Orchestra Directors
David Irish
David Irish is in his fourth year serving as Director of Orchestras at Summer Creek High School.
Since being named Director of Orchestras in 2021, Summer Creek Orchestras have achieved many program firsts including the Summer Creek Symphony being selected to perform at the 2023 Midwest Clinic, 2024 3rd Place for the American Prize in Orchestral Performance, the Chamber Orchestra performing at the 2023 Music for All National Festival, 2023 National Winner and 2024 Commended Winner of the Mark of Excellence. The group also performed for the Humble ISD School Board, which was named "This Month's Inspiring Moment."
In Irish's four years at Summer Creek, all Irish led ensembles received Sweepstakes Awards at UIL. Dozens of Summer Creek students were named to region, area, all-state, received gold medals at State TSSEC, and performed with the Houston Youth Orchestras. In the Spring of 2022, the Summer Creek Symphony was highly praised with two judges noting they were moved to tears, while the Chamber Orchestra was credited with "exceptional artistry" by a Music for All evaluator. In 2023, an abundance of judges and clinicians commented on the both the Full Symphony and Chamber Orchestra's musicality including panel members judging Sightreading at UIL. In 2024, judges continued their appreciation citing "WOW WOW WOW - Stunning, mature, musical performance", "I loved all the details, it gave me all the feels", and another's commenting on Adagio for Strings of just "Thank you." In 2025, a UIL judge called the performance of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis "Breathtaking."
Previously, Mr. Irish served as the Director of Orchestras (2015-2021) and Director of Bands (2013-2020) at Palo Verde World School in Las Vegas, Nevada. His work with the Palo Verde music program led to being named to the inaugural Yamaha 40 Under 40 for Music Education.
Named Indiana Music Educator of the Year in 2013 by Indianapolis Youth Orchestras, Irish tripled the enrollment of both the band and orchestra program in his first three years as director, creating the Palo Verde Philharmonic in 2016. The Palo Verde Philharmonic finished 2nd place in the full orchestra division at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2019 and was invited to perform at the 2020 Music for All National Festival. Under Irish’s tenure as Director of Bands, Palo Verde's Wind Orchestra was selected three times (2015, 2018, 2020) to the featured stage of the National Festival, performed at numerous Music for All Regional Affiliate festivals and hosted the Las Vegas Concert Band Festival, starting in 2019. All ensembles under Irish’s direction received Superior Ratings in all CCSD-sponsored festivals including concert band, jazz band, and orchestra. Irish was recognized by U.S. House Representative Susie Lee for the accomplishments achieved at Palo Verde during Irish's tenure.
Irish has conducted performances in Czech Republic, Germany, and China. Irish is a published arranger with his setting “Suite from ‘The Mikado’” having been performed on “Marquee Mojo” with the UNLV Wind Orchestra on Klavier Records (K11185), as well as being found in Teaching Music Through Performance in Band Vol. 9, and featured on “Wind and Rhythm” on NPR. Teaming with David Maccabee, Irish was a presenter at the Arts Empowerment Conference, discussing transitioning a marching program from competitive to non-competitive. Irish received an MM in Wind Conducting and BME from UNLV, as well as having taken undergraduate music classes at Ball State University. Irish previously taught band and choir at North White Jr./Sr. High School in Monon, Indiana where similar growth occurred. Irish was recognized by U.S. House Representative Todd Rokita for having 100% superior ratings for all entries at Solo & Ensemble in his second year at North White.
Irish welcomed his first born, Kieran, in the summer of 2024 with his wife and love of his life Karen.
