All about Orchestra
Elizabeth J. Compton
Elizabeth J. Compton is director of orchestras at West Ridge Middle School in the Eanes Independent School District (ISD) in Austin, Texas – a position she has held since 2003. In the 2019-2020 school year Mrs Compton was Eanes ISD District Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Compton is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she received her Masters in Music Education (2003), and of Linfield College where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Violin Performance. While at The University of Texas, Mrs. Compton studied violin with Dr. Eugene Gratovich and string pedagogy with Phyllis Young. Mrs. Compton was also active in The University of Texas String Project where she taught various ensembles and orchestras.
Mrs. Compton’s professional affiliations include: Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.
Ms Compton has an adorable dog names Jolene. In her spare time Mrs. Compton enjoys running long distances. As of 2021 she has completed eight full marathons throughout the United States and a variety of other endurance runs. Her favorite candy is Skittles and her favorite movie in the entire world is Mulan, so "Let's get down to business!"
Dr. James Burch
James Burch is the Assistant Director of Orchestras at West Ridge Middle School in Austin, TX. Prior to this appointment he was the cello faculty at Concordia University Texas and the Director of Orchestras at Farley Middle School in Hutto ISD.
Dr. Burch received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance (DMA) degree from The University of Texas at Austin where he studied cello with Bion Tsang and chamber music with members of the Miro Quartet. He also has degrees from Southern Methodist University and Georgia State University where he received his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance respectively.
Dr. Burch’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association and the American String Teachers Association.
In his spare time, Dr. Burch spends time with his wife Abby and their two sons, Charlie and Jack. He is also passionate about strength training, where his long-term goal is to squat 600 pounds.
Our Daily Schedule
Period 1: Beginning Violin Section 1 and Beginning Harp
Period 2: Sinfonietta
Period 3: Concert Orchestra
Period 4: Sinfonia
B Lunch
Period 5: Beginning Cello and Viola
Period 6: Wild Cat Time
Period 7: Beginning Bass and Beginning Violin Section 2
Period 8: Conference
Orchestra Classes at West Ridge
Beginning Orchestra
The West Ridge Beginning Orchestra Class is geared toward the student with no previous experience playing a stringed instrument: violin, viola, cello, and bass. These students consist mainly of sixth graders, however, there are some exceptions. This orchestra is divided up into four separate classes of equal level. Students will learn proper instrument position and posture, note and rhythm reading skills, proper right and left hand technique, and rehearsal and concert etiquette. All class periods will be combined before or after school prior to our performances.
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is for students who have completed beginning orchestra or have had at least one year of prior "orchestra" performance experience. This class meets as a whole every day. Rehearsal time will be spent reviewing instrument position and posture, note and rhythm reading, sight-reading procedures. Students should be comfortable with the keys of D, G, C and F Major. Students will also learn new skills such as advanced shifting, vibrato, advanced bow technique, and sight reading
Sinfonietta
Sinfonietta is an ensemble of students with at least two years of prior orchestra performance experience. This ensemble meets every day. Rehearsal time is spent reviewing instrument position and posture, note and rhythm reading, and sight-reading procedures. Students should also be comfortable with the keys of D, G, C, F, and Bb Major. Violins and viola should be comfortable with third position, cellos up to fourth position, and basses comfortable with fifth position. Students will continue to develop skills such as shifting, vibrato, advanced bow technique, and new key signatures.
Sinfonia
The West Ridge Sinfonia Orchestra is an 8th grade only ensemble with some exceptions made for very advanced seventh graders and is at the conductors discretion. This orchestra meets as a large ensemble every day. Rehearsal time moves at a quick pace and students are expected to be able to read notes quickly and comfortably as well as move about their instrument into position as needed. All students in this class are required to take private lessons and are expected to practice daily. Students should be comfortable with the keys of D, G, C, F, A, and B flat Major, advanced bow technique, and vibrato while stressing enhanced performance of the orchestra literature.
Membership for this orchestra is audition based and requires a higher level of commitment in and outside of the classroom. There is limited space in this ensemble and an increased workload in and outside of school.