The Kealing Orchestra program consists of approximately 200 students enrolled in one or more of our beginning, intermediate, or advanced orchestras as well as Rockestra, which is an orchestra elective open to advanced players as an addition to their regular technique driven orchestra class.
All orchestras routinely earn top ratings at University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) events as well as local, state, and national competitions. The Kealing Symphony Orchestra was named the 2017 Texas Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra for Middle School Strings. We are so proud to represent this district as one of the best programs in Texas!
Our orchestra program offers beginning orchestra classes open to all grade levels. All students enrolled in beginning orchestra will be assigned to a class targeting a specific instrument group. The class meets every other day during school hours.
All orchestras routinely earn top ratings at University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) events as well as local, state, and national competitions. The Kealing Symphony Orchestra was named the 2017 Texas Music Educators Association Honor Orchestra for Middle School Strings. We are so proud to represent this district as one of the best programs in Texas!
Our orchestra program offers beginning orchestra classes open to all grade levels. All students enrolled in beginning orchestra will be assigned to a class targeting a specific instrument group. The class meets every other day during school hours.
How to Join the Amazing Kealing Orchestra!
Visit the pages under this heading for information on how to sign up online for a time to come in for an instrument selection or audition. Set up an appointment for an audition or instrument selection and fitting. Students who already play will be placed in an orchestra, but must audition to be assured a spot in the most appropriate group. The directors try to schedule all appointments on or near the Orientation day following Spring Break. Students should put orchestra as their first choice on their choice sheet and the directors will take care of the rest.
About the Directors
Diana riley
Diana Riley is the Director of Orchestras at Kealing Middle School and the Assistant Director of the Kealing Guitar program. Before become the head director, she was the assistant director here at Kealing were she began her teaching career back in 2020. Ms. Riley graduated from Texas A&M University - Kingsville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with All-Level Teacher Certification. Before Kealing, Ms. Riley had teaching experience as an assistant teacher for the Javelina Strings Youth Orchestra at Texas A&M University - Kingsville, taught private violin and cello lessons through her college career, and student teaching this past spring. At the Javelina Strings Youth Orchestra program, Ms. Riley taught elementary and middle school aged beginning and intermediate level students how to play, build listening and visual awareness, and how to play in an ensemble. Ms. Riley’s primary instrument is the viola, which she learned to play in orchestra when she was 11, and she eventually picked up the violin for mariachi at age 12. During high school, Ms. Riley studied under the late Bobby Compton at Vidal M. Trevino Magnet School for Fine Arts and Communication, and moved to Kingsville to study viola and violin under Dr. Veronica Salinas- Lopez. Ms. Riley has played in many ensembles which include the Kingsville Symphony Orchestra, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, TAMUK Chamber Orchestra, TAMUK Opera and Mariachi Javelina. She is currently playing viola for the Starlight Symphony Orchestra.
August Gmitter
August Gmitter is the Assistant Director of Orchestras and Director of Guitar. Before Kealing, Mr. Gmitter taught at Lamar Middle School in Temple ISD. Mr. Gmitter is in his second year of teaching public education. He began playing electric bass in middle
August Gmitter is the new Assistant Director of Orchestras and Guitar. Before Kealing, Mr. Gmitter taught at Lamar Middle School in Temple ISD. Mr. Gmitter is in his second year of teaching public education. He began playing electric bass in middle school and was quick to find like minded friends to play and perform with.Mr. Gmitter (also known as Mr.G) is a native to Austin and grew up just south of town in Buda, Tx. After some time playing in bands on electric bass, Mr. Gmitter moved to double bass and began exploring other genres of music like jazz and country music where he studied slap bass under Kevin Smith, bass player for Willie Nelson. He then attended The University of Texas to pursue a degree in music education with emphasis on double bass. After two years of studying at UT and teaching with The University of Texas String Project, he took time off to pursue a professional performing career. During this time, Mr. Gmitter toured around the country and strengthened his experience in the recording studio. After several years touring, he returned to The University of Texas to obtain his degree in music education and become an orchestra director. He is now excited for this new chapter assisting the orchestra program at Kealing Middle School. Mr. Gmitter is currently giving private bass lessons and does a lot of gigging around Austin during his spare time.
August Gmitter is the new Assistant Director of Orchestras and Guitar. Before Kealing, Mr. Gmitter taught at Lamar Middle School in Temple ISD. Mr. Gmitter is in his second year of teaching public education. He began playing electric bass in middle school and was quick to find like minded friends to play and perform with.Mr. Gmitter (also known as Mr.G) is a native to Austin and grew up just south of town in Buda, Tx. After some time playing in bands on electric bass, Mr. Gmitter moved to double bass and began exploring other genres of music like jazz and country music where he studied slap bass under Kevin Smith, bass player for Willie Nelson. He then attended The University of Texas to pursue a degree in music education with emphasis on double bass. After two years of studying at UT and teaching with The University of Texas String Project, he took time off to pursue a professional performing career. During this time, Mr. Gmitter toured around the country and strengthened his experience in the recording studio. After several years touring, he returned to The University of Texas to obtain his degree in music education and become an orchestra director. He is now excited for this new chapter assisting the orchestra program at Kealing Middle School. Mr. Gmitter is currently giving private bass lessons and does a lot of gigging around Austin during his spare time.
Contact
Kealing Middle School
1607 Pennsylvania Ave
Austin, TX 78702-2020
Phone: (512) 414-3214
Fax: (512) 478-9133
Email:
Ms. Riley
Mr. Gmitter
1607 Pennsylvania Ave
Austin, TX 78702-2020
Phone: (512) 414-3214
Fax: (512) 478-9133
Email:
Ms. Riley
Mr. Gmitter