A group of 57 fifth grade students from four elementary schools began lessons in the Fall of 1999 through the Community Education Department of ZPS -- that was 17% of all fifth graders! What a response!
A curriculum for 5-6-7th grade orchestra was prepared by Holly Balcer during the Summer of 1999. In the Spring of 2000, orchestra was officially added to the K-12 curriculum of Zeeland Public Schools by the Board of Education . An 8-12 orchestra curriculum was added in 2001 at which time an additional staff member, Marie Den Braber (Ten Elshof), was hired.
Each year, as our initial group of fifth graders moves up another grade level, orchestra has become available for that grade level. Fall 2003 heralded the introduction of our 9-12 High School Orchestra,as our initial class of fifth graders reached the ninth grade. At this time, Mrs. Balcer is teaching the Fifth Grade Beginning String Orchestra, 6-7-8th Grade Orchestras at Creekside Middle School, and leading the Zeeland High School Orchestra.
In 2006-2007, this first class of beginners were seniors. The High School Orchestra celebrated with a weekend in Chicago: free time at Navy Pier, viewing the masters at the Art Institute of Chicago, attending the show WICKED, dinner at Hard Rock Cafe', participating in a master's class and performing for the visitors at Museum of Natural History, and shopping the magnificent Mile.. In the rain, wind, and snow, the students made new friends while celebrating their contribution to the growth of the ZPS Orchestra program.
Two weeks later, the 7th & 8th grade orchestras combined in a fine performance at the ASTA with NSOA National Orchestra Festival in Detroit. These students relaxed(?) in the pool, enjoyed lunch at Hockeytown, were amazed at the skill of Midori in concert, and represented the ZPS orchestra program well in their performance in the Max M. Fisher Hall. Mr. Dan Long left a positive impression on these students during the master's class.
Through the efforts of students, parents, community, and instructors, the Orchestra Program continues to mature. The 2008-2009 school year included the Anniversary/Birthday Celebrations (ABC Concerts) to mark this milestone in the history of the Orchestra Program. Two pieces were commissioned: "Celebration" by Jarred Heddens and "Z-Land" by Eric Spangler. Mr. Heddens rehearsed with the middle school students and conducted the premier in October. December included the high school orchestra performance of "The Nutcracker" for the winter dance concert and ensemble performances at City on A Hill Ministries. "Z-land" was premiered in May at the final concert. Mr. Spangler was unable to attend the premier so we began to make plans to travel to Baltimore in 2009-2010.
The second decade of the ZPS Orchestra program began with preparations for the High School Orchestra trip to Baltimore and Washington DC. We had a great four-day November weekend of performing for and with Mr. Spangler's former students at the Maryland Academy of Technology and Health Sciences and sight-seeing in Washington, DC. The wreath-laying ceremony that we participated in at Arlington National Cemetary was a highlight of the trip.
After this experience of raising funds for a major trip, a district orchestra event was initiated. Jukebox Jingles is a project learning assignment. Rooms are transformed into cafe's that represent the theme of the current year. Student ensembles of 4-10 members have chosen selections within the theme and prepare those selections for the music menu. Jukeboxes are stationed at the doorways of these cafe's from which our guests may purchase music. The music of the 50's, 60's, and 70's was represented in the first annual Jukebox Jingles. Ice cream sundaes, malteds root beer floats and baked goods were available for our guests to purchase. When the students were not performing in their assigned cafe'; they helped take orders and serve the desserts. The night was a great success; the families packed the rooms while students had fun playing with their friends and dressing in poodle skirts and leather jackets.
Another addition to the Orchestra program is the engaging relationship with "The Moxie Strings". Diana, Ali and Fritz are a dynamic alternative Celtic rock string ensemble. They have take their skill into club venues as well as educational facilities. Teaching students by rote in a 2 hour clinic, these three "rock the house" with their enthusiasm and passion for teaching young musicians how to compose, improvise, and arrange string tunes.
Three years after the Baltimore/Washington D.C trip and with much detailed preparation, the High School Orchestra auditioned to play at Walt Disney World. The video was accepted and we began in earnest to raise the necessary funds (including a second Jukebox Jingles event, "Rock, Pop and Doo Wop") to travel to Florida! Disney, 2013: Thirty-six Zeeland High School Orchestra students and six chaperones traveled to Walt Disney World January 17-22. Arriving on Friday afternooon, the students had time to "move" into their hotel rooms, take showers (after a 24 hour motor coach ride) and board the coach for a dinner at Planet Hollywood. The students represented Zeeland well with a "great and professional" performance on the Waterside Stage in Downtown Disney on Saturday, Jan. 19. The rest of the day the students enjoyed the Magic Kingdom complete with the parade and evening fireworks! On Sunday, the students participated in the Walt Disney World Performing Arts Workshop. Rich Ervin, a free-lance professional musician and educator, lead the students through the priorities of a musician: focus, sight-reading, listening, watching, balance and intonation. The students responded well; the orchestra recorded five melodies each from a different Disney movie. The final recording was embedded into the dance scene from "Beauty and the Beast". It was a fabulous experience and a lot of fun! High praise was given by the WDW personnel: "This is a great ensemble. Had I known, I would have done this clinic from free. They are in the top 2% of the groups that I work with here." Everyone enjoyed great weather, good health and time to visit Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Universal Studios before returning home.
Building on this exceptional trip experience and the strength of the orchestra, an abridged version of "The Nutcracker Ballet" was presented with the Dance Program in December of 2013. Professional musicians were invited to mentor the high school students in preparation for the weekend of performances. The students accepted the challenge, rose to the occasion and all performances were well received. An audition video, two more major fund raisers and another trip to perform on the Waterside stage in Downtown Disney is being planned!
Jukebox Jingles III, "Oldies, but Goodies" was a major success due to the addition of an entree' menu. Hotdogs, chili, chips and cheese and any combination thereof was offered at nominal prices. A complimentary meal was given to the students to alleviate the necessity of feeding students before they arrived. Once again, the students dressed in period attire and performed their music to rooms packed with their family and friends.
A red carpet was pulled out for the orchestra "Walk of Fame stars (Jukebox Jingles IV). Music associated with names on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was performed for capacity crowds at the Howard Miller Community Center. It was the intent to have more space, but with the enrollment numbers and growing popularity of this event, Jukebox Jingles V will return to the middle school venue.
In the meantime, the enrollment of the beginner orchestras (6th grade) has increased and the skill level of the 7th & 8th grade orchestras is being raised to the next level. It is an exciting time of growth and development of the ZPS Orchestra program!
The Moxie Strings has become an annual clinic: Diana and Ali share their creative juices with the students on stage. Each year brings a new dimension to arranging, composing, and improvisation! This concert is a very popular Zeeland Orchestra event!
Jukebox Jingles V spread itself from one end of Cityside Middle School to the other and included a final performance of the High School's Disney set. "Name the 'Toon" was a fun theme from which to choose songs and to decorate the building!
Jukebox Jingles VI rocked the house with "Old Time Rock'N Roll" classics! The refined menu and revised kitchen layout made this JJ the best ever! Bigger and better every year, Jukebox Jingles has proved to be an excellent fund-raiser and great community event.