154. Building a Thriving Orchestra Program: Lessons from Lee Anderson

Episode 154 – Lee AndersonHow do you grow a high school orchestra program from 70 students to more than 130 while creating a culture where every student feels like they belong?In Episode 154, Charles Laux talks with Lee Anderson, Director of Orchestras at Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. Since arriving at Fairview in 2021, Lee has helped grow the program to four orchestras while earning 3rd place at the 2024 ASTA National Orchestra Festival and performing at The Midwest Clinic in 2025.Lee shares his approach to student retention, building a strong ensemble culture, balancing musical rigor with student well-being, structuring multiple orchestras, and developing students' technical and musical skills.The conversation also explores repertoire beyond the traditional canon, including works by Andrea Casarrubios, Quentin Blach, Caroline Shaw, Joanna Marsh, and Clarice Assad. Lee discusses how discovering fresh repertoire can help challenge advanced students and keep them engaged.Living Composers of Strings Music You Should KnowAndrea Casarrubios - HerenciaTakashi Yoshimatsu - when birds are still, Atom Hearts Club Suite 1 and 2Gabriela Lena Frank - Leyendas Quenton Blache - Habari GaniCarlos Simon - ElegyJordan Jinosko - Three Sketches of Unblemished EarthJoanna Marsh - In Winters HouseCaroline Shaw - And the swallow, plan and elevationClarice Assad - ImpressionsReena Esmail - Vishwas, The VoyageCharles and Lee also talk about orchestra trips, professional performances, ASTA and Midwest experiences, scheduling and FTE challenges, and the realities of building and sustaining a growing orchestra program.Lee is also an active professional violist, performing with the Boulder Philharmonic, Boulder Symphony, and Boulder Chamber Orchestra, and serves as Chair-Elect of the Colorado All State Orchestra Board.A great conversation about program growth, student belonging, repertoire, musical excellence, and building an orchestra program where students want to be.#TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast #OrchestraTeacher #MusicEducation #StringEducation #Orchestra— SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.comWant to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new?  Check out Keiser Productions!https://www.keiserproductions.comLooking for things on Amazon?  Use my referral link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠