About Orchestra

The Central High School Orchestra program consists of two orchestras: Sinfonia and Chamber. Here is a brief description of each orchestra.

• Sinfonia: Course #118. Sinfonia meets during 3rd hour every day. Sinfonia is Central’s non-auditioned orchestra open to all students who play a violin family instrument. 

• Chamber: Course #120. Chamber meets during 7th hour every day. Chamber is Central’s auditioned orchestra. Auditions for Chamber are held during second semester. Audition materials will be available to students during finals week of semester 1. Students participating in Chamber are expected to work and perform at a high level through rehearsals, lessons, and practice at home.

Orchestra class focuses on developing ensemble skills, string instrument technique, and improving overall musicianship. We accomplish this through our class time, individual/group lessons, and practice time at home. Our learning is based on the Wisconsin Standards for Performing Music and American String Teacher's Association (ASTA) curriculum.

The orchestras typically perform twice in the fall, and twice in the spring at Central High School. In addition to a fall and spring concert, students also perform at our annual Large Group Festival and All-City String Festival. Large Group Festival takes place during the school day in November, and students work with an expert clinician to improve their skills as a group. The All-City String Festival is an annual performance of all string players in the La Crosse School District from grades 5-12. Our orchestras also have the opportunity to perform for a clinician at an annual Solo and Ensemble Festival. More details about the performances of the Central Orchestras can be found in the Orchestra Handbook.