The Memorial Middle School Orchestra program was established in the 1963 by Larry Bush. The current directors are Kevin Ray (2021) and Bethany Prindle (2015). Past head directors include Megan Saavedra, Christina Blanco, Lydia Feazell, and Donna Rogers.
The Memorial Middle School Orchestras have earned prestigious honors by winning TMEA State Honor Orchestra in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997. Memorial has consistently earned sweepstakes (superior) ratings at UIL Concert and Sight reading Contest as well as “Best in Class” at the Ann C. Roberts Orchestra Festival for many years running. The Memorial MS Orchestra was recognized as a finalist orchestra in The Houston Cup competition in 2019. In 2020 the MMS Chamber Orchestra was invited and performed for the Texas Education Agency January Board Meeting in Austin TX.
The Memorial MS Orchestra members are divided among 5 ability-based orchestras. Beginners are taught in homogenous classes while ensemble skills are built in the more advanced orchestras which include the Philharmonic, Camerata, Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Memorial MS Orchestra feeds Stratford High School (Marcos Altamirano) and Memorial High School (Danielle Prontka & Matthew Chan).
The Memorial Middle School Orchestras have earned prestigious honors by winning TMEA State Honor Orchestra in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997. Memorial has consistently earned sweepstakes (superior) ratings at UIL Concert and Sight reading Contest as well as “Best in Class” at the Ann C. Roberts Orchestra Festival for many years running. The Memorial MS Orchestra was recognized as a finalist orchestra in The Houston Cup competition in 2019. In 2020 the MMS Chamber Orchestra was invited and performed for the Texas Education Agency January Board Meeting in Austin TX.
The Memorial MS Orchestra members are divided among 5 ability-based orchestras. Beginners are taught in homogenous classes while ensemble skills are built in the more advanced orchestras which include the Philharmonic, Camerata, Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Memorial MS Orchestra feeds Stratford High School (Marcos Altamirano) and Memorial High School (Danielle Prontka & Matthew Chan).
About the Orchestras
Beginner Orchestra
This class is made up of students who have never played an instrument. In some cases students who have had less than one year of instruction on their instrument or do not have the note reading skills required to participate in in Philharmonic orchestra will be placed in a beginner orchestra. The instruments available in the MMS orchestra are: Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass. Beginner classes have limited spots and they are first come first serve. Don't miss out on getting your first choice of instrument!
Information will be forthcoming about opportunities for students to meet with the directors to make an instrument selection for the 2021-2022 school year.
Information will be forthcoming about opportunities for students to meet with the directors to make an instrument selection for the 2021-2022 school year.
Philharmonic
Philharmonic is an intermediate orchestra that moves at an average speed of learning and is the next step for most players after beginners. Many incoming 6th graders with prior playing experience are in this class. Students in this class are expected to assimilate into the group by demonstrating good orchestra etiquette, learning to follow a conductor, and following standard orchestra procedures
Camerata
Camerata is an intermediate orchestra that moves at an accelerated rate of learning and is the next level up from Philharmonic. Some incoming 6th graders with prior playing experience are in this class. Students in this class are expected to assimilate into the group by demonstrating good orchestra etiquette, learning to follow a conductor, and following standard orchestra procedures.
Symphony
Symphony is the 2nd most advanced orchestra. In addition to the expectations of the previous groups students in Symphony can read comfortably in the keys of G, D and C major, have general dexterity on their instrument in 1st/3rd/4th position, have the ability to shift fluently, have a strong sense of tempo & rhythm, have the ability to follow a conductor, demonstrate consistent practicing habits, have good attitude and effort and are able to play with vibrato.
Chamber
Chamber is our most advanced orchestra. Students in chamber can demonstrate all the same skills as students in Symphony plus the ability to play in positions 1-5, know the keys of F major, Bb major, and A major. Lessons are not a requirement, but spending additional time studying with a teacher is an expectation. This includes working with one of the directors before or after school on a regular basis. Admission into Chamber orchestra is by audition to all students after 1 year of exemplary participation in Philharmonic, Camerata, or Symphony.
Schedule an Audition
**Auditions dates for the 2021-2022 School year are going to occur on April 5, 6, and 8.
Please sign up for the earliest possible time slot that you can make it. Your student should come prepared to play a solo, C, G and D major scales (in as many octaves as they can play) and be ready to sight read a piece of music. If your student cannot comfortably read music please begin working on this with a private lesson teacher as soon as possible. This audition will help us place your child in the orchestra in which he/she will be the most successful. 6th Grade students are not eligible to participate in the Chamber Orchestra.
Please sign up for the earliest possible time slot that you can make it. Your student should come prepared to play a solo, C, G and D major scales (in as many octaves as they can play) and be ready to sight read a piece of music. If your student cannot comfortably read music please begin working on this with a private lesson teacher as soon as possible. This audition will help us place your child in the orchestra in which he/she will be the most successful. 6th Grade students are not eligible to participate in the Chamber Orchestra.
