The orchestra program at Desert Vista has established itself with excellence within the State of Arizona and at National Music Festivals. There are three classes of Honor Orchestra – Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Concert Strings Orchestra. The Chamber Orchestra is comprised of twenty-four (24) members who in addition to their strenuous course load of all honors and advanced placement classes participate in the Phoenix Youth Symphony and other community orchestras. The Chamber Orchestra students contribute to Desert Vista’s participation in the North Central Region Orchestra and the Arizona All-State Orchestra. Any one of the six quartets can be seen performing in the community and at other social events. The orchestra club continues to have the highest grade point average of any club at Desert Vista High School. Some Chamber Orchestra members are National Merit Finalists as well as High School Valedictorians.
Desert Vista High School Chamber Orchestra
Dr. Darlene Wedington-Clark has taught music in Arizona for 37 years. She has taught Instrumental or Choral music at all levels from 1st – 12th grades, Community College and University. She is currently the Director of Orchestras and Guitar Ensembles at Desert Vista High and is also the Fine Arts Department Chairperson. In 2012 she was named the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Employee of the Year at Scottsdale Community College before devoting her time solely to Desert Vista. In 2014 she was inducted into the “AMEA Hall of Fame” - Career Award for 25 or more years in Music Education in Arizona from the Arizona Music Educators Association. Under her direction the Orchestra program at Desert Vista High School has received the Arizona Band and Orchestra Association’s “William E. Richardson Sr.” Orchestra Award for Distinction, for 2012- 2013, 2013 – 2014, and 2014 - 2015 school years. Her orchestras were selected to perform at the Arizona Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in 2013, 2014 and 2016. Dr. Wedington-Clark studied at the New England Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor Music Education Degree in Instrumental Music from Temple University (1977), a Bachelor of Music Degree in Theory & Composition from Temple University (1977), a Master of Music Degree in Choral Music from Arizona State University (1989), and a Doctor of Education Degree in Choral Music/Curriculum & Instruction from Arizona State University (1999). Dr. Wedington-Clark is a current member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). She is an Arizona State Music Certified Adjudicator. She has served as the AMEA Choral Region Chair, Orchestra Region Chair, Orchestra Region Governor and in her sixth year as the Arizona Band Orchestra Directors Association Vice President for High School Orchestra Activities. She has conducted Region Music Festivals and Elementary and Middle School Honor Orchestra Festivals. She is the mother of one daughter and grandmother.
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