High School Orchestra Information
Please see information below regarding scheduling Orchestra in high school. I encourage all students to continue on their musical journey by electing to continue being a member of the orchestras as they transition into high school. Please see the letter from Mr. Nix and the suggested schedule. If you have any questions you can contact Mrs. Mihalko, [email protected], or Mr. Nix, [email protected]
Letter from Mr. Nix, Orchestra Director at FHS & HHS
9th Grade Scheduling Letter | |
File Size: | 126 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Mock Schedule - Orchestra can fit all 4 years
FPS HS Music Scheduling Plan.doc | |
File Size: | 43 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Many of the top academic students at FHS & HHS participate in our music program and consider it a highlight of their high school experience. These are some of the best students at FHS & HHS, and provide a great social environment for your student to be a part of during their high school experience.
Looking ahead: "Why should my child sign up and stay in orchestra all four high school years?"
College admission boards have consistently said that students who stay in their high school music program in classes like Orchestra all four years, have a great advantage for college admission over the typical students who have the same GPA (grade point average). In addition, the statement above is true when comparing students who have taken the same number of AP (advanced placement) classes without being in a four year program like Orchestra. College admissions are actively looking for students who can show a four year commitment to a high school program. College admission boards know the chances of students participating in college campus life activities and finishing college is much higher in music students than typical students who only take AP classes in high school and don't take the opportunity to be involved in programs like this that high school has to offer.
The FHS & HHS Music Departments encourage students to take AP classes and most students also take a few “on-line” courses throughout their tenure in high school so they can stay in music all four years. What is most important to understand is that you do not need to take all AP classes and leave no room for orchestra if you are planning to go to a top tier college. Four years in Orchestra is weighted heavily in college board’s decision process so please consider these facts when planning your student’s four year school schedule.
“Taking music elective courses is a better indicator that a student will stay in college than high SAT scores or high GPA.”
– Dr. Denise C. Gardner, Effect of Music Courses On Retention, Georgia Tech, 2000.
“But my student plays with the MYS or OYO why should they be in FHS or HHS Orchestras?”
Both of these community orchestras are fine programs but are not a replacement for your student being in their high school program. These programs should be thought of as an “augmentation” for helping your student hone their music skills, and again, not a replacement. In fact, both of these orchestras, highly recommend your student be currently enrolled in their high school Orchestra. There is still a lot of instruction that goes on at the high school level, developing more advanced techniques and refining the techniques learned in middle school. A musician needs to play consistently everyday to improve their skills, and nothing is better for your student than to play Monday through Friday in an Orchestra class at FHS or HHS.
This guide is designed to give parents of orchestra students an overview of the program. For additional information please explore the FHS and HHS Booster websites, mrnixfpsorchestra.weebly.com or you can contact Mr. Nix at [email protected].
The Basics
Concert Orchestra – This class meets during the school day during and is made up of all the freshman string instrumentalists. Students spend this year transitioning into high school level literature and more intermediate level technique such as three octave scales, a wider range of bowing techniques, etc.
Philharmonia Orchestra - This class is for intermediate level musicians at the high school in grades 10-12.
Symphony Orchestra - This is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students in grades 10-12 that works on high level literature. Students participating in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to take private lessons.
Weekly Sectionals
Because of the wonderful support of the booster organizations, orchestra students receive specialized weekly instrument coaching sessions with local professional string musicians who play the same instrument as they do. This type of augmented instruction given to our orchestra students is one of the many reasons we have such a fine and outstanding orchestra program!
As with all our music programs, students in orchestra are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take private lessons! See Mrs. Mihalko or Mr. Nix for a list of recommended private instructors.
Leadership Opportunities
Participating in Orchestra provides student with additional leadership opportunities that can be used for NHS credit such as being section leader or being on the Orchestra Leadership Executive Board. These are also leadership activities that can be listed on scholarship and college applications.
Social Events
The orchestras participate in several social activities that they organize for themselves. In the past they have done a trip to a corn maze, sledding, movie night, etc.
Trips
Every year the FHS music students take a field trip to see the University of Michigan Collage Concert at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, and every two years they take a trip to places like Disney and New York.
In this activity every member is “first string” and missing students greatly impact the ability of the group to perform.
Looking ahead: "Why should my child sign up and stay in orchestra all four high school years?"
College admission boards have consistently said that students who stay in their high school music program in classes like Orchestra all four years, have a great advantage for college admission over the typical students who have the same GPA (grade point average). In addition, the statement above is true when comparing students who have taken the same number of AP (advanced placement) classes without being in a four year program like Orchestra. College admissions are actively looking for students who can show a four year commitment to a high school program. College admission boards know the chances of students participating in college campus life activities and finishing college is much higher in music students than typical students who only take AP classes in high school and don't take the opportunity to be involved in programs like this that high school has to offer.
The FHS & HHS Music Departments encourage students to take AP classes and most students also take a few “on-line” courses throughout their tenure in high school so they can stay in music all four years. What is most important to understand is that you do not need to take all AP classes and leave no room for orchestra if you are planning to go to a top tier college. Four years in Orchestra is weighted heavily in college board’s decision process so please consider these facts when planning your student’s four year school schedule.
“Taking music elective courses is a better indicator that a student will stay in college than high SAT scores or high GPA.”
– Dr. Denise C. Gardner, Effect of Music Courses On Retention, Georgia Tech, 2000.
“But my student plays with the MYS or OYO why should they be in FHS or HHS Orchestras?”
Both of these community orchestras are fine programs but are not a replacement for your student being in their high school program. These programs should be thought of as an “augmentation” for helping your student hone their music skills, and again, not a replacement. In fact, both of these orchestras, highly recommend your student be currently enrolled in their high school Orchestra. There is still a lot of instruction that goes on at the high school level, developing more advanced techniques and refining the techniques learned in middle school. A musician needs to play consistently everyday to improve their skills, and nothing is better for your student than to play Monday through Friday in an Orchestra class at FHS or HHS.
This guide is designed to give parents of orchestra students an overview of the program. For additional information please explore the FHS and HHS Booster websites, mrnixfpsorchestra.weebly.com or you can contact Mr. Nix at [email protected].
The Basics
Concert Orchestra – This class meets during the school day during and is made up of all the freshman string instrumentalists. Students spend this year transitioning into high school level literature and more intermediate level technique such as three octave scales, a wider range of bowing techniques, etc.
Philharmonia Orchestra - This class is for intermediate level musicians at the high school in grades 10-12.
Symphony Orchestra - This is an auditioned ensemble comprised of students in grades 10-12 that works on high level literature. Students participating in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to take private lessons.
Weekly Sectionals
Because of the wonderful support of the booster organizations, orchestra students receive specialized weekly instrument coaching sessions with local professional string musicians who play the same instrument as they do. This type of augmented instruction given to our orchestra students is one of the many reasons we have such a fine and outstanding orchestra program!
As with all our music programs, students in orchestra are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to take private lessons! See Mrs. Mihalko or Mr. Nix for a list of recommended private instructors.
Leadership Opportunities
Participating in Orchestra provides student with additional leadership opportunities that can be used for NHS credit such as being section leader or being on the Orchestra Leadership Executive Board. These are also leadership activities that can be listed on scholarship and college applications.
Social Events
The orchestras participate in several social activities that they organize for themselves. In the past they have done a trip to a corn maze, sledding, movie night, etc.
Trips
Every year the FHS music students take a field trip to see the University of Michigan Collage Concert at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, and every two years they take a trip to places like Disney and New York.
In this activity every member is “first string” and missing students greatly impact the ability of the group to perform.