Cypress Ridge High School Symphony Orchestra

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Cypress Ridge High School Orchestra program has grown from a little more than 50 students grades 9-12 to over 150 students in the past seven years. There are now five orchestra classes that combine into four performing ensembles at the high school, which include two 9th-12th grade String Orchestras, a 9th-12th grade Full Symphony Orchestra, and an advanced 23 member Chamber Orchestra. Currently, the string classes meet daily, while the Full Symphony Orchestra rehearses once a week after school. Students are encouraged to participate in All-Region Orchestra auditions as well as solo and ensemble work in order to further their individual playing skills. Private lessons are also available for all students. The program’s emphasis is placed on ensemble skills and group activities. The Cypress Ridge Symphony Orchestra has consistently earned superior ratings (sweepstakes awards) at the University Interscholastic League’s (UIL) Concert and Sight-Reading Contest for the past five years in a row. Simultaneously, in 2012 and again in 2014, the Orchestra earned best in class honors at different spring festivals in the great state of Texas. Last year, the Pit Orchestra (a smaller version of the Symphony) performed with our theatre department in a production of Seussical. As a result of this performance, the Cy-Ridge Pit Orchestra was nominated for “Best Orchestra” for Theatre Under The Stars, Tommy Tune Awards. The student members of the Symphony Orchestra have a reputation of being hard workers, eager to learn, and quick to share their passion and love of music. The performances on this tour in Berrien Springs, Michigan and in Chicago, Illinois, will mark the first concerts outside the state of Texas for this ensemble. The students and directors of the Symphony Orchestra are honored to be performing at the 69th Annual Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference.

Cypress Ridge High School Symphony Orchestra

Conductor's Bio

Christopher R. Mustell is a native of Saint Joseph, Michigan and member of the fine arts faculty, serving as the Head Orchestra Director at Cypress Ridge High School in northwest Houston, Texas. Cypress Ridge is a part of the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. In this position, he directs and oversees all aspects of the orchestra program. The 2015 school year marks his seventh year building the program from approximately 50 students in 2009 to its current membership of over 150 students and growing. During Mr. Mustell's tenure, his orchestras have consistently earned superior ratings (sweepstakes awards) at Texas' University Interscholastic Leagues (UIL) Contests. Before his Texas appointment, Mr. Mustell held a similar position in Naples, Florida. In the United States, Mr. Mustell has had the privilege to conduct in Carnegie Hall in New York, New York and at the Moores Opera House in Houston, Texas. Overseas, while he was a sophomore at St. Joseph High School, his orchestra director, Mr. Steven L. Reed, gave him the opportunity to conduct the St. Joseph Orchestra on their 1994 tour of Europe. Mr. Mustell earned both his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting and String Pedagogy degrees from the Florida State University College of Music. Mr. Mustell is a freelance percussionist and is a section member of both the Cypress Philharmonic and Energy Corridor Orchestra of Houston, Texas. He also performs regularly with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra and the South Bend, Indiana Symphony Orchestra.