Scullen Orch 8-HS Transition Information

Scullen MS Orchestra
8th Grade to HS Transition Information

This page has been created to help you navigate the requirements needed to transition from 8th grade to either Neuqua Valley or Waubonsie Valley High School next year.

Why should I consider staying in orchestra in High School when there are so many other courses I could take, and I don't think I want to become a 'professional musician'?

This video features an admission counselor from Northwestern University talking about why selective universities look for student commitment to the Arts as part of the admissions process. Worth 19 minutes of your time!

Click HERE for a synopsis of her talking points in presentation

For more music advocacy videos, navigate here: https://www.wvhsmusic.org/parent-booster-organizations.html or check out the links below:

https://www.bepartofthemusic.org/simhs/

https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-argument-for-music-education

D204 Orchestra Classes & Flow

The natural flow of the music program in middle school in D204 uses the prior year of instruction as a pre-requisite.

6th Grade Orchestra ---> 7th Grade Orchestra
7th Grade Orchestra ---> 8th Grade Orchestra
8th Grade Orchestra ---> Concert Orchestra*

*ALL STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA SELECT "CONCERT ORCHESTRA", once placements have been made, the high school directors will separate students into the various different levels.

In high school, orchestra classes begin to split more by skill-level rather than grade-level.

Concert Orchestra - Freshman only. Natural progression for most students coming from 8th grade. No audition required.
Concert Strings - Freshman only. Accelerated curriculum for more skilled students - REQUIRES AUDITION AT NEUQUA... PLACEMENT AT WV.
Chamber Orchestra/Strings - Not a normal placement for freshman. Capstone level ensembles/ mostly sophomores, juniors and seniors - REQUIRES HIGH LEVEL AUDITION.