Batavia High School Orchestras
BHS Music Mission Statement
"To foster a life-long understanding of, growth in, and appreciation for music"
Essential Learning Outcomes
(Goals for every student)
1. To accurately perform music from notation and/or by ear
2. To recognize and identify elements of music from sound and/or notation
3. To critically analyze music
4. To contribute positively to a musical ensemble
"To foster a life-long understanding of, growth in, and appreciation for music"
Essential Learning Outcomes
(Goals for every student)
1. To accurately perform music from notation and/or by ear
2. To recognize and identify elements of music from sound and/or notation
3. To critically analyze music
4. To contribute positively to a musical ensemble
About the BHS Orchestra Program
Batavia High School offers four curricular orchestra classes, serving roughly 130-150 students each year. All freshmen orchestra students are placed into Concert Orchestra. The other three ensembles are grade level and based on auditions that take place in March; Sinfonietta is a 10th grade only ensemble, Symphony Orchestra is a 11-12 grade ensemble, the BHS Philharmonic is the premier curricular orchestra for 10th-12th graders. BHS Music Classes meet for 90 minutes every other day.
Batavia High School offers four curricular orchestra classes, serving roughly 130-150 students each year. All freshmen orchestra students are placed into Concert Orchestra. The other three ensembles are grade level and based on auditions that take place in March; Sinfonietta is a 10th grade only ensemble, Symphony Orchestra is a 11-12 grade ensemble, the BHS Philharmonic is the premier curricular orchestra for 10th-12th graders. BHS Music Classes meet for 90 minutes every other day.
Curricular Orchestra Course Offerings and Descriptions
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is a class designed for all freshmen entering the BHS Orchestra program. Emphasis in this class is placed on the Batavia High School music essential learning outcomes through the study of modern and classical string orchestra literature. Students will focus on developing technical skills in bowing and left hand facility, as well as in music literacy and sight-reading. Students will use the Sound Innovations, book 3 three. Advanced freshman may also audition for Chamber Orchestra
Sinfonietta
The Sinfonietta is open to all sophomores and is designed to develop and expand upon fundamental technique and musicianship by exploring more challenging repertoire for the string ensemble. Emphasis is placed on developing independence as well as cultivating mastery of more advance technique such as 3 octave scales and refining vibrato. The Sinfonietta would be a non-auditioned sophomore only orchestra designed to offer a bridge between the Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic. The orchestra will highlight fundamentals of shifting to upper octaves on the instruments as well as refining vibrato and bowing techniques. The Students will use Book 4 of Sound Innovations. Participation in evening performances throughout the year (approximately one per term) is required. Private study is recommended for students participating in the Sinfonietta.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is a class designed for 11th and 12th graders who have experience on a stringed instrument and who are continuing to develop technical and musical proficiency. Emphasis is placed on music literacy, bowing, vibrato, intonation, and rhythm, as well as techniques of ensemble playing through the study of progressive technical studies and intermediate modern and classical orchestra literature. Placement in Symphony Orchestra is based upon audition (takes place annually in March).
BHS Philharmonic
Philharmonic Orchestra is a class designed for advanced players who have a serious interest in playing orchestral music. Students in this class must demonstrate a high level of technical facility on their instruments, and continued emphasis is placed on the development of musicianship through progressive technical studies and advanced modern and classical orchestra literature. Philharmonic Orchestra regularly combines with members of the BHS Wind Symphony to perform works in the symphonic orchestra setting. Placement in Philharmonic Orchestra is based upon audition (takes place annually in March). Private instruction is strongly encouraged for all members of Philharmonic Orchestra.
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is a class designed for all freshmen entering the BHS Orchestra program. Emphasis in this class is placed on the Batavia High School music essential learning outcomes through the study of modern and classical string orchestra literature. Students will focus on developing technical skills in bowing and left hand facility, as well as in music literacy and sight-reading. Students will use the Sound Innovations, book 3 three. Advanced freshman may also audition for Chamber Orchestra
Sinfonietta
The Sinfonietta is open to all sophomores and is designed to develop and expand upon fundamental technique and musicianship by exploring more challenging repertoire for the string ensemble. Emphasis is placed on developing independence as well as cultivating mastery of more advance technique such as 3 octave scales and refining vibrato. The Sinfonietta would be a non-auditioned sophomore only orchestra designed to offer a bridge between the Concert Orchestra and Philharmonic. The orchestra will highlight fundamentals of shifting to upper octaves on the instruments as well as refining vibrato and bowing techniques. The Students will use Book 4 of Sound Innovations. Participation in evening performances throughout the year (approximately one per term) is required. Private study is recommended for students participating in the Sinfonietta.
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra is a class designed for 11th and 12th graders who have experience on a stringed instrument and who are continuing to develop technical and musical proficiency. Emphasis is placed on music literacy, bowing, vibrato, intonation, and rhythm, as well as techniques of ensemble playing through the study of progressive technical studies and intermediate modern and classical orchestra literature. Placement in Symphony Orchestra is based upon audition (takes place annually in March).
BHS Philharmonic
Philharmonic Orchestra is a class designed for advanced players who have a serious interest in playing orchestral music. Students in this class must demonstrate a high level of technical facility on their instruments, and continued emphasis is placed on the development of musicianship through progressive technical studies and advanced modern and classical orchestra literature. Philharmonic Orchestra regularly combines with members of the BHS Wind Symphony to perform works in the symphonic orchestra setting. Placement in Philharmonic Orchestra is based upon audition (takes place annually in March). Private instruction is strongly encouraged for all members of Philharmonic Orchestra.
