Intermediate Session Conductors 2011
Symphonic Band - Douglas Fischer, Conductor
Doug Fischer graduated from CSU Long Beach, with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in music education. He is currently the Director of Instrumental Music, and Elective Department Chairman at Pioneer Middle School in Tustin, running a program with 3 bands and 3 orchestras with over 350 students. His ensembles consistently receive Superior ratings at festivals, and he has had students participate in the All-Southern California honor groups on an annual basis. He has also taught a variety of music classes including high school choral ensembles, elementary band and orchestra, music appreciation, and guitar.
Prior to his position at Pioneer, he taught at 3 different high schools for 16 years, eleven of which were at Tustin High School where he directed three bands, started an orchestra, and three choral ensembles. He also serves as a festival adjudicator for the SCSBOA. In 1998 he was recognized as an “Outstanding Music Educator” by the World of Music Festivals. In 2004 he was honored again when he was selected as Teacher of the Year for Pioneer Middle School, and as the district wide Teacher of the Year for the Tustin Unified School District.
Doug is also the Director of Music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, where he conducts the Chancel Choir and oversees the children’s music program. He lives in Irvine with his wife Laurie. They have two adult children, who have served as counselors for Wildwood. He has worked at Wildwood for over 20 years where he has served as the low brass coach prior to working with the bands. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and golfing.
Prior to his position at Pioneer, he taught at 3 different high schools for 16 years, eleven of which were at Tustin High School where he directed three bands, started an orchestra, and three choral ensembles. He also serves as a festival adjudicator for the SCSBOA. In 1998 he was recognized as an “Outstanding Music Educator” by the World of Music Festivals. In 2004 he was honored again when he was selected as Teacher of the Year for Pioneer Middle School, and as the district wide Teacher of the Year for the Tustin Unified School District.
Doug is also the Director of Music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Irvine, where he conducts the Chancel Choir and oversees the children’s music program. He lives in Irvine with his wife Laurie. They have two adult children, who have served as counselors for Wildwood. He has worked at Wildwood for over 20 years where he has served as the low brass coach prior to working with the bands. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and golfing.
Symphony & String Orchestra - Scott Arakawa, Conductor
Scott Arakawa is the Associate Director of Orchestras at Valencia High School and conductor of the Chamber and Concert Orchestra. He is an Instrumental Music Director in the Capistrano Unified School District and since 2006, he has been Conductor of the Wildwood Institute Intermediate Orchestra. Previously, Mr. Arakawa has served as Conductor of the Southern California Youth Philharmonic Camerata Orchestra from 2003-2010. He has been a Guest Conductor with the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony, the Irvine Valley College Wind Symphony, Four Seasons Youth Orchestra as well as the Irvine Unified and Capistrano Unified District Honor Orchestras.
An active educator and clinician, Mr. Arakawa has been on staff with many award-winning programs including Tesoro, San Juan Hills, Downey, and Indio High School. He has also served as Founder and Conductor of the Saddleback School of Music and the Arts Youth Orchestra, Music Director from 2000-2004 at South Lake Middle School and Coordinator of the Elementary Instrumental Music Program in Los Alamitos.
Scott Arakawa is a graduate of California State University Long Beach with a Masters in Instrumental Conductingand a BM in Music Education. While at CSULB, he taught undergraduate conducting courses and was Guest Conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, Studio Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band.
An active educator and clinician, Mr. Arakawa has been on staff with many award-winning programs including Tesoro, San Juan Hills, Downey, and Indio High School. He has also served as Founder and Conductor of the Saddleback School of Music and the Arts Youth Orchestra, Music Director from 2000-2004 at South Lake Middle School and Coordinator of the Elementary Instrumental Music Program in Los Alamitos.
Scott Arakawa is a graduate of California State University Long Beach with a Masters in Instrumental Conductingand a BM in Music Education. While at CSULB, he taught undergraduate conducting courses and was Guest Conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra, Studio Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band.
Concert Band & Jazz Band - James Thompson, Conductor
Jim Thompson received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from California State University, Los Angeles in 1972. His primary performance instrument is percussion. While a student at CSULA he studied percussion with Mitchell Peters of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and drum set with Freddie Gruber, a freelance teacher in the Los Angeles area. He holds a Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting from the American Band College.
He began teaching instrumental and choral music at Lone Hill Intermediate School in San Dimas. He established a successful jazz band program with appearances at local jazz festivals as well as the Reno International Jazz Festival. He accepted a position at his Alma mater, Monrovia High School where he rebuilt the program. He later moved on to work at California High School in Whittier and Rowland High School. In 1997 he returned to his true love in education, working with young developing student musicians. He took over at Hewes Middle School in Tustin. One of the first tasks was to establish a jazz band. The Hewes music program has flourished under his direction, noted by a string of Superior ratings at band & orchestra festivals. Hewes students can be found in the SCSBOA honor band, orchestra and jazz bands.
In addition to his teaching, he is active as a clinician and adjudicator on both the street and field for SCSBOA. He is an active performer in percussion performing with the Golden State British Brass Band, the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band and the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra.
He began teaching instrumental and choral music at Lone Hill Intermediate School in San Dimas. He established a successful jazz band program with appearances at local jazz festivals as well as the Reno International Jazz Festival. He accepted a position at his Alma mater, Monrovia High School where he rebuilt the program. He later moved on to work at California High School in Whittier and Rowland High School. In 1997 he returned to his true love in education, working with young developing student musicians. He took over at Hewes Middle School in Tustin. One of the first tasks was to establish a jazz band. The Hewes music program has flourished under his direction, noted by a string of Superior ratings at band & orchestra festivals. Hewes students can be found in the SCSBOA honor band, orchestra and jazz bands.
In addition to his teaching, he is active as a clinician and adjudicator on both the street and field for SCSBOA. He is an active performer in percussion performing with the Golden State British Brass Band, the Los Angeles Police Department Concert Band and the Bellflower Symphony Orchestra.
