The Klein Collins Orchestra is a 200+ member organization of some of the most talented and musically gifted students in the Klein Independent School District. Each year, this group is awarded top honors in competition both locally and nationally. The organization has performed in the Lincoln Center Plaza in New York City; at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for the 150th Anniversary of the Battle at Gettysburg; at Carnegie Hall in New York City; the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas; and at Disneyland Recording Studios in Anaheim, California. The Klein Collins Orchestra was selected by audition to be a featured performer at the Music For All National Orchestra Festival in Indianapolis in the Spring of 2018. This distinction would be one of the highest national achievements for the orchestra program at Klein Collins High School. The orchestras regularly receive Sweepstakes awards at the Texas UIL Concert & Sightreading Contests.
Concert: This orchestra is primarily for incoming freshmen who are continuing their development in string fundamentals. Concert Orchestra performs literature primarily written for high school non-varsity orchestras. All members are encouraged to take private lessons. Members of this orchestra are encouraged to perform a solo and in an ensemble at the KISD Solo & Ensemble Contest. This group performs at the Fall, Winter, Ensemble Recital and Pops Concerts. This is the starting platform for all incoming 8th graders. There is no after school commitment for this class (meets 6th period).
Sinfonia: This orchestra is a continuation of the Middle School Varsity experience. The class is designed to challenge our advanced freshman members by reinforcing fundamentals, introducing advanced concepts and boosting early preparation for the upper level orchestras. This orchestra performs repertoire written for the high school non-varsity orchestra. Members are highly encouraged to perform a solo and in an ensemble at the KISD Solo & Ensemble Contest. Members are also highly encouraged to participate in private lessons. Placement is by audition and usually consists of freshmen who participated in their Middle School Varsity orchestra. There is no after-school commitment for this orchestra. This group performs at the Fall, Winter, Ensemble Recital and Pops Concerts. This class also competes in the String Orchestra UIL Contest (meets 7th period).
Philharmonic: This is our intermediate level orchestra consisting of all grade levels. It is designed to continue preparation for Symphonic Orchestra. The orchestra performs repertoire written for the high school non-varsity orchestra. Members are highly encouraged to perform a solo and in an ensemble at the KISD Solo & Ensemble Contest. Members are also highly encouraged to participate in private lessons. This group performs at the Fall, Winter, Ensemble Recital and Pops Concerts. Placement is by audition only. There is no after-school commitment for this class and will compete in the String Orchestra UIL Contest (meets 3rd period).
Symphonic This is an advanced orchestra class consisting of all grade levels. Students in this group will also be able to audition to participate in the Full Orchestra along with Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra performs repertoire written for the high school varsity and non-varsity orchestra. Members are highly encouraged to perform a solo and in an ensemble at the KISD Solo & Ensemble Contest. Members are also highly encouraged to participate in private lessons. This group performs at the Fall, Winter, Ensemble Recital and Pops Concerts. Placement in this orchestra is by audition only. This group competes in the String Orchestra UIL Contest (meets 2nd period).
Chamber: This group is designed for those striving for musical excellence in strings and consists of 10th-12th grades. This group performs a wide range of repertoire from the high school varsity orchestra to the professional full and string orchestra level. Chamber is a highly competitive group that participates in all musical aspects of our program. Placement in this orchestra is by audition only. This group has an after-school full orchestra requirement during the spring semester and competes in the String Orchestra and Full Orchestra UIL Contests. Membership in this orchestra comes with opportunities to participate in the school musical, perform in special events, and potentially be hired for gigs. Members are also highly encouraged to participate in private lessons. In addition to regular concerts, participation in the following is also required: Region Orchestra Auditions, Elementary Tours, Winter Showcase, KISD Ensemble Competition and String Fling (meets 4th period*).