Fulton County have attended his workshops and translated his lessons into techniques used to teach young musicians, including students from Taylor Road Middle School. Additionally, guest composer Carold Nunez joined the orchestra for its performance of his composition, “M to the Third Power,” and Timothy Aucoin, director of the Northview High School’s orchestra program, guest conducted his composition, “Saint Charles Avenue Strut.” Aucoin is an accomplished bassist and has performed internationally with well-known jazz groups.

Recently, the Northview Chamber Orchestra, led by Aucoin, performed at the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra conference held in Chicago. Their December performance marked the orchestra’s second appearance at the world’s largest conference for musicians and educators.

The Midwest Clinic began in 1946 and exists to develop new teaching techniques, lectures and demonstrations for the advancement of music education. This invitation from the Midwest Clinic helped bring national recognition to Northview’s program. The orchestra also was the featured performer for the opening session of the National School Boards Association conference in Chicago. Selections for the performance included classical works by Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn as well as more contemporary pieces by composers Thad Jones and Richard Myers.  The orchestra also featured a new jazz composition by Aucoin titled, “Stringin’ at the Juke Joint.” 

Taylor Road Middle School was one of the two middle schools in the state invited to perform during January’s Georgia Music Educators Association conference. This group of talented young musicians is committed to excellence and focused on producing quality performances. The Taylor Road orchestra has established a tradition of earning superior ratings at GMEA performance evaluations since the school opened in 1990. This ensemble has also performed at numerous venues in and around metro Atlanta, including the Governor’s Mansion and the state capitol.

Northview’s Chamber Orchestra has performed at Disney World, Universal Studios, community events, regional festivals, and was a featured performer at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in Savannah in 2004 and 2008.  The chamber orchestra represented Georgia in Austria and the Czech Republic for “Mozart 2006 – a 250th Celebration.” Each year Northview’s orchestra students are well-represented in the Georgia All-State Orchestras and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.