Hopewell Middle School Orchestras
The Hopewell Middle School orchestra program was established in 2004 when the school first opened. The orchestra program is currently 200 members strong and growing! All orchestra students at Hopewell perform with their respective grade-level orchestras. These orchestras meet five times a week during their regularly scheduled classes. All orchestra students participate in at least 3 school concerts each year, including the GMEA District 5 Large Group Performance Evaluation.
The top performing orchestra group is the Chamber Orchestra. The HMS Chamber Orchestra is open to students in grades 6-8 by audition only. The Chamber Orchestra rehearses every Thursday morning from 8:00-8:45 a.m. The Chamber Orchestra performs for special school events (Rising 6th Grade Tours, PTA events), as well as throughout the community (feeder elementary schools, nursing homes, school sponsors, etc.)
The HMS Orchestras have consistently received Superior ratings for performance and sight-reading at the GMEA District Five Large Group Performance Evaluation. The HMS Orchestras participate annually in the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags over Georgia and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tn. The orchestras have won first place and Best Overall Orchestra distinctions at both festivals. The HMS Orchestras have also received special invitations to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah, the Governor’s Mansion Holiday Open House, and the Disney Performing Arts Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl. HMS Orchestra students have regularly been selected as members of the GMEA All-State Orchestra, Fulton County Youth Orchestras, and the GMEA District Five Middle School Honor Orchestra. Students have also participated in GMEA Solo and Ensemble, the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Chamber Music Workshop, and the Junior Orchestra Festival at the University of Georgia.
The HMS Orchestra program focuses on developing technique (bowing and left hand), sight-reading skills, basic music theory, and musicianship; in addition to building a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and commitment. Students master performing skills on their instrument, serve the school and community through quality concert performances, and help to enhance school spirit!
The top performing orchestra group is the Chamber Orchestra. The HMS Chamber Orchestra is open to students in grades 6-8 by audition only. The Chamber Orchestra rehearses every Thursday morning from 8:00-8:45 a.m. The Chamber Orchestra performs for special school events (Rising 6th Grade Tours, PTA events), as well as throughout the community (feeder elementary schools, nursing homes, school sponsors, etc.)
The HMS Orchestras have consistently received Superior ratings for performance and sight-reading at the GMEA District Five Large Group Performance Evaluation. The HMS Orchestras participate annually in the Music in the Parks Festival at Six Flags over Georgia and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tn. The orchestras have won first place and Best Overall Orchestra distinctions at both festivals. The HMS Orchestras have also received special invitations to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah, the Governor’s Mansion Holiday Open House, and the Disney Performing Arts Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl. HMS Orchestra students have regularly been selected as members of the GMEA All-State Orchestra, Fulton County Youth Orchestras, and the GMEA District Five Middle School Honor Orchestra. Students have also participated in GMEA Solo and Ensemble, the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Chamber Music Workshop, and the Junior Orchestra Festival at the University of Georgia.
The HMS Orchestra program focuses on developing technique (bowing and left hand), sight-reading skills, basic music theory, and musicianship; in addition to building a strong sense of responsibility, teamwork, and commitment. Students master performing skills on their instrument, serve the school and community through quality concert performances, and help to enhance school spirit!
Teresa Hoebeke, Orchestra Director
Mrs. Teresa Hoebeke is the Director of Orchestras at Hopewell Middle School in Fulton County. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Hoebeke taught at Cogburn Woods Elementary, Spalding Drive Elementary, and Sandy Springs Middle School in Fulton County. She began her teaching career in 1996 in Macon, Georgia with the Bibb County Public Schools. Mrs. Hoebeke taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestra for six years in Bibb County from 1996-2002. During this time she also served as director of the Bibb County Elementary Honor Orchestra and as Orchestra Liaison for the Bibb County Music Department.
In 2001, Mrs. Hoebeke was named Teacher of the Year for the Bibb County Music Department. She was also awarded the Beacon Light Award for outstanding service in the Bibb County Public Schools. Mrs. Hoebeke was named Hopewell Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mrs. Hoebeke has served as a guest clinician and judge with several orchestras, including the Dougherty County Honor Orchestra, Middle School Honor Orchestra in Muscogee County , Bibb County Middle School Honor Orchestra, Georgia American String Teachers Association Camp, BRAVO String Camp, UpBeat Orchestra Camp, and the GMEA District 11 Solo and Ensemble Festival
Mrs. Hoebeke received a B.M. (cum laude) in Violin Performance from Florida State University and a M.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Miami, Florida. During her career, she has performed with several orchestras including the Miami Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Symphony. She is currently a member of Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, American String Teachers Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mrs. Hoebeke’s orchestras have consistently received Superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations. Her orchestras have performed for the National Middle School Association Conference, the Georgia State PTA Convention, the Governors Mansion, Walt Disney World Magic Music Days, Music in the Parks Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Ga. Individual members of her orchestras have participated in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Fulton County Youth Orchestra, National Middle School Association Honor Orchestra, GMEA All-State Orchestra, and GMEA Solo and Ensemble.
Teresa is happily married to Tony Hoebeke. She is the mother of two boys, Thomas and Timothy.
In 2001, Mrs. Hoebeke was named Teacher of the Year for the Bibb County Music Department. She was also awarded the Beacon Light Award for outstanding service in the Bibb County Public Schools. Mrs. Hoebeke was named Hopewell Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mrs. Hoebeke has served as a guest clinician and judge with several orchestras, including the Dougherty County Honor Orchestra, Middle School Honor Orchestra in Muscogee County , Bibb County Middle School Honor Orchestra, Georgia American String Teachers Association Camp, BRAVO String Camp, UpBeat Orchestra Camp, and the GMEA District 11 Solo and Ensemble Festival
Mrs. Hoebeke received a B.M. (cum laude) in Violin Performance from Florida State University and a M.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Miami, Florida. During her career, she has performed with several orchestras including the Miami Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Symphony. She is currently a member of Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, American String Teachers Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mrs. Hoebeke’s orchestras have consistently received Superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations. Her orchestras have performed for the National Middle School Association Conference, the Georgia State PTA Convention, the Governors Mansion, Walt Disney World Magic Music Days, Music in the Parks Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Ga. Individual members of her orchestras have participated in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Fulton County Youth Orchestra, National Middle School Association Honor Orchestra, GMEA All-State Orchestra, and GMEA Solo and Ensemble.
Teresa is happily married to Tony Hoebeke. She is the mother of two boys, Thomas and Timothy.
