ORCHESTRA AT ETHS

Orchestra is a performance-based course for students with prior experience on string instruments, focusing on technique, musical interpretation, and ensemble skills. Students will explore a range of orchestral music from classical to contemporary, honing sight-reading, technical proficiency, and expressive performance. With opportunities to perform in concerts, participate in festivals, and collaborate with other ensembles, the course emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and personal growth, preparing students for advanced musical studies or future performance.

The Evanston Township Orchestra Program seeks to provide an enriching, and relevant aesthetic and artistic experience for every student. Through the study of a varied repertoire of music, students are provided an opportunity to examine society through a unique cultural lens and embrace the unique aspects of those cultures that make every person equal regardless of race, gender, gender identification, religion, or sexual orientation.

Through performance, students will learn to appreciate a wide variety of musical genres as well as gain self-confidence as they grow in their own personal musical ability. Through being a part of an ensemble, students will learn the value of teamwork and their role in creating a strong unified entity that provides opportunities to be both leaders and collaborators. Through the study of music theory, students will learn the inner workings of music and understand the importance of the foundations of music as they gain an understanding of music as an art form. 

The orchestra program at Evanston Township High School consists of two orchestras. In addition, opportunities exist for students to participate in the Jazz Program, the annual Spring Musical Pit Orchestra, YAMOrchestra (the musical accompaniment to our student written/directed theatre production called YAMO), and Chamber Ensembles. 

The ETHS Music Program offers many additional performance opportunities for our instrumentalists such as our Solo and Ensemble Festival, chamber music opportunities, the ETHS Mariachi Ensemble, and the Wildkit String Band. Our students also represent ETHS in the Illinois Regional Orchestras Consortium, and the District 7 Illinois Music Educators Association Orchestra, Honor Orchestra, and Honor Jazz Bands, many of whom go on to represent us at the annual All-State Conference.