Middle School Orchestras
Webb Bridge Middle School
James Barket is Orchestra Director at Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA–part of the Fulton County School System. WBMS Orchestras under James Barket’s direction are active participants in Georgia Music Educators Association events. WBMS was invited to perform for the GMEA In-Service Conference in 2008 and for the ASTA National Orchestra Competition in 2006. Most recently in 2011, the WBMS Advanced Violin Ensemble was requested by the office of Governor Nathan Deal to perform at the Governor’s Mansion for Valedictorian Day.
He currently teaches string bass at Kennesaw State University, the Encore! Summer Music Camp, the Florida State Summer Music Camp, and the Walton High School Orchestra Summer Camp. In 2010, James Barket was a guest clinician for the Alabama Orchestra Association’s All-State Orchestra Festival. From 2000-2004, Dr. Barket was Co-Director (with Jennifer Barket) of the GAASTA Summer Camp. He also was the coordinator (with Kevin Majeske) of the GMEA District V Elementary Orchestra Clinic from 2003-2005. Dr. Barket served as GMEA State Orchestra Chairperson from 2005-2007 and was the organizer for the GMEA Middle School All-State Orchestra from 2008-2014.
His private teachers have included Gary Karr, Leland Tolo, Winston Budrow, and Josef Niederhammer. As a student of both Gary Karr in the US and Josef Niederhammer in Vienna, Barket is interested in music and musicians who represent these two vital schools of bass playing. His solo recitals include a variety of original compositions for solo bass and transcriptions/arrangements that represent both of these fine traditions.
Formerly, James Barket was on the faculty at Valdosta State University in Valdosta Georgia. He has translated Alfred Planavsky‘s “The Baroque Double Bass Violone” (1998: Scarecrow Press). Previous professional engagements include: Principal Bassist of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Principal Bassist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Bassist in the VSU Faculty Jazz Quintet, and Per Service Bassist with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra.
Prior string teaching experience includes work with the South Georgia String Project in Valdosta, GA. This Project, sponsored by the VSO, provides string-instrument instruction to area public and private-school children. Dr. Barket taught class strings at Parker Mathis Elementary and Lowndes Middle School. In addition, he managed the program from 1997-1999. He was also active with the Valdosta Symphony Youth Orchestra. He directed the Summer Program in 1999, and managed the orchestra during the 1999-2000 school year.
Dr. James Barket, director
Hopewell Middle School
Teresa Hoebeke, director
Mrs. Teresa Hoebeke is the Director of Orchestras at Hopewell Middle School in Fulton County. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Hoebeke taught at Cogburn Woods Elementary, Spalding Drive Elementary, and Sandy Springs Middle School in Fulton County. She began her teaching career in 1996 in Macon, Georgia with the Bibb County Public Schools. Mrs. Hoebeke taught elementary, middle, and high school orchestra for six years in Bibb County from 1996-2002. During this time she also served as director of the Bibb County Elementary Honor Orchestra and as Orchestra Liaison for the Bibb County Music Department.
In 2001, Mrs. Hoebeke was named Teacher of the Year for the Bibb County Music Department. She was also awarded the Beacon Light Award for outstanding service in the Bibb County Public Schools. Mrs. Hoebeke was named Hopewell Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mrs. Hoebeke has served as a guest clinician and judge with several orchestras, including the Dougherty County Honor Orchestra, Middle School Honor Orchestra in Muscogee County , Bibb County Middle School Honor Orchestra, Georgia American String Teachers Association Camp, BRAVO String Camp, UpBeat Orchestra Camp, and the GMEA District 11 Solo and Ensemble Festival
Mrs. Hoebeke received a B.M. (cum laude) in Violin Performance from Florida State University and a M.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Miami, Florida. During her career, she has performed with several orchestras including the Miami Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Florida Symphony, Florida Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Savannah Symphony. She is currently a member of Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, American String Teachers Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mrs. Hoebeke’s orchestras have consistently received Superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations. Her orchestras have performed for the National Middle School Association Conference, the Georgia State PTA Convention, the Governors Mansion, Walt Disney World Magic Music Days, Music in the Parks Festival, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Ga. Individual members of her orchestras have participated in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Fulton County Youth Orchestra, National Middle School Association Honor Orchestra, GMEA All-State Orchestra, and GMEA Solo and Ensemble.
Teresa is happily married to Tony Hoebeke. She is the mother of two boys, Thomas and Timothy.