Dow High School is proud of its Orchestra program! If you are a musician with experience on violin, viola, cello, or bass you will fit in to one of the following groups at Dow High:

Concert Orchestra: This is a .2 class for incoming freshman and upper classmen who love to play and perform. Students will work on their technique studying three octave scales, shifting, and vibrato. The concert orchestra performs in five or six concerts a year including the "Holiday Spectacular", festival performances, Ren Fair, and an elementary concert tour. The concert orchestra performs as a string orchestra, with a couple of opportunities to play with the Symphony orchestra during the year.

Symphony Orchestra: This is a .3 class for advanced orchestra. This orchestra performs as a string and full orchestra. Students have the opportunity to audition for this group. To get in to the Symphony Orchestra students should be able to perform three octave Major and minor scales in every key, have a good vibrato, be a willing practicer, and love the challenge of more difficult music.

Honors Orchestra: This is a .4 class formed from members of the Symphony Orchestra. The Honors Orchestra specializes in learning chamber music and performing for the community. These students take on extra projects, music theory, and critiques of concerts. The Honors Orchestra students perform with the Symphony Orchestra, work with a chamber music coach once a week during class and also rehearse one hour a week outside of class.

The orchestra is made up of string players who register for Symphony Orchestra and attend this class five days a week. The orchestra operates as a string orchestra during the fall months until football season is over. At that time, the top wind, brass, and percussion players from the band program come to orchestra from Symphonic Band twice a week to fill out the "full" orchestra.

The purpose of the Orchestra Program is to encourage advanced development of instrumental technique and musicianship and to offer exposure to many styles of music: baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary, blue grass, and musical comedy. Solo and chamber ensemble experience is also encouraged.

The orchestras prepares for five major concerts a year: October String Orchestra, December Holiday, March Festival, April Variety and May/Spring finale.

All Orchestra students should be members of the Orchestra Club. The Orchestra Club often participates in school activities like cleaning the football stadium and helping with football and basketball concessions. The Orchestra students are responsive to school projects and enjoy helping others in our school. 

2010-2011 Orchestra Calendar

Club Advisor: Linda Ryden