Palo Duro HS Orchestra

Congratulations to our PD orchestra students who earned a Superior and Excellent ratings at the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest!!! Way to go Orchestra Dons!!!

Senior Spotlight Post: Ella Baker

How long have you been in Orchestra? I have been in orchestra for 9 years

Instrument: Viola

Favorite orchestra Memory: My favorite orchestra memory is going to state to play my solo and perform solely for the purpose of music!

Biggest lesson you have learned from orchestra: I was taught that music is the way to a persons soul and my private lesson teacher showed me how beautiful and harsh music can be. Learning is much harder than it looks and the outcome is all people see. I’m grateful to know that practicing is one of the most difficult parts of music

Plans after Graduation: My plans after graduation are to become an art restorationist and play my viola on the side while in Europe!

Advice to younger musicians: My advice would be to know that music is full of connections. mistakes are what make you successful. Feel the harsh emotions of mistakes and let it guide you in life. Practice everyday and don’t let people get the best of you. Know that a lot of hate is just jealousy ;) hopefully it’s not by being out of tune haha.
-Ella Baker

Ella is extremely talented in both art and music. She has a strong work ethic and is very committed to the things she loves. The PD orchestra is grateful that you got to perform with us, even if it was only for your senior year. Please keep striving for your goals because wherever you go, that place will be lucky to have you there. Thank you for sharing your talents and skills with our orchestra, we will miss you! Now it is your turn to go out into the world and spread art and music everywhere you go!
Mr. Fore

Orchestra Senior Spotlight: Alex Rai

How many years you have been in orchestra? 8 years on Cello

Favorite Orchestra memory: Being able to go to State.

Biggest lesson you have learned through music: Sometimes you need to take a pause and put your mind elsewhere.

Plans after Graduation: Plan to go down the medicine pathway to get my doctorate by studying biology first at Texas Tech.

Advice for younger musicians: Don't beat yourself up too hard, and to take things SLOW. Slower is better at times.
- Alex Rai

Alex is by far the most involved student for Palo Duro HS. I think every student in the school knows his name. Alex is high achieving, a talented cellist, and an over all amazing guy. He is the Senior Class President which makes sense, I would have voted for him too!
Alex brings a shining personality to class everyday and always has a smile on his face. Thank you for your time in the PD orchestras, we will miss you. I have no doubt you will become anything that you set out to be and achieve great things!
- Mr. Fore

Orchestra Senior Spotlight: Savannah Hermoso

How many years you have been in the orchestra?
I've played the violin for 6 years.

Favorite Orchestra memory?
Every. Single. Greater Southwest Performance! The music we performed during these concerts was so much fun, I looked forward to them every year.

Biggest lesson you have learned through music?
Music has taught me confidence, encouraging me to play boldly and perform without being afraid of making mistakes.

Plans after Graduation
I plan to attend Texas Tech University, majoring in Biology, and I hope to become a Pediatric Physician in the future.

Advice for younger musicians?
It's never ever that serious. Slow down, and HAVE FUN!
-Savannah Hermoso

Savannah is very kind and extremely motivated! She has worked very hard during her high school career and earned many college credits along the way. I hope you always keep playing your violin as you go through life doing great things for our community. Your graduation is well earned! Thank you for being apart of the PD Orchestra. We will miss you greatly. I know you will go and make the world a better place.
-Mr. Fore

Orchestra Senior Spotlight: Andrea Vazquez

Years in orchestra: 7

Instrument: Viola

Favorite orchestra memory: Playing for the HeART of CASA and a young girl who played Viola came up and danced as we played and sat between me and Daniel looking at the music with amazement in her eyes.

Biggest lesson learned through music: You have to be ready for anything to happen no matter how prepared you think you are.
Plans after graduation: I plan to study mechanical/aerospace engineering at Oklahoma State University and minor in music
education.

Advice for younger musicians: Learn to love the slow and beautiful songs as much as you love the fast and hard ones.
-Andrea Vazquez

Andrea is a superstar violist and has worked so hard these past 3 years that I have known her. She has come a long way in her musicianship and even more so as a person. Thank you for being an amazing student. The PD orchestra will always miss you, but it is time for you to go out into the world and do great things! I could not be more proud of you!
-Mr. Fore

On Friday, May 1st the Palo Duro Symphony Orchestra competed at the Greater Southwest Music Festival. We received an Outstanding Rating and earned best in class for HS full orchestra! We are so proud of our band and orchestra students who worked so hard to put this performance together. We are so grateful to have an amazing band that we are able to collaborate with!

A special thanks to Isaac Gutierrez for all the help you provided to our students! And another huge thank you to the PD Band and Orchestra Booster club for feeding all of our students on this busy day.

Directors: Ismael Alfaro, Raiden Fore, Anthony Newton, and Isaac Gutierrez

Let's go Dons! These will be great performances. We hope to see you there!

Come out and support our outstanding musicians at Greater Southwest Music Festival this Friday! We'll see you there!!

The Palo Duro Symphony Orchestra is proudly performing at Greater Southwest Music Festival this year! We would love to see you there. Our Performance is on Friday, May 1st at 11:40 am in the Civic Center Auditorium.

Thank you to the Partners of Education Banquet for inviting a string ensemble from Palo Duro HS to come and perform for this event. We had a blast!