Drawing from 30 years of experience, this clinic highlights essential skills for non-string players to excel in the orchestra classroom. As orchestra programs expand nationwide, their roles remain vital. Too often, the focus is on adequate teaching as rather than achieving excellence. As Jacqueline Dillon Krauss once told me, why just survive in the field when you can thrive?
Perry Holbrook
- Biographical Information
Dr. Holbrook has taught at Walton High School since 2001. Since his arrival, orchestra enrollment has continued to increase from 130 to over 300 students. His groups have received eight invitations to perform at The Midwest Clinic (2001, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022), have received three invitations to perform at the ASTA National Conference (2009, 2012, 2018), and have performed eight times at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference (2001, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2022, 2026). Dr. Holbrook’s groups have also traveled and performed internationally, participating in four European concert tours (2004, 2007, 2015, 2018). String quartets (2009, 2010) from Walton High School have also performed in Spain (Salamanca). Active as a guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Holbrook was a clinician for the 2021 ASTA National Orchestra Festival. Conducting engagements include the South Carolina All State Orchestra (2024), Tennessee Mid-state Orchestra (2022), Alabama All State Orchestra (2018); the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015); and the Orchestra America Summer Symposium (2006, 2007). He has guest conducted honor groups in Texas, Kansas, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. Dr. Holbrook has presented clinics at the Midwest Clinic (2006, 2016, 2025); the ASTA National Conference (2004, 2009); the Georgia Music Educators Convention (2006, 2010, 2013, 2024); and the Texas Music Educators Convention (2005). In 2007, he was the featured clinician at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, presenting a series of five clinics. In addition to teaching orchestra, Dr. Holbrook teaches AP Music Theory. He was named the S.T.A.R. teacher of Walton High School in 2004. Several original compositions of Dr. Holbrook are being performed around the country. Someday, Never Summer Mountain, Acadian Solstice, and Bear on the Square have been recognized as JW Pepper Editor’s Choice compositions. Perry Holbrook holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, the Master of Music degree from Arizona State University, and the Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University. He received his teaching credentials from the University of Georgia. Dr. Holbrook is engaged to Susan Rogers, a speech pathologist. His adult child, Lee, is freelance cellist. In his free time, he can usually be found outdoors hiking with a camera in his hand.