Jordan Orchestra
Since opening in the Fall of 2020, the orchestra program has grown to approximately 200 students in six orchestras.
In its short existence, the orchestra has set a high standard of artistic achievement. It is worth noting that the orchestra earned Sweepstakes at the UIL Concert & Sightreading evaluation in its first year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
As individual performers, students in the orchestra have reached great heights. Members of the orchestra have performed with the TMEA All-State Orchestras at the annual Clinic and Convention in San Antonio, TX, TMEA All-Region Orchestras and the Houston Youth Symphony! March 2023, the Symphony Orchestra placed 1st in the Full Orchestra division of the National Orchestra Festival held in conjunction with the American String Teacher’s Association National Conference in Orlando, FL. In September of 2023 the Jordan High School Symphony Orchestra and the Jordan High School Sinfonia Orchestra were both named National Winners in the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors project. And in October of 2023, the Jordan High School Sinfonia Orchestra was named 1st Runner-Up in the TMEA Honor String Orchestra Competition. In December 2024, the Jordan High School Symphony was invited to perform at the 2024 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.
About the Directors
Kyle Davis is the Head Orchestra Director at Jordan High School in Katy ISD. Prior to his appointment in Katy, Mr. Davis worked for the school districts in Amarillo, Ector County, and Humble. He has also served as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas. Students in Mr. Davis's orchestras have been successful at All-State and All-Region auditions, solo and ensemble contests and earned multiple “Sweepstakes” at UIL Concert and Sightreading contests. In addition, his orchestras have earned numerous “Best in Class” and “Best in Festival” Awards at national music festivals.
Kyle studied music at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX receiving a Bachelor of Music (All-Level Certification) and a Master of Arts in Music. His teachers include Emmanuel Lopez, cellist of the Harrington String Quartet and Dr. Mark Bartley, Associate Director of the School of Music, and Associate Conductor of the Amarillo Symphony. While in school, he earned many awards as a young conductor and music education researcher. As an undergraduate, he organized and conducted several chamber music performances. This led to invitations to guest conduct the WTAMU Symphony and cover conduct on many occasions for the ensemble. Mr. Davis was one of five conducting students selected in a national search to participate in the College Orchestra Directors Association masterclass with Thomas Cockrell of the University of Arizona and Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops. While working on his undergraduate degree, he was named a Ronald C. McNair Scholar and completed graduate-level research on UIL programming. The resulting research has won awards and been presented at the TMEA and TODA Clinic and Convention.
Upon graduating, Kyle joined the faculty at Amarillo College as the Director of Orchestral Activities and the Amarillo Opera as an assistant conductor. While at AC, the orchestra grew in membership orchestra and developed into a fully symphonic ensemble. In 2011, he made his professional opera conducting debut with the Amarillo Opera’s Production of Joshua’s Boots, an opera by Adolphus Hailstork.
Mr. Davis is married to Heather Davis, Head Orchestra Director at Sartartia MS in Fort Bend ISD and they have a four-year old son and future cellist, Grayson.
