DMS Orchestra

Program Information

Dowell Orchestra is an award winning orchestra program that has been recognized through Finals placement into competitions by the State of Texas through Texas Music Educator’s Association and the Foundations for Music Education – Mark of Excellence: National Orchestra Honors. It is like a big family, in which you’ll make friends and share experiences that will last through middle school and even into high school. Our students learn to be very high achieving in their orchestra classes, and learning an instrument positively impacts their other classes. Plus, it’s fun!

Director Information

Headshot

Director

Mr. Michael Graber is an educator and violinist dedicated to string education and performance. Originally from South Dakota, Mr. Graber obtained a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master of Music in Violin Performance/Teacher Certification from Texas Tech University. In 2015, Mr. Graber became the Assistant Orchestra Director at MacArthur High School in San Antonio, TX; a position that he held until he was hired at Dowell Middle School in 2017.

Since becoming the orchestra director at Dowell Middle School, the Dowell Orchestra program has earned consistent UIL Sweepstakes trophies, multiple best in class awards, placement into the 2024 TMEA MS Full Honor Orchestra State Finals, selected as a 2023, 2024, and 2025 Mark of Excellence Commended Winner by the Foundations of Music Education, and other notorieties.

Mr. Graber is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the national music honor’s society Phi Kappa Lambda: Theta Kappa Chapter. An active performer, he has held section violin contracts with Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony, the Las Colinas Symphony, and is currently under contact with the Allen Philharmonic. Residing in Frisco, Mr. Graber enjoys spending time with his wife Christina and children Owen and Mia, walking his dog Ponyo, running, gardening, and exploring DFW.

Email:

mgraber@mckinneyisd.net

Upcoming Events

Tues, 5/5 at 11am

Peak Music Festival – Honors

Eisemann Center


Wed, 5/6 at 9 and 9:30am

Epic Waters Festival - Philharmonic/Sinfonietta

Grand Prairie 

Mon, 5/11 at 6:30pm

Spring Concert - All Orchestras

DMS Main Gym

Thur, 5/14 All Day

NRH20 Music Festival - Beginners

North Richland Hills

Fri, 5/15 All Day

American Classics Festival - Honors

Murchison Concert Hall

Audition Information

Please Reach out to Mr. Graber about Orchestra Auditions and placement.

Booster Club Information

Dowell Orchestra Booster Club:

External Website: https://dowellorchestra.com