The Director
Rebecca Jonas is excited to be the new Orchestra Director at Highlands Ranch High School. Originally from the East Coast, she received a B.M. in Cello Performance from Mercyhurst University, and an M.S. in Music Education from Mansfield University. She taught elementary through high school Strings in Spotsylvania and Prince William County School systems in Northern Virginia. After moving to Colorado in 2009, Rebecca taught at Westview Middle School, where she grew the Orchestra program to include fun and diverse ensembles and experiences for her students. Performances of note included multiple National Anthem performances for the Colorado Rockies, performances at the State Capital for legislators to advocate for music education, performances throughout the Longmont community including at art galleries, coffee shops, haunted houses, and The Dickens Opera House. Westview Orchestra students also participated in CHSAA Orchestra Festivals, Combine League Festival, Silver Creek Orchestra Festival, and Skyline Jazz Festival, regularly earning Superior ratings.
Rebecca is an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the string education world, having recently served as President of the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, and as a member of the Instrumental Council for Colorado National Association for Music Education. She has presented at conferences including Colorado ASTA Summer Conference, CMEA State Conference, and National ASTA Conference. She is a regular adjudicator for many orchestra festivals throughout Colorado, and a frequent guest conductor for honor ensembles throughout Colorado.
Rebecca maintains an active and varied performance career, balancing her time between classical and non-classical scenes. She can often be seen along the Front Range performing bluegrass with The High Road Home, jazz with The Constant Tourists, or playing with the Longmont Symphony. In her spare, non-musical time, she enjoys baking, reading, and hiking with her crazy dog Holly. She is lucky to be joined in life by an amazing husband John, who is a fantastic musician and music educator. She has two stepsons, Madison, a talented editor, and Cooper, currently studying Violin Making at The North Bennett School in Boston.
Rebecca maintains an active and varied performance career, balancing her time between classical and non-classical scenes. She can often be seen along the Front Range performing bluegrass with The High Road Home, jazz with The Constant Tourists, or playing with the Longmont Symphony. In her spare, non-musical time, she enjoys baking, reading, and hiking with her crazy dog Holly. She is lucky to be joined in life by an amazing husband John, who is a fantastic musician and music educator. She has two stepsons, Madison, a talented editor, and Cooper, currently studying Violin Making at The North Bennett School in Boston.
HRHS Overture Orchestra
The Overture Orchestra is the the Orchestra where most freshman and beginner students start their Orchestra careers at HRHS. This is the newest Orchestra at HRHS.
HRHS Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra is the largest Orchestra at HRHS. It is the Orchestra where most students begin and where many students play throughout their time in high school. There are a variety of leadership opportunities within the Symphony Orchestra, and for those students who want to make a greater commitment to music, there are opportunities with the HRHS Chamber Orchestra and regional honor orchestras.
HRHS Chamber Orchestra
The HRHS Chamber Orchestra is an audition-only ensemble for Grades 10, 11, and 12. See the Orchestra Handbook for detailed audition requirements and other guidelines for membership in the Chamber Orchestra.
Auditions will be held in January. Students accepted into the Highlands Ranch High School Chamber Orchestra for the 2019-20 school year will be notified in February 2019.
Auditions will be held in January. Students accepted into the Highlands Ranch High School Chamber Orchestra for the 2019-20 school year will be notified in February 2019.
Tri-M
Highlands Ranch High School has a Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter that is open to any student in grades 10, 11, and 12 who meet the school and national academic and musical requirements. Students who maintain membership in this honor society throughout their high school years graduate with honors and then become alumni members of this prestigious organization for life. This International Music Honor Society is recognized at many colleges and universities and can be an important part of a students’ resume and portfolio. Membership applications will be available during the fall semester.
Orchestra Student Council
This group will be comprised of students who are elected by members of each Orchestra. Three students will be chosen from the Chamber Orchestra and five from the Symphony as members-at-large (one student from each grade). In addition, a president, vice-president, secretary, historian, events coordinator, media tech, and librarian will be selected by the entire orchestra membership. (Officers can be elected from either orchestra.) This council will give students a way in which to voice their suggestions, opinions and concerns in a democratic and non-threatening way. The council will also plan orchestra social activities, fundraising events and other activities important to the orchestra. One or two members of the council may be asked to attend Orchestra Parent Meetings on an as-needed basis. Orchestra Council meetings will be scheduled on a weekly basis or as needed.
This group will be comprised of students who are elected by members of each Orchestra. Three students will be chosen from the Chamber Orchestra and five from the Symphony as members-at-large (one student from each grade). In addition, a president, vice-president, secretary, historian, events coordinator, media tech, and librarian will be selected by the entire orchestra membership. (Officers can be elected from either orchestra.) This council will give students a way in which to voice their suggestions, opinions and concerns in a democratic and non-threatening way. The council will also plan orchestra social activities, fundraising events and other activities important to the orchestra. One or two members of the council may be asked to attend Orchestra Parent Meetings on an as-needed basis. Orchestra Council meetings will be scheduled on a weekly basis or as needed.
HRHS Orchestra Boosters
Every parent of an Orchestra student at HRHS is a member of the Orchestras Boosters. A large Orchestra program such as we have at HRHS cannot function without the help of parents. Parent volunteers help with concert attire, the Orchestra banquet, fundraising and many, many other things. We need you!!
Your Orchestra Booster leaders for 2019-2020 are:
Lisa Birdwell, President
Alex Collins, VP Fundraising
Sandra Rainey, VP Communications
Nicole Vasseur, Secretary
Wendy Becker, Treasurer
Fiftwo Baldwin, Ambassador
Your Orchestra Booster leaders for 2019-2020 are:
Lisa Birdwell, President
Alex Collins, VP Fundraising
Sandra Rainey, VP Communications
Nicole Vasseur, Secretary
Wendy Becker, Treasurer
Fiftwo Baldwin, Ambassador
EBOP (HRHS Elementary Band and Orchestra Program)
EBOP is a program of the Highlands Ranch High School Music Department for 5th and 6th graders in the high school's feeder elementary schools, charter schools and home schools. Click here to learn more.
