The Mayde Creek High School Orchestra has a long established standard of excellence in the musical education of its students, and a collaborative unified effort among its families and community, helping expand the love of music and fine arts.  An award winning KISD orchestra, comprised of six ensembles, the Mayde Creek High School Orchestra strives to continue the development of students love of music and musical abilities through orchestral techniques, musicianship as an ensemble and exposing them to a broad range of music. 
Michael Chandler - Director
Growing up in four different states, Michael Chandler is the son of musicians who started playing violin at the age of 5 in Bloomington, Indiana, often performing with his older brother, a violinist, at churches and schools throughout his childhood.  A graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor's in Music Performance and a Certificate of Music Education, he went on to study violin performance at the Graduate School of the University of Connecticut. He has been an orchestra director for the past 24 years, with his orchestras earning top honors in festivals and superior ratings at UIL. He performs regularly as the Principal Violinist with the Woodway Orchestra at Second Baptist Church. When not directing or performing in orchestras, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children.
Our Orchestras
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Philharmonica

is comprised of students who are experiencing high school orchestra for the first time and whose focus is on building foundational music and orchestral skills. They have the opportunity to compete at UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest and its members are encouraged to participate in UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest.  
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Lyrica

is comprised of students who have demonstrated advancing proficiency on their instruments. This ensemble has the opportunity to compete at UIL Concert and Sight-reading competition and its members are required to attend weekly after school rehearsals and sectionals. Members are encouraged to participate in UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest.
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Sinfonietta

is comprised of students who demonstrate advanced proficiency on their instrument. This ensemble competes at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Competition and its members are required to attend weekly after school rehearsals and sectionals, as well as participating in UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition. Students are encouraged to work on region orchestra excerpts and members have the opportunity to participate in Full Orchestra competition (merit based).
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Sinfonia

is the Varsity string ensemble and makes up the string sections of the Full Orchestra at MCHS. This ensemble is comprised of musicians who have very advanced proficiency skills and a good academic record.  Students are required to participate in UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest, and participates in UIL Concert and sight-reading Contest for String Orchestra as well as Full Orchestra. Members  are required to attend after school rehearsals and section rehearsals throughout the  year and are expected to participate in the TMEA Region Orchestra audition process.
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Cripple Creek Fiddlers

is an elite performing ensemble, with a rich history at MCHS, performing at concerts, festivals, and special events throughout the year.  Placement in this ensemble is by audition at the beginning of the school year and by Director recommendation.
Student Officers
President - Phillip Phan
VP of Events -
VP of PR- Reece Soto
Secretary -
Historian -
Librarians -
Feeder Orchestras
The Mayde Creek High School Orchestra Directors work in collaboration with feeder orchestras, visiting weekly to offer support and prepare incoming Freshman and musicians into the program. The Mayde Creek High School Orchestra program supports the orchestra programs at Mayde Creek Jr. High Orchestra and Cardiff Jr. High Orchestra.
©2019 Mayde Creek High School Orchestra