Symphony Orchestra is the premiere auditioned ensemble at Volcano Vista High School. Students are independently motivated musicians who take their craft seriously. Symphony Orchestra regularly receives "Superior" ratings at NMMEA Music Performance Assessment Festival and other contests. Individual members are well-represented in NMMEA All-State ensembles and receive "Superior" ratings at NMMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival. Symphony Orchestra also collaborates with the Volcano Vista choral and band programs for special performances of literature for large combined groups. The ensemble performs at least 4 concerts per year and is the flagship recruiting ensemble for the VVHS Orchestra program.
Concert Orchestra is the entry point into the world of Orchestra at Volcano Vista High School. In Concert Orchestra, students master the technical skills and problem-solving processes required of successful musicians. Concert Orchestra performs 4 concerts per year and participates in NMMEA Music Performance Assessment Festival. Students are also encouraged to audition for All-State and participate in Solo & Ensemble.
CONCERT INFORMATION
DATE: 2023/2024 season
TIME
LOCATION
LINK
Jeremiah Neely, Director
Hi, I'm Mr. Neely! I love music and I love teaching. I'm originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and moved here to Albuquerque in 2017. My favorite things in the world are the mountains, my wife and daughter, and riding my bike as often as I can. I have degrees in cello performance from The University of Tulsa (BM 2017) and The University of New Mexico (MM 2020), where my principal teachers were Diane Bucchianeri and David Schepps. I perform with the cello sections of Santa Fe Pro Musica, the New Mexico Philharmonic, and the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra.
I believe that every student can benefit greatly from playing a string instrument. Music is a skill, and just like any other skill it can be developed through time and intentional practice. Orchestra develops confidence, grit, problem solving, and is a wonderful means for self-expression. I want to empower my students to be lifelong lovers of music by allowing them to make great music at a high level.
about
the 50 state
string orchestra project
2022-2024
The 50 State String Orchestra Project is a large-scale consortium commission that is bringing new music to classrooms and concert halls all over the US in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with educational and community orchestras in all 50 states commissioning a new piece for string orchestra, similar in difficulty level and scope to Stephanie’s 2011 work for string orchestra Beyond the Gate. Her consortium commissions for chamber music have already brought new string-centered music all across the world, from her 50 State Sonata Project for violin + piano, inspired by the work of her teacher John Kendall, and her World Sonata Project, which was commissioned by violinists from 35 countries in 2016.