Chamber Orchestra, 4th period
This is the premiere orchestra group. Students rehearse outside of class once per week for region, UIL, and solo contests as well as perform family concerts and optional community performances. Students would need to demonstrate vibrato, shifting, read dotted quarter / 8th and 16th notes, all finger patterns, string crossing / shifting slurs with few remedies needed in pitch, rhythm, posture, or bow arm, and have a record of a successful solo in the past year of at least Suzuki book 3 difficulty (vn/ va: Bach Gavotte Orch Suite, Boccherini Minuet, Kuchler Concertino, cello: La Cinquantaine, Bass: Caballero)
Symphonic Orchestra, 6th period
Students rehearse outside of class once per week for UIL and solo contests and may choose to practice and audition for region orchestra. Outside of family concerts, students will also perform in our touring holiday program and veterans' assembly. Students would need to demonstrate accurate tuning in the four most common hand patterns, read dotted quarter and 8th notes of different pitch, string crossing slurs with few corrections needed in pitch, rhythm, posture, or bow arm, and have performed a successful solo in the past year of at least Suzuki book 2 difficulty (Minuet 2, Handel Bourree, Gossec Gavotte)
Philharmonic Orchestra, 2nd period
Students are asked to prepare for and attend family concerts, Pre-UIL, and solo & ensemble contest. Students would need to demonstrate accurate tuning for a one-octave D Major scale, perform dotted half and repeated 8th notes, two-note slurs with some remedies to be addressed in pitch, rhythm, posture, or bow arm, and have performed a successful solo in the past year of at least Suzuki book 1 difficulty (Rondino, Valse Melodique)
Concert Orchestra, 3rd period
Students are asked to prepare for and attend family concerts and our solo & ensemble contest. Students will learn accurate tuning for a one-octave D Major scale, dotted half and repeated 8th notes, and repeating slurs while pitch, rhythm, posture, and bow arm are addressed carefully and individually. We'll review note names on all the strings and how to count rhythms. At least a year's experience of playing is required.
Beginning Orchestra, 1st and 5th periods
Absolutely no experience with music necessary! We learn the basics of how music works and how to play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass.