MacArthur HS San Antonio Orchestra

Orchestra Director

Dr. Jan Garverick

Voice Mail: (210) 650-1100, Ext 363
Fax: (210) 650-1195
E-Mail: jgarve@neisd.net

MacArthur Chamber Orchestra Performance Tour of Austria and Prague, June, 2008

During June, 2008 63 members of our MacArthur orchestra performed in Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. 23 wonderful adults accompanied the orchestra for a total of 86 persons on the tour. Most performances were in churches ( University Church in Salzburg, Minoritenkirche in Vienna, Salvator Church in Prague) but a very memorable performance was at the Vienna Institute for the Blind. After the concert, our students invited the blind children to touch and feel the orchestra instruments; some children even created sounds with the instruments. Another most educational and fun visit was to the Salt Mines in Hallein, just outside of Salzburg. Just ask any participant about the two giant slides inside the mines! CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS

Soloists performing for the Master Class with Professor Wallnig in Salzburg’s Mozarteum Conservatory were Tina Behrens, Mozart violin concerto; Stephanie Jayroe, Mozart flute concerto; and our fantastic wind players for the Mozart Sinfonia Concertante: Stephanie Jayroe, Paul Mallard, Heather Gunn, Diana Pennycook, Nicole Haywood, Josh Horne, and Joel Ockerman. Each concert was opened by the MacArthur Cello Choir of 12 cellos, conducted by Mr. Andrew Davis. Guest artist performers for this tour were Andrew Davis, cellist, and Colin Sorgi, a MacArthur grad now finishing his degree at Peabody Conservatory of Music at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. We also worked with Professor Kudlak, principal violist of the Vienna Philharmonic. This was the third performance tour to Austria by the MacArthur orchestra, with the other two tours being in 1998 and 2004, respectively. We all gained a new understanding and appreciation of another culture/country and a deeper love for our own America. We saw firsthand, many things that we had only read about or seen pictures of in history books. The orchestra thanks parents and friends of music, for generous support and encouragement so that this experience could take place.

Our strings are so mellow!

Cactus Pear Young Artist Chamber Music Program

Three of our MacArthur musicians were chosen to participate in the Cactus Pear Young Artist Chamber Music program in July, 2008. Congratulations to violinist Sylvia Oh and Josh Horne who plays the French horn. Colin Sorgi, a violinist who is also a composer, wrote a huapango (a dance) for the Young Artists to perform. Cactus Pear is a chamber music program that feeds our souls during the month of July, right here in San Antonio and the hill country. Bravo!