News

Out-of-Door Musicians and Faculty Recognized for Excellence

The Out-of-Door Academy's Middle School received the 2018 Music Enrollment Award from the Florida Music Education Association.
This award honors the school's commitment to the arts through its excellent programs, demonstrated by high enrollment in music courses and attractive music curricula. Choral Director Denise Hoff, Band Director Patrick Miller, and Orchestra Director Nicole Young accepted the award at the Music Educator's Conference in Tampa, Florida. At the ceremony, senior Emily Liu '18 and eighth grader Celine DeAngelo '22 performed as part of the All-State Honors Orchestra. These students were selected based on ability and musicianship after being nominated by Mrs. Nicole Young.

Of the twenty seven Middle Schools recognized in the state of Florida, The Out-of-Door Academy's music program ranked 6th with 67% of total students participating in musical performing arts classes. Performing Arts Directors Nicole Young, Patrick Miller, and Dr. Linda Vasilaki accepted the award on behalf of our entire school community. "We were so thrilled to receive this recognition and be a part of our students musical growth," said Nicole Young. "Our program has grown a tremendous amount in size and depth. We have a deep gratitude to our feeder music program on Siesta Key and our administration for making the arts an integral part of the Out-of-Door experience. Dr. Vasilaki, Martha Gulacsy, and Ed Stile have instilled a love for their voices and instruments, inspiring them to continue their music education and performance through their Middle School years."

This year we are thrilled to have two students from the Out-of-Door Academy represent our community at the 2018 Florida Music Education Association Development Conference, one of the largest development events in the United States. In addition to approximately 250 clinic sessions and concerts, it is host to the All-State Bands, Orchestras, and Choruses. Senior and Concertmaster Emily Liu and and eighth grade violinist and section leader, Celine DeAngelo represented our school in the Middle and High School All-State Honors Orchestras, being selected as part of the top-performing orchestra students from all over the state of Florida. Students rehearsed for approximately 20 hours over the span of 3 days and the conference culminated with a concert of the repertoire that students have been working on since the fall. They were honored to have the opportunity to work with the incredible Maestro Matthew Davis and Georgia Ekonomou. Highlights from the concert included Mendelssohn's "String Sinfonia No.2 in D Major, Movement I" and modern day composer Brian Balmages' "Forever Joyful."

Celine DeAngelo, class of 2022 has been a great leader in our Middle School Orchestra Program. She performs whatever part is needed and is always quick to help her stand partners. Celine grew up taking piano lessons and eventually playing the violin. She currently performs with both our Middle School Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra, and with the Symphonic Sarasota Youth Orchestra. Her passion is currently her guitar, she made her debut on guitar in the orchestral fall concert!

Emily has worked incredibly hard fine-tuning her musicianship throughout her high school career. She has been competing and auditioning for the All-State Orchestra every year. She is a member of the Sarasota Youth Orchestra program, performing in the top ensemble the Youth Philharmonic. She is the president of the Tri-M Music Honors society and Advanced Chamber Ensemble, performing all over our county at various events to earn money for the Manasota Buds, an organization that helps families with children who have Down Syndrome. When she is not practicing her violin, she mentors Middle School orchestra members and builds her solo repertoire as a classical pianist, competing in various competitions and earning scholarship money. She most recently was a finalist in the Anna Maria Solo Concerto Competition in 2017. She is currently preparing Rachmaninov's "Prelude in G Minor alla Marcia" and Mozart's "Sonata in A Minor" for the Suncoast Music Scholarship in April of this year. Although Emily does not plan to major in music, finding universities with strong music programs were part of her search requirements.
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The Out-of-Door Academy

LOWER SCHOOL |  Historic Siesta Key Campus  |  Pre-K – Grade 5
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-349-8133

LOWER SCHOOL |  Lower School Campus on Clark Road  |  Pre-K – Grade 1
11011 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241   |  COMING SOON

MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS  |  Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch  |  Grades 6 – 8 |  Grades 9 – 12
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-907-1251
The Out-of-Door Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, physical ability, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
The Out-of-Door Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

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