Concert Orchestra

Description: This orchestra consists of students at Westminster High School who are beginning their instruments for the first time or who are reviewing the essentials of their instruments. You have the option to play violin, viola, cello, or double bass. While it is highly encouraged to rent and instrument from a local music shop (Mi Vida Strings, Music and Arts, Flesher Hinton, and Golden Music are frequent vendors), WHS has some instruments to use - for a fee. A broad range of musical styles will be explored throughout the year, and instruction will focus on proper instrument positioning and posture, basic sound production, and reading notes in D, G, C, A, F, Bb, and Eb major keys. Students in the Concert Orchestra will perform at least four public concerts each year. Most students need to practice outside of class time for a minimum of 60 minutes a week to show proficiency in this class. Academic Enrichment time can be used for this practice time. 

Requirement: 

• Open to all students - If interested, register at the time of normal registration.

Sinfonia Orchestra

Description: The Sinfonia Orchestra serves as intermediate-level ensemble for WHS students. This ensembles consists of students at Westminster High School who typically have at least two years of experience playing their instrument.

The Sinfonia Orchestra will cover a broad range of musical styles throughout the year. Instruction will cover intermediate-advancing instrument postures as well as development of vibrato, tuning one’s own instrument, intermediate bow techniques, and reading notes in all major and minor keys. Students in the Sinfonia Orchestra will perform at least four public concerts each year. Most students need to practice outside of class time for a minimum of 60 minutes a week to show proficiency in this class. Academic Enrichment time can be used for this practice time. 

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 2.0
• Has a moderate-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Sinfonia Orchestra through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director

Camerata Orchestra

Description: The Camerata Orchestra serves as intermediate/advancing-level ensemble for WHS students. This ensembles consists of students at Westminster High School who typically have at least four years of experience playing their instrument and have practiced outside of class time consistently. An understanding of appropriate orchestral rehearsal skills are necessary. 

The Camerata Orchestra will cover a broad range of musical styles throughout the year. Instruction will cover intermediate-advancing instrument postures as well as further development of vibrato, tuning one’s own instrument with pegs, advanced bow techniques, and reading notes in all major and minor keys. Students in the Camerata Orchestra will perform at least six public concerts each year.

Camerata Orchestra will serve as Westminster High School's elite ensemble for students who want a higher-caliber experience program with minimal expectations for private practice (90 minutes per week) and extra-curricular rehearsals (approximately 5 hours per month). In addition, while not mandatory, private lessons outside of our WHS program are strongly encouraged.

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 3.0
• Has a moderate-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Sinfonia Orchestra through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director

Tempesta di Corde (String Storm) Orchestra

Description: The Tempesta di Corde Orchestra will serve as Westminster High School's premier orchestral ensemble and will soon serve as examples to other orchestras in Colorado and throughout the US. An exemplary Tempesta di Corde Orchestra member has good attendance in all classes and previous concerts, has passing (preferably exemplary) grades in each of his/her classes, is open to suggestions for improvement, is respectful and courteous to other people, seeks out additional performance opportunities, and is able to be both a team player and a soloist. This ensembles consists of students at Westminster High School who typically have at least five years of experience playing their instrument and have practiced outside of class time consistently. Consistent demonstration of professional orchestral rehearsal skills are necessary. 

Tempesta di Corde Orchestra’s technical and musical expectations will be pre-collegiate/pre-professional in nature. To that end, as a member of the Tempesta di Corde Orchestra, each musician should expect to practice a minimum of 6 hours of private practice per week on technique as well as solo, small ensemble, and orchestral repertoire. Musicians in this ensemble are to come to rehearsals with any pre-assigned work completed. The curriculum will prepare students to audition for the various honor orchestras and solo competitions both statewide and nationally. Instruction will cover advanced instrument and ensemble techniques. This ensemble will perform at least ten public concerts each year.Whether or not you plan to pursue music at the college level, if you desire to exponentially improve your skills over the span of a year, this is the course for you.

In addition, while not mandatory, private lessons outside of our WHS program are highly encouraged. Each year the percentage of students in this ensemble taking private lessons increases. Please contact Mr. Linert for recommendations for local private teachers.

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 4.0
• Has an advanced-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Tempesta di Corde Orchestra through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director

Advanced Chamber Orchestra

Description: This course meets after school on Tuesdays from 3-6pm with additional expectations of 2 hours of private practice each week. The curriculum for this ensemble will be based upon the instrumentation of enrolled students. Some semesters, the students may perform string-orchestra pieces, while in other semesters students may be assigned into small-ensembles. This ensemble is most appropriate for students who typically have at least five years of experience their instrument. 

Requirements:

• Can read and play music at difficulty level 3.0
• Has an advancing-level set-up of instrument
• Current WPS Students: Musicians will join the Advanced Chamber Orchestra through director recommendation.
• Transfer Students: In-person performance assessment, interview, and recommendation from a previous director