Frequently Asked Questions

The Schaumburg  Orchestras meet daily.  Currently,  Symphony Orchestra meets 3rd hour, Philharmonic Orchestra meets 4th hour, and  Concert Orchestra (freshmen only) meets 8th hour.    There are very few rehearsals outside of the school day--those dates are on the calendar at the beginning of the year.  Students and their families are asked to plan accordingly to reserve those dates.

Some of you have elected to bring your own instruments.   Here at school there are a number of instruments available to use.   With Covid protocols in place, there is absolutely NO SHARING of instruments.   If need be, there will be a rotation put in place so the same people won't have to bring from home all year. 

Each section is on a rotation.  You may be in the back of the section for one piece and in the front for another.  You may be 1st violin for one piece and 2nd for another.   In some cases , there are auditions for front stands.

Students receive a daily grade, a weekly lesson/sectional grade, as well as both written and playing tests.  The playing tests are based on scales and the pieces that we are working on in rehearsals.  The written tests are on music theory, music history, and musical terminology.  Your lesson/sectional is during either your study hall or lunch period for 25 minutes—you do not miss another class to come to your lesson.

Your main time commitment will be your individual practice time.  This is your responsibility to your orchestra.  Evening rehearsals are kept to a minimum.  You will receive a calendar at the beginning of the year that has all of our evening rehearsals and concerts listed.  You will need to reserve these dates for the year.

 I  select a wide variety of music from each of the musical periods, featuring many of the most influential composers of the classical canon. We also perform music from movie soundtracks, musicals, and other alternative styles.

Concert Orchestra is just freshmen.    It is a great way for the freshmen to meet and get to know each other, as they come from multiple junior high orchestra programs.  The middle orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra,  is comprised of sophomores, juniors, and seniors.   The Symphony has a few freshmen in it,  and they choose to audition for the ensemble,  but it is  predominantly upperclassmen.

I recommend that each student tries to get in at least a half hour of practice time each day.  However, the most important part of practicing is that progress is being made.   

Yes.  It also counts toward your grade point average and fills a fine arts graduation requirement.  

The “pit orchestra” is a small group of musicians, usually string, woodwinds, brass and percussion, that plays for the musical at each school.  Students who play for the pit orchestra receive a recommendation from their director.

Typically freshmen can take 2 electives, and in some cases, three electives.

Yes, absolutely!  In fact, many of the orchestra members are involved in at least one activity or sport.   It is very possible to be involved in a number of activities.   There are volleyball students, chess students, basketball students, student council students, debate students, theater students.... you name it, we probably have it in orchestra!

  No.  We usually do not play on the first day of school.  We use that time as an opportunity to get to know each other.

You should join if you enjoy performing great music, learning about music, participating in different musical activities.  And… you get to make music with your friends!