Chamber Orchestra Honors (Audition-Only Honors Course) - 6th Period on B days
Established in 2014, Chamber Orchestra Honors is only available during period 6 and takes places every other day on B days. In addition to all the regular required strings performances, the ensemble also participates in additional performances throughout the year at NP and throughout the community. Regular collaboration with band, choir and various local artists and symphonies, with clinics with esteemed conductors, performers and music professors. Students in this ensemble have been recipients of California Orchestra Director's Association Honor Orchestra, All-Southern Honor Orchestra, All-State Orchestra and some have performed at Carnegie Hall. While some have gone on to major and pursue a music career, many alumni have continued participating in university symphonies and various musical groups upon graduation.
Auditions for Chamber Orchestra Honors typically occur in January for continuing students and February/March for incoming students. Any 8th grade student hoping to audition their first year must audition before they register for courses for their freshman year - please note however that only a very limited number of freshman are usually accepted into this group. Transfer students hoping to get into this ensemble will need to contact Mrs Huang for inquiries on whether they would be eligible to audition.
Concert Orchestra (Audition Only) - 3rd Period on A days
Students who do not pass the chamber audition but demonstrate enough technical, musical foundation and a strong work ethic are allowed to stay in the 6th period class as a Concert Orchestra member. At least 3 years of experience with serious private lessons is typical of the students who are placed in this ensemble. Depending on enrollment, this orchestra may combine with Chamber Orchestra Honors during the 6th period.
String Orchestra/Orchestra CP (Instructor Permission Required) - (7:30-8:20 a.m. daily)
All incoming strings freshmen who have been in their middle school strings programs receive automatic acceptance into this class.
The String Orchestra was the first strings class ever to be offered at NPHS. Its staggering growth since 2013 has led to the creation of the other strings courses. It has since its inception, this class accepts students of all ability levels. This class performs at winter concert, All-District Concert, Spring Concert and SCSBOA festivals. The highlights include recording sound track music at Disneyland and attending the Heritage Festival trips. It is designed to be a continuous course that also allows the possibility of auditioning for Concert/Chamber Orchestra in later years.
For any questions or potential conflicts, contact Orchestra Director Mrs Tina Huang at nphsstrings@gmail.com