Plano East Senior High School Symphony Orchestra

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The Plano East Senior High School Orchestra has firmly established itself as one of the leading orchestra programs in the state of Texas. In addition to thirty consecutive University Interscholastic League “Sweepstakes Awards” for Superior Ratings in concert and sight reading competitions, the Plano East Orchestras have won top honors at nationally adjudicated festivals across the country. The Plano East Orchestra has earned the elite distinction of TMEA Honor String Orchestra six times and named as finalist in both the honor string and honor full orchestra competitions. Through the efforts of students and directors, the Plano East Orchestras have firmly established a high level of “Excellence in Music Through Expression and Dedication”. All orchestra members are assigned by audition to one of several string orchestras that meet as academic classes. Auditions are held once a year. Performances are given regularly throughout the year at school, in the community, at UIL events, and at nationally adjudicated festivals. The members of the Chamber Orchestra join with the Wind Symphony in late fall for a full symphony orchestra experience that culminates with performances in the spring at both UIL Concert & Sight Reading and spring festival events.

Plano East Senior High School Symphony Orchestra

Conductor's Bio

Ann G. Smith began her orchestra training in Troy, Ohio at the age of twelve playing the violin. Mrs. Smith studied music education at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and in 1994 graduated with a BME. Shortly after graduation, Mrs. Smith moved to Texas to begin her teaching career in the Fort Worth ISD, where she taught for four years at Paschal High School and McLean Middle School. In 1998, she began work at Martin High School in Arlington ISD. During her nine years there, she worked with the Philharmonic and Concert II Orchestras and earned consistent sweepstakes ratings at UIL Orchestra Contest and superior ratings at many national festivals. Additionally, the Philharmonic Orchestra began performing as a full orchestra ensemble and was the first non-varsity full orchestra to participate in Region V UIL Orchestra Contest and receive a sweepstakes rating. In 2007, Mrs. Smith began work on her Masters of Music Education Degree and Performance Certificate in Conducting at The University of Texas at Arlington. Her Performance Certificate work has been under the direction of Dr. Clifton Evans. During her studies at UTA, Mrs. Smith was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, the TMEA Graduate Scholarship and the Perry R. Bass Graduate Fellowship. From 2008 – 2014, Ann Smith was the Director of Orchestras at Flower Mound High School. During her tenure at Flower Mound High School, the orchestras had received consistent UIL Sweepstakes ratings and was named finalist in the TMEA Honor Orchestra Competition and in 2013 the Flower Mound High School Chamber Orchestra has been selected as to perform at the 67th Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago Illinois. In 2014, Mrs. Smith continued her work as Director of Orchestras in Plano ISD at Plano East Senior High School and while at Plano East the orchestras have seen growth, significant collaboration within the music department, UIL Sweepstakes Ratings, and has been named finalist in TMEA Honor Orchestra Competitions Mrs. Smith is currently a member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Ann Smith is an active clinician and guest conductor. She served as TMEA Orchestra Division Vice-President from 2021 to 2023. Mrs. Smith is formerly a member and chair of the UIL PML New Music Committee. She has also served as the Region 24 Orchestra Chair. She has also served as the Region 24 Orchestra Division Secretary, Region V high school orchestra coordinator, and Mrs. Smith served as Associate Director of the String Orchestra with the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth. Mrs. Smith has been married to her wonderful husband, Phil, for 33 years. She has two children Andrew 32, and Thomas 29. In her spare time, she likes to volunteer for her church, shop, CrossFit, and spend quality time with her family.

Additional Directors

John Brennan

Mariana Garcia Loeza

Ryan Albert

Megan Pickle