HochStories

Dr. Margaret (Peggy) Quackenbush is retiring at the end of June after 30 years as President & Executive Director and more than 43 years at The Hochstein School. Read more about her accomplishments during her tenure and find out how to make a gift to Hochstein in Peggy's honor.

Hochstein alum Jonathan Madden has participated in many facets of Hochstein, including music lessons, chamber groups, youth orchestras, and conducting. He’s now back working with the Hochstein Youth Singers, which recently debuted a new piece of his. Read more about what Hochstein means to him.

Marsché Johnson first experienced Hochstein’s programs 24 years ago when her mother enrolled her and her sister when they were young girls. Marsché is on the autism spectrum and with consistent piano and voice lessons at Hochstein, Marsché continued to develop her talent and began to communicate with her peers. She was one of the featured performers at the Hochstein Gala in April and received a standing ovation. Read more of her story and watch a video.

Sixteen talented Hochstein students in grades 5-12 will be recognized at this year's Honors Convocation, including winners of Hochstein Merit Scholarships and five seniors who are completing the Honors Certificate Program.

Congratulations to the 24 graduating seniors in the 2022 Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra! Most of them are heading to college to pursue a variety of majors, some in music performance and education and many in scientific and medical fields. Some are staying in the Rochester area, while others are heading out of state.

The Hochstein School announces the appointment of Hilary Field Respass as President & Executive Director as of July 1, 2022. 

On Tuesday evening, April 19, HYSO musicians on the tour gathered together at their hotel in Leipzig, Germany. They brought with them a wide variety of books in English destined for Ukrainian refugee children and teens who are living with German families. 

Dr. Suzanne Hattala Wasilewski started clarinet lessons at Hochstein in 6th grade and now teaches music as an elementary orchestra teacher in the Greece Central School District. Read on to find out how her journey from being a student to becoming a teacher was influenced by the experiences she had at Hochstein.

Two years ago, the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra was making plans to tour and perform in Germany and the Czech Republic when the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they are once again poised to travel, with performances in Berlin, Leipzig, and Prague during spring break, April 16–24, 2022. Read on to find out more about the music they will be playing, a historic site they will be visiting, and how you can follow along with their adventures.

Hochstein piano student Uche Ofurum, who studies with Dr. Julia Goodwin, performed Florence Price’s “Ticklin’ Toes” at an all-school recital on February 12. Julia says, “I chose this piece for Uche because of its vibrant elegance. She responded to it with enthusiasm.” Watch a video of Uche playing.