Orchestras at Roosevelt High School

News About the 2010 - 2011 School Year

Here is how we are structuring the orchestra groups for next year:

Concert Orchestra is a class for ALL 9th and 10th grade students. 10th graders can audition for Chamber or Symphony if they prefer. Students in this group, as well as all other groups, may form chamber groups and prepare pieces to perform at the chamber recitals and/or the Solo & Ensemble Contest.

Chamber Orchestra is a class for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students – students must audition to get into this class. Students must be proficient in all positions up to 5th position on their instrument.

This class will focus on string and chamber orchestra literature. Students in this class will be expected to perform in several chamber music concerts throughout the year and perform in regular concert programs we have.

Symphony Orchestra is a class for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students – students must audition to get into this class. This is a high level music class where students will be expected to perform above and beyond. Students will be expected to perform full orchestra, string or wind chamber ensembles. String students will play some string chamber music and all wind instruments will also be playing with the Wind Ensemble with Mr. Brown 2-3 times a week. Students who enrolled in this class will be graded on the same level as an AP class.

Auditions for new incoming orchestra students will be held on June 7 and 8 after school. Please email Anna Edwards for a time. Continuing orchestra students can audition before school, during lunch or after school (not during class time) between June 1 and 9. There will be a sign-up form in the orchestra room.

Updated 6/2/2010

Requirements

Our orchestra director requires each orchestra student to attend one live concert (outside of RHS events) per quarter and write about it as part of their grade. Concerts (free and paid) are posted throughout the year on the blackboard in the Orchestra Room.

Students can also apply for reduced TEENTIX $5 concert tickets at participating Seattle Center venues (e.g., opera, ballet). See www.seattlecenter.com/teentix for more information.

Parents: please mail in their student's mandatory lab fee of $40/year and voluntary coaching/music donation of $40/year. This covers the cost of hiring extra coaches to work with your students during the school year and the cost of buying new music for the classroom. If your student uses a school instrument, we request that you send in a $100 instrument usage donation to cover the cost of restringing and periodic maintenance.

Send checks made payable to Roosevelt High School to our P.O Box. Please write your student's name and instrument in the subject line of your check. Donations are tax-deductible.