Experience the Magic of Live Orchestral Music
Join our award-winning orchestras and celebrate musical excellence.
Experience the Magic of Live Orchestral Music
Join our award-winning orchestras and celebrate musical excellence.
Discover the Wheeler High School Orchestra
Our Growth Journey
Over the past several years, the orchestra program at Wheeler has grown from 80 members to about 200 members. The orchestra program consists of 3 orchestras - Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Chamber.
Membership in each of the orchestras is based on audition. In the last several years, the orchestras have performed at the “North American Music Festival” in Virginia Beach, as well as “Music USA Festivals” in Orlando, winning excellent ratings at these festivals. In 2009, the orchestra traveled to Chicago, and in the spring of 2011, 2014, 2019, and 2023, the orchestra traveled to New York and participate in an educational masterclass with members of the New York Philharmonic. As a part of the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, the orchestras received ratings of superior in both concert and sight-reading. In 2018 & 2020, the orchestra was selected to perform at the GMEA In-service Conference in Athens, Georgia.
Our Orchestras
Wheeler High School Orchestra is proud to offer three distinct orchestras: Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Chamber. Each orchestra provides a unique experience and is open to members based on a competitive audition process, ensuring a high caliber of performance.
Meet Our Directors
Our Director
Our Assistant Director
Our Assistant Director
Dr. Dwayne Wasson joined the Wheeler High School faculty in the fall of 2006 as director of orchestras. He came to Wheeler from Kent State University where he was Assistant Professor of instrumental music education. Prior to Kent State, he taught in Austin, Texas, where he was director of orchestras at Austin High School and served as co
Dr. Dwayne Wasson joined the Wheeler High School faculty in the fall of 2006 as director of orchestras. He came to Wheeler from Kent State University where he was Assistant Professor of instrumental music education. Prior to Kent State, he taught in Austin, Texas, where he was director of orchestras at Austin High School and served as coordinator of the Austin Youth Orchestra. From 1991-1999, he was orchestra director at the Academy for Academics and Arts in Huntsville, Ala. While in Huntsville, Dr. Wasson was assistant conductor of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and was region chairperson and state secretary for the Alabama Orchestra Association. From 2003-2008, he was on the staff at the University of Richmond as orchestra director at the Virginia Governor’s School. Currently, he is cellist of the Mariwell String Quartet, and he is a member of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Wasson received a bachelor of music education degree from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, and a master of music education degree from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. In May 2002, he completed his doctorate in music education from the University of Texas at Austin. He is an active clinician and adjudicator. He has presented workshops that the Ohio Music Educators Convention and the national convention of the American String Teachers Association. He received National Board certification in 2003, which he renewed in 2023. He is actively involved as an adjudicator in the Georgia Music Educators Association.
Our Assistant Director
Our Assistant Director
Our Assistant Director
April O’Keefe joined the faculty of Wheeler High School in the fall of 2019. Previously, she served as Associate Director or SoliMusica Academy, a homeschool orchestra program. While at SoliMusica, Mrs. O’Keefe served as clinician at several Cobb and Fulton County schools. Prior to SoliMusica, Mrs. O’Keefe was the director of orchestr
April O’Keefe joined the faculty of Wheeler High School in the fall of 2019. Previously, she served as Associate Director or SoliMusica Academy, a homeschool orchestra program. While at SoliMusica, Mrs. O’Keefe served as clinician at several Cobb and Fulton County schools. Prior to SoliMusica, Mrs. O’Keefe was the director of orchestras at East Cobb Middle School from 2004-2014. Mrs. O’Keefe serves as the music education assistant at Kennesaw United Methodist Church where she directs adult, children and handbell choirs.
Mrs. O’Keefe graduated from Georgia State University in 2002 with her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance. While at Georgia State, she studied cello under Martha Gerschefski. She received her teaching certification in 2004. She is an active member of GMEA, has served as adjudicator for Governor’s Honors Program, Large Group Performance Evaluation and Solo and Ensemble Festival and serves as co-chair of the District XII Honor Orchestra.
While not teaching or leading music, April loves to watch her kids play sports, spending time with her family and friends, and planning vacations for herself and others.
Discover Wheeler High School Orchestra Booster club
A Group of Committed Adults
The Wheeler High School Orchestra Booster Club, Inc. is a 501©3 charitable student and parent organization dedicated to enhancing the music education, assisting the director, and supporting the activities of the orchestra program at Wheeler High School. Through membership dues, our annual patron/sponsor program, and fundraising events throughout the year, we help our director and orchestras with the following:
• provide supplemental instruction though workshops and clinics
• assist with uniform purchases and rentals,
• assist with music purchases and instrument repair and maintenance
• provide student recognition awards and scholarships
• arrange payment of dues for group competitions and music organizations
• travel to competitions
• provide volunteers assistance with concerts and other orchestra events
• provide printed programs for our concerts
• maintain the Orchestra Website and database
• organize dues collection, organize and operate fundraisers and the Patron/Sponsor program.
• provide food on competition days and workshops and for hospitality events
Providing support for our musicians
• oversee order of annual T-shirts
• provide professional development for our director
• assist with purchases of new instruments and equipment
As a Booster Club, we count on your support to help us achieve these goals. Committed parents and families are essential to the success of our orchestra program. Please pay dues, contribute to our annual patron/sponsor program and volunteer whenever or however you can!