A Brief History

The Avon Community Schools Orchestra Program (Avon, IN) was founded in 2007 by Mr. Dean Westman.  Initially, the program started with 35 beginning orchestra students and now involves over 1,100 orchestra students grades six through twelve with five full-time orchestra directors. The program aims to provide positively-life changing experiences for its members and aims to use music as a vehicle to positively empower students.  Students experience sequential string instruction, grades six (beginning grade) through twelve with the high school program offering audition-based ensembles.  The Avon Community Schools Orchestra Program has frequently been recognized as one of the nation's top orchestra programs.  Recent program accolades include:

2026: ISSMA Orchestra State Runner-Up

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2025: ISSMA Orchestra State Champion

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2024: ISSMA Orchestra State Runner-Up

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2022: ISSMA Orchestra State Champion

2019: ISSMA Orchestra State Champion

2018: ISSMA Orchestra State Champion

2017: ISSMA Orchestra State Runner-Up

2015: Avon Middle Schools Chamber Orchestra selected as one of only two middle school orchestras worldwide to perform at the prestigious 69th Annual Midwest Clinic
 

Orchestra Staff

Joel Powell: Director of Orchestras at Avon High School, Grades 9-12 (Email: japowell@avon-schools.org)

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Chris Grifa: Associate Director of Orchestras and Director of Orchestral Wind Studies at Avon High School, Grades 9-12 (Email: cjgrifa@avon-schools.org)

 

Meagan Barnett-Hickey: Assistant Director of Orchestras, Grades 9-12 (Email: mcbarnett@avon-schools.org)

Carmen Smith: Director of Avon Middle School North Orchestras, Grades 6-8 (Email: csmith@avon-schools.org)

 

Kyle Miller: Director of Avon Middle School South Orchestras, Grades 6-8 (Email: kfmiller@avon-schools.org)

John McCaffrey: Director of Avon Middle School West Orchestras, Grades 6-8 (Email: jkmccaffrey@avon-schools.org)

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