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Future Beck Students & Families

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Welcome to

Beck Junior High Orchestra

Katy, Texas

Beck orchestra provides amazing teachers that'll help you master a string instrument in no time. Violin is very fun to play because of the wide variety of songs you can learn to impress yourself and others.. If I were to give reasons on why to choose orchestra as their elective next year at Beck, I would say that orchestra provides individual attention, funny and smart teachers, and exciting extracurricular activities! -Laura

You should choose orchestra as your elective because the directors are *amazing* and help you learn things in a fun way. That helps it stick in your head and makes everything more exciting to do. -Grace

I would recommend orchestra because playing in orchestra is a very rewarding experience... and who doesn’t want to play in an orchestra!?! -Zanah

A lot of people love music, like me! I picked orchestra as my elective and violin as my instrument because violin is the lead in most orchestra music and it is fun to play! You get to learn new music and even win in competitions! -Sara

Orchestra truly helps you know and respect your instrument, challenge yourself and most importantly lets you have fun! But most importantly you should really choose the orchestra because you’ll get to meet tons of great people including our wonderful directors, Mrs. Nelsen and Miss Cho! - Anish 
This was filmed at Cinco Lake in Cinco Ranch and in the Beck JH Orchestra Room in December 2020

Beck Orchestra Gives Back!

Supporting Santa Cops 10 yrs and counting!

For the past 20 years during the holiday season, Katy ISD Police Department reaches out to families in need in Katy to provide a wonderful, magical Christmas! The Santa Cops program gives families reason to celebrate when they would otherwise not have much holiday cheer.
Beck Orchestra has continued supporting the Katy ISD Santa Cops program for its past 8 winter concerts, since Mrs. Nelsen became the head orchestra director. For our 2022 Winter Concert, Miss Cho and Mrs. Nelsen and the Beck Orchestra Families donated new gifts, clothing, toys, etc for children of all ages! These items supplement the sponsorships of the selected Katy ISD families in need.
A special thank you to Mrs. Lori Sood for delivering the donations!

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Fifth graders should join the Orchestra because we're just cooler than everything else. - Edgar
Beck Orchestra Friends
Beck Orchestra

Meet the Directors

Barb Nelsen

Barbara Nelsen is currently serving in her ninth year as the Director of Orchestras at Rodger and Ellen Beck Junior High in Katy ISD.

Earning her Bachelors in Music Education at The University of North Texas, she had the privilege of studying music from the great maestro Ansel Brusilow and cellist Carter Enyeart. Mrs. Nelsen has been actively involved in the music education field in the greater Houston area for over 20 years. Mrs. Nelsen’s orchestras have consistently earned state and national recognition. Under Mrs. Nelsen’s direction, the Beck Orchestra was prestigiously named 2018 Music For All National Orchestra She is in high-demand as a clinician and adjudicator throughout Texas.

Her summers are also filled with music, as a regular faculty member for Houston area summer music camps, she is looking forward to returning to AFA to conduct the prelude strings ensemble. Mrs. Nelsen holds memberships to the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and Texas Music Adjudicators Association.

Though teaching and family keep her quite busy, Mrs. Nelsen is an active cellist and performs locally. She currently resides in Katy with her husband Brett, and two wonderful children, Ethan and Elliott Grace who are also all cellists!

"I have been told that we Nelsen's are the von Trapp's of cello!"

Aimee Cho

Aimee Cho was welcomed with open arms into the Beck Orchestra family in 2020. She is a native Texan and called Houston home for her entire life!

Miss Cho graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Texas with a full-ride scholarship as a Terry Scholar. While at UNT, Miss Cho had the privilege of studying conducting under the baton of Clay Couturiaux and violin under the mentorship of professor Felix Olshofka.

Before teaching at Beck JH, Aimee Cho taught for 5 years in Katy ISD at Morton Ranch High School and earned the prestigious award for Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year in 2016! Currently in her sixth year teaching public school, Miss Cho has been a staple in violin and viola studies in Texas for over ten years!

In addition to her musical talents, Aimee Cho enjoys spending time outdoors, spending time with family and traveling during non-pandemic times.

"Although my first year at Beck is during a pandemic, I am super excited to be here!"
Email Mrs Nelsen Email Miss Cho