Orchestra
There are three levels of orchestra offered at Odle Middle School. Entry level orchestra is called Debut Orchestra, intermediate level is called String Orchestra and advanced level is called Philharmonia Orchestra.
"Orchestra isn't really Orchestra; it's actually Following Directions and Other Life Skills. Students learn life skills such as communication, responsibility, diligence, and integrity as well as musical technique and expression."
Concert Attire
Debut Orchestra (6th Grade)
Boys must have black shoes, black socks, black slacks, black belt, white shirt and white undershirt. Girls must have black shoes or flats, black stockings, black skirts or slacks and a white blouse.
String (Non-Auditioning) and Philharmonia (Audition) Orchestras
Boys must have black tuxedos with a traditional jacket (no tails; notch style lapel preferred), black cummerbund, white pleated tuxedo shirt, and black bow tie. A black suit coat may be substituted but a tuxedo shirt and black bow tie must be worn. Girls must have black dress from Formal Fashions with solid black dress shoes. The style number is 4823AT. The dress will need to be hemmed once you receive it.
Concert Attire Recycling
Friends of Odle Music has a concert attire recycling program. Often our students wear their concert clothing only a few times before outgrowing them. If purchasing the appropriate concert attire is not within your family's budget, please speak with Mr. Chang, or email friends@odlemusic.org. We may have a supply of clothing that older students have outgrown and donated.
Chase Chang, Orchestra
Chase Chang holds an M. M. in Conducting from Brigham Young University, a B.A. and B.M. in Music Education from the University of Washington, and is a National Board certified teacher in music.
He studied with former Associate Concert Master of the Seattle Symphony and Western Washington University String Professor, Walter Schwede, studied oboe with principal Chicago Symphony oboist, Alex Klein, and studied conducting with Kory Katseanes (director of School of Music at BYU and conductor).
His mentors included music educator and composer Mark Jasinski, Jim Rice (WMEA past president and retired music educator), Tim Salzman (director of the University of Washington bands), Arthur Shaw (retired conductor; Western Washington Univeristy and Rogue Valley Symphony).
Mr. Chang worked with nationally known composer, Richard Meyer, and premiered "A Keltic Feast" with his middle school orchestra in 2008. "A Keltic Feast" is now a published piece performed by many orchestras around the nation.
As a long-time member of the Washington Music Educator’s Association, he served as manager in five WMEA All-State/All-Northwest high school symphony groups. Chase was elected to serve as Orchestra Curriculum Officer of the Washington Music Educators Association, a position in which he currently serves.
Chase held positions as the artistic director and principal conductor of the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra. As a performer, Chase was principal oboe position in the Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra. He currently resides in Renton with his wife, Christi, and three children.
