Allen High School Symphony Orchestra

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Allen ISD Orchestra program began in 1997 at the 6th grade level with approximately 50 students. Today, there are over 1,400 orchestra students in Allen ISD: eighteen elementary orchestras, three middle school orchestra programs with four or five orchestras each - including full orchestra at each campus, a freshman center with a full orchestra and four string orchestras, and the high school orchestra program with two full orchestras and six string orchestras. The Allen HS Orchestras have placed in the finals of the Texas Honor Orchestra Competition ten times and were accepted to the Midwest Clinic in 2006 and 2020, and the Allen High School Symphony was the 2021 TMEA Invited Full Orchestra. Middle School feeders Curtis MS and Ereckson MS have both won TMEA Honor Full Orchestra awards in 2020 and 2018, respectively. The Allen ISD Band Program is a seven-year curriculum starting with beginning band in the 6th grade. We have eight middle school directors in three clusters that all feed into the Lowery Freshman Center/Allen High School program. The entire high school band program has eight directors and a large complement of studio teachers that are responsible for an 700+ member marching band, 10 concert bands, multiple jazz ensembles, multiple percussion ensembles, and a pep band. Students also participate in a dynamic All-Region, All-State, and Solo & Ensemble preparation program. The philosophy of inclusion and community involvement coupled with a relentless pursuit of excellence is what drives the curriculum, faculty, and students.

Allen High School Symphony Orchestra

Conductor's Bio

David DeVoto is a director of orchestras at Allen High School. Mr. DeVoto earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas in 1994. While at UNT, he was a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and String Orchestra and was a student of Anshel Brusilow, James Kjelland, and Jeff Bradetich. Starting in 1997, he served as director of the Lake Highlands Junior High Orchestras in Richardson ISD. In 2002, Mr. DeVoto became the director of the Allen High School Orchestra. AHS Orchestras have placed in the final round of the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition a total of ten times and the Allen HS Symphony Orchestra was selected as the TMEA Invited Full Orchestra in 2020. The Allen High School Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform at the 60th and 75th annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. In 2014, the Allen HS Orchestra received the American Prize in Orchestral Performance (High School). During Mr. DeVoto’s tenure, the AHS program has grown from 2 Student Orchestras to 10 Student Orchestras. In addition to orchestra, Mr. DeVoto helped to create music theory, music history, and composition for the International Baccalaureate program at Allen HS in 2006.  He has served as Orchestra Division Chair for UIL Region III and Region Vice-President and Orchestra Division Chair for UIL Region XXV. Mr. DeVoto has served as a UIL Orchestra PML Committee Chair and as a TMAA Committee Member on Standards of Adjudication and Performance Practices. Mr. DeVoto holds memberships in Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Mu Omicron, and has served as a board member of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, distinguished as Past President. In September 2000, he was a recipient of the Minyard’s “First Class Teacher” award. Mr. DeVoto was the recipient of the 2003-2004 Standing Ovation Award given each year by the Allen Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra to the person who has made a significant contribution to the Arts in Allen. In 2016, Mr. DeVoto was named a UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winner. 

Additional Directors

Matt Cross

Dr. Philip Obado

Dr. Steven Knight