The UDHS Sophisticated Strings actively promotes the appreciation of a variety of styles of music via string orchestra literature and performance within the Upper Dublin School District and community.
The group is comprised of musical enthusiasts from the UDHS String Orchestra. The repertoire spans a multitude of genres and styles, and evolves accordingly with the venues and interests of the group.
The Sophisticated Strings has a governing body of officers consisting of co-presidents, a vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, and an executive committee as determined by an annual election process.
Meetings/rehearsals occur regularly after school on Mondays and Thursdays approximately three to four times each month—and with greater frequency prior to special performances. Rehearsals commence during the first week of school, and continue all school year until the week prior to final examinations. Periodically, the group meets during the summertime—as we did this year for a special performance for a Sunday morning service at Mrs. Herrmann’s church, the Huntingdon Valley United Methodist Church. In addition to performances, the Sophisticated Strings assist with the Upper Dublin Honors Orchestra auditions for grades 4 to 8, as well as assist with hosting the Montgomery County Honors String Orchestra, PMEA District 11 String Festival, and the annual String Orchestra Festival Adjudication in March.
The Sophisticated Strings perform at approximately 25 different venues throughout the year. The following list represents the venues at which the group has performed on the most part annually during the past several years.
UD Community Day
UDHS Back to School Night
Dedication Ceremony of the UDHS PAC and Gala Concert
UD Crafts Festival
Benefit Dinner for the Kulp Family
Benefit “Wine in Winter” for Kidney Disease Research
UDSD celebration of American Education Week
Environmental Ecology Club Spaghetti Dinner at UDHS
UDHS Hall of Fame Induction Celebration Dinner
UDHS at Barnes & Noble Night
UDSD Dinner for Middle States Evaluators and Administration
Holiday Performances at Hope Lodge
Holiday Performances at FW Estates & Gwynedd Estates
Holiday Performances at The Sunrise Community and Dresher Estates
Performances at the WEL UM community
Meadowbrook Farm for PHS Holiday Open House
Hosting the Annual PMEA D11 Instrumental Auditions
Assisting with the UDSD Honors Orchestra Auditions
Retirement Dinners for special staff and administration
Performances at the Clifton House Victorian Tea for the Historical Society of FW
Selected UDHS Ensembles Concerts
Annual Music in Our Schools Concerts at UDHS
Hosting the Annual String Orchestra Festival Adjudication @ UDHS PAC
Performance at Jarrettown United Methodist Church
Performance at Huntingdon Valley United Methodist Church
PTO Pasta Dinners at Thomas Fitzwater and Jarrettown Elementary Schools
Select performances at the PMEA Annual Conference in Hershey, PA
Select performances at the PMEA & NAfME All Eastern Conference in Pittsburgh, PA
UDSD Allied Arts Festival
Eastern Vocational School Appreciation Dinner
International Family Fair at UDHS
Evening of Music & Poetry at UD Twp. Library
Senior Academic Awards Evening
UDHS Staff Retirement Dinner
Private events in the UD Area
Valentine’s Day Tea Performance at Dresher Estates
Performances at the Fort Washington Businessmen Association Gatherings