Mission Statement
The Tompkins Orchestra Program’s primary goal is to develop the complete student musician who makes a positive contribution to the musical team concept and seeks to become an effective communicator, problem solver and finally, a productive and responsible citizen. On the pathway to this goal, the Tompkins Orchestra recognizes and promotes the idea that enthusiasm and a positive attitude are the primary tools for unlocking each student’s full potential.
Over the last several years the Tompkins orchestra program has quickly become the standard for excellence in Katy ISD and beyond thanks to the strong support of Katy ISD and the OTHS feeder orchestra programs and directors. It is our goal for every student that enters the OTHS orchestra program to experience music in a way they will never forget.
Over the last several years the Tompkins orchestra program has quickly become the standard for excellence in Katy ISD and beyond thanks to the strong support of Katy ISD and the OTHS feeder orchestra programs and directors. It is our goal for every student that enters the OTHS orchestra program to experience music in a way they will never forget.
About the Orchestras
The orchestras at Tompkins are split into six different levels based on experience, work ethic, and ability. The entry level group is Camerata followed by Philharmonia, Lyrica, Cambiata, Sinfonietta, and our most advanced group of players is Sinfonia. Our advanced orchestra combined with some players from Sinfonietta make up the string section of our full orchestra (falcon band included) the Tompkins Symphony Orchestra. Groups are selected by competitive audition at the end of the previous school year.
Since the opening of Tompkins High School in 2013 the orchestra have quickly made their mark around Texas. The program has grown from 55 students to just over 240 students. Students in the orchestras have performed in Dallas, Corpus Christi, on Broadway in New York City as well as throughout the Katy community. Each UIL performance from a Tompkins Orchestra has earned the prized Sweepstakes award at UIL contest since 2013. The pit orchestra from OTHS was named Best Orchestra for the 2016 Tommy Tune Awards for their performance of the "Into the Woods". In October of 2016, the Tompkins Sinfonia placed 7th in the 2017 TMEA Texas Honor Orchestra contest. In the fall of 2017, after hurricane Harvey tore through the Houston area, the Tompkins Sinfonia submitted for the 2018 TMEA Texas Honor Orchestra contest and won first place, earning the title of 2018 TMEA Honor Orchestra (state champions).
Since the opening of Tompkins High School in 2013 the orchestra have quickly made their mark around Texas. The program has grown from 55 students to just over 240 students. Students in the orchestras have performed in Dallas, Corpus Christi, on Broadway in New York City as well as throughout the Katy community. Each UIL performance from a Tompkins Orchestra has earned the prized Sweepstakes award at UIL contest since 2013. The pit orchestra from OTHS was named Best Orchestra for the 2016 Tommy Tune Awards for their performance of the "Into the Woods". In October of 2016, the Tompkins Sinfonia placed 7th in the 2017 TMEA Texas Honor Orchestra contest. In the fall of 2017, after hurricane Harvey tore through the Houston area, the Tompkins Sinfonia submitted for the 2018 TMEA Texas Honor Orchestra contest and won first place, earning the title of 2018 TMEA Honor Orchestra (state champions).
Director of Orchestras │ Matthew Porter
Shortly after graduating cum laude from Texas Tech University Mr. Porter began his first year of teaching in Katy ISD at Beck JH and Memorial Parkway JH. The following school year Mr. Porter was asked to open Beckendorff JH. In his nine years at Beckendorff the orchestra program grew from 58 students to over 250 becoming one of the premier middle school orchestra programs in Texas. The Beckendorff Orchestra was named a finalist in the Texas Honor Orchestra Finals for eight consecutive contests. During the 2011-2012 school year Mr. Porter and band director Susan Steber’s students performed as the invited MS/JH Full Orchestra at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and also performed as the 2012 TMEA MS/JH Honor Full Orchestra in San Antonio.
In the spring of 2013, Mr. Porter was hired to open what was the newest high school in Katy ISD, Tompkins High School. Since that first year, Mr. Porter has led the OTHS orchestra to much success as it has become an organization firmly rooted in service to the Katy community.
Matthew and his wife Bryanna founded and currently run Katy ISD's Junior High Orchestra Camp each summer to provide enrichment opportunities for Katy ISD string students. In 2014, the Houston Symphony named Mr. Porter the recipient of the Spec's Award for Excellence in Music Education. He is one of the founding music directors of the Katy Youth Orchestra, an active freelance cellist, clinician, adjudicator, and helps direct worship at his church home. Mr. Porter has served as an officer for TMEA Region 23, audition chair for TMEA All-State, and chair of the Orchestra UIL PML Committee. He is a member of Texas Orchestra Director Association, Texas Music Educator Association, Texas Music Adjudicator Association, Phi Mu Alpha, & Mu Omicron Honorary Fraternity. In his spare time, Mr. Porter enjoys reading, workouts with his wife, & time spent playing chauffeur to his three daughters Madeline, Kendall, & Molly.
In the spring of 2013, Mr. Porter was hired to open what was the newest high school in Katy ISD, Tompkins High School. Since that first year, Mr. Porter has led the OTHS orchestra to much success as it has become an organization firmly rooted in service to the Katy community.
Matthew and his wife Bryanna founded and currently run Katy ISD's Junior High Orchestra Camp each summer to provide enrichment opportunities for Katy ISD string students. In 2014, the Houston Symphony named Mr. Porter the recipient of the Spec's Award for Excellence in Music Education. He is one of the founding music directors of the Katy Youth Orchestra, an active freelance cellist, clinician, adjudicator, and helps direct worship at his church home. Mr. Porter has served as an officer for TMEA Region 23, audition chair for TMEA All-State, and chair of the Orchestra UIL PML Committee. He is a member of Texas Orchestra Director Association, Texas Music Educator Association, Texas Music Adjudicator Association, Phi Mu Alpha, & Mu Omicron Honorary Fraternity. In his spare time, Mr. Porter enjoys reading, workouts with his wife, & time spent playing chauffeur to his three daughters Madeline, Kendall, & Molly.
Assistant Director │ Sarah Marts
Soon after picking up the violin at age 12, Ms. Marts knew she had found her purpose. In December 2019, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. During her five years at UNT, Ms. Marts taught students of all ages both privately and in a classroom setting through the UNT String Project, a community music program that offers Suzuki-based string instrument instrution. Ms. Marts is very excited to work with the outstanding orchestras at Tompkins High School at the beginning of her career as an orchestra director.
2019 - 2020 Student Officers
2019-2020 Orchestra Officers
President │ Gabby Rincon
Vice-President │ Michelle Lee
Secretary │ Julia Hecht
Representatives│ Akhil Nair, Timothy Kang, Elleen Kim
Historians │Huy Hathuc, Steven Zeng
Social Officer │ Leann Kuchler
Head Librarian │ Nicholas Kao
Librarians │ Jojo Fujiwara, Meagan McKee, Vishi Sant
Crew Chiefs │ Hashim Amir, William Suh, Athul Nair
Freshmen Rep │ Armaan Chadha, Rachael Suh
Vice-President │ Michelle Lee
Secretary │ Julia Hecht
Representatives│ Akhil Nair, Timothy Kang, Elleen Kim
Historians │Huy Hathuc, Steven Zeng
Social Officer │ Leann Kuchler
Head Librarian │ Nicholas Kao
Librarians │ Jojo Fujiwara, Meagan McKee, Vishi Sant
Crew Chiefs │ Hashim Amir, William Suh, Athul Nair
Freshmen Rep │ Armaan Chadha, Rachael Suh