On Saturday, April 28th, 2012, Rock Ensemble will perform a very special concert commemorating 40 years of the music program created by Doug Burris at Miami Beach Senior High School. The concert will feature special performances by groups made up of past members from the last 40 years!
The Miami Beach Senior High School’s Rock Ensemble was established in September, 1972, by Doug Burris, who had received his Master’s Degree in Music Education in January of 1971 from the University of Miami. With a passion for classical guitar, Burris was hired by Dr. Solomon to teach his principle instrument to the Beach High Students.
Since its creation this musically talented group of students has won many honors, and has been featured on several media outlets such as CNN, CBS, MTV, SOBE TV and Numerous Newspapers. The Rock Ensemble has consistently won TOP Honors for Miami Beach Senior High at competitions in Lakeland, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois and Orlando, Florida.
In April of 1999 the group was invited to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. They were awarded a plaque commending the ensemble for “Rockin’ the Planet Since 1972.” The Miami Beach High School Guitar Ensemble has established itself as one of the premier high school musical performing groups in the United States.
With the success of the Rock Ensemble, Mr. Burris was awarded by the Miami Beach Senior High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame on November 10, 2000. Burris was honored because of his Achievements, contributions to society and his continuing success with the Miami Beach Senior High School’s Rock Ensemble.
In addition to the Rock Ensemble’s many “Superior” ratings and first place trophies, the Guitar Ensemble has performed with other groups from Perth, Australia, Milan, Italy, Changsha and China. Also, in October, 2001 the Guitar Ensemble was awarded a grant by the State of Florida, the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach. This grant enabled them to travel and perform in many cities throughout Japan including the International Peace Summit in Kagoshima.
Throughout the years, the Miami Beach Senior High School’s Rock Ensemble and Mr. Burris have received recognition from a variety of businesses and organizations. In 2003, Mr. Burris and the Rock Ensemble received the National Multiple Sclerosis Society National Achievement Award, presented at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Convention. Also on February 10, 2005, the Opperman Citation For Outstanding Accomplishment In Teaching And Leadership, presented by the Florida State University School of Music Faculty, honored Mr. Burris for his outstanding contribution to the Miami Beach Senior High School music education program.
On September 7, 2006 Mr. Burris was also awarded by the Miami-Dade County League of Cities for 35 Years of Dedication to Music Education at Miami Beach Senior High School. A year later, the town of Surfside Proclaimed June 12,2007 as Doug Burris Day in recognition of his commitment to the musical education of the students of Miami Beach Senior High School.
Last but not least, the City of Miami Beach Proclaimed April 11, 2012 as Doug Burris Day in recognition of his 40 years of commitment to the musical education of the students of Miami Beach Senior High School, the Arts and Entertainment Industry, and serving as a Beacon of Accomplishment for Others with Multiple Sclerosis and to the City of Miami Beach Community at Large.
Please join the Miami Beach Senior High School’s Rock Ensemble on Saturday, April 28th, 2012, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the music program! For more information, visit: www.rockensemble.com or call 305-519-1657.
