JOHNS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
Young K. Kim, Director
The Johns Creek High School Orchestral program, in its sixteenth year, has performed in several prestigious performance venues. Some of the venues include performing at the prestigious Midwest Clinic–an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago, Illinois (2012, 2017, and 2022); invitational performances at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia (2011, 2015, 2020, 2023, and 2025); music festival at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida (2011); 2012 National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., for its Centennial Celebration; and performances in Italy (Rome, Florence, Assisi, Siena, Padua, Venice–2014); Austria/Czech Republic in 2019 (Vienna, Salzburg, Prague); and Italy, France, and Spain (Milan, Nice, Avignon,Barcelona–2024).
The Johns Creek High School Orchestra received the “Community Service Award” twice from the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce (2010 and 2011) for its services to the community. Some of its community-related services include performing at the “Johns Creek Arts on the Creek” and “Annual Korean Fall Festivals.” The Johns Creek High School Orchestra also received the “Georgia Music Educators Association Exemplary Performance Award” in 2017. The orchestra members regularly perform for local and national conventions as well as for various community-related events. In addition, several members of the orchestra perform regularly during weekends at various assisted living homes in the Atlanta area through a club called “Notes of Joy,” which was founded by two of its own students.
Individual members of the Johns Creek High School Orchestra have participated in the Georgia High School All-State Orchestra, Governor’s Honors Program, Fulton County High School Honor Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Piedmont Youth Orchestra. The Johns Creek High School Orchestras have received straight “Superior” ratings at the GMEA District V Large Group Evaluation every year since the opening of the school in August 2009.
Notable recognitions/performances:
- Invitational performance at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, GA (January 2025)
- 2023-2024 GMEA Exemplary Performance Award
- European Performance Tour (Italy/France/Spain) – Milan, Nice, Avignon, Barcelona (2024)
- JCHS Cello Choir Invitational performance at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, GA (2023)
- Invitation to perform at the 76th Midwest Clinic, an International Band & Orchestra Conference in Chicago (2022)
- Invitational performance at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, GA (January 2020)
- European Performance Tour (Austria/Czech Republic) – Vienna, Salzburg, Eisenstadt, and Prague (2019)
- Performance at the 71st Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago (2017)
- Johns Creek HS Orchestra Receives Prestigious “GMEA Exemplary Performance Award” for 2016-2017 (2017)
- Performance Tour in Washington D.C. – Washington D.C. (2016)
- Invitational performance at the NAfME (National Association for Music Educators/Research) Conference in Atlanta, GA (2016)
- Performance at the Isakson YMCA in Alpharetta, GA (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Performance at the YGN (“Your Grateful Nation) Fundraising event in Atlanta, GA (2015)
- Invitational performance at the GMEA In-Service Conference in Savannah, GA (January 2015)
- European/Italy Performance Tour – Rome, Florence, Assisi, Siena, Padua, Venice (2014)
- Performance at the 66th Midwest Clinic, an International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago (2012)
- Performance for the National Science teachers Association Regional Conference (2012)
- Performance for the Association for Career and Technical Education Awards Ceremony (2012)
- Performance at the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. (2012)
- Invitational performance at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah, Georgia (2011)
- Performance at the Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida (2011)
- Performance at the Grand Opening of the AdvancED Global Headquarters (2011)
- Performance at the Johns Creek “Arts on the Creek” Festival (2010, 2011, 2012)
- Performance at the “Korean Fall Festival” Celebration (2010, 2011)
- Awarded “Community Service Award” from the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce (2010, 2011)
- Performance at the Fulton County Schools Administrative Staff Meeting for Principals and Superintendent (2010)