Welcome!

Dear Alpharetta Orchestra Community,

My name is Jake Hood, and I am excited and honored to become the next Director of Orchestras at Alpharetta High School! Alpharetta has long had a reputation for excellence in music making, and I am excited to continue to build on that reputation.

I have long respected the work of Dr. Laux and Mr. Fisher, who are both widely known as pillars in the Music Education community. I am inspired by them, both as wonderful teachers and thoughtful musicians. I am tremendously excited to work with Dr. James Barket at Webb Bridge Middle School and Teresa Hobeke at Hopewell Middle School. I know that together, we can create a comprehensive orchestra program for all students, sixth grade through high school graduation.

I am humbled to receive the vote of confidence from Dr. Kersey, Mr. Scheiflee, Ms. Magil, and the entire hiring committee, and for entrusting me with the keys to such a celebrated program. Their hard work and dedication to the Fine Arts Programs at Alpharetta High School were apparent from the very beginning of the interview process and has continued through the summer as I’ve begun work in the orchestra room to prepare for the school year. I would also like to thank the Alpharetta High School Orchestra Association president, Eddice Nguyen, for her dedication to the orchestra program; her help and expertise has made my transition to Alpharetta High School as smooth as I could have asked for. 

While I am excited to continue traditions that support Alpharetta High School and the Alpharetta Community, I am committed to the long-term future of the orchestra program and excited to build a professional musical culture that focuses on individual student growth, community outreach, and chamber music. It has always been a focus of my teaching philosophy to prepare students who are independent, critical thinkers and musical problem solvers. I hope for us to build an orchestra full of performers at AHS who can not only play any style of music, but play with thoughtful musicality and excellent playing technique. Most of all, I aim to foster a love for music in all students and encourage them to be a little bit better than they were yesterday. 

I look forward to meeting, working with, and making music with each of you. Have a wonderful remainder of your summer, and I will see you soon!

Kind regards (now go practice!),

Jake Hood
Director of Orchestras at Alpharetta High School