ABOUT
The Mansfield ISD Orchestra Program, offered to students grade 6-12, was first implemented during the 2016-2017 school term. The addition of the string program provides a well-rounded balance of options to the visual and performing arts within the district.
Orchestra is offered at all MISD intermediate and middle schools. Intermediate and middle school students will participate in the program at their home campus. High school orchestra students will travel by bus to attend classes at Ben Barber Innovation Academy.
There is no application process to apply for the orchestra program. Students need to sign up for orchestra as an elective to enroll. Course selection sheets usually are provided in Spring for students to sign up for electives being offered in the upcoming school year.
Linda Jobe Middle School Orchestra Program
It all began in Fall 2022, the year for all MISD middle school campuses to have their own orchestra program. We are fairly new in the district and are growing every year.
Donna Shepard Leadership Orchestra Program
Orchestra started at Donna Shepard in Fall 2015. At first string instruments were introduced in General Music classes for 5th graders. The following year all 6th graders had an option to choose Orchestra (a string instrument) as their elective. After that, middle school orchestra class continued at Ben Barber, a temporary facility for students to meet in the morning or afternoon. It was not until August 2022 that the middle school orchestra program became independent at each middle school campus--students no longer needed to travel to Ben Barber for classes.
YOUR ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR
Violinist Chaul Yang has given performances in the United States, Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, and Belgium. She made her Carnegie Hall debut as a member of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra in 2014. During her music studies, she regularly served as the concertmaster of Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Baylor Chamber Orchestra, and UNT Symphony Orchestra.
An active orchestra player, Dr. Yang performs with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Richardson Symphony, and the Waco Symphony. She has obtained her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of North Texas (UNT) in December, 2017.
Regarded as a “sophisticated musician” by her mentors, Dr. Yang worked with renowned conductors such as Larry Rachleff, Michael Stern, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Richard Bado. Her mentors included Philip Lewis, Kenneth Goldsmith, Kathleen Winkler, Cho-liang Lin, and Elizabeth Atkins.
Aside from performing, Dr. Yang enjoys teaching and helping young students nurture a love for music. She began giving private violin lessons in Houston in 2011 during her Master’s studies. Students under her guidance have advanced in Region and All-State auditions. From 2015-2017, Dr. Yang taught at UNT as a Teaching Fellow. She was able to assist not only Music Education majors but also adult beginners based on the university’s curriculum. Post graduation she became the founder of Heartbeat Violin Studio in Burleson, TX. Her mission is to help students of different ages teach themselves as soon as possible and develop musical and physical skills altogether. Dr. Yang currently is an Orchestra Director at Linda Jobe Middle School and Donna Shepard Leadership Academy with the Mansfield ISD.