CONCERTINO
Varsity Ensemble
Meets B2
Concertino is our premiere ensemble. Students join Concertino by audition only, and already display well-developed:
Musical Habits, including:
Attentive rehearsal behavior, highly sensitive synchronization with section players and conductor;Technical Skill, including:
Excellent intonation, warm tone, mature vibrato, comfort playing with many expressive techniques (spiccato, double-stops, thumb position), in correct period style, reading high notes (all positions), tenor clef (celli) treble clef (viola and bass), three-octave scales and arpeggios, playing in high position, and advanced sight-reading with complex rhythms, shifting, part independence and period style;Drive to Improve, including:
Reliable attendance in weekly sectionals and extra rehearsals, auditions for TMEA All-Region, participation in UIL contests, desire to mentor and help others, and participate in UIL and Braswell zone Solo & Ensemble.
CONCHORD
Non-Varsity Ensemble
Meets A2
Conchord is our premiere developmental ensemble. Students join Conchord by audition only, and develop:
Musical Habits, including:
Attentive rehearsal behavior, increasingly sensitive synchronization with section players and conductor;Technical Skill, including:
Good intonation, bow weight and speed, developing vibrato, familiarity with many expressive techniques (spiccato, double-stops, thumb position), reading and playing high notes (into 5th position for violins, to harmonic A and G for violas, cello, and bass), two- and some three-octave scales and arpeggios, playing in high position, and sight-reading on all four strings in first position with dotted rhythms and part independence;Drive to Improve, including:
Reliable attendance in weekly sectionals and extra rehearsals, participation in UIL contests, desire to mentor and help others, and participate in UIL and Braswell zone Solo & Ensemble.
SONORE
Sub-Non-Varsity Ensemble
Meets A4
Sonore is our intermediate developmental ensemble. Students join Sonore by audition only, and develop:
Musical Habits, including:
Attentive rehearsal behavior, increasingly sensitive synchronization with section players and conductor;Technical Skill, including:
Good intonation, bow weight and speed, developing vibrato, familiarity with many expressive techniques (spiccato, double-stops, thumb position), reading and playing high notes (into 3rd and 4th position for violins, to harmonic A and G for violas, cello, and bass), two- and some three-octave scales and arpeggios, playing in high position, and sight-reading on all four strings in first position with dotted rhythms and part independence;Drive to Improve, including:
Reliable attendance in weekly sectionals, and consistently work on becoming better than the day before.
LAB ORCHESTRA
Lab Ensemble*
Meets B4
*If you are currently enrolled in another BHS orchestra, band or choir ensemble (or have other musical experience) and are interested in learning a secondary string instrument, you may enroll in Philharmonic with instructor permission.
Students interested in pursing music education after high school graduation are encouraged to participate in Lab Orchestra. This learning space will allow students time to begin building secondary instrument skills (which are required for most undergraduate BME programs).
Additional opportunities for peer mentorship and leadership are also available.
Philharmonic is our initial developmental ensemble focusing on technical skills. Philharmonic students develop:
Musical Habits, including:
Attentive rehearsal behavior, increasingly sensitive synchronization with section players and conductor;Technical Skill, including:
Developing intonation, bow weight and speed, vibrato, familiarity with expressive techniques (double-stops, staccato, hooked bows, slurs, marcato), reading high notes (into 3rd position for violins, to harmonic A and G for violas, cello, and bass), two-octave scales and arpeggios, and sight-reading on all four strings in first position with dotted rhythms.Drive to Improve, including:
Working on being better than the day before.