History of the BBHHS Orchestra

The orchestra program is made up of four major ensembles: the String Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and the Symphonic Orchestra. The Orchestras have both performed at the Ohio Music Educator’s Association State-Orchestra Adjudicated Event, where the Chamber Orchestra traditionally receives a “Superior” rating. Symphonic Orchestra wind and percussion players are also members of the BBHHS band program. The Symphonic Orchestra rehearses outside of the regular school day. The orchestras are under the direction of Steven Cocchiola.

CHORAL & ORCHESTRA WORKS

YEAR MAJOR WORK COMPOSER LOCATION PERFORMANCE VENUE
1995 Requiem John Rutter New York, NY St. Paul the Apostle Church
1997 Requiem Gabriel Faure Toronto & Ontario, Canada Ontario Science Center
1999 Requiem W.A. Mozart Hoboken, NJ Our Lady of Grace
2001 Requiem John Rutter Chicago, IL St. Mary's Parish Church
2003 Requiem Gabriel Faure Cleveland Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus
2005 Requiem Brahms New York, NY St. Paul the Apostle Church
2006 Messiah G.F. Handel Akron, OH St. Bernard Catholic Church
2007 Requiem John Rutter Hoboken, NJ Our Lady of Grace
2009 Sacred Service Ernest Bloch New York, NY St. John the Divine
2011 Carmina Burana Carl Orff New York, NY St. John the Divine
2013 Requiem John Rutter New York, NY St. John the Divine
2015 Requiem W.A. Mozart Chicago, IL St. Michael in Old Town

BBHHS ORCHESTRA DIRECTORS

Mr. Steven Cocchiola: 2005 to present

B.S in Music Education: Instrumental from the University of South Florida
M.A in Educational Leadership from Trident University International

Steven Cocchiola has been at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School (BBHHS) since the 2005-2006 school year. He was the assisant director from 2005-2011 and taught with Chuck Valley. Mr. Cocchiola took over as the Orchestra Director during the 2011-2012 when Mr. Valley retired. He conducts the Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, String Orchestra, 6th, 7th and 8th grade Orchestras, and Central School Strings (4th and 5th grade).

In addition to working in the BBHCSD, He also works for the Summit Choral Society's Children's Choir Program as the musicianship/music theory teacher. He currently the All-Region Orchestra Chair for the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) as served as the 2017 All-State Orchestra Coordinator. He also serves as an adjudicator for OMEA and as a clinician throughout the state of Ohio. Mr. Cocchiola was recently awarded as the inaugural recipient of the Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Educator of the Year award in the fall of 2017.

Prior to his appointment at Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Mr. Cocchiola taught orchestra students in elementary, middle and high school programs throughout the Tampa Bay area for several years, and is a native of Queens, New York. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), Percussive Arts Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Steve resides in Randolph Township (Portage County) with his wife Shara, who is the Director of Education and Community Programs at Summit Choral Society. They have three girls; Amber, Angelina, and Alyssa

Mr. Charles Valley: 1986 to 2011

B.A in Music Education from Cleveland State University
M.A. in Education Administration from Cleveland State University.

Mr. Valley spent 25 years of his 35 year teaching career at BBHHS. During his time at BBHHS, he served as the Orchestra Director, Choir Director, and Assistant Band Director. He taught in the Wickliffe City School District for ten years with five years being spent at Wickliffe High School where he taught vocal music.

Chuck has also served as Minister of Music for the Wickliffe Presbyterian Church. He directed the Lakeland Community College Civic Chorus for nine years. Chuck has been in the role of guest conductor for various ensembles including the Lakeland Community College Civic Orchestra and the OMEA District 11 Festival Choir. Chuck played professionally as a member of the Cleveland and Painesville Musician’s Unions. He has been nominated as a Disney “Teacher of the Year” and received awards such as the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Friend of the PTA, the Broadview Heights Lion’s Club “Citizen of the Year”. and the James Thomas High School Teacher Award.

Chuck resides in Brecksville with his wife, Philomena, who also teaches music in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District. They have four sons, Jason, Brian, Mark, and Michael

2005 Chamber Orchestra

2005 String Orchestra

Ms. Dorene Marsh: 1983 - 1986

Former Brecksville High School Choir and Orchestra Director, as well as BBHMS and Central School. Ms Marsh taught for 35 years in the BBHCSD.

1985 Orchestra

Mr. Gordon Boyd: 1981 - 1983
B.A from Bowling Green State University
M.A from the University of Iowa

Mr. Boyd was the Band Director at BHS for 20 years, and the Orchestra Directory for 2 years. Mr. Boyd began at BHS during the 1966-1967 school year, and remained the band director until Mr. Jim Roytz came to BHS in the 1984-1985 School Year.

1983 Orchestra

Mr. Herb Weil: 1974-1981

B.A from Queens College
M.A from Queens College

Mr. Weil was the orchestra & choir director as well as the assistant Marching Band director at BHS. He also was the vocal coach for the Spring Musicals.