Conroe Symphony's Education Youth Programs
Carol Hamilton
Director, Conroe Symphony Youth Orchestra
Carol Hamilton is the Director of Education for the Conroe Symphony, including the youth orchestra programs. Carol was a music teacher in the Conroe Independent School District for several years, and continues substitute teaching for the CISD. She teaches private piano lessons, is the children's choir director, as well as pianist for the West Conroe Baptist Church, and teaches at the First Baptist Academy.
Melodie Chandler
Director, Conroe Symphony Youth Orchestra
Melodie Chandler is the Director of the Conroe Symphony Youth Orchestra. She will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sam Houston State University in December 2008. Melodie has been a long time member of the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, where she currently plays the violin.
Melodie has been active in numerous "community service" projects while a student at Sam Houston State University, including organizing outreach projects for underprivileged families. She is affiliated with numerous organizations including memberships in the Texas Choral Directors Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra and the Sam Houston State University Concert Choir. She received the C. R. Hackney Award for Music Education in 2007 and was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and the Phi Kappa Lambda Honor Society.
Educational Outreach Goals 2008 - 2009
The three major educational goals for this season are:
1. Conduct a "junior celebrity conductor" contest for 5th and 6th grade orchestra and band students that will require a written composition on "Why I Want to Be a Conductor." Five finalists and the grand prize winner will be introduced at the December 9th, 2008 concert.
2. Invite young musicians who are in area band and orchestras to be our special guests at concerts during the season.
3. Expand the youth orchestra program into two units: (1) a "Junior Strings" program for grades 5th through 8th, and (2) a high school ensemble, "The Swinging Strings" for grades 9th through 12th.
