Ensembles

Lyric Orchestra- A3

Students in Lyric Orchestra should be: able to perform 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); able to play in positions up to and including 3rd ; performing with 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; able to sight-read with confidence and musicality any music up to and including grade 2, with the ability to master music up to and including grade 3; able to produce a characteristic sound for the particular instrument you play with a beautiful sustained tone, able to play a phrase with musicality, being able to ascertain which notes to stress or play softer;  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. 

Sinfonia Orchestra- A2

Students in Sinfonia should be:  able to perform with vibrato at a level that is comfortable at the beginning of the semester and will advance as the playing matures; able to match pitches within the section; tune in perfect fifths (harmonics: celli, basses); able to play in positions up to and including 5th ; performing with 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; able 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; able to produce a characteristic sound for the particular instrument you play with a beautiful sustained tone; able 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. 

Chamber Orchestra- B2

Chamber Orchestra musicians, above all, are leaders in our orchestra program.  Students are expected to take an active role in the running of our orchestra program and in the school.  They should strive to set an example of integrity and leadership both in orchestra and outside of class.  

Musically, students in chamber should be: shifting, playing in any position (including thumb for celli and bass); reading treble clef (violas); tenor/treble clef (celli); tenor clef (basses); playing with controlled vibrato; consistently performing with a strong command of intonation; able to sight-read pieces up to and including grade 4 with accuracy, confidence and musicality; excellent with right and left hand positions which facilitate the learning and mastery of the advanced techniques necessary to perform grade 5 music; able to independently come up with fingerings that make sense technically and musically; able to play musically and to identify phrase beginnings and endings; playing with an overall mature mastery of the basic techniques, 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 Chamber.  Participation in Solo and Ensemble and All Region are required.  Chamber Orchestra members have scheduled sectional rehearsals that will take place in the orchestra room as needed.  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.