Advocate
“Lisa Schrock is a truly outstanding teacher, tirelessly committed to her students and to the community, and dedicated to her mission in ways that go above and beyond any job description.” – South East Orchestra Parent
In all aspects of Lisa’s conducting and teaching, she advances the success of others by providing innovative opportunities for all. She is a dedicated advocate for her students, fellow musicians, and colleagues.
New Music
Lisa has programmed and performed new compositions by emerging professional and student composers. At both South East and St. Ambrose University, concerts have featured world premiers of new works.
Composer Derek Jenkins visits the classroom as students prepare to perform his composition Fountains.
Zoom Call with composer Lucas Shogren.
South East Student Composition
Grants
Lisa believes that all students should have the opportunity to be successful, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Along with securing funding for South East Orchestra students to attend the annual Chicago Symphony Trip, Lisa has also been awarded grant funding for the purchase of new school instruments. In 2017, the South East Orchestras were awarded $4345 for the purchase of 11 new violins.
Diverse Orchestral Musicians
At South East Junior High School, the diversity of the orchestral musicians reflects that of the overall school. Minority students make up 40% of the musicians in the Orchestra program.
Accessible Lesson Curriculum
Lisa created a tiered lesson curriculum for her South East Orchestra students to provide access for all students, regardless of their previous playing and lesson experience. Each student moves through different levels and sections at their own pace, choosing which section to prepare for their next lesson. For each skill or technique, students are provided with instructional videos that allow them to practice the technique at home.
Diverse Programming
Lisa is committed to programming music from a wide variety of genres and time periods. She is also an advocate for women and minority composers and believes that all great musicians should be given a voice. Some examples of composers that Lisa has programmed and studied include:
Efraín Amaya, Salvador Martínez García, Jessie Montgomery, Amy Beach, Christian A Williams, William Owens, Florence Price, Susan H Day, Carrie Lane Gruselle, Sandra Dackow, Deborah Baker Monday, Soon Hee Newbold