Description of Orchestras
Beginning Orchestra
Beginning Orchestra is made up of mostly 6th graders however, all students must start here regardless of grade. In the past,
we have had 7th and 8th
graders want to learn a string instrument
as well. Unless they have had previous instruction for a full year, these students must
learn the
basics with everyone else in Beginning Orchestra. We use “Sound
Innovations:
Book 1” for this course. This group will perform for the fall and spring concerts. Students in Beginning Orchestra also have
the opportunity to perform at Solo and
Ensemble Contest, and a Spring Music Festival.
Philharmonic Orchestra
Philharmonic Orchestra is designed for students who have at least one year prior
experience on their instrument. Basic concepts are reviewed with a focus
on developing tone quality, bow techniques, and intonation skills. This
group uses "Essential Elements 2000: Book 2" for their method book.
Philharmonic Orchestra students will perform in the fall and spring concerts. Students have the opportunity to perform at the Solo and Ensemble Contest, and a Spring Music Festival. Students who are in 7th and 8th grade that have prior experience playing
violin, viola, cello, or bass in Orchestra for a full school year and
would like to learn a second string instrument will start learning their
non-principal instrument in Philharmonic Orchestra.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is a competing orchestra on the non-varsity level. Students
focus on developing vibrato, improve tone quality, build sight-reading
skills, and learn intermediate bowing styles. This group uses "Sound
Innovations Book 2" for their method book. Symphony students will
perform at the fall and spring concerts and in the Region 2 UIL
Contest. Students in this ensemble will also have the opportunity to
perform at the Solo and Ensemble Contest, and audition
for All-Region Orchestra as well as a Spring Music Festival Contest. Students must maintain academic eligibility to perform in competitions.
Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra is a competing orchestra on the varsity level. Students focus
on advanced upper position techniques, vibrato, bowing styles, and
sight-reading skills. This group has a greater focus on literature. Chamber students are assigned either "Sound Innovations Book
2 and 3" as their method book. Students will perform at the fall and spring concerts, the Region 2 UIL Contest and will
frequently perform for school and community events. Students in this
ensemble will also have the opportunity to perform at the Solo and Ensemble Contest, a Spring Music Festival, Full Orchestra Music Festival and are highly encouraged to
audition for All-Region Orchestra. Students must audition for this
ensemble and must maintain academic eligibility to perform in
competitions.
(*Students
do not automatically move up to a higher orchestra each year. Students are placed by skill level. A
student's placement can be lowered if the student does not uphold the
obligations of their current orchestra.)