About Mr. Wright, our Orchestra Director
Mr. Wright is the passionate and inspiring Head Band and Orchestra Director at Gus Garcia YMLA. He leads both programs with dedication, helping students develop their musical skills, confidence, and love for performance. Under his guidance, students in band and orchestra learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, and artistic expression while preparing for concerts, competitions, and other performances. Mr. Wright’s expertise, leadership, and commitment to the arts make him an invaluable mentor and a cornerstone of our school’s fine arts community.Mr. Wright: jacob.wright@austinisd.org
Fall Events
Annual AISD String Fest!
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM, Austin ISD Fine Arts will present the 51st Annual Fall Festival for Strings, known as “String Fest.” This districtwide event brings together student musicians to celebrate their hard work and talent in a collaborative performance. The festival will take place at the Delco Activity Center, located at 4601 Pecan Brook Drive in Austin. The performance is free and open to the public, and families, friends, and community members are invited to attend and enjoy an afternoon filled with beautiful string music.
2025 Annual String Festival Event Recap!
Winter Showcase
On Monday, December 9, Gus Garcia YMLA will proudly present its annual Winter Showcase! This exciting event will have performances from our talented Guitar and Orchestra students, along with an Art Exhibit featuring creative works from our Beginner Art and Advance Art classes. Guests can look forward to an evening filled with beautiful music, stunning artwork, festive spirit, and artistic expression as our students share what they’ve been working on throughout the semester.
Families and community members are invited to join us in celebrating the arts, our students’ hard work, and the vibrant creativity that thrives at Gus Garcia YMLA.
NEECHS Winter Orchestra Concert
On Tuesday, December 3, our YMLA students will attend the Northeast Early College High School Winter Orchestra Concert. This annual event showcases the incredible musical talent of the NEECHS orchestra students as they perform a variety of seasonal and classical pieces. The concert is a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience live orchestral music and celebrate the hard work and dedication of fellow young musicians. Families are encouraged to attend and enjoy an evening filled with beautiful music and holiday spirit.
All-City Orchestra Performance
Join us for the Middle School & High School All-City Orchestra on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center (PAC). Celebrate outstanding student musicians from across Austin ISD as they come together for an inspiring evening of orchestral music. Don’t miss this showcase of talent, collaboration, and community!
Middle School & High School All-City Orchestra
Thursday, September 25, 2025
7 p.m.
Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723
Spring Events
Orchestra Pre-UIL Performance
On February 10–11, the Gus Garcia YMLA Orchestra will participate in the Pre-UIL Evaluation at the AISD Performing Arts Center (PAC). This important event gives our students the opportunity to perform in a professional setting and receive valuable feedback from judges as they prepare for the upcoming UIL competition. The experience helps students build confidence, refine their musical skills, and learn the importance of teamwork and dedication.
We are proud of our orchestra’s hard work and look forward to seeing them represent Gus Garcia YMLA with excellence and pride.
Orchestra UIL Performance
On April 5–6, the Gus Garcia YMLA Orchestra will perform at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation held at the AISD Performing Arts Center (PAC). This prestigious event allows our student musicians to demonstrate their musical growth, technical skills, and ensemble teamwork in front of a panel of judges. During the competition, the orchestra will perform prepared concert pieces and participate in a sight-reading evaluation, showcasing their ability to perform new music with accuracy and confidence. We are proud of our students’ dedication and look forward to seeing them represent Gus Garcia YMLA with excellence at this year’s UIL event.