Time:
Wednesday
December, 18, 2019
04:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Location:
Skyline Ballroom W375E
Category
HIGH SCHOOL FULL ORCHESTRAS
Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
The Carmel High Orchestra Program (Carmel, Indiana) has the honor of being recognized as one of the leading public school orchestra programs in the nation. Carmel High School Orchestras are under the direction of Elisabeth Ohly-Davis, Director of Orchestras; Margaret Hite, Associate Director of Orchestras; and Thomas Chen, Associate Director of Orchestras. The program includes over 340 string students and over 60 wind and percussion students divided into five string orchestras (G1 Concert, G3 Concert, Sinfonia, Festival, and Camerata) and two full orchestras (Philharmonic and Symphony). The Symphony Orchestra has been named Indiana State School Music Association’s Concert Orchestra State Champion 18 times, most recently in 2016. The orchestra has toured and performed all over the world including Esterhazy Palace, St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna, Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and St. Petersburg, Russia.They performed at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2009 and 2014 and have been invited to perform again in 2019. In addition, the orchestras have performed with many international performing artists such as Lynn Harrell (cello virtuoso) and Rachel Barton-Pine (violin virtuoso). The Carmel High School Symphony has recorded and produced recordings of complete symphonies including Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2, Beethoven Symphony Nos. 5 and 7, and Dvorak Symphony Nos. 8 and 9.
Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Thomas Chen is Associate Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School. Chen previously held the position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston, Texas. In his previous position, he helped lead five contest orchestras to earn Superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading. While in Houston, Chen frequently appeared as guest sectional coach and guest clinician for Houston-area orchestra programs.
Chen earned his Bachelor of Music Education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and studied viola with Dr. Nicole Brockmann. While completing his studies, he won opportunities to perform in masterclasses with the American String Quartet and Joan Tower. He was also selected as a winner of the DePauw University Band Conducting Competition.
Chen performed frequently with orchestras in the Houston area. He was substitute principal violist in the Pasadena Philharmonic Orchestra and Clear Lake Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he performed free chamber ensemble community concerts as a member of the Clear Lake Chamber Ensemble. Currently, he performs when he can with the Philharmonic of Indianapolis.
Chen is a proud member of the American String Teachers Association and National Association for Music Education. He currently serves as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana Music Education Association.
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