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
April O’Keefe joined the faculty of Wheeler High School in the fall of 2019. She served as assistant director until the fall of 2026 when she took the lead as head director. Previously, she served as the Orchestra teacher at East Cobb Middle School and 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 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.
Our Assistant Director
Dr. Rogelio Bonilla joined the Wheeler Orchestra staff in the fall of 2026. He has performed in several esteemed festivals, such as Brevard Music Festival, Chamber Music Athens, and the Georgia Festival of Music. He has also performed with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra, UGA Symphony Orchestra, and Brevard Music Center Orchestra. He currently serves as the principal violist of the Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Contemporary Music Collective.
Dr. Bonilla holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia under the tutelage of Maggie Snyder. While at UGA, he served as a Teaching Assistant in the music theory department and earned the Outstanding Teaching Award (2024) for his instruction in Aural Skills. Prior to this, he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia State University while studying under Tania Maxwell Clements. He fulfilled his student teaching responsibilities at Ramstein High School in Ramstein,
Germany, through the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school system.
He directed the Suzuki Strings Ensemble which provided group class for students to learn from each other and perform group concerts for the public. As a performer, educator, and mentor, Dr. Rogelio Bonilla is dedicated to promoting musical excellence and providing enriching experiences for both students and audiences.
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!