about the orchestras
The Cypress Falls High School orchestra directors thank Principal Denton, and Mary Running, director of fine arts for the CFISD, for their continual support for the Cypress Falls Orchestra program.
Students playing in orchestra at Cy-Falls HS audition to be placed in one of five orchestras. They are Camerata, Concert, Philharmonic, Symphony, and Chamber orchestras. Freshman will be placed in Camerata, Concert, or Philharmonic orchestra, as Symphony and Chamber are only open to students who have completed more than year of orchestra. Camerata Orchestra is non-competing and open to students who would like to begin on a new string-instrument. New for 2021-22, Camerata is now open to any student who wishes to play a stringed-instrument, no previous experience necessary.
Chamber is reserved for students for students who have successfully auditioned at the end of the year and are expected to play in the numerous extracurricular performances at the school and in the community. It is also an expectation that all students in Chamber audition for Region and, if successful, State competitions.
If there are any questions about this program or our orchestras, please contact us! Thank you!
Students playing in orchestra at Cy-Falls HS audition to be placed in one of five orchestras. They are Camerata, Concert, Philharmonic, Symphony, and Chamber orchestras. Freshman will be placed in Camerata, Concert, or Philharmonic orchestra, as Symphony and Chamber are only open to students who have completed more than year of orchestra. Camerata Orchestra is non-competing and open to students who would like to begin on a new string-instrument. New for 2021-22, Camerata is now open to any student who wishes to play a stringed-instrument, no previous experience necessary.
Chamber is reserved for students for students who have successfully auditioned at the end of the year and are expected to play in the numerous extracurricular performances at the school and in the community. It is also an expectation that all students in Chamber audition for Region and, if successful, State competitions.
If there are any questions about this program or our orchestras, please contact us! Thank you!
Dr. John Ricarte
Orchestra Director
Cypress-Falls High School
Fine Arts Department Chair
Dr. John Antonio Ricarte, Cypress-Falls Orchestra Director Dr. John Antonio Ricarte begins his twentieth year teaching orchestra at the Cypress-Falls High School. Under his direction the orchestras have consistently achieved sweepstakes at UIL competitions. His students have also received numerous awards including membership in all state organizations.
Dr. Ricarte earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina under Donald Portnoy, where he served as Assistant Conductor for both the University of South Carolina Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. His previous training includes a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting at Michigan State University under Leon Gregorian, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Music and Speech Communication from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.
Dr. Ricarte is the founder and Music Director of a newly developed professional orchestra, the Grace Symphony Orchestra. The Grace Symphony Orchestra which is under the umbrella of Grace Works is the core component of a unique performance ensemble that incorporates classical music, drama, dance and art into performances with an emphasis on the higher and spiritual nature and intellect of its audiences.
Dr. Ricarte’s experience includes working with a diverse number of groups from youth to adult, orchestra and ballet, to opera, wind, and choral ensembles. Dr. Ricarte was one of seven finalists chosen among young conductors from around the world to participate in a conducting competition held in Portugal. In 2005, he traveled to Romania and conducted the Satu-Mare State Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Ricarte is a frequent adjudicator at competitions around the state. A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Ricarte is fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Dr. Ricarte lives in Houston with his wife, a native Houstonian and eighteen year old daughter. In his spare time Dr. Ricarte enjoys spending time with his family and a small group of friends while constantly trying to improve his cooking capabilities. His hobbies include running marathons, studying wines, watching films, reading and traveling.
Orchestra Director
Cypress-Falls High School
Fine Arts Department Chair
Dr. John Antonio Ricarte, Cypress-Falls Orchestra Director Dr. John Antonio Ricarte begins his twentieth year teaching orchestra at the Cypress-Falls High School. Under his direction the orchestras have consistently achieved sweepstakes at UIL competitions. His students have also received numerous awards including membership in all state organizations.
Dr. Ricarte earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of South Carolina under Donald Portnoy, where he served as Assistant Conductor for both the University of South Carolina Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. His previous training includes a Master of Music in Orchestra Conducting at Michigan State University under Leon Gregorian, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Music and Speech Communication from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.
Dr. Ricarte is the founder and Music Director of a newly developed professional orchestra, the Grace Symphony Orchestra. The Grace Symphony Orchestra which is under the umbrella of Grace Works is the core component of a unique performance ensemble that incorporates classical music, drama, dance and art into performances with an emphasis on the higher and spiritual nature and intellect of its audiences.
Dr. Ricarte’s experience includes working with a diverse number of groups from youth to adult, orchestra and ballet, to opera, wind, and choral ensembles. Dr. Ricarte was one of seven finalists chosen among young conductors from around the world to participate in a conducting competition held in Portugal. In 2005, he traveled to Romania and conducted the Satu-Mare State Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Ricarte is a frequent adjudicator at competitions around the state. A native of Lisbon, Portugal, Dr. Ricarte is fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Dr. Ricarte lives in Houston with his wife, a native Houstonian and eighteen year old daughter. In his spare time Dr. Ricarte enjoys spending time with his family and a small group of friends while constantly trying to improve his cooking capabilities. His hobbies include running marathons, studying wines, watching films, reading and traveling.
Mr. Matthew Beland
Cypress Falls Assistant Orchestra Director
Mr. Matthew Thomas Beland is the Assistant Director of Orchestra at Cypress Falls High School. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Music degree from The Manhattan School of Music, and a Master of Art in Education from Hunter College (CUNY).
A native of Connecticut, Mr. Beland lived in New York City for six years, where he was principal second violin of the Manhattan Symphonie. In addition to performing locally in New York, including at Carnegie Hall, he traveled with the Symphonie to China, where he performed in nineteen cities. An opera lover, Mr. Beland was happy to be concertmaster of the Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra (La Clemenza de Tito, W. A. Mozart), as well as the University of Connecticut Opera Orchestra (Die Zauberflöte, W. A. Mozart). He was also concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute and Festival Orchestra, the Hunter College Orchestra, and the University of Connecticut Orchestra.
Mr. Beland taught for three years with the Noel Pointer Foundation, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to put music in communities which have been historically underserved. Through this organization he taught at PS 68 and PS 44 on Staten Island, where he created a violin program for over 80 students K-5, who performed locally and at ‘Fiddle-Fest’ in Brooklyn.
Mr. Beland has studied with Pala Garcia, Curtis Macomber, Solomiya Ivakhiv, Salley Koo, Julie Rosenfeld, Mark Rike, and Wendy Sharp. He attended and performed in masterclasses featuring Monica Huggett, Jennifer Ross, Gil Shaham, the Colorado String Quartet, the Leipzig String Quartet, the American String Quartet, and Joshua Bell.
Mr. Beland enjoys skiing, tennis, sailing, climbing, and exploring state and national parks.
Mr. Beland looks forward to teaching the students every day at Cypress Falls with Dr. John Ricarte. He truly enjoys the warmth and strength of the community of the school and orchestras, and works hard with the students to be part of their continued success.
Cypress Falls Assistant Orchestra Director
Mr. Matthew Thomas Beland is the Assistant Director of Orchestra at Cypress Falls High School. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Music degree from The Manhattan School of Music, and a Master of Art in Education from Hunter College (CUNY).
A native of Connecticut, Mr. Beland lived in New York City for six years, where he was principal second violin of the Manhattan Symphonie. In addition to performing locally in New York, including at Carnegie Hall, he traveled with the Symphonie to China, where he performed in nineteen cities. An opera lover, Mr. Beland was happy to be concertmaster of the Manhattan School of Music Opera Orchestra (La Clemenza de Tito, W. A. Mozart), as well as the University of Connecticut Opera Orchestra (Die Zauberflöte, W. A. Mozart). He was also concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute and Festival Orchestra, the Hunter College Orchestra, and the University of Connecticut Orchestra.
Mr. Beland taught for three years with the Noel Pointer Foundation, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to put music in communities which have been historically underserved. Through this organization he taught at PS 68 and PS 44 on Staten Island, where he created a violin program for over 80 students K-5, who performed locally and at ‘Fiddle-Fest’ in Brooklyn.
Mr. Beland has studied with Pala Garcia, Curtis Macomber, Solomiya Ivakhiv, Salley Koo, Julie Rosenfeld, Mark Rike, and Wendy Sharp. He attended and performed in masterclasses featuring Monica Huggett, Jennifer Ross, Gil Shaham, the Colorado String Quartet, the Leipzig String Quartet, the American String Quartet, and Joshua Bell.
Mr. Beland enjoys skiing, tennis, sailing, climbing, and exploring state and national parks.
Mr. Beland looks forward to teaching the students every day at Cypress Falls with Dr. John Ricarte. He truly enjoys the warmth and strength of the community of the school and orchestras, and works hard with the students to be part of their continued success.