"Without music, life would be a mistake." Fredrich Nietzche
History
The Skaneateles HS Orchestra is a part of the Skaneateles String Program, founded in 1973 by Lucille Teufel and D.J. Igeslruud.
After a period of various instructors, Nicholas Ross and Karen Veverka began teaching in Skaneateles in 1990. Together, these two teachers built the program. In 1996, Karen Veverka began her position in the Middle and High School, and in 1997, Terry Squires began his position at State St. Elementary, continuing to build the elementary program.
The Skaneateles HS Orchestra has performed for Red Cross fundraisers, Skaneateles Festival fundraisers, senior citizens, and is eager to join the new program at Upstate Hospital, "healing harmonies." The orchestra has performed at NYSSMA Conferences, as well as winning first place in 2009 at Heritage Festival's Presidential Inauguration festival, where students also witnessed the historic inauguration of Barack Obama. In 2010, the orchestra performed at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange County, California, at Heritage Festival's "Festival of Gold."
Prior to 2009, the SHS orchestra performed in concert in various venues at Disney World, as well as performing in numerous SHS drama productions in pit orchestras.
The SHS orchestra has received "Gold" and "Gold With Distinction" awards at NYSSMA Major Organization Festivals since 1998. They have hosted rock violinist Mark Wood and performed with him in 2009, 2012, and 2017.
Looking ahead, in the 2017-18 school year, the high school orchestra will be studying the fusion of dance and string playing through a grant from the Skaneateles Education Foundation.
After a period of various instructors, Nicholas Ross and Karen Veverka began teaching in Skaneateles in 1990. Together, these two teachers built the program. In 1996, Karen Veverka began her position in the Middle and High School, and in 1997, Terry Squires began his position at State St. Elementary, continuing to build the elementary program.
The Skaneateles HS Orchestra has performed for Red Cross fundraisers, Skaneateles Festival fundraisers, senior citizens, and is eager to join the new program at Upstate Hospital, "healing harmonies." The orchestra has performed at NYSSMA Conferences, as well as winning first place in 2009 at Heritage Festival's Presidential Inauguration festival, where students also witnessed the historic inauguration of Barack Obama. In 2010, the orchestra performed at Segerstrom Concert Hall in Orange County, California, at Heritage Festival's "Festival of Gold."
Prior to 2009, the SHS orchestra performed in concert in various venues at Disney World, as well as performing in numerous SHS drama productions in pit orchestras.
The SHS orchestra has received "Gold" and "Gold With Distinction" awards at NYSSMA Major Organization Festivals since 1998. They have hosted rock violinist Mark Wood and performed with him in 2009, 2012, and 2017.
Looking ahead, in the 2017-18 school year, the high school orchestra will be studying the fusion of dance and string playing through a grant from the Skaneateles Education Foundation.