Guyer High School Orchestra Course Descriptions

Please note: Orchestra names differ from those listed on course cards. Below are our names for the Guyer orchestras. Incoming freshmen should sign up for "CONCERT" orchestra (listed below as Philharmonic). We will adjust schedules after completing auditions in April.

Philharmonic

Meets B4

Vibrato at a basic level that gets more comfortable as the playing matures; ability to match pitches within the section, tune in perfect fifths (harmonics: celli, basses); knowledge of positions up to and including 5^th ; solid left and right hand positions which will allow the command of more advanced bow technique (spiccato, smooth legato, marcato, staccato, etc, and good posture; ability to sight-read with confidence and musicality any music up to and including grade 1/2, with the ability to master music including at least grade 2/3; ability to produce a characteristic sound for the particular instrument you play with a beautiful sustained tone. Ability to play a phrase with musicality, and start to be able to decide how to finger passages in the music to make them more fluid and musical; anything else needed to master music up to and including grade 2/3.

Scherzo

Meets A4 or B2

Vibrato at a level that is comfortable at the beginning of the semester and will advance as the playing matures; ability to match pitches within the section, tune in perfect fifths (harmonics: celli, basses); knowledge of positions up to and including 5^th ; solid left and right hand positions which will allow the command of more advanced bow technique (spiccato, smooth legato, marcato, staccato, etc, and good posture; ability to sight-read with confidence and musicality any music up to and including grade 2/3, with the ability to master music up to and including grade 3; ability to produce a characteristic sound for the particular instrument you play with a beautiful sustained tone. Ability to play a phrase with musicality, being able to ascertain which notes to stress or play softer; be able to decide how to finger passages in the music to make them more fluid and musical; anything else needed to master music up to and including grade 3.

Cadenza

Meets A2

Vibrato at a level that is comfortable at the beginning of the semester and will advance as the playing matures; ability to match pitches within the section, tune in perfect fifths (harmonics: celli, basses); knowledge of positions up to and including 5^th ; solid left and right hand positions which will allow the command of more advanced bow technique (spiccato, smooth legato, marcato, staccato, etc, and good posture; ability to sight-read with confidence and musicality any music up to and including grade 2/3, with the ability to master music up to and including grade 3/4; ability to produce a characteristic sound for the particular instrument you play with a beautiful sustained tone. Ability to play a phrase with musicality, being able to ascertain which notes to stress or play softer; be able to decide how to finger passages in the music to make them more fluid and musical; anything else needed to master music up to and including grade 3/4.

Intermezzo

Meets B3

Shifting, playing comfortably in any position (including thumb for celli and bass); reading treble clef (violas); tenor/treble clef (celli); tenor clef (basses); controlled vibrato; strong command of intonation; ability to sight-read pieces up to and including grade 3 with accuracy, confidence and musicality; excellent right and left hand positions which facilitate the learning and mastery of the advanced techniques necessary to perform grade 4 music; ability to independently come up with fingerings that make sense technically and musically; ability to play musically and to identify phrase beginnings and endings; an overall mature mastery of the basic techniques, the ability and desire to advance, and a comfortable command of the instrument and bow which enables you to perform with confidence and contribute to the group at all times. Private lessons are required and an audition is necessary to register for Intermezzo. Participation in Solo and Ensemble is required and students are required to at least audition for the Region Philharmonic (string) orchestra, but they may choose to audition for the Region Symphony (HS Full) if they so choose. Intermezzo Orchestra members have required once-weekly rehearsals that will take place in the orchestra room for the duration of the school year. These students are expected to maintain their eligibility and conduct. Problems in these areas may be cause for moving a student out of this high-performing ensemble.

Rhapsody

Meets A3

Shifting, playing comfortably in any position (including thumb for celli and bass); reading treble clef (violas); tenor/treble clef (celli); tenor clef (basses); controlled vibrato; strong command of intonation; ability to sight-read pieces up to and including grade 4 with accuracy, confidence and musicality; excellent right and left hand positions which facilitate the learning and mastery of the advanced techniques necessary to perform grade 5 music; ability to independently come up with fingerings that make sense technically and musically; ability to play musically and to identify phrase beginnings and endings; an overall mature mastery of the basic techniques, the ability and desire to advance, and a comfortable command of the instrument and bow which enables you to perform with confidence and contribute to the group at all times. Private lessons are required (unless permission is granted from the Director) and an audition is necessary to register for Rhapsody. Participation in Solo and Ensemble and All Region are required. Rhapsody Orchestra members have required once-weekly rehearsals that will take place in the orchestra room for the duration of the school year. These students are expected to maintain their eligibility and conduct. Problems in these areas may be cause for moving a student out of this high-performing ensemble.