Our Philosophy

The Lakewood City Schools Orchestra Department is proud to offer the very highest quality in string education. Although we consider participation in the orchestra program a right of all students, we do expect certain standards of each student enrolled in this program:

Responsibility
Dependability
Musical Excellence
Dedication

These qualities continue to be developed throughout the middle school and high school years.

Our goal is not only to nurture the growth of each individual child, but to build the quality of the ensemble as a whole. An ensemble can only be as good as the effort exhibited by each and every member.

Through this experience each member will gain a wide variety of musical knowledge that will be applicable in all aspects of life. Many orchestra students will proceed through high school and to college and enjoy the numerous ensembles offered. Others will take this inner discipline and apply it to course work, athletics and personal growth.

The string department is committed to producing outstanding orchestras. It is the belief of the directors that students learn more and develop better self-discipline, responsibility and knowledge as well as take more pride in superior orchestras than in poor ones. Excellence takes a commitment. We should not allow ourselves to strive for anything less.