April 16, 2008
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS , OH – Cleveland Heights High School’s award winning instrumental music ensembles will perform on Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m., and Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s auditorium.

What: Concert Band, Concert Orchestra, and Symphonic Band
When: Wednesday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. Chamber ensemble groups will perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Room

What: Heights High Symphony and Symphonic Winds
When: Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. Chamber ensemble groups will perform beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Room

Where: Cleveland Heights High School Auditorium
13263 Cedar Road, Cleveland Heights
(Parking in north lot off of Washington Boulevard)

Admission: $5 (adults) and $3 (students). Admission is free for attendees aged 65 and over. For additional information, please call Scott Astey at 216-320-3103 or Brett Baker at 216-320-3104.

More on the Cleveland Heights High School Instrumental Music Department Orchestra Director Scott Astey is rounding out his first year with the Heights Instrumental Music Department, where he joined Band Director Brett Baker. Between the two of them, they teach five band or orchestra classes, music theory (basic and AP), African American Music, two jazz ensembles, jazz combo, marching band, and 23 chamber ensembles.

Mr. Astey is an experienced band and orchestra director and stepped in immediately to take responsibility for the strings and orchestras. "The talent and potential here is amazing," he said. As his students are learning, so is he. "This year I am learning about the students and how to choose music that fits their strengths and will challenge them."

Mr. Baker has enjoyed having a new colleague. They have been working with Cleveland State University Music Education Professor Dr. Birch Browning, who serves as a coach and mentor while providing practical and usable information.

One major goal of the IMD teachers is to create top-notch ensembles—groups of students who have a solid set of pieces to perform. "The key to having great ensembles is to have great musicians, and one of the best ways to build individual skills is for the students to take private lessons," Mr. Baker said. To make that happen for all students, the Band and Orchestra Parent Organization raises money to pay for private lessons. Reaching Heights provides funds for middle school music lessons, and the BOPO leaders saw a similar need at the high school.

BOPO also organizes the annual spring break tour, and this year's destination was Pittsburgh. Students performed at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School and at Duquesne University, where they had an outstanding master class with Dr. Robert C. Cameron, Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Chair of Ensembles.