The Ohio All-Star Honors Orchestra is a competitive virtual orchestra program of the finest high school musicians from the state of Ohio. This collaboration between the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music and the BW Community Arts School exists to support Ohio school music programs by providing additional musical opportunities that are designed to supplement school ensemble activities. Students selected for this orchestra engage in lessons, masterclasses, lectures, and workshops from internationally renowned artists, and will culminate in a professionally produced virtual orchestra performance.

In the Q&A below, senior music education major and All-Star student intern, Julia Morreale, interviews artistic director and conductor, Dr. Soo Han and music education professor, Dr. David Pope.

As virtual music-making increased in necessity and popularity, Han saw the need and desire for high-school orchestral musicians to come together. He said, “I saw that All-State festivals, regional festivals, concerts…essentially everything was being canceled for high-school students across the country, and I know how invaluable those experiences are for students of that age. I really felt the responsibility to try and help out in any way I could.” Therefore, he invited students throughout Ohio to audition for and participate in the Ohio All-Star Honors Orchestra program. In this program, orchestra members attend rehearsals, discussions about musical topics, sectionals, and program activities. These activities range from conducting and composition to career options in music.

Pope led a special topic seminar focused on exploring musical careers and seeking a different musical route than teaching or performing. He advised the students to, “use any breaks you can to get involved. Experience as early as high school can contribute to your later career. Get as many experiences as you can and see if it's something you like. More doors will open the more times you volunteer.” He also reminded students that “very few people know exactly what they want to do when they’re 18. Be open to possibilities and change.”

The end result for the orchestra will be a “Brady Bunch-style” virtual orchestra. Repertoire includes Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute and Piazzolla’s Libertango. Musicians have been working hard in rehearsals and submitting recordings to produce an impressive final product. Look for a video to come in late January 2021!

Story and Q&A written by Julia Morreale '21, All-Star student intern
Major: Music Education

Q&A:

Han: I saw that All-State festivals, regional festivals, concerts, essentially everything was being canceled for high-school students across the country, and I know how invaluable those experiences are for students of that age. I really felt the responsibility to try and help out in any way. Some of my public-school colleagues mentioned that even if these activities had to be canceled, they wished their students could have had the opportunity to at least audition to measure themselves. These students have been working hard toward an audition for an all-state orchestra experience, and their teachers want to see their hard work paid off. I thought this would be a good way to respond to things being canceled in light of COVID and to provide for the community.

Han: When we find a way out of COVID, I would like to do this as a weekend event where students come to campus, we provide housing, and they work with faculty members. I envision it as an in-between to regional festivals and All-State. Obviously, this would be when it is safe to be in person. I would want students to have access to scholarships and participation to be competitive. The OMEA program has regional quotas for the All-State program, which I think is equitable and necessary, but I would want to give those students who cannot participate in All-State an opportunity to meet musicians across Ohio.

Han: I just need to take a moment to thank BW Community Arts School director, Adam Sheldon, and you for all of your behind-the-scenes work. Honestly, I could not have pulled this off without you two. Adam has been so incredibly helpful and insightful throughout this project. His vision was a necessary aspect of our success. And Julia, I have to thank you for all of the communication with myself, the faculty, and the students, keeping us all on top of our game.

Pope: The big thing is that students mostly think their career options are performing or teaching. What I wanted them to realize is they have other options out there. When I taught in Florida, we brought in someone each quarter that had a career in music that did not have a traditional performing or teaching career. I talked to the students about other career paths that are involved in music, such as engineering or writing video game/commercial music. Many performers make a career writing music for video games. We also talked about genres to write for if you are a composer. If you’re a budding composer, you can work for a major composer and orchestrate their sketches of new pieces. I introduced them to music therapy and why that is important. We talked about arts administration and moving there from music education. We discussed music industry jobs such as being a music producer (who probably makes more money than the rest of us combined), recording engineer (if you have a good ear), artist manager, tour manager, booking agent, publicist. How to find other careers involved in music that aren’t traditional things. Overall, we talked about many of the options in the music world and what they mean.

Ohio All-Star Honor Orchestra

Q&A:

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