What are some of the benefits of my student being in orchestra?
Community
Because the majority of high school students are in orchestra for four years, this allows them to develop close relationships with their peers through teamwork, spring trips, social events, and more. This allows them to be a part of a student community throughout their entire high school career.
Enrichment
Music positively impacts the brain and education by enhancing critical thinking skills, memory, attention, the ability to work with others, and boosting self-esteem. Orchestra creates a space for self-expression and stress relief. Please see the "Why You Should Stay in Orchestra" document under the "Handbook & Calendar" tab for more.
Future Aspirations
Involvement in orchestra leads to future opportunities beyond the high school career. Many colleges and universities have orchestras that non-music majors can join, and there may be college scholarship opportunities available. Orchestra members cultivate lifelong skills on their instrument that can be used to join community orchestras, play in church, perform at weddings, and experience other opportunities in their adult life.
Unique Experiences
Orchestra allows experiences for our students that other curricular classes do not, such as an annual spring trip, performing in front of a live audience, and developing self-expression through a fine art.
What are the requirements for being an orchestra member?
Experience Level
We welcome students of all experience levels! We do not have a class for beginning string musicians, but students are able to begin orchestra in 8th grade before their freshman year. Students are encouraged to begin in 6th grade if possible, and private lessons are encouraged for all orchestra members but are not a requirement. Students will be placed into one of the three orchestra ensembles by audition.
Supplies
Orchestra students must have an instrument in order to participate. Violinists and violists must bring their instruments to class on a daily basis, whereas cello and bass players will pay a usage fee to use a school instrument during class and keep their personal instrument at home for practice. Students will pay a rental fee for their concert uniform and purchase our annual orchestra T-shirt. The list of other required supplies can be found in the orchestra handbook.
Attendance
Orchestra members must attend every mandatory event listed for their orchestra ensemble in the handbook calendar. This includes events such as at-school concerts, Solo & Ensemble, UIL, etc. Each performance is worth two major grades. Chamber Orchestra members are required to attend sectionals for their instrument part before or after school.
Work Ethic
Practice does not make perfect, but it does make progress! Practicing is an expectation of all orchestra members. Violin and viola students must take their instruments home from school each day, and all orchestra members must set aside a designated amount of time to practice per week. Practicing is essential to musicianship and fosters self-discipline. Orchestra operates as a team, and when team members do not know their part well or do not put in their fullest effort, it affects the rest of the team and its performance. Some of the many skills that orchestra develops includes teamwork, accountability, and collaboration, which are all cultivated through practice.
How can parents support the orchestra program?
Please visit the "Booster Club" tab and select "What We Do" to learn more!