I am thrilled that you have enrolled in the orchestra program. This award-winning program is a continuous one, grades 5-12. Whether you are a beginner, middle school, or high school student, you have selected a class where you will meet new friends and learn to work as a team. The end goal is to develop your musicianship at the highest level and to instill an appreciation of music throughout your lives.
If you are in middle or high school, you will have a number of performance opportunities in addition to our school concerts. These performances include but are not limited to community performances and district and state festivals. In short, you will put all of the skills you are learning into practice with continued evaluation of your performance.
I look forward to working with all of you this year! If you have questions, concerns, or just want to share a great idea, don't hesitate to ask! Be sure to read through all of the information for your class. If you need any more information, email me at plawson@goddardusd.com.
Sincerely,
Ms. Lawson
Ms. Pamela Lawson is the Director of String Orchestras for Discovery Intermediate, Eisenhower Middle, and Eisenhower High School. Prior to teaching in Goddard, Ms. Lawson successfully taught and directed award winning orchestras in both North and South Carolina, and holds degrees in Music Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, and is she is National Board Certified. While in the Carolinas, Ms. Lawson played professionally, holding the position of Principal 2nd violinist with the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra in Myrtle Beach and with Strand Strings. She is currently a violinist with the Salina Symphony and the Salt City Orchestra in Hutchinson, Kansas.
Other performances include playing with the Downtown String Ensemble in Raleigh, NC, Strand Strings in Myrtle Beach, an appearance in concert with the legendary country singer Ray Price, Wayne Newton, and the Russell Thompson and the New Stylistics. Ms. Lawson was also a member of the Downtown String Ensemble which included a performance of "Lyric for Strings", written by and in the company of George Walker; first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996. Ms. Lawson also serves as the Director for the Northeast Area Strings Academy of Wichita (NASAW), an outreach strings program for underserved students in the Greater Wichita Area. This year, Ms. Lawson was appointed as conductor to open the Salt City Orchestra Concert Season, and serves as the Kansas All State Full Orchestra Chair.
Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (2004)
Music Director’s Award of Distinction at the Fiesta-Val Music Festival in Virginia Beach, VA (2008)
Named one of the “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” in the December 2010 edition in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (2010)
Selected to participate in the College Edition insert “Director’s Round Table” article in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine (2011)
National Board Certification (2015)
Named SCKMEA District Music Educator of the Year (2018)
Named Goddard Kansas District Teacher of the Year (2018)