Freshman cellist Ethan Chang has been accepted to participate in the AMEA All-State Orchestra Festival (see our events calendar). Only 13 other cello players in the state were selected for this very prestigious event. Congratulations, Ethan!
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The Firebirds had a BIG weekend at Regionals auditions on January 23 and 24, 2026. A record number of Chaparral orchestra students qualified to participate in the AMEA Regional Orchestra Festival (see our events calendar!)
Congratulations to the 15 musicians who are heading to Regionals in February:
Cannon Harper-Quiroz, Violin
Erica Johnson, Violin
Jason Kai, Violin
Aiden Kai, Violin
Emily Large, Violin
Esther Lee, Violin
Ethan Lee, Violin
Ava Nash, Violin
Alina Pham, Violin
Camilo Tafur, Violin
Brianna Testa, Violin
Zoe Wong, Violin
Alex Oberle, Violin AND Viola
Finley Smith, Viola
Ethan Chang, Cello -
Chaparral orchestra had a big day at the Arizona Music Educators’ Association Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival on January 17, 2026, with seven Chaparral entrants into the competition.
The honors symphonic orchestra, led by concertmaster Jason Kai, received a “superior” rating and qualified for Tier 2 (state level) competition.
Three soloists also earned superior and qualified to move up to state: Ethan Chang (cello), Alex Oberle (viola), and Zoe Wong (piano).
Additionally, two small ensembles earned “excellent” ratings: the Tahe Liu / Nate Curry duet and the firebird freshman quartet (Zoe Wong, Alex Oberle, Finley Smith, and Ethan Chang).
Go firebirds!
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On October 22, young musicians from around the Chaparral learning community converged at Chaparral for the annual Glow Concert. In addition to Chaparral’s own Concert and Symphonic orchestras, the evening featured performances by the talented string students at Cocopah middle school and Cherokee and Sequoyah elementaries as well as face painting, an instrument petting zoo, and a pumpkin decorating contest.
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When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout.
What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.
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On September 19, 2025 the Chaparral Symphonic and Concert Orchestras competed at the Fall ABODA Festival at Campo Verde High School in Gilbert. The Concert Orchestra received an Excellent rating, and the Symphonic Orchestra received a Superior rating. There were four judges, and the performance was followed by a clinic where students were able to work with one of the judges to continue to improve for future performances. Great job Chaparral Orchestras!!
