Ensembles

Component Organizations of the Orchestra

• Freshmen Orchestra (7th Period):
  Students build on previous orchestral experience through the study and performance of high-quality orchestra literature. Rehearsals
  focus on the strengthening of critical listening skills, musicianship, string techniques, ensemble skills, and aesthetic awareness in the
  context of relevant history and cultures.
• Concert Orchestra (6th Period):
  Students with intermediate-level proficiency in string techniques, music literacy, critical listening skills, and musicianship study,
  rehearse, and perform high-quality orchestra literature. Student musicians strengthen their reflective, analytical, and problem-solving
  skills to self-diagnose solutions to performance challenges based on their structural, historical, and cultural understanding of the
  music.
• Philharmonic Orchestra (5th Period):
  Students with substantial orchestral experience focus on mastery of advanced music skills, techniques, and processes through study,
  rehearsal, and performance of high-quality orchestra literature. Advanced string players self-diagnose and consider multiple solutions
  to artistic challenges based on background knowledge of the repertoire, and explore creativity through composition, arranging, and/or
  use of technology.
• Sinfonia (Fridays 2:15-3:30):
  Students in Philharmonic and/or Concert Orchestra members who wish to play different orchestral literature than in class. This group plays contemporary literature such as pop, rock, film arrangements, etc. Attendance is vital to achieve a high level of performance. This group is open for Freshman Orchestra students to join in the Spring.
• Chamber Orchestra (Wednesdays 2:15-3:30):
  Students in Philharmonic Orchestra with substancial/high level of orchestral experience wanting to challenging themselves even further with difficult and high quality literature. This group is open to high level Concert Orchestra students to join in the Spring.
• Symphony Orchestra (Spring, Thursdays 2:15-4:00)
  All students in Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with the high level orchestral winds from the VBHS Band Department to explore Full Orchestra literature. The Symphony Orchestra performs with the Concerto Competition Winner and performs challenging literature every Spring Semester. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays unless otherwise noted.