P5 - Beginning Orchestra

Beginning Orchestra

Commitment: 1 School Year

The Beginning Orchestra is for students with very little to zero ensemble experience on a string instrument. Instruments offered are, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Beginning Orchestra students will learn the basics of the instrument chosen or assigned, and they will learn how to play together as one group. With successful completion of the beginning orchestra class and a successful audition, interested students are promoted to Advanced Orchestra the following year. The beginning orchestra will perform one time per semester. Depending on the ability of the group and fundraising, the Beginning Orchestra could participate in one festival. 

6th grade students with prior extensive experience: If you join the orchestra, you will be placed in beginning orchestra regardless of ability. Although we encourage every 6th grade student interested in music to enroll in orchestra, it is not uncommon to join orchestra in 7th grade and audition into advanced orchestra. If this is to be the case, it is recommended that you enroll in and take private lessons at least every other week to be able to join advanced orchestra in 7th grade. For students with experience, there is always the opportunity to learn another instrument, be a section leader, or be a teacher's assistant.