THE HOWARD COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HONORS ORCHESTRA 

Excellence of Character - Artistic Passion - The Power of Community

Music:

A Path to

Community

ESHO is a group of young musicians who represent the passion and enthusiasm for the creation of
beautiful music, for which Howard County students are known. This group is comprised of two
students from every elementary school in Howard County, and will meet for two weeks of intensive rehearsals, culminating in a final performance. Through this experience, students will
learn to create challenging and high quality music with students from diverse backgrounds.

Character

Artistry

Community

Directors nominate students for the group in October. The ideal candidate demonstrates the following:

1. An enthusiasm for playing their instrument and making music as part of an orchestra.

2. A positive and coachable attitude with a willingness to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

3. Is consistently prepared and on-time for rehearsal.

4. Is self-motivated, hard-working, and disciplined.

5. Demonstrates respect for the director, their fellow musicians, and the music they are playing.

6. Can perform at an above average ability level as a result of their hard work and discipline.

Then, two of these nominees are selected for instrumentation reasons, and they will go on to represent their school in our ensemble.

Meghan Taschenberger Co-Director of the Elementary School Honors Orchestra

Meghan Taschenberger is the orchestra teacher at Elkridge Elementary School.

Ms. Taschenberger graduated from West Virginia University with degrees in Viola Performance and Music Education. She will be pursuing her Master’s Degree in Music Education from University of Maryland beginning this summer.
Prior to teaching at Elkridge Elementary School, Ms. Taschenberger was the orchestra teacher at Hanover Hills Elementary School in HCPSS, and the orchestra director at H.H. Poole Middle School in Stafford, Virginia.

In addition to teaching in HCPSS, Ms. Taschenberger has a violin/viola private studio for students in 6th-12th grade. Over the summer, she is a teacher at AACPS Music Camp, running sectionals for Violin 1, Violin 2, and Violas.

Ms. Taschenberger served as the 22-23 guest conductor for the Calvert County Elementary All County Orchestra.

Beyond music, Ms. Taschenberger loves traveling with her fiancé, spending time with friends and family, and attending Ravens games.

Wesley Thompson, Co-Director of the Elementary School honors Orchestra

Wesley Thompson is the orchestra teacher at Clarksville Elementary School.

Ms. Thompson is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where she received a degree in Double Bass Performance and Music Education certification.  Ms. Thompson also has her Master's Degree in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Along with teaching in Howard County Public Schools, Ms. Thompson is the conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Youth String Orchestra and maintains a substantial private double bass studio in the Baltimore area. Before joining the BSYO, Ms. Thompson conducted the Harford String Orchestra.

In addition to teaching full time during the school year, Ms. Thompson is also the Executive Director of Bass Works, an internationally renowned intensive summer program for bassists aged 5 and beyond and faculty. She is the also the co-founder of Basstravaganza, a small group bass summer camp for school aged musicians in Northern Virginia. A lifetime member of the International Society of Bassists, she is currently on the board of directions serving as the Secretary and a member of the education team.  She has co-run the ISB's Young Bassist's bi-annual conference for the past 6 years. 
 
Ms. Thompson frequently acts as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in the Greater Baltimore area. She has acted as an orchestra assessment adjudicator and clinician in Cecil, Fredrick, Calvert, and Howard County, and has served as the guest conductor for the Anne Arundel, Carroll, Calvert, Cecil, and Fredrick All County orchestras. Ms. Thompson has also served as a solo and ensemble adjudicator in Howard County at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. 
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When she is not teaching or conducting, Ms. Thompson performs as a freelance musician on the double bass and electric bass as well as on the violone and viola da gamba.  She equally enjoys performing with orchestras, musical pits, and early music ensembles.
 
Outside of the music world, Ms. Thompson loves to pursue her three favorite hobbies, yoga, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her dog Banjo.

Rehearsal Schedule

2024 Schedule Coming Soon!

Availability

Due to the concentrated nature of this ensemble experience, it is imperative that students are available for all rehearsals, including snow dates, for the entirety of the rehearsal. Please check your calendars and schedules to ensure that you can commit to all of the dates and times before accepting a nomination from your school director.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Absences will only be excused for illness, death in the family, or court appearance. This is the Howard County policy for excused absences. Each student must be present for the entire rehearsal time. If students arrive late or leave early, the entire group suffers. The purpose of full rehearsals is to develop a particular sound through balance and blend. If a student is absent from a rehearsal, he/she must bring a note from a parent explaining the absence. A student’s membership will be reviewed after one unexcused absence(s) or excessive tardiness.

Preparation

Preparing the music is mandatory. Students are expected to practice at home in preparation for rehearsals. Instructional videos and resources will be available via Google Drive and email.

Behavior

Cooperation among students is a must in any performing group. Students who do not cooperate (fighting, name calling, etc.) will be dismissed from the orchestra.