Photo by Lucy Fish
Lucy Fish
Contributing Writer
Orchestra teacher Andrew Pulliam has been at WGHS for 11 years. Before that, he was a band director and now helps direct band performances.
Pulliam said he was influenced to become a music teacher by his high school band teacher, because her class created a safe space for him and other students.
Pulliam’s favorite part of being an orchestra teacher is being able to watch the orchestra students take ownership of their performances, which adds to the experience for the audience and the students themselves.
Pulliam said his favorite concert he has ever conducted was the 2023 MMEA (Missouri Music Education Association) performance.
“The music and performance was great. It was very challenging music that the students pulled together to create some wonderful moments,” Pulliam said.
Pulliam enjoys conducting every piece of music and can’t exactly pinpoint a favorite. He likes that each score offers its own emotion and offers great expression and musical moments.
Sophomore Charlotte Hoff is an orchestra student, and a part of the Chamber Choir. She enjoys being part of both communities; however, orchestra requires more at home practices than choir does.
Choir teacher Jaylen Davis has worked alongside the orchestra before. He recalls enjoying performing with the orchestra and band at the 100 Years of Music gala, and how the orchestra had a wonderful performance.
Davis said the song the orchestra performed at the gala was selected for All-State MMEA, and that he and Andrew Pulliam are planning a future performance with the orchestra in the spring.
Support Our Sponsors
