Orchestra

Orchestra at Alliance charter academy

Orchestra has had a long and illustrious history at Alliance Charter Academy. Our program began in 2008 and has had strong participation ever since. It is currently led by Anna Mersereau and is the only strings program in the Oregon City School District. The orchestras and chamber groups at ACA have performed locally at numerous venues including the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Oregon Zoo, Armory Theater, Elk's Lodge, Clackamas Town Center, and the Oregon City First City Celebration. The Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform at the 2020 New York International Music Festival in the illustrious Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s great concert venues. They performed in Times Square as well as on the steps of Carnegie Hall during the day before the pandemic restrictions began. Numerous students have participated in Oregon’s All-State Orchestras and Solo and Ensemble Competitions and competed in the District Orchestra Festival.

In the program, students enroll as violin, viola, cello or bass. New students should enroll in the Prelude Orchestra I class, while students with experience can audition for placement into Concert Orchestra II/III or Symphony Orchestra IV.

Course offerings

Prelude orchestra I

A class for students completely new to string instruments. Students in beginning strings will pick either the violin, viola, cello, or bass for the entirety of the class. Students will learn how to hold the instrument and to hear and produce a beautiful tone. Students will learn to read music and play along with the group while following a conductor. Parents will assist their child in attaining and maintaining the instrument, enforce home practice requirements, and provide transportation to concerts. Parent attendance at concerts is strongly encouraged. Advancement into the Concert Orchestra is based on musical skill development.

Concert orchestra ii/III

An intermediate orchestra class for students with approximately 2-3 years of experience. Students will develop skills in a variety of bowing and fingering techniques through the exploration of different styles of music. Students will develop intermediate techniques including playing in various keys, shifting, and vibrato preparation. Students will work in an individualized program using Sound Innovations Method Books. The class will perform three to four concerts each year. Students will also have additional solo and small ensemble opportunities. Students are expected to practice 120 minutes per week. Advancement into the Symphony Orchestra is based on musical skill development.

Symphony orchestra iv

Students will perform advanced high school level orchestra repertoire in five-part harmony. They will study the complexities of written music while performing inspiring works from the last four centuries of varied genres and ethnicities. The class curriculum will include lessons on music theory, posture, pitch, rhythm, tone, color, and phrasing. The enrollment period is limited to the month of September. Students should keep an open mind to new music and be willing to both lead and follow others within the group. Students are expected to practice 160 minutes per week.

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