About the Sprague Orchestras

String Ensemble

String Ensemble is an intermediate level orchestra for grade 9 students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, and/or piano. Membership in String Ensemble is open to all students who have developed proficiency on their instrument that enables them to play the repertoire of the ensemble. No audition is required. String Ensemble shares many concert venues with the other Sprague orchestras, and on occasion combines forces with them. Infrequent pre-concert rehearsals are required to this end.

Symphony Strings

Symphony Strings is an upper-intermediate level orchestra for grade 10-12 students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, and/or piano. Membership in Symphony Strings is open to all students who have developed proficiency on their instrument that enables them to play the repertoire of the ensemble. No audition is required. Symphony Strings shares many concert venues with the other Sprague orchestras, and on occasion combines forces with them. Infrequent after-school or pre-concert rehearsals are required to this end.

Advanced Symphony Orchestra

ASO is Sprague’s full symphonic orchestra for students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, or harp. Participation requires an audition with the director and is open to intermediate to advanced string players. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible. Auditions are held in April of the previous school year and sometimes mid-year prior to the start of 2^nd semester. Students who are new to the school may arrange a special audition upon arrival. ASO performs a variety of string orchestra literature in collaboration with the Percussion Ensemble at the fall concert, and for the rest of the school year performs full orchestra repertoire in collaboration with Wind Ensemble. Advanced Symphony Orchestra competes in the OSAA Orchestra Festival each spring. Before- or after-school sectionals are sometimes required to this end.

Camerata

Camerata is an advanced-level string ensemble comprising the most skilled and committed string players of Sprague High School. Students who play violin, viola, cello, bass, piano, harp, or classical guitar in grades 9-12 are eligible. Participation requires an audition with the director. Auditions are held in April of the previous school year and sometimes mid-year prior to the start of 2^nd semester. Students who are new to the school may arrange a special audition upon arrival. Camerata performs a wide variety of string orchestra literature, and occasionally performs with soloists from within the group as well as special guest soloists. Camerata competes in the OSAA Orchestra Festival each spring. Before- or after-school sectionals are sometimes required to this end. Small-group instruction and sectional rehearsals are important adjunct activities to rehearsals with the entire ensemble.