• SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRAorchestra

     
     
    SYMPHONIC STRINGS
     

    Westside Orchestra

    Chamber & Sinfonia Orchestras

    The Westside High School orchestras offer students with varying music skills, multitudes of opportunities to grow as an individual musician and as a performer. In the program’s history, the students and ensembles have received numerous accolades, including their first sweepstakes in. Currently, the orchestra program offers two classes – Chamber (varsity) and Sinfonia (non-varsity). The classes feature concerts at Westside throughout the school year, and participate in contests and festivals in the district and region along with community performances.

    For additional information, please feel free to visit our website at: https://westsidehsorchestra.weebly.com/

     

    AUDITIONS, TRY-OUTS, PREREQUISITES

    All students wishing to participate should have some experience on a string instrument. Unfortunately, we do not offer any beginning level classes, and therefore at least one year of experience on a string instrument is necessary (we recommend three years of experience). Any student new to Westside is encouraged to perform for the director for proper chair placement and assessment. This is not necessarily an audition, but a means for the director to place the student that is best suited for them. Contact the director for more information.

    DIRECTOR

    Wesley, Smith  Wesley.Smith@houstonisd.org - 281-920-8000 ext. 5096
     
    REQUIREMENTS

    Depending on the time of year, outside of class time commitments vary. Weeks leading up to performances may require after school rehearsals. Students will be given ample notice. All students are required to pay ensemble dues. This fee covers expenses such as music, concert uniform, clinicians, competition fees, transportation, and many other miscellaneous expenses. Students who require the use of a school owed instrument may do so by paying a yearly rental fee. This fee covers the maintenance and repairs of the instrument while in possession of the student. The yearly fee is determined during the summer months after a budget is approved by the Music Boosters.