History

OUR STORY

The string program in Forest Hills Public Schools began in 1982 with support from the Forest Hills community and approval by the Forest Hills School Board.  Lynne Kleeman was hired to teach at Central Middle School and Northern Hills Middle School where she started a combined total of 21 students. The program grew quickly, and in 1986 Diane Gordon was hired as director of the Northern middle and high school programs.  Mrs. Gordon led those programs until 2000 when she retired from teaching. Max Colley III directed the Symphony Orchestra at Northern from 1999 to 2005. Mrs. Kleeman continued to teach at Central Middle and High Schools until her retirement in 2003.  Mark Kotchenruther was hired in 2000 and directs the programs at Northern Trails 5/6 School, Northern Hills Middle School and Northern High School. In January 2009, the Northern HS Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform at the Michigan Music Conference.

Currently the Northern High School Music Department includes the FHN Concert Orchestra and FHN Symphony Orchestra. The orchestras at Northern High School have performed under the direction of many distinguished guest conductors, including David Lockington (Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra), Libor Ondras (Grand Rapids Community College), Henry Duitman (Grand Valley State University), Robert Nordling (formerly at Calvin College), Richard Piippo (retired from Hope College), Bruce Uchimura (Western Michigan University), Dave Holland (retired from Interlochen Arts Academy), Dan Long (former national and state teacher of the year), as well as former MSBOA teachers of the year Marilyn Kesler (Okemos PS), Steven Reed (St. Joseph PS), Janis Peterson (Marquette PS) and Bob Phillips (Alfred Publishing).

Guest Artists that have performed with the orchestra include area artists Beth Colpean (GRSO), Thomas Erickson (GRSO), David Holland (retired from Interlochen Arts Academy), Diane McElfish (GRSO), David Reimer (Calvin College), Heather Storeng (GRSO), Stacey Tanner (GRSO); as well as regional and nationally renown artists Barrage & Barrage 8, Eclectic String Music Ensemble (ESME), Christian Howes, The Moxie Strings, Randy Sabien, and Mark Wood .  We have also been privileged to feature FHPS faculty as soloists, including: Brenda Baker, Sean Duffy, Andrew & Kathleen Pool, and Elbert Yeh .

The orchestra students at FHN and NHMS have also worked with major figures in music education from around Michigan, including: Jenny Allen, Cyndi Betts, Jenny Bonner, Rebecca Bush, Erin DeYoung, Susan Dietrich-Reed, Jan Flower, Mary Hillyard, Sara Jager, Carol Johnson, Sarah Lenhart, Dan Long, Melissa Meyers, Karen Noffsinger, Joseph Oprea, Rodney Page, James Sawyer, Anne Schoelles, Dan Scott, Timothy Staudacher, Wendy Tenney & Gabe Villasurda.

Graduates of the Northern orchestra program have pursued music performance and education degrees at Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Cornerstone University, and Valparaiso University.  Happily, many graduates have also continued to perform on their instruments in colleges and community ensembles throughout the country.

ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS

DR. MARK KOTCHENRUTHER has served as an orchestra director in the Forest Hills Public Schools since 2000 where he directs the Sixth Grade Orchestras at Northern Trails and Goodwillie, the Seventh and Eighth Grade Orchestras at Northern Hills Middle School, and the Symphony Orchestra at Northern High School.  He holds a Bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Michigan, a Master's degree in music education from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Michigan.  Prior to his arrival in Forest Hills, Dr. Kotchenruther taught in the public schools of Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky as well as Norfolk, Virginia and South Haven, Michigan.  He has also served on the conducting staffs of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Knollcrest Music Camp at Calvin College.  Over the years Dr. Kotchenruther has been an adjunct professor at Albion College and Western Michigan University where he has taught stringed instrument methods.  Dr. Kotchenruther is a Past-President of the Michigan chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MASTA), and is a founding member of the Partnership for Music Education Policy Development: A Michigan Think Tank (PMEPD).  He has served as Secretary for the Michigan Music Conference's (MMC) Executive Committee, String Committee Chair for the Michigan School Band & Orchestra Association (MSBOA), and President of MSBOA District 10.   Dr. Kotchenruther was awarded Teacher of the Year by MASTA in 2013, and again by MSBOA District 10 in 2021, and was a finalist for MSBOA Orchestra Teacher of the Year at the state level in 2022.

JEFF ROBKE directs the FHN Concert Orchestra.  His teaching duties at Northern High School also include Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble and the Husky Marching Band.  Mr. Robke holds dual undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University in music education and music theory/composition, and a Master's degree in music education from MSU.  Mr. Robke has been an adjunct professor of music at Aquinas College where he has taught marching band methods.