In Community Consolidated School District 89, all students are invited to participate in the orchestra program once they are in fourth grade. No previous experience is necessary.  

Group lessons

Group lessons are the primary component to the orchestra program in Community Consolidated School District 89. Students will receive one lesson per week (30 minutes elementary, 42 minutes middle school). Students will be placed in lesson groups according to growth goals, grade level, and orchestra assignment. The lesson schedule will be handed out at the beginning of the school year. Arrangements for underperforming students with academic concerns will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Ensemble Descriptions

Primo Orchestra - fourth grade

Primo Orchestra is for all first-year orchestra members. Students from all four elementary schools will meet Tuesdays after-school for 45 minutes to rehearse as a full ensemble. Students from Arbor View and Briar Glen will have rehearsals at Arbor View Elementary. Students from Park View and Westfield will have rehearsals at Westfield Elementary. Rehearsals run from March through May, ending with a final concert in May.

Prelude Orchestra - fifth grade

Prelude Orchestra is for all second-year orchestra members. Students from all four elementary schools will meet Mondays after school for 45 minutes at Glen Crest Middle School to rehearse as a full ensemble. Rehearsals run from October through December, then again from March through May. There are three concerts during the school year: one in December, April, and the final in May.

Intermediate Orchestra – sixth grade

Intermediate Orchestra is for all third-year orchestra members. This ensemble meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during 7th period (ACE). In addition to our December, April, and May concerts, this ensemble performs at school assemblies, an elementary school tour, and other field trips throughout the school year.

Concert Orchestra – seventh and eighth grades

Concert Orchestra is for all fourth and fifth-year orchestra members. Concert Orchestra meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:05 AM to 7:43 AM. This group performs four concerts a year in December, February, April, and May. In addition to those performances, this ensemble performs at school assemblies, an elementary school tour, Stringfest (biennial), and other field trips throughout the school year.

Spartan Strings

This extra-curricular orchestra is open to all orchestra students at Glen Crest Middle School. This group meets Mondays and Thursdays after school until the late bus. Students in this group will explore a different musical atmosphere by learning from a more eclectic palate of musical styles. Students will be exposed to different styles and pedagogies of fiddling, jazz, rock, blues, and more. This group will perform at least three times a year.