JMA Orchestras

6th grade is the only "normal" entry point for orchestra. All 6th grade classes are BEGINNING classes. There are no BEGINNING classes for 7th or 8th grade students. Students who wish to join the orchestra AFTER 6th grade must take private lessons and then play an audition for Mr. Taperek (in August, before school starts). Acceptance of students who did not participate in 6th grade beginning orchestra classes at any school is VERY RARE (this audition process DOES NOT apply to students who participated in orchestra classes at other schools during 6th grade).

The audition could cover ANYTHING from the book that the 6th graders use (Sound Innovations, Book 1 for the appropriate orchestra instrument). SIMPLY TAKING LESSONS AND AUDITIONING DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORCHESTRA PROGRAM. The purpose of the audition is to determine whether students have caught up enough to be able to play with the 7th grade orchestra, which IS NOT a beginning ensemble.

PLEASE CHECK WITH MR. TAPEREK regarding instrument selection before starting lessons- there are not spots available for all instruments. Again, simply taking lessons and coming to audition DOES NOT guarantee that a student will be ready to join the 7th grade orchestra.

Students wishing to join the orchestra in 8th grade will need to be able to play material from both Sound Innovations Book 1 AND Book 2 for the instrument that they wish to play in orchestra.

NMHS Orchestras

Beginning string players are not allowed to join a NMHS Orchestra. Students who did not take orchestra in middle school but are interested in joining the Concert Orchestra must take lessons for at least one calendar year before you can audition for Mr. Taperek. Please email Mr. Taperek with any questions regarding the audition process.