Orchestra - Fall 2008 Upcoming Events and News
- Tuesday, December 16th Come to the Winter Choir & Orchestra Concert 7pm in the Lahser Auditorium
Symphony Strings and Full Orchestra
Prerequisite: audition
Designed for the student whose level of skills meets the technical demands for the performing of traditional symphonic literature. Public performances, festivals, and a wide variety of concerts are highly emphasized. Only the highest of performance standards and quality is expected. Students are expected to participate in solo and ensemble festivals at the district and state levels. Twice a week, students rehearse with Symphony Winds to prepare the full orchestra literature, which is the major portion of literature performed by this ensemble.
All Symphony String players are required to attend these rehearsals throughout the year as part of the course requirements. String students receive an additional half-credit for their attendance at the Wednesday after-school rehearsals.
Symphony Orchestra Winds
Prerequisite: enrollment in Symphonic Band and the Director’s recommendation
The most advanced wind players from Symphonic Band usually comprise the wind section of the Symphony Orchestra. Symphony Winds are combined with Symphony Strings twice a week to rehearse works from the traditional symphonic literature. Public performances, festivals, and a wide variety of concerts are highly emphasized. Only the highest of performance standards and quality is expected.
Orchestra Syllbus.pdf
Philharmonic Orchestra
Designed primarily for ninth-grade students, or for students who desire more transition time from the middle school literature to symphonic literature. This course offers further development of existing skills and strengthening of sight-reading, theory, and rehearsal skills necessary for Symphony Strings. Students perform string literature that helps to develop higher-level skills such as position work, vibrato, and a variety of bowing techniques. Philharmonic Orchestra members perform in several concerts throughout the year, participate in solo and ensemble festivals and orchestra festivals, and at times may perform as part of the Symphony Strings. At times, students may be expected to participate in after-school rehearsals in preparation for a combined performance with Symphony Strings.
Chamber Strings
Prerequisite: audition and membership in Symphony Strings
This group is a chamber ensemble comprised of the top string players from Symphony Strings (maximum number 25). This ensemble explores more sophisticated string literature that requires a high level of performance skills and the ability to understand and express, in depth, the music’s meaning. Members of this ensemble are responsible for the preparation and performance of literature from Symphony Strings, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Strings. Private instruction is strongly suggested. Public performances, festivals, and a wide variety of concerts are required.
MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival
MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival is an opportunity for individual music students from member schools to perform a selection of their choice for adjudication. District-level festivals are held in late January through mid-February. Each student or group of students is evaluated by one judge and rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest rating possible. Students or groups that earn a rating of 1 (or "Superior") are qualified for State Solo & Ensemble Festival which is held in March. The basic structure of State Solo & Ensemble Festival is the same as District, but the students are held to a higher standard. Soloists in grades 10 through 12 must perform Proficiency Exams which include scales and sight reading. Students and ensembles that are chosen for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band, Orchestra, Soloists and Ensembles come from the highest rated events at the State Festival. Participating students that earn a rating of 1 or 2 at District or State Festivals are eligible to purchase medals.
News
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Lahser Orchestra awarded perfect score @ MSBOA Orchestra Festival
• 2008 Lahser Orchestra Students get Highest Ratings in
District level Solo and Ensemble
Alicja Jahnke - Orchestra Director
