Band Choir Orchestra Musical Theatre Calendar: RI District Music Events In the News Junior High What is RIMA? Newsletter & More Wish List Alan Spears, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Karli Rose Kell Memorial Scholarship RIMA Home Page RIHS Music Home Page RISD41 Home Page		Orchestra Matthew Manweiler DIRECTOR OF ORCHESTRA Matthew Manweiler joined the staff at RIHS music department this year. He hails from Valparaiso, Indiana and graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis. He will be teaching at all levels - high school, junior high, and elementary. Although he plays all strings, his instrument of choice is a 5-string violin, the 5th string tuned to C so that it is a miniature viola. He enjoys playing alternate styles of music - jazz, bluegrass, Irish. In his spare time he raises coral and salt water fish. Deborah Wegener ELEMENTARY & JR HI ORCHESTRA Deborah Wegener was the Director of Orchestra at Rock Island High School 1996-2000. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University. Mrs. Wegener directs the Orchestra at Washington Junior High and works with elementary students throughout District 41. For over 20 years she taught the Suzuki method of violin instruction in Moline and Galesburg in Illinois; and Burlington in Iowa. During that time, Mrs. Wegener helped found Moline Junior Symphony and Heartstrings - a string ensemble made up of area students who play for weddings, anniversaries and parties. She also performed with the Augustana and Clinton symphony orchestras. Prior to teaching in Rock Island, Mrs. Wegener taught at Wilson Middle School in Moline. Mrs. Wegener lives in Moline with her daughter, Molly. Orchestra Music is indeed an international language. It is spoken fluently in the Quad Cities and we are proud to say at RIHS as well. We are so fortunate to have Orchestra in the Rock Island - Milan School System. It is a training ground for some of our more gifted musicians. We are proud to say that many of our students have performed in other community orchestras such as the Quad City Youth Symphony, the Quad City String Ensemble and the Moline Junior Symphony. A select few have even gone on to college and returned to perform with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. For some, appreciation of the orchestra and the years of practice and preparation involved is beyond comprehension. Precision is vital. If that's not difficult enough, most of the terminology of music as well as directions from the composer to the performer are traditionally written in Italian. Terms which may appear on the program page and the composer's score mark off the various movements of a work, but they do more than that - some terms indicate tempo, speed, or modd, and when they are combined with the descriptive words, give special insight into the character of the music. Obviously, you have to be ther to really enjoy and relish the experience. Thank you for supporting your sons and daughters (all virtuosos) as they continue their musical journey. Orchestra Events Calendar 2003-2004 Highlighted Events are Required for the Class Photos Violins 2000-2001 Low Strings 2000-2001 IMEA District Festival, Fall 2000 IMEA All State, Fall 2000 2003 IMEA District Junior Orchestra 2003 IMEA District Senior Orchestra Edison orchestra violins Elijah and Stephanie with student teacher Kelli Shuey at Ridgewood, Fall 2003 Debbie, Hanson 6th grader at string camp, July 2003 Caitriona, Horace Mann 6th grader at string camp, July 2003 Golea and Alex try out instruments from William Harris Lee & Sons at the ASTA conference in Naperville, IL, October 2003 Alex learns how to set up a violin at the ASTA workshop, October 2003 Orchestra clinic in St. Louis, MO, Spring 2003 Jennifer and Golea try to find a sound post during the violin set-up workshop, October 2003 RIHS violinists from Chamber Orchestra performing at Medal of Honor Banquet, May 2003 The main goal of the Rock Island Music Association is to support the music programs of all Rock Island - Milan Schools. © Copyright 2007 Rock Island Music Association, All rights reserved.