Orchestra


orchestra-on-stage-closeupDo you play a string instrument – or want to learn to play one?  Or maybe you play brass, or a woodwind, or timpani or percussion, but you want to go beyond jazz and rock and play, or explore, Classical music?  Then Tech’s Orchestra is for you!

All levels and all grades are welcome in Tech’s Orchestra.  You’ll have the chance to perform at Tech’s Winter and Spring Concerts and at the wonderful OUSD Orchestra Festival, where you’ll meet and play with musicians from schools throughout the city.

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Orchestra Posts

Jazz Band and Orchestra Spring Concert

Strike up the Band – and the Orchestra!  It’s time for the Jazz Band and Orchestra Spring Concert: May 24, 6:30 p.m. in the beautiful Tech auditorium.

Don’t miss this chance to hear Tech’s many talented musicians.  And if you haven’t heard music in Tech’s auditorium lately, you have a special treat in store!

$6 admission

Tech Musicians Perform with Oakland East Bay Symphony

On January 27, 2012, four Tech musicians performed with the Oakland East Bay Symphony in the spectacular Paramount Theater.

The OEBS’s grand performance of Carl Orff’s famous “Carmina Burana” included eleventh grader Sam Berris on bassoon and ninth graders Jay Varhula on violin and Christian Espinosa on percussion.  All three Tech students play with the Oakland Youth Orchestra, which performed alongside the professional musicians of the Oakland East Bay Symphony.  In addition, sharp-eyed audience members spotted physics teacher Richard Fairly singing with the Oakland Symphony Chorus.  The Oakland Youth Chorus also joined the excellent performance.

Congratulations Sam, Jay, Christian and Mr. Fairly!

Annual OUSD Orchestra Festival

The Tech Orchestra will perform in the annual OUSD Orchestra Festival on Thursday, March 8th at 6:30 p.m at Roosevelt Middle School.  Roosevelt Middle School is located at 1926 East 19th Street, Oakland. Note that this is a change of venue – the event will not be held at Tech as previously announced!

Nine OUSD Orchestras will perform, with the Finale Conducted by Maestro Michael Morgan of the Oakland-East Bay Symphony.

The event is free.  Please come and support our Tech musicians!

Don’t Miss the Winter Concert!

Mark your calendars for the Music Department’s Winter Concert: Thursday, December 1, 6:00 p.m.

There will be three ensembles performing: the Concert/Jazz Band, the Orchestra, and the Advanced Jazz Band.  Come hear Tech’s talented musicians and award-winning ensembles!

Even if you don’t have a child who’s performing, please come to support the performing arts at Oakland Tech.  In this time of government cuts and shortages, we rely on your support to help our school provide the arts education that makes a difference for so many children.

Spring Music Showcase

pianoCome hear Tech’s award-winning Jazz Band and Orchestra perform in the year-end concert!  Don’t miss this music extravaganza!

June 2, 6:30 p.m. in the beautiful Tech Auditorium.

Admission at the door: $5

Tech Orchestra Wins Trophy at Great America Music in the Parks

first-place-trophy1For the second year in a row, Tech’s Orchestra has won first place at Great America’s Music in the Parks!

Music in the Parks brings together school groups from around the Bay Area at a grand performance, followed by an award ceremony at Great America.  Tech’s Orchestra is pleased and proud to have been awarded the first place trophy for High School Full Orchestra two years running, in 2011 and 2012!

Tech Music Teacher David Byrd credits Tech’s parents and community as well as the talented students, saying “We wouldn’t have made it to the event without the help of a PTSA Maxi-grant!”  Please remember that your support of the arts at Tech makes it possible for our students to participate in these events and achieve these triumphs!

Congratulations to all our talented musicians and to David Byrd, our music teacher and conductor!

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Concertmistress Emily Bowyer holds Tech's trophy

Tech Musicians Play Side by Side with Oakland East Bay Symphony

oebs_logo2010smOn February 25, 2011, six Tech music students took the stage of Oakland’s fabulous Paramount Theater to play side by side with the Oakland East Bay Symphony under the baton of Maestro Michael Morgan.  Nina Fogel (Oboe), Hong Wong (Viola), Jacenta Yu (Violin), Tyler Martin (Trombone), Lily Viek (Flute) and Sam Berris (Bassoon) participated in the performance of Edvard Grieg’s “Hall of the Mountain King” from the Peer Gynt Suite, courtesy of OEBS’ “MUSE” (Music for Excellence) program.  Find out more about the concert here.

Congratulations to Tech’s talented musicians!

Orchestra to Perform at Great America

great-americaOn May 6, 2011, Tech’s Orchestra will join other ensembles from around the Bay Area for a grand performance at Milpitas High School.  After an overnight stay, it’s off to Great America! The Santa Clara amusement park will be full of music students on Saturday, May 7, with an award ceremony for the performances inside Great America at 6:30pm on Saturday.

For directions to Great America, click here.

Spring Play 2011: Blues for an Alabama Sky

Harlem Renaissance star Josephine Baker

Harlem Renaissance star Josephine Baker

OakTechRep,

Oakland Technical High School’s Award-Winning Theatre Program,

Presents:

“Blues for An Alabama Sky”

by Pearl Cleage

Directed by Guest Artist Daunielle Rasmaussen

Choreography by Ena Dallas

Design by Casey Fern and the Tech Techies

Produced by Jessa Brie Berkner

A Drama Set in the Fabulous Harlem Renaissance

Featuring Artists! Dancers! Revolutionaries!

Two Casts: See Both Shows!

Four Performances Only at Oakland Technical H.S. Auditorium (42nd @ Broadway):

Wed, May 25th 7pm, Thursday May 26th 7pm, Friday, May 27th, 2pm & 7pm

Tickets Available at Door:

Students and Teachers with OUSD ID: $5/ General Admission $8

Join Us for a Post-Show Discussion with the Cast after Friday’s 2pm Matinee!

Thank you for Supporting Arts in Education!
See you at the Theater!

Winter Music Concert

flute-playersDon’t miss Tech’s winter music concert!  Come hear the orchestra, jazz band and chorus in what’s always a highlight of the performing arts calendar!

In the beautiful Oakland Tech Auditorium, 42nd Street at Broadway.

Performing Arts Classes at Oakland Tech, Academic Year 2010-2011

Music:

  • Beginning band, 1st period
  • Piano, 2nd period
  • Band, 4th period
  • Orchestra, 5th period
  • Jazz band, 6th period
  • Chorus and voice, 7th period (after school) Tuesdays and minimum Wednesdays (not for credit)

Dance:

  • Beginning dance, 2nd period
  • Beginning dance, 3rd, 4th and 5th periods
  • Advanced dance, 6th period

Drama:

  • 9th grade Drama/English, 2nd/3rd and 5th/6th periods
  • Beginning drama
  • Advanced Drama, 6th period
  • Performance Drama, 7th period (after school) Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Tech Techies:

  • 7th period (after school) Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (not for credit)
OUSD Orchestra Festival

Mark your calendars for March 10, 2011 for the OUSD Orchestra Festival at Roosevelt Middle School!  You won’t want to miss this event featuring orchestral music by student musicians from all over the District, including of course our own Tech orchestra under the direction of our own David Byrd!

Spring Concert 2010!

Jazz, orchestra, song … It’s always a great evening at the final concert for the music department.  Come hear all of Tech’s talented music students: orchestra, jazz ensembles, instrumental soloists, and the Opera Piccola chorus.

When: June 3, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

Where: The Tech Auditorium, 42nd Street at Broadway

Bring your friends!  Tell the community!

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Tech choral music students

Tech Orchestra at the March 2010 OUSD Orchestra Festival

orchestra-on-stage-closeupTech’s Orchestra performed at the March 11, 2010 OUSD Orchestra Festival, where a spontaneous and lovely collaboration occurred.

At the Festival, the Skyline and Oakland Tech High School orchestras realized they’d prepared the same song for the

OUSD Orchestra Festival – Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saens – so without any advance preparation, they played it together! What a thrilling and beautiful big sound from the spontaneously formed SkyTech/OakLine orchestra!

As if that weren’t enough, the 11 participating middle and high school orchestras (including students from “failing” school Elmhurst Community Prep) performed the last two numbers together as the OUSD Combined Orchestra, with Maestro Michael Morgan, director of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, conducting. Definitely, most definitely, a “Proud to be an OUSD Parent” night.

Thanks to Tech music teacher David Byrd and all the other OUSD music teachers and music supporters for their efforts, and congratulations to our children!

Orchestral Festival May 7

Tech’s Orchestra performed in the CMEA orchestral festival on May 7 at Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord.  The orchestra received very high grades, and was warmly received, as everyone was very enthusiastic that there we have a full and growing music program back at Tech!

Tech orchestra’s surprise collaboration at OUSD Orchestra Festival

Tech’s Orchestra performed at the March 11, 2010 OUSD Orchestra Festival, where a spontaneous and lovely collaboration occurred.

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Winter Concert

Please join us for the 2009 Winter Concert in the Oakland Tech Auditorium, presented by the Oakland Tech Music Department.  Performing will be:

  • Choir
  • Orchestra
  • Jazz Band
  • Maybe solo Piano