The WHS orchestra program has approximately 90 members and is divided into two orchestras. The Sinfonia (a select group) meets during one period each day and the Philharmonia because of its size is broken into two classes.

Some of the events that most orchestra students participates in throughout the year are as follows:

· Fall Concert
· East-Side Orchestra Cluster Concert
· Holiday Concert
· Region Orchestra
· All-Sate Orchestra
· Local Solo & Ensemble Contest
· UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest
· Spring Musical (Little Shop of Horrors-2000, Cinderella-2001, Annie-2002)
· 8th Grade Workshop (Fun, games, food and lots of music)
· Spring Trip (San Antonio-2001, S. Padre Island-2003)
· Spring Festival (Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center-2000)
· Spring Concert
· Orchestra Banquet
· Social Events include Holiday Parties, Bowling Tournaments, Skating Party, etc.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Orchestra at Williams HS is both a class and an activity. Instruction on a stringed instrument is available to students who have had at least two-three years of orchestral experience. Beginners are not allowed into the orchestra program at Williams. All interested students must pass the entrance audition, maintain proper standards of conduct, and fulfill their financial obligations.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students should be prepared to have 2 to 4 evening rehearsals outside of the regular school day each six weeks. Because of block scheduling, rehearsals not appearing on your calendar (mostly sectionals) will be scheduled on an "as needed" basis. Sectionals and evening rehearsals will be a portion of your final six weeks grade. Each student will need to be flexible when we determining how much rehearsal will be needed. We must have everyone present to make the best use of our time and this will be an important factor in our success as an ensemble.

GRADING POLICY:
Musical understanding and growth - 75%
Effectiveness as an orchestra member - 25%

This area is a gauge of your mastery of the musical skills that are taught in class. These skills will be assessed through written work (tests, quizzes, and homework), work on your instrument (playing test, auditions, and performances), and oral work done in class. The balance of these areas will be somewhat different each six weeks. Musical improvement through individual study and practice will always be rewarded regardless of your level of experience at the beginning of the year.

Your effectiveness as an orchestra member in musical and non-musical areas will also be evaluated. Regardless of how well you understand the material presented in class or how well you play your instrument, your effectiveness to the ensemble suffers if you are not present, do not have the materials you need, or choose not to actively participate. Orchestra class differs from many other classes in this area. Learning to operate positively in a group setting is an important component of orchestra class.

COURSE GOALS:

Intonation- the skill of matching pitch throughout the orchestra
Ensemble Skills- the ability to play as one cohesive group
Tone Production- the production of consistently beautiful sounds
Basic Theory-the fundamental study of the different aspects of music
Music History - the study of composer's musical periods.

This course fulfills the "fine arts" requirement for graduation.

The WHS Orchestras have consistently had students be placed in the Region and All-Sate Orchestras and have consistently brought home Sweepstakes Trophies from the UIL Concert & Sight-reading contests year after year.