About: SWHS Orchestras
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. ― Arthur O’Shaughnessy
Orchestra gives you an Arts Credit.
Mixed Grade Levels: Freshmen will play in an ensemble beside upperclassmen. I have found that the majority of upperclassmen who play strings show a strong commitment to music, to their instrument, to their ensemble, to their friends, and to their community. Come be a part of something bigger than yourself, and stick around to be one of those upperclassmen leading our younger students someday.
Instrument Storage: A storage room with individual instrument lockers for violins and violas is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must purchase a lock and put it on the locker to claim it.
Cello Racks & Bass Racks: Are in the classroom for school-owned instruments. Cellists should have their own instrument for home practice. Basses are encouraged to purchase or rent your own bow and/or instrument for home if possible. Using your home instrument for concerts means we have enough instruments for all of our performers.
Cello Racks & Bass Racks: Are in the classroom for school-owned instruments. Cellists should have their own instrument for home practice. Basses are encouraged to purchase or rent your own bow and/or instrument for home if possible. Using your home instrument for concerts means we have enough instruments for all of our performers.
String Orchestra is the backbone of the Orchestra program at South Windsor High School. All students who know how to play a stringed instrument are welcome to join String Orchestra. This is an ensemble full of students who love to hear and play music, and enjoy participating in the making of music with others. The more students we have participating in this group, the more options we have for making great music together. Students collaborate to help one another become better players, and upperclassmen help younger players learn how to be a great contribution to our ensemble. String Orchestra rehearses four days a week, and performs in the Winter and Spring Instrumental Concerts.
Competition/Festival: String Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Chorus usually travel to a music festival/adjudication and a park in May.
Fundraisers to cover cost of the Festival are made available in the Fall by our parent support group, Friends of the Performing Arts. Every year, students at SWHS are able to raise enough money to cover some or all the cost of their trip with the fundraisers offered by FOPA. Get on their mailing list if you want early notification of fundraisers, meetings, etc.
Fundraisers to cover cost of the Festival are made available in the Fall by our parent support group, Friends of the Performing Arts. Every year, students at SWHS are able to raise enough money to cover some or all the cost of their trip with the fundraisers offered by FOPA. Get on their mailing list if you want early notification of fundraisers, meetings, etc.
Chamber Orchestra exists because we have a strong String Orchestra program. With a large number of students committed to playing in our ensembles for multiple years, we are able to make room in the schedule for an extra ensemble for students who are willing to make the commitment to learn more music, attend extra rehearsals & concerts, and reach out to the community with a spirit to share music with all people. Chamber Orchestra is required to learn & perform music with the String Orchestra for the Winter and Spring Concerts, in addition to the required Chamber Orchestra repertoire. Where the repertoire may or may not be at the same level as String Orchestra, there are a smaller number of students playing each part, and there may be times you are required to play without the support of a section. Starting 2016-2017: Class Size Limit: 16 students. Honors credit available to students with a minimum 3 consecutive years participation in one or both SWHS Orchestras.
Travel/Competitions/Workshops: Chamber Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and Choral Spectrum are competition ensembles, considered to be the Ambassadors for the Music Department at South Windsor High School. This is a fabulous opportunity to travel with the most dedicated musicians in our school, to bond with your classmates, to obtain useful feedback and/or workshops with musicians at the top of their field, and to represent SWHS in a strong light.
Fundraisers to cover cost of the Festival/Travel are made available in the Fall by our parent support group, Friends of the Performing Arts. Every year, students at SWHS are able to raise enough money to cover some or all the cost of their trip with the fundraisers offered by FOPA. Get on their mailing list if you want early notification of fundraisers, meetings, etc.
Fundraisers to cover cost of the Festival/Travel are made available in the Fall by our parent support group, Friends of the Performing Arts. Every year, students at SWHS are able to raise enough money to cover some or all the cost of their trip with the fundraisers offered by FOPA. Get on their mailing list if you want early notification of fundraisers, meetings, etc.
Chamber Orchestra Audition Requirements:
1. Yearly audition for membership/seating.
2. Audition music may include Eastern Region Scales/Arpeggios and/or sight-reading.
3. Audition music will include orchestral repertoire.
4. Score sheet and audition information will be posted in Google Classroom.
5. Auditions begin immediately following the Winter Concert (December). 8th graders are welcome to audition during the SWHS Mid-Term week.
6. Auditions will be recorded.
7. All students register for String Orchestra when you register for classes. Your ensemble director is responsible to move you into Chamber Orchestra based on audition results, scheduling and class availability.
1. Yearly audition for membership/seating.
2. Audition music may include Eastern Region Scales/Arpeggios and/or sight-reading.
3. Audition music will include orchestral repertoire.
4. Score sheet and audition information will be posted in Google Classroom.
5. Auditions begin immediately following the Winter Concert (December). 8th graders are welcome to audition during the SWHS Mid-Term week.
6. Auditions will be recorded.
7. All students register for String Orchestra when you register for classes. Your ensemble director is responsible to move you into Chamber Orchestra based on audition results, scheduling and class availability.
Smartmusic assignments are given for music you have rehearsed in class, and are due at least one week prior to grades closing for progress reports and/or report cards. You will typically receive 50% of your grade from Smartmusic, and 50% of your grade from your teacher. Please aim to achieve 40% or higher before submitting.
A Smartmusic Exemption Form is available for students who study on a weekly basis with a private teacher. Please check the due date each year for eligibility. Other arrangements may be made by the ensemble director for grading performance requirements.
A Smartmusic Exemption Form is available for students who study on a weekly basis with a private teacher. Please check the due date each year for eligibility. Other arrangements may be made by the ensemble director for grading performance requirements.
Audition season occurs in November through early February for the following: Eastern Regionals, NEMFA, All-State, SWHS Orchestra seating & SWHS Chamber Orchestra.
Audition Eligibility: Auditions for Eastern Regionals, All-State and NEMFA are open to any SWHS string student enrolled in String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, or both.
Audition Eligibility: Auditions for Eastern Regionals, All-State and NEMFA are open to any SWHS string student enrolled in String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, or both.
Holiday Music will show up from time to time, with possible extra performance opportunities.
Fundraising Money left over at the end of the school year will roll over into your fundraising for field trips in the next school year. Fundraising money left by seniors who raised more money than needed for field trips will be applied toward the SWHS Orchestra program to bring visiting clinicians for the string ensembles and/or help future students in need of financial aid for field trips.