Extracurricular Orchestras

Extracurricular orchestras are open to all current orchestra students. Groups meet after school and learn pieces of music in addition to what they are learning in the classroom. Extracurricular orchestras allow additional opportunities for students to develop their musical talents and perform music that is somewhat unique. A small additional fee is required for participation in these groups to cover the cost of instruction and music.

See below for descriptions of the different extracurricular orchestra groups proudly offered to the students.

Alternative Strings

Alternative Strings class will perform Jazz and Electrified Orchestra repertoire, learning to devise and improvise solos over chord changes. Students will also have opportunities to study other specialized topics, including fiddle traditions, Mariachi Strings, pit orchestra, or Swing Orchestra with members of the Jazz Bands. In future years, this ensemble will be by audition only.

Philharmonic Orchestra

Philharmonic is the full orchestra ensemble at FCHS, combining members of the string orchestra and wind band departments. The FCPO is a combined ensemble of Camerata students and additional band instrumentalists that rehearses after school and competes in ISSMA Full Orchestra Group I. Philharmonic performs original scores of celebrated composers from the Classical Music canon, most recently music by Schubert, Sibelius, Verdi, Copland, Grieg, Bizet and Mozart. Practices are typically held Tuesdays after school until 5 PM. 

Swing Strings

Swing Strings is an extracurricular jazz ensemble for orchestra students. Popular jazz music is performed and is sometimes accompanied by jazz percussion. 2026/2027, Mr. Dawson will instruct in the FCHS orchestra room on Wednesdays from 4PM-5:30PM.