Music Department
“Without music, life would be a mistake.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Orme Choir perform at Pro Musica Concert(Photo courtesy of Mike Spinelli Photography)
The Orme School of Arizona believes that music is an indispensable part of a well-educated person’s life. Music is a subject that amalgamates left and right brain function improving the cognitive, kinesthetic and aesthetic functions of the human mind. The study of music can make us higher functioning and more empathic people. The music program at The Orme School is taught with this ultimate goal in mind. It is therefore open to all students for whom this type of educational and life approach is important.
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This semester we are offering piano class, High School Band, and High School Choir. We will also work with interested soloists and ensembles preparing them for the Arizona State Solo/Ensemble competition in January. The 6th through 9th grade students explore music through the Middle School Wheel and the Freshman Foundations classes. Instrumental lessons can be acquired by contacting Stephen Courtright.
2009-10 Events
October 8, 2009 (Thursday)
Orme School Variety Show October 16, 2009 (Friday)
Performance with the Yavapai College Chamber Singers, at Orme. October 30, 2009 (Friday)
Performance at the Yavapai College High School Choral Festival, Prescott, Arizona December 16, 2009 (Wednesday)
Winter Concert December 18, 2009 (Friday)
Candlelight Service
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Music Department News: The Orme School Choir performed magnifcently at the 1st Annual Invitational Choral Festival held at Yavapai College in Prescott on November 2nd. Choir ROCKS!!!!! (see pictures below)
Orme School Musical: "The All-American," music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and book by Mel Brooks.
Orme Choir performed at the memorial service for Charles H. Orme, Jr. in May 2007.
Orme Music Department Faculty
Dr. Stephen Barton conducts the Orme School Choir and the annual school musical. He is also Chair of the Humanities Department. In addition to these responsibilities, Dr. Barton serves as an adjunct voice professor at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona and is the assistant director of Pro Musica Arizona Chorale and Orchestra in Anthem, Arizona.
A native of Greenville, North Carolina, Dr. Barton completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, Tennessee, his Master of Music degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Dr. Barton brings much experience to this position. He was Director of Music at Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia, 2006 to 2008, Director of Music at the St. Paul’s School in Brooklandville, Maryland, 2002 to 2006, and was chorusmaster for the York (PA) Symphony Orchestra Chorus and also conducted the York Symphony Chamber Singers, 2000 to 2006.
From 1998-2002, Dr. Barton was an assistant professor of music at York College of Pennsylvania where he served as the Director of Choral Studies. He also taught conducting, music education and voice at York College. From 1988-1998, Dr. Barton served as the music director of The Singers’ Guild of Scranton (PA) and the Wyoming Valley Oratorio Society, Wilkes-Barre, PA and was an assistant professor of music at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre. He has also conducted many high school and church music festivals, as well as professional and community choruses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina and Arizona.
Dr. Barton resides on the campus of The Orme School of Arizona with his wife, Sharon, their cat, Sweetie Dee, and their dog, Blue.
Stephen Courtright is the director of the Orme School Band and assists with the Spring Musical.
Stephen received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Albion College in Albion, Michigan. While there, his primary instrument was the bass trombone. He played in the Jazz Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Marching Band. He was honored for his efforts with the Jazz Ensemble Distinguished Service Award and the Helen Sue Koether Memorial Scholarship. Stephen is currently studying for his Master of Science in Educational Administration from Western Governors University.
Mr. Courtright previously served as Director of Bands at Holbrook High School and Junior High in Holbrook, Arizona. In that position, he led the marching band, jazz band, and concert bands as well as instructing general music and percussion. While in Holbrook, he was a member of the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and the White Mountain Big Band, a semiprofessional ensemble. He played bass trombone for both ensembles before switching to lead tenor trombone for the Big Band.
Mr. Courtright is proud to be a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a fraternity for men who share a love of music. Within the Fraternity, he serves in the position of Province Governor, responsible for Arizona and portions of New Mexico and Texas. He is also a member of the Arizona Music Education Association and Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors' Association, affiliate organizations of the Music Educators' National Conference.
Stephen and his wife, JoElle, live on the Orme School campus and are proud parents of daughter Seren.