Neal Springer has been an orchestra director at Clements High School in Fort Bend ISD since 2014. He previously taught at Crockett MS in Fort Bend ISD and in Abilene ISD. He is graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor in Music Education and Colorado State University with a Masters in in Music Education and Conducting. He currently serves as the Vice President of TMEA Region 13 and is a regular clinician and adjudicator around the greater Houston area. When he is not teaching or conducting, Neal enjoys traveling with his family and watching movies. He is eternally grateful to his supportive wife, Rebekah, and loves spending time with his son.

The orchestral program at Clements High School has over 215 students spanning grades 9-12. Renowned as the largest high school orchestra program in the district, it comprises six string orchestras and a dynamic symphony orchestra, collaboratively formed with the Clements High School Band. In addition to regular ensemble instruction, students participate in chamber ensemble training, preparing for performances at the annual Clements Ensemble Gala and University Interscholastic League (UIL) contests, both at the regional and state levels. Notably, the Clements High School Orchestras have consistently earned finalist placements in the Texas Music Educators State Honor Orchestra competition for both String and Full Orchestra events. This includes recent recognition in the String Honor Contest in both 2020 and 2024. The program’s historical achievements feature being honored as the TMEA State Honor Full Orchestra in 2002 and the TMEA State Honor String Orchestra in 2012. The Clements orchestras have graced the Midwest Clinic stage three times – twice as a high school full orchestra in 2000 and 2014, and once as a high school string orchestra in 2010. Recognizing their excellence, the Foundation for Music Education awarded the CHS Chamber Strings and Symphony Orchestras as National Winners through the 2023 Mark of Excellence Project.

Neal.Springer@fortbendisd.com
www.clementsorchestra.com
www.facebook.com/groups/2225672870
www.instagram.com/clementsorch

Allison King became the director of orchestras at L.D. Bell High School in 2010. In her first year, she led the L.D. Bell Symphony Orchestra to its first sweepstakes performance as a varsity string organization at the UIL concert and sight reading competition and founded the L.D. Bell Full Symphony Orchestra. Since taking over the L.D. Bell Orchestra program, the program has tripled in size, and the varsity Symphony Orchestra has earned consistent sweepstakes ratings at the UIL Concert and Sight reading competition. The Symphony Orchestra has performed with many world-renowned artists, and the varsity full and varsity string orchestras have been commended and national winners of the Mark of Excellence National Orchestra Honors competition numerous times. In 2017, the varsity full orchestra made its debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2019, the Symphony string orchestra made the finals of the TMEA Honor Orchestra competition.

Mrs. King is now in her twenty-fourth year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California where she studied with Ronald Leonard, the former principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also holds a Master of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Cello Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington, where she studied with Dr. Elizabeth Morrow. She has also had the privilege of studying with Ira Lehn, former principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pamela Frame of the Eastman School, and in her early years was the stand-in soloist for Yo-Yo Ma with the World Youth Symphony where she also appeared on “60 Minutes” with Yo-Yo Ma. In 2005, Mrs. King was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society. She has been a member of the American String Teachers Association for over 30 years, and is currently a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the Texas Orchestra Directors Association.

The Hurst-Euless Bedford Independent School District has a comprehensive K-12 string program, starting with Suzuki Strings which has been established at eleven elementary schools, considered “Schools of Choice”. All Suzuki Strings students attend the Central Junior High School Orchestra program, which was named the first TMEA Spotlight Orchestra in 2023. All Central Junior High Orchestra students then attend the L.D. Bell High School Orchestra program, which has performed with many world-renowned artists and won numerous awards since being established. For more information please visit the L.D. Bell Orchestra website at www.ldbellorchestra.com, or visit our Facebook, X, or Instagram.

allisonking@hebisd.edu
www.ldbellorchestra.com/
www.facebook.com/ldbellhsorchestra
x.com/ldbhsorchestra
www.instagram.com/ldbellorchestra/