About the LMHS Orchestra Program
Linn-Mar High School Music Program
Linn-Mar High School is located in Marion, Iowa and currently has over 2,200 students enrolled with 8 full-time faculty dedicated towards music excellence. The music department offers a course of study including Band, Orchestra, and Choir. In addition, the department offers co-curricular activities such as Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, Full-Orchestra, and Show Choirs. Several of our students have received excellent-superior ratings at contests, as well as annually selected for various honor groups both within the state of Iowa and on a national level. In 2006 and 2009 we had the distinct honor of being named a Grammy Signature school and named one of the top high school music departments in the nation.
LMHS Symphony Orchestra
Daily rehearsal: 9:00-9:45 a.m. The Linn-Mar High School Symphony Orchestra is an auditioned curricular group made up of 10th – 12th grade students. The ensemble meets daily for forty-five minutes and programs around six performances a year. The group has continued to perform well at State Contest receiving superior (1) ratings the past seventeen years. The group has also participated in area festivals and contests, including being selected as the State Honor Orchestra for the Iowa String Teacher Association’s (ISTA) annual conference as well as placing “Best in Class-4A” at the Jefferson Orchestra Invitational twelve different times. The ensemble programs and produces challenging and unique literature each year including repertoire from composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Shostokovish, Piazzolla, Marquez, Bloch, Tchaikovsky, Bernstein, Dvorak, John Williams, Bela Bartok, and Copland to name a few. Additionally, this ensemble has collaborated and performed with various local and national artists including bassist-Vokan Orhan, Red Cedar Chamber Music, and most recently Time for Three (TF3)
LMHS Sinfonietta
Daily rehearsal: 10:10-10:55 a.m.The Linn-Mar High School Sinfonietta more info to come...
LMHS Philharmonic Orchestra
Daily rehearsal: 11:00-10:45 a.m.The Linn-Mar High School Philharmonic Orchestra is an auditioned curricular group made up of 10th-12th grade students. The group rehearses daily for forty-five minutes and programs around six performances a year. The 2021-2022 school year is the eighth year for this ensemble and the directors and students are excited to continue with the many successes that were ushered in the past five years. Additionally, this ensemble has collaborated and performed with various local and national artists including violinist-Katie Wolfe, Red Cedar Chamber Music, and most recently Time for Three (TF3)
LMHS Concert Orchestra
Daily rehearsal: 11:00-11:45 a.m. The Linn-Mar High School Concert Orchestra is a curricular group made up of 9th – 12th grade students. The group meets daily for forty-five minutes and programs around six performances a year. The group has continued to perform well at the Jefferson Orchestra Invitational placing 2nd on five separate occasions as well as receiving a superior (1) ratings at the IHSMA State Contest the past twelve years. This is the thirteenth year for this ensemble and we’re very excited to have grown within our program to allow for a vibrant and technically sound performing ensemble. Additionally, this ensemble has collaborated and performed with various local and national artists including cellist-Anthony Arnone, Red Cedar Chamber Music, and most recently Time for Three (TF3)
LMHS Chamber Orchestras
Weekly rehearsals: ensembles meet twice a week (7:15-8:00 a.m.)The Linn-Mar High Chamber Orchestras are extra curricular ensembles made up of 9th – 12th grade students. Students audition in the fall to earn a spot in one of two ensembles (Chamber Orchestra I and Chamber Orchestra II) with rehearsals starting in mid fall. The ensembles produce around three performances throughout the year: Early November, mid December, and mid February. The literature is wide ranging in its mission and seeks to offer our students a different and unique experience from their classroom ensembles.
