Kyrene Middle School band director debuts original composition

Kyrene Middle School Band Director Selena Ryan visited Chattanooga, Tenn. on May 11 and 12, where she premiered one of her original compositions with The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring my music to a new stage,” Ryan stated in a district release. “I am truly humbled to have been chosen.”

In addition to being a full-time band director, Ryan is a freelance performer and part-time composer, according to the release.

The piece she will be premiering is titled “Radiance,” and was created for grade 1 orchestra musicians who have been playing their instrument for about one year. Students who begin orchestra in 6th grade, for example, would likely play grade 1 music by the time they begin 7th grade, the release explained.

“Selena Ryan’s excellent work as a composer and director is a wonderful example of the excellent music teachers in Kyrene,” Kyrene Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Julie Hackmann stated in the release. “Our talented professional music educators bring so much to the students of Kyrene and the whole community.”

During the visit to Tennessee, CSO hosted a performance where Ryan had the chance to learn, make changes and refine her piece, which was then professionally recorded and will be available to Ryan to share with other directors.

“I am excited about the opportunity to bring my music to a new stage, and for all the insights and knowledge I will gather from the professionals in the ensemble,” Ryan stated.

This experience was created by CSO and their partnership with the United Sound Composer Project to bring music from diverse composers to students. It is designed to amplify the voices of emerging BIPOC and female composers within the classical music education sphere, the release stated.