Inspiring a culture of musical excellence
The Abilene Youth Philharmonic Orchestra was created in 1988 by Celeste Myall. It performed for 18 years until it was discontinued in 2006 for financial reasons. After a 13 year hiatus, the orchestra was revived as the Abilene Youth Orchestra after the Abilene Philharmonic Association received a generous pledge from an anonymous donor.
The Abilene Youth Orchestra (AYO) is a full symphony orchestra that offers a unique opportunity for the most serious and talented young musicians in the Big Country to perform advanced repertoire that will challenge and inspire.
The primary purpose of the AYO is to provide its members with exemplary symphonic training and performance opportunities and to inspire a culture of musical excellence.
He brings to the orchestra a wealth of experience
He brings to the orchestra a wealth of experience
Dr. Steven Ward serves as the Music Director/Conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene. He is also a Professor of Music at Abilene Christian University, where he is the Director of Bands, conductor of the Wind Ensemble, coordinator of the chamber music program, and teaches courses in conducting. Previous to his appointment at ACU, he was Director of Bands at Hope College in Holland, MI, and the Music Director/Conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra in Kalamazoo, MI.
Dr. Ward holds a D.M.A. in Conducting from Michigan State University, a M.A. in Conducting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a B.M. in Music Education from Abilene Christian University. Prior to his appointment at Hope College, Dr. Ward was the Music Director/Conductor of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra in La Grande, OR, and was Instructor of Music at Eastern Oregon University.
McKenzie Rangel is the current orchestra director at Clack Middle School. She began playing the violin at the age of four years old under private instruction in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she grew up. While in Albuquerque, Mrs. Rangel participated in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony program from third through twelfth grade. This program was a highly competitive and audition only full orchestra. While in the AYS program, she went on tours to Germany, Las Vegas, Carlsbad, and Pagosa Springs. In Middle School Mrs. Rangel was a member of Mad About Music, a touring fiddle group that played many in town events as well as toured to Washington and Idaho.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Rangel has not only taken private violin lessons, but also voice and piano lessons as well. In high school Mrs. Rangel was a member of both New Mexico All State Orchestra and Choir.
Susie Rockett is the Orchestra Personnel & Education Manager for the Abilene Philharmonic. She plays second oboe/English horn – Janeen Holmes Gilliam Chair with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and is oboe faculty at Abilene Christian University, Hardin- Simmons University, and McMurry University.
She plays frequently with the Abilene Philharmonic, and performs on the Leland Musical Arts Celebration Concert Series in Leland, MI. She is the Concert Series Coordinator at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in Abilene, TX which brings stellar musicians from around the world to the Big Country.
Molly Amlung is a 2009 graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she received her undergraduate degrees in Music Performance and Music History & Literature. An Ohio native, Mrs. Amlung has both taught and performed extensively throughout much of the U.S. and abroad on instruments ranging from trombone, euphonium, piano, and cello. Notable performance groups include The Milwaukee Philharmonic, The Ohio Light Opera, The Columbus Indiana Symphony, The Brass Band of Nashville, and Bone Therapy. Molly is currently a member of Strings Unlimited in Abilene, TX, a quartet specializing in weddings and private events. She has enjoyed performing for area musicals, concerts, and church orchestras since moving to Abilene and has been a supplemental music instructor for AISD since 2015. Mrs. Amlung is also a 2018 ACU graduate where she obtained a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a licensed occupational therapist contracted through the West Texas Rehabilitation Center for the Abilene Independent School System.
