Austin High School has four orchestras: Camerata, Philharmonic, Recital, and Chamber. Students who have room in their schedule may take a second orchestra class and play every day.
Camerata Orchestra
- An ensemble comprised of students in the first year of high school orchestra who are in need of and who desire additional training in order to meet the requirements of the Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Emphasis is on the development of left-hand dexterity, two-octave scales and arpeggios, bowing techniques, upper positions, vibrato, music reading skills, and memorization skills.
- The Camerata Orchestra participates in all the Orchestra Performances, as well as in the UIL String Competition.
Philharmonic Orchestra
- An ensemble comprised of orchestra students of various grade levels, who are in need of and who desire additional training in order to meet the requirements of the Recital and Chamber orchestras.
- Emphasis is on the development of left-hand dexterity, major and minor two-octave scales and arpeggios, advanced bowing techniques, upper positions, vibrato control, tone development, and performance of orchestral literature in combination with winds and percussion players, and small ensemble playing.
- Depending on the progress of the group, the Philharmonic Orchestra will join wind and percussion players from the Austin High School Band each spring semester to form a full orchestra that participates in the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest.
- Outside-of-school rehearsals and performances are required in addition to regular attendance at sectional rehearsals.
Recital Orchestra
- An audition-based ensemble.
- The most advanced players from the Austin High Orchestra program are in this group, with approximately ninety percent involved in private instruction.
- These students meet performance and rehearsal standards established by the director.
- Emphasis is on the development of left-hand dexterity, major and minor three-octave scales and arpeggios, advanced bowing techniques, upper positions, vibrato control, performance of orchestral literature, solo repertoire, small ensemble repertoire, and alternative styles repertoire.
- Depending on the progress of the group, the Recital Orchestra will join wind and percussion players from the Austin High School Band during the spring semester to form a full orchestra that participates in the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest.
- Outside-of-school rehearsals and performances are required in addition to regular attendance at sectional rehearsals.
Chamber Orchestra
- An audition-based ensemble.
- The most advanced players from the Austin High Orchestra program are in this group, with approximately ninety percent involved in private instruction.
- These students meet performance and rehearsal standards established by the director.
- Emphasis is on the development of left-hand dexterity, major and minor three-octave scales and arpeggios, advanced bowing techniques, upper positions, vibrato, performance of orchestral literature in combination with winds and percussion players, small ensemble playing, and opportunities for solo performance in front of an audience.
- Chamber Orchestra students are required to prepare audition material for the All Region Orchestra and must participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest.
- The Chamber Orchestra joins with wind and percussion players from the Austin High School Band during the spring semester to form a full orchestra that participates in the UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest.
- This group enjoys an outstanding reputation for excellence throughout the State of Texas.
- Outside-of-school rehearsals and performances are required in addition to regular attendance at sectional rehearsals.