BHSO Ensembles

Concertino | Varsity | Meets B2

Concertino is our premier 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, takes private lessons, auditions for TMEA all-region, participate in UIL and Braswell zone solo & ensemble, and in our BHSO fundraisers.

Sonore is our premier 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 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
- Reliable attendance in weekly sectionals and extra rehearsals, many take private lessons, participate in UIL and Braswell zone solo & ensemble, and in our BHSO fundraisers.

Philharmonic is our initial developmental ensemble. 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
- Many take private lessons, participate in Braswell zone solo & ensemble, and in our BHSO fundraisers.