Music Department Notes

The AIS Department of Music is approaching the end of its season of concert and recital performances, the latest series of which occurred on the evening of April 3 with a performance by the Upper School Chorus and Honor Choir, led by Brandon Beachamp, and the Upper School Jazz Band and AIS Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Ronald L. Howard. The seventh AIS Chamber Players Recital of the year took place on April 28, with 27 student participants from grades two through eleven.

The final stretch of performances will occur in May, beginning with a Middle School Chorus/String Ensemble/Symphonic Band concert on May 20, 6:30 p.m., in the AIS auditorium, followed by the eighth and final AIS Chamber Players Recital at 6:00 p.m., the next Tuesday, May 27, also in the AIS auditorium.

A member of the AIS Symphony Orchestra and US Jazz Band, Marvin Fichtmueller (grade 10), was recently accepted to the prestigious program of summer study at the 80th annual Interlochen Center for the Arts, in northern Michigan outside of Traverse City. Marvin will spend six weeks at Interlochen, performing in bands and orchestras, studying music theory and music principles with internationally acclaimed instructors, and living with students from over 80 countries from around the globe.

Music Department Faculty member, Ron Howard was recently awarded a 2008 Loveday Summer Study Grant, under the auspices of the Georgia Independent Schools Association. This marks the third time Dr. Howard has received this grant during his tenure at AIS, and he is the first in the history of the award, statewide, to receive it three times. He will use the grant for summer study at Stetson University, related to high school band administration and organization.