Ensembles & Opportunities

The Chamber I Orchestra is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Varsity level, performing a wide variety of concerts on and off campus throughout the year, providing an opportunity for students to perform, and compete, at the most advanced level. Students must demonstrate mastery of all upper positions and shifting, various bowing styles, use of vibrato and characteristic tone quality, and must have excellent sight-reading skills. Participation in All-Region Orchestra is required, and private lessons and Region Solo & Ensemble are strongly encouraged. These provide members an opportunity to advance their skills and make the ensemble stronger. Principal players will have the opportunity to perform with the service-based Trojan String Quintet, an elite chamber ensemble providing music for campus and community events, in addition to competitive opportunities. Most recently, this group performed for US Congressional Representative Sylvia Garcia, a Pasadena native and dedicated public servant. Chamber I combines with Chamber II to form the Trojan Symphony Orchestra, alongside members of the Mighty Trojan Band Department. Members must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals (4:15-5:00 on the designated days), and performances to remain in this class.

The Chamber II Orchestra is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Non-Varsity level, performing a wide variety of concerts on and off campus throughout the year, providing an opportunity for students to perform, and compete, at an advanced level. Students must demonstrate mastery of all upper positions and shifting, various bowing styles, use of vibrato and characteristic tone quality, and must have excellent sight-reading skills. Participation in private lessons, All-Region Orchestra, and Solo & Ensemble auditions are strongly encouraged and are necessary to advance to Chamber I. As with Chamber I, Principal players of the Chamber II Orchestra will have the opportunity to perform with the service-based Trojan String Quartet, providing music for campus and community engagements, in addition to competitive opportunities. Chamber II combines with Chamber I to form the Trojan Symphony Orchestra, alongside members of the Mighty Trojan Band Department. Members must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals (3:30-4:15 on designated days), and performances to remain in this class.

The Philharmonic Orchestra is a competitive ensemble at the 6A Sub Non-Varsity level, dependent on the ensemble's satisfactory preparations for UIL (at the Director’s discretion). The Philharmonic Orchestra provides an opportunity for students to perform, and compete, at the intermediate level. Students must demonstrate mastery of upper positions and shifting, various bowing styles, use of vibrato and characteristic tone quality in order to advance to Chamber II or I Orchestras, Students will continue building advanced techniques and music-reading skills. Members must maintain Academic Eligibility and must attend all required rehearsals, sectionals (2:45-3:30 on designated days), and performances to remain in this class. Participation in Private Lessons and Solo & Ensemble auditions are encouraged, and are necessary to advance to the Chamber Orchestras.

The Concert Orchestra is a non-competitive ensemble at the 6A Sub Non-Varsity level, and has minimal after-school obligations, combining with the Cadet String Orchestra to perform at concerts, providing an opportunity for students to develop intermediate-to-advanced techniques and improve music-reading skills. Members are not required to maintain Academic Eligibility but must attend all required rehearsals and performances throughout the year. Students are expected to meet benchmark requirements to stay in the program.