November 20, 2024 - For Immediate Release
The Fort Worth Youth Orchestra is thrilled to announce the launch of its Jr. Wind Ensemble (JWE), a brand-new program designed to provide middle school woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians with a fun and enriching ensemble experience. Beginning in January 2025, the JWE will offer students a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform in a collaborative environment while building foundational skills that prepare them for advanced ensembles and lifelong musical growth.
“We're excited about this new opportunity for young band students across Fort Worth and surrounding areas!” said Andrew Reynolds, Executive Director. “One of the most frequent questions we get is about opportunities for middle school wind, brass, and percussion students, and the Jr. Wind Ensemble will finally meet the needs of those students.”
The Jr. Wind Ensemble will be led by Christine Cumberledge, the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) ISD. An acclaimed band director, clinician, and advocate for music education, Mrs. Cumberledge brings decades of experience and a proven track record of excellence to her new role with FWYO. Her ensembles achieved national and state-level acclaim, including invitations to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) twice, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis.
This pilot program builds on the success of FWYO's Wind Ensemble, which began in 2021 and is under the director of Brian Youngblood, Associate Director of Bands at Texas Christian University. "We're excited about this new ensemble at the FWYO and Christine Cumberledge has an impeccable background to lead this new ensemble," said Mr. Youngblood. "She has decades of experience leading exceptional middle school bands, and we're delighted to have her join our growing team."
Rehearsals for the Jr. Wind Ensemble will take place every Wednesday evening at Orchestra Hall, located at 4401 Trail Lake Dr., from 6:00 to 7:15 PM. Audition materials are now available online, and applications are due by December 15, 2024.
About Christine Cumberledge:
Christine Cumberledge is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Bands at Central Junior High, where her ensembles earned numerous accolades. Under her leadership, the Central Junior High Band was invited to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) twice: first as the 2020 Invited Performing Band, and again as the TMEA Honor Band in 2006. In 2019, her band performed at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and in 2023, they were selected to perform at the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis.
Her bands have earned the Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence National Award and the John Philip Sousa Sudler Silver Cup, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding middle school band programs nationwide. Before her time at Central Junior High, Mrs. Cumberledge was the Assistant Director of Bands at Bedford Junior High, where she worked alongside Mr. Steve Madsen to earn the TMEA 2000 Honor Band distinction. She also contributed to the L.D. Bell High School Band’s performance at the 1999 Midwest Clinic under the direction of Joseph Grzybowski.
Mrs. Cumberledge has been recognized for her excellence in music education, being named a national semi-finalist for the Music Educator Grammy in both 2022 and 2023. She was also named Music & Arts National Educator of the Year in 2017. Over the course of her career, she has been honored as Teacher of the Year for both her school and district and was recognized as the 2017-2018 Continuous Improvement Demonstration Room for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD.
She holds a Master of Education in Administration from Lamar University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Texas. Mrs. Cumberledge is an active member of Phi Beta Mu, the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota. She is also a sought-after clinician and adjudicator across the state and regularly presents to music educators at conferences nationwide.
Press Inquiries: Lauren Arie - larie@fwyo.org / 817-923-3121 x18
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