ACADEMIC ORCHESTRA is a place where most students will already be familiar with the full orchestra context of music making. It is here where the subtleties of music will be explored.

Technical challenges should be around that of an Honor Orchestra or All-State orchestra level. For string players the mastery of advanced bowing techniques, and the playing in upper positions on string instruments will be a part of what takes place in this orchestra. 

​

The Academic Orchestra will offer wind students the opportunity to explore and perform the demands of pertinent wind literature at a high level. Bringing out the emotion of the music will be paramount in this ensemble. With an emphasis on musicality, balance and blend, breathing techniques, articulation methods, and technical facility, students will strive to achieve a high level of success with classic repertoire as well as modern works. Tone production, intonation, dynamics, sight reading, and phrasing will be addressed.

​

Percussion instrumentation will include snare drum, bass drum, timpani, mallet instruments (xylophone, bells, chimes, vibraphone), and many miscellaneous percussion instruments.

​

A more advanced level of discussion regarding theory, history and musical styles is a part of Academic Orchestra.  Tone production, intonation, dynamics, sight reading, phrasing are all areas that are addressed in this orchestra.  Sensitivity to the treatment of the melodic line and accompaniment passages are also discussed and worked on. Both original, unedited repertoires, as well as arrangements are played.  The goal of the Academic Orchestra is to prepare, motivate and musically equip its members for the next level of performance demands required by the Premier Orchestra.  An annual solo competition for members of the orchestra is conducted each season. The winner(s) of the competition will perform with the Academic String Orchestra.  Please watch the video below of one of our Academic Orchestra Concerto competition winners.