MCMEANS JUNIOR HIGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

McMeans Junior High is part of Katy Independent SD in Katy, Texas. Instrumental instruction in Katy ISD begins in the 6th grade and is continued through the 12th grade. The instrumental music programs at McMeans Junior High consist of approximately 350 students. Both the band and orchestra programs consist of three beginning classes and three auditioned ensembles. The full orchestra at McMeans JH combines students from the most advanced band ensemble and most advanced orchestra. Students from both programs compete in various competitions throughout the year including region band and orchestra, solo and ensemble contest, UIL concert and sight-reading contest and well as festival performances. The ensembles typically perform 4-5 noncompetitive concerts throughout the year. Student who are a member of the most advanced groups attend a weekly sectional rehearsal after school in addition to the daily class. The band and orchestra combine 1-2 times per week for full orchestra rehearsal. Traditionally, the full orchestra performs once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. Students who are involved in the full orchestra are also active in athletics, theater arts, academic quiz bowl, and student council.

Conductor's Bio

Amy Williams is in her fourth year as the director of orchestras at McMeans Junior High Orchestra in Katy ISD. Previously, she was the orchestra director at Frank Tejeda Middle School in North East ISD, a position she held since the opening of the school in 2001. Mrs. Williams graduated from Texas Tech University in the spring of 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. She began teaching in the fall of 1999 at Bowie Middle School in Amarillo, Texas. Under her direction, the Bowie Orchestra received the first sweepstakes trophy in the school’s 46 year history. After two years at Bowie Middle School, she moved to San Antonio to direct the orchestras at Tejeda Middle School in San Antonio. During her time at Tejeda, the orchestra earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL competitions as well as Best in Class and Overall Outstanding Orchestra at Choice Music Events since the opening of the school. Under her direction, the Tejeda Middle School was named TMEA Middle School Honor Orchestra for 2007. In 2009 the Tejeda Honor Orchestra was selected to perform at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Since moving to McMeans Junior High in Katy, all MMJH orchestras have earned consistent Sweepstakes Awards at UIL. The MMJH string and full orchestra have advanced to the state finals in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Contest for the last two years. Most recently, the string and full orchestras placed 2nd and 5th respectively. In addition, both groups were named as national winners in the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors Project. Mrs. Williams received the Marjorie Keller Outstanding Young Orchestra Director in Texas in the spring of 2004 and was names Educator of the Month for March 2001. Her professional affiliations include TMEA, TODA, and Mu Omicron. She spends time traveling to San Antonio to be with her husband Gene on weekends. George Liverman is originally from Morgan City, Louisiana. He attended Louisiana State University and McNeese State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Mr. Liverman is in his thirteenth year of teaching. His teaching career began in Pasadena ISD and now continues at McMeans Junior High in Katy ISD where he is currently the Director of Bands. Under his direction, the McMeans Junior High Bands have received consecutive sweepstakes ratings at UIL contests. Also, his bands have consistently advanced to the Area Honor Band competition, achieved national recognition in the Mark of Excellence National Wind Band competition, and was a 2013 TMEA Honor Band State Finalist. In addition Mr. Liverman is a co-director of the McMeans JH Full Orchestra which was named a TMEA state finalist in 2011, 2012, 2013 as well as the James E. Taylor HS Symphony Orchestra that won the prestigious honor of performing at the Midwest Clinic, An International Band & Orchestra Conference, in Chicago December 2011. An active member of Katy’s music community, Mr. Liverman holds the positions of McMeans JH Fine Arts Chair, Drill Assistant for the Taylor High School Marching Band, and maintains a private lesson trumpet studio in Katy. He is currently serving as Region 23 JH Band Coordinator and is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout Texas. Mr. Liverman is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association. He currently resides in Katy, Texas, with his wife Chrissy, eight year old daughter Liliana, and five year old son Ethan!