About the Orchestras

String Orchestra (817/817GP) The String Orchestra is open to all violinists, violists, cellist, bassists, and harpists with no prerequisite. Students should at least have some beginning level experience, as one-on-one lessons are not a part of the classroom experience. This course is designed for string players who do not desire to audition for higher level orchestras, but who need to perfect the basic skills of musicianship and technique as appropriate to their instrument. Concepts/skills covered in the course include tuning, shifting, vibrato, ear training, scales, arpeggios, and basic production of a clear tone. This orchestra performs music, mostly arranged, from a variety of periods. Other concepts are taught in the class including basic music theory and analysis. Concerts are scheduled throughout the year.

All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in this ensemble are eligible to participate in the performing arts bi-annual international tour.

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12

Concert Orchestra (816/816GP) The Concert Orchestra is open to all violinists, violists, cellists, bassists, and harpists. An audition is required to be enrolled in this ensemble. Auditions generally occur at the end of the February/beginning of March for the following school year. Concert orchestra studies repertoire from various styles and periods of history, some original (not arranged). Typical music of this ensemble is original symphonies by Beethoven (Sym 1, 18,), Mozart, and Schubert. Concert orchestra performs string literature as well as full orchestra literature with selected students from the Wind Symphony.

All 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in this ensemble are eligible to participate in the performing arts bi-annual international tour.

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

Symphony Orchestra (842). The Concert Orchestra is open to all violinists, violists, cellists, bassists, and harpists who play at an advanced level. An audition is required to be enrolled in this ensemble. Auditions generally occur at the end of the February/beginning of March for the following school year. Most students in the Symphony have several years of experience and many take private instruction outside of school. Symphony Orchestra typically performs advanced music, mostly original (not arranged). Typical music of this ensemble includes original symphonies by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven (Sym 3, Sym 7), and Dvorak. Symphony Orchestra also hosts an annual Concerto Competition where they accompany the winners of the competition. Symphony Orchestra performs string literature as well as full orchestra literature with selected students from the Wind Ensemble.

All students in this ensemble are eligible to participate in the performing arts bi-annual international tour.

Grade Level: 10,11,12

Patrick A. Pearson (B.A., Bowling Green State University, 1989; M.A., VanderCook College of Music, 2003). Mr. Pearson is the orchestra director at Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he conducts 3 orchestras, 1 band, and teaches AP Music Theory. Before teaching at OPRFHS, he taught nine years at Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois, two years at East Lake High School in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and three years at Countryside High School in Clearwater, Florida. During his tenure at East Lake, Mr. Pearson was named Teacher of the Year for 1992-1993. In his years of teaching, Mr. Pearson has toured with his orchestras on several international tours to destinations including Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Mexico. He has also participated in the MYAC tours to China, South Korea, Hungary, Austria and Czech Republic. In 2017, Mr. Pearson received the Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award by Northwestern University.

Mr. Pearson is also a conductor Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, where he began in1995. He is currently the conductor for the Reading, Cadet, Concertino and Philharmonia Orchestras.

Mr. Pearson is active as a guest conductor of many string and orchestra festivals in the Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio and is a member of the Illinois Music Educators’ Association (National Association for Music Educators), the American String Teachers’ Association, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity. Mr. Pearson also serves as the Assistant Director of Music at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waukegan, Illinois.