Welcome to the
2007-2008 school year!
I am very excited to be returning to the Newman Smith Orchestra as the assistant director for the third year in a row. I have truly enjoyed the last two school years, and I feel delighted to once again be a part of this close family of musicians. I once walked in the same shoes that the students are walking in today—I am a Class of 2000 graduate of Newman Smith High School, and one of Mr. Dockray’s former students—and I am eager to watch you all grow and learn as I did in my years here in the orchestra program.
Since graduating from Newman Smith in 2000, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. During my years at SHSU, I taught violin and viola lessons in Houston, Livingston, and Huntsville and performed at numerous weddings and events throughout the area. I also served as Principal Violist and President of the SHSU Symphony and Director of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. I have now taught orchestra for two years, both served here as Mr. Dockray’s assistant, and I am looking forward to my third year of working with all of you.
I am thrilled to be involved again with this program, which comes from a long-standing tradition of musical excellence. As you well know, in order to reach success as musicians, we must strive together with hard work, dedication, and persistence; I feel ready to challenge each of you to do just that. I know we are all excited as we begin another school year, and that we have great expectations for the upcoming year. I am eager to pursue high standards of achievement and musicianship with each of you.
Here’s to an exhilarating and unprecedented year!
Musically yours,
Jessica Milbrandt
Associate Director of Orchestras