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Time:

Friday
December, 21, 2018
01:30 PM - 02:15 PM

Location:

Skyline Ballroom W375E

Category

MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS

Conductor

Johnathan Hsu

Program

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Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

Kennedy Middle School boasts three levels of orchestras spread out over four class periods, and the “Philharmonic Strings” orchestra is the highest level of orchestra offered. Known on students’ course schedules simply as “Advanced Orchestra,” the Philharmonic Strings has made quite a name for itself over recent years with consistently high ratings at festivals across Northern and Southern California as well as a notable invitation and performance at the 2018 California All-State Music Education Conference in San Jose, CA.

John F. Kennedy Middle School Philharmonic Strings

Conductor's Bio

A native of San Jose, CA, Mr. Johnathan Hsu is the newly tenured Director of Orchestras at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Cupertino, CA. Mr. Hsu began his teaching career at Kennedy in the Fall of 2015 and is currently in his fourth year of teaching at Kennedy. At Kennedy, Mr. Hsu oversees all things orchestra (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced) as well as one section of sixth grade choir. During his relatively short time at Kennedy, the Orchestra Department has enjoyed sustained progress and achievement, receiving consistently high ratings at various festivals as well as celebrating a notable invitation and performance at the 2018 California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) in San Jose, CA. Off the podium and out of the classroom, Mr. Hsu is a tubist and still enjoys the occasional gig when the schedule permits. Playing the tuba has taken Mr. Hsu to some of the greatest concert halls around the world including the Berlin Philharmonie and twice to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Mr. Hsu was the 2014 winner of the San Jose State University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, performing the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto with that orchestra in 2015. Mr. Hsu’s formal tuba teachers include Rod Mathews of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Dr. Matt Tropman formerly of the United States “President’s Own” Marine Band, and Peter Wahrhaftig of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. Mr. Hsu is a proud alumnus of San Jose State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2013 with Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from the School of Music and Dance; Mr. Hsu also received his teaching credential from the Connie L. Lurie College of Education at the same university. Mr. Hsu holds a special place in his heart for the “Pride of the Spartans," the Spartan Marching Band, where he served both as a sousaphone player and Drum Major. Mr. Hsu is also a proud alumnus of Independence High School in San Jose, CA where he was an active participant in all music ensembles including the legendary 76th Cavalry Marching Band and Color Guard.

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