Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
Hailing from Plano ISD, the Legacy Orchestra is the top performing ensemble at Jasper High School, a 9th and 10th grade campus in Texas. The Jasper Orchestra program, under the direction of Matthew Moreno and Vivian Chen, currently serves 200 students in five orchestras and is widely recognized as one of the most successful programs in Texas for its high standard of excellence. Since the program’s inception in 1996, they have consistently received state and national recognitions such as the American Prize, Mark of Excellence, and Festival of Orchestras. Their success has thrived on strong support from the community, the booster organization, and the district administrators. Throughout the school year, all orchestras participate in at least five concerts. Additionally, the program holds an annual performance of a silent film production, participates in two full orchestras that meet once a week with band, and perform a masterworks concert in collaboration with band and choir. Legacy Orchestra has made 10 straight appearances as a finalist in the TMEA String Honor Orchestra competition and 19 appearances in the last 22 years, notably competing as the only 9th and 10th grade campus alongside all other high school orchestras consisting of 9th through 12th grade students. In 2014, the Legacy Orchestra was named the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra.
The Jasper Orchestra program is fed by two award-winning middle school orchestra programs: Rice Middle School, led by Emily de la Torre and Eric Tannenbaum and Robinson Middle School, led by Mary Havenstrite and Christopher Sykora. After Jasper High School, students graduate on to their 11th and 12th grade campus, Plano West Senior High. The Plano West Orchestras, led by Ryan Ross and Amy Gross, have earned numerous state and national titles. Jasper Orchestra is honored to accept the invitation to perform at the 77th Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic of 2023.
Jasper 9-10 High School Legacy Orchestra
Conductor's Bio
Matthew Moreno, a graduate of Texas State University, is in his 14th year of teaching and his 9th year as Director of Orchestras for Jasper 9-10 High School in Plano, TX. Prior to Jasper, he taught at Frankford Middle School and Killian Middle School in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. While at Jasper, his groups have maintained state and national distinction through organizations such as Mark of Excellence, American Prize, Festival of Orchestras, and the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition. Most recently, Jasper High School’s Legacy Orchestra has earned the prestigious honor as a performing high school ensemble at the 2023 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Mr. Moreno is in his 5th season as the Symphony Orchestra Director of the Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra, and served as the Philharmonic Orchestra Director for 4 years prior. Additionally, he is the Plano ISD Summer Strings Camp Administrative Director, and is serving as the TMEA Region 25 Chair Elect. Most recently, he has finished his term as chairperson for the UIL Prescribed Music List Committee. Mr. Moreno clinics orchestra programs across Texas and is an active composer and arranger hobbyist. His works have been published with FJH Music (Alfred) and Grand Mesa Strings, and were curated by J.W. Pepper as “Editor’s Choice”. His compositions are regularly performed by many festival and region orchestras, and have been performed at the Midwest Clinic. His professional affiliations include Mu Omicron, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
Mr. Moreno currently resides in Allen, TX with his wife, Liz, and their children, Elia Faye and James.
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