Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Saratoga High School instrumental music ensembles have developed a reputation for excellence at the state, national, and international level. The Saratoga High School Orchestra program consists of 4 string orchestras, 2 symphony orchestra’s, and a variety of chamber ensembles. All 9th graders enter as part of the Frosh Orchestra and may audition for one of the advanced string ensembles leading into their 10th grade year or participate in a non-audition ensemble. Additionally, there is a 100% student-run mentoring program, MESH (Music Education with Saratoga High), in which SHS students assist the Saratoga Union School District elementary teachers to work with the younger string players in grade 5-8.
Saratoga Strings is the most advanced of the 4 string orchestra’s at SHS and consists of students in grade 10-12. Saratoga Strings have performed at regional and state conferences of CMEA, and earned consistent superior ratings at every state, local, and international festival since the inception of the group 13 years ago. In 2013 the Saratoga Strings recorded music for the soundtrack of The Contest (the movie), for the Cartoon Network, premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival on October 11th the same year. In 2011 Saratoga Strings performed in Carnegie Hall as the featured ensemble with guest artists and SHS alumni, Alex Shiozaki and Nana Shih, for the World Projects Carnegie Hall Festival.
As part of various concert tours the past 15 years, the Saratoga Symphony Orchestra, in tandem with the Saratoga Symphonic Wind Ensemble, has toured Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Australia, including festivals such as the Vienna Youth in Music Festival, the Jungfrau Music Festival in Interlaaken Switzerland, The Mid-Europe Music Festival, and Premiering Sydney. They have been fortunate to perform at notable halls such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Sydney Opera House, the Paulau de la Musica in both Valencia and Barcelona, the Peniscola Castle, and the Kursaal in San Sebastian.
Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains at the south end of the San Francisco Bay Area and on the fringe of the Silicon Valley, Saratoga remains a small town with just 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 high school. The students and faculty involved with the Saratoga High School Orchestra program consider the acceptance to perform at the Midwest Clinic to be among the most significant honors in the orchestra’s history.
SARATOGA STRINGS
Conductor's Bio
Michael Boitz is the Performing Arts Department Chair at Saratoga High School, Saratoga, CA, where he is in his 17th year of teaching instrumental music. The Saratoga High School instrumental music ensembles have developed a reputation for excellence at the state, national, and international level. Mr. Boitz’s responsibilities at Saratoga High School include overseeing all aspects of the music department faculty and students, involving over 40% of the 1,350 students enrolled at Saratoga High. The instrumental ensembles at SHS include four string orchestras, two symphony orchestras, three concert bands, two jazz bands, a percussion ensemble class, and a 210-member competitive marching band.
Mr. Boitz has been awarded the Teacher-of-the-Year Award by the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District, California Music Educators Association Bay Section Gilbert T. Freitas Award for Excellence in Music Education, the California Music Educators Association Richard L. Levin Orchestra Educator of the Year Award, the California Music Educators Association Band Educator of the Year award, and the California Music Educators Association Bay Section Educator of the Year award. Mr. Boitz has also twice received Honorary Commendations from the City of Saratoga.
Mr. Boitz has presented sessions for new music educators at the local and state level of the California Music Educators Association, and is currently serving as the Orchestra Representative for the California Band Directors Association, and is a Member-At-Large of the California Orchestra Directors Association. Mr. Boitz has been honored to guest conduct high school and middle school honor orchestra’s and bands in California, Nevada, Illinois, and enjoys annually the opportunity to conduct at various summer music camps.
Michael Boitz completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. His teachers of greatest influence have included Mallory Thompson, Russell Pesola, Frank Bencriscutto, John Lace, Michael Hiatt, Peter Dahlstrom, and Gordon Nilsen,. Michael Boitz was born and raised in Anoka, MN, and is a proud graduate of Anoka High School.
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