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MASON ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
Mission
Statement
The orchestras of the Mason City School District are
dedicated to continuous musical and personal development culminating in
meaningful musical experiences for all orchestra members and our audiences. We
are committed to the development of a lifelong interest in and appreciation of
music. With patience, understanding, caring, and commitment, we will strive to
develop in each of our orchestra members the ideals of leadership, personal
responsibility, and pride so we may become the model of an enlightened
community.
History
In its short tenure, the Mason Orchestra Program has
established a tradition of excellence. In 2002, the Mason City Schools
Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Bright, and Mason School Board hired Mrs. Stephanie
Jones to start a new orchestra program for the district. The program began in
the fall of 2002, with a beginning sixth grade class at Mason Intermediate
School. The program was established with the school boards’ vision of adding a
grade level every year, cumulating in a full orchestra program for students in
grades six through twelve by the 2008-2009 school year. In 2004, Ms. Erin
Zemanek joined the music staff as the strings specialist at Mason Intermediate
School. In 2006, Mr. Brian Frey made the team a trio, teaching at both Mason
Middle School and Mason High School. In the past four years, the program has
grown steadily to include approximately 400 students. In the fall of 2005, Mason
High School offered its’ first orchestra class and has added a second high
school orchestra for the 2006-2007 school year. The Mason High School Symphony
and Concert Orchestras have the distinct honor of being selected to perform at
the 2007 Ohio Music Education Association Conference in Columbus, Ohio. They
are one of only two high school orchestras in the state of Ohio to receive this
honor. The Mason Orchestra program receives a tremendous amount of encouragement
and support from their parent volunteers, the Mason community, and the
administration of the Mason City Schools.
Class
Structure
Orchestra offerings at Mason High School include
Symphony Orchestra (3 trimesters), Concert Orchestra (2 trimesters) and a
supplemental Chamber Strings class which meets for one trimester. Students are
placed in the appropriate class through audition and teacher recommendation. All
classes are 70 minutes long and meet everyday. Students will perform a minimum
of one concert per trimester and will prepare top quality orchestral literature.
Students will be graded on preparedness, effort, performance, musical knowledge
and concert attendance.
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