Time:
Wednesday
December, 18, 2024
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location:
375E
Category
High School Full Orchestra
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Carmel High School Orchestra program has the honor of being recognized as one of the leading public school orchestra programs in the United States. Under the direction of Thomas Chen, Nicole DeGuire, and Margaret Hite, the program includes over 300 students divided into five string orchestras (Concert G1, Advanced Concert G3, Sinfonia, Festival, and Camerata) and two full orchestras (Symphony and Philharmonic). Symphony Orchestra has been named Indiana State School Music Association’s Concert Orchestra State Champion 18 times, most recently in 2016. Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at The Midwest Clinic in 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024. The orchestra has toured and performed all over the world including places such as Alice Tully Hall; Carnegie Hall; St. Petersburg, Russia; Vienna, Austria; and Orlando, Florida. The Symphony Orchestra has professionally recorded and produced five full-length symphonies of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and Dvorak, which have been released on CD and on iTunes. Finally, the orchestras have collaborated with many prominent musicians, including cellist Lynn Harrell, violinist Rachel Barton Pine, conductor Larry Livingston, violinist David Kim, and many musicians from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Thomas Chen is Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. Under his direction, the Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra has earned regular appearances at the Indiana State School Music Association State High School Concert Finals, produced a recording of Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in December 2019. Chen previously held the position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston, Texas, where he helped lead five orchestras to earn Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading.
In addition to public school teaching, Chen is Associate Conductor with the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra. Chen has performed as a guest conductor with Purdue University Philharmonic Orchestra, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Ohio Wesleyan University Summer Music Camp, and Wright State University Fall Strings Festival.
Chen earned his Bachelor of Music Education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where he studied viola with Dr. Nicole Brockmann. While completing his studies, he earned opportunities to perform in masterclasses with the American String Quartet and Joan Tower. He was selected as a winner of the DePauw University Band Conducting Competition.
Chen is a proud member of the American String Teachers Association and National Association for Music Education. He currently serves as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana Music Education Association.
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