81. Tom Chen talks about his program at Carmel High School, selecting repertoire, working with younger high school orchestras, and more.

Thomas Chen is Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School in
Carmel, Indiana. Under his direction, the Carmel High School
Symphony Orchestra earned regular appearances at the Indiana
State School Music Association State High School Concert Finals,
produced a recording of Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and performed at
The Midwest Clinic in 2019 and 2024. Chen previously held the
position of Assistant Director at Dobie High School in Houston,
Texas, where he helped lead five orchestras to earn Superior
ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading. In addition to public
school teaching, Chen is Associate Conductor with the
Indianapolis Youth Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra. Chen has
performed as a guest conductor with the Purdue University
Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras, Carmel Symphony Orchestra,
Ohio Wesleyan University Summer Music Camp, and Wright State
University Fall Strings Festival. Chen earned his Bachelor of
Music Education from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana,
where he studied viola with Dr. Nicole Brockmann. While
completing his studies, he earned opportunities to perform in
masterclasses with the American String Quartet and Joan Tower.
Chen is a proud member of the American String Teachers
Association and National Association for Music Education. He
currently serves as Orchestra Division Chair with the Indiana
Music Education Association and President-Elect with the Indiana
Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. ---- Please
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