MCKINNEY BOYD HIGH SCHOOL HONORS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The McKinney Boyd High School Honors Chamber Orchestra is one of five orchestras that make up the Boyd Orchestra Program. Other orchestras include a Chamber Orchestra, a 9th Grade Symphony Orchestra, a 10th - 12th Grade Symphony Orchestra, and a Concert Orchestra. In addition, every student has the opportunity to perform in a full orchestra setting at least once a year utlizing the top woodwind, brass, and percussion students from the band department. The McKinney Boyd Orchestra program is in its seventh year of existence where Michael Link has served as its only full time director. The orchestra program at Boyd started with under 30 students and now has grown to an enrollment of 186 string musicians for the 2013-2014 school year. Boyd Orchestra has earned nothing but University Interscholastic League( U.I.L.) SWEEPSTAKES Awards since its maiden voyage in attending contest in 2009 for a total of 16 SWEEPSTAKES Awards. Boyd earned the ranking of 8th in the state Honor Orchestra Competition for Full Orchestras in 2013. Students earn positions in the Texas State, Area, Region, and All City Orchestras on a consistent basis.

MCKINNEY BOYD HIGH SCHOOL HONORS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Conductor's Bio

Michael Link holds a Bachelor or Arts Degree (1986) in Music Education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL., a Master of Music Education (1989) from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and a second Master of Science Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University in Austin. Currently he is Director of Orchestras at McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, TX where he also serves as Department Chair for Fine Arts. Mr. Link taught in his native state of Illinois in Roseville for two years, then after graduate school, moved to Ruston, LA. where he taught at Louisiana Tech University for three years serving as Assistant Band Director/Percussion Instructor. From there he went back into public education in Texas teaching in Austin, Corpus Christi, The Colony, Lewisville, and now in McKinney the past six years. He has a total of 26 years of teaching experience. He has served as a conductor for the Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra and Guest Conductor for All -Region Orchestras in Texas and outside Texas. His orchestras, bands, and choirs have all received numerous UIL SWEEPSTAKES Awards along with many Superior Ratings at festivals throughout the state. Mr. Link has been a performer in the Dallas Symphony Chorus, along with the Corpus Christi Wind Symphony, the Bensenville (IL) Wind Ensemble, Knox-Galesburg Symphony (IL), and the Kankakee (IL) Symphony. In addition, he was named a Young Artist Competition Winner of the Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra in 1991 soloing with that symphony. Mr. Link has been named a McKinney I.S.D. "Most Inspirational Teacher" in 2014, along with "Teacher of the Month" at Boyd H.S. in 2013. His past conducting mentors include Louis Bart Ghent (VanderCook College of Music), Dennis L. Johnson (Western Illinois University), Roland Vamos (W.I.U.) and Dale Hopper(deceased) W.I.U. Mr. Link also is part-time Director of Music Ministry at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Carrollton, TX and teaches private piano.