To hear the 2020 Jenison Virtual Orchestra perform Hymn of Joy, click here!
Hello Jenison Orchestra families!
Welcome to the online home of the Jenison Orchestra Program! You should be able
to find useful and current information for all your orchestra related questions here.
Students and families, please bookmark this site and visit often for up-to-date fliers,
reminders, and helpful information!
to find useful and current information for all your orchestra related questions here.
Students and families, please bookmark this site and visit often for up-to-date fliers,
reminders, and helpful information!
Basic Program Overview
The Jenison Orchestras have been recognized as one of the premier orchestra programs in the state of Michigan. All of Jenison's Junior High and High School Orchestras have consistently received first division ratings at District and State competitions. The program has also been featured at the Michigan Music Conference several times. The high school orchestras have performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Disney's entertaining blue-grass group "Billy and the Hillbillies," as well as the popular rock band "The Outer Vibe." The Jenison Orchestra program is a favorite destination for College and University student teacher placements as well. Information about our directors can be found here.
The Jenison Orchestra program consists of over 500 string players in grades 5 through 12. The 5th Grade Beginning Orchestra meets three times per week; twice weekly in big groups at the Junior High, and once weekly in smaller groups at each elementary school. The 5th Graders participate in two concerts each year (December and May). The 6th Grade Intermediate Orchestra also rehearses three times per week, as the 5th Graders do. They participate in three yearly concerts (October, January, and May).
There are three orchestras at Jenison Junior High School; Prelude Strings, Cadence Strings, and Encore Strings. All three Orchestras meet daily for one hour during the school day. They perform four local concerts each year (October, December, February, and May) in addition to participating in District Orchestra Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival. The Junior High Orchestra Program also features a select group of string players during the Christmas season called "The Holiday Strings," who play each December in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops Concerts.
The High School has four orchestras that each meet for one hour daily; Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. The Concert Orchestra was created in 1999 and is made up of younger high school string players. The Sinfonia is an auditioned ensemble of string players in the 9th through 11th grades. The elite Symphony and Chamber Orchestras contain string players in the 10th through 12th grades. These players join with Jenison's most talented wind, brass, and percussion players for three concerts each year (December, February, and May.) These groups also participate in District Orchestra Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and special events such as periodic "Side-By-Side" performances with the Grand Rapids Symphony. All of our high school orchestras play many different styles of music and perform around the community at various events, in addition to the yearly JHS Orchestra concerts.
The Jenison Orchestra program consists of over 500 string players in grades 5 through 12. The 5th Grade Beginning Orchestra meets three times per week; twice weekly in big groups at the Junior High, and once weekly in smaller groups at each elementary school. The 5th Graders participate in two concerts each year (December and May). The 6th Grade Intermediate Orchestra also rehearses three times per week, as the 5th Graders do. They participate in three yearly concerts (October, January, and May).
There are three orchestras at Jenison Junior High School; Prelude Strings, Cadence Strings, and Encore Strings. All three Orchestras meet daily for one hour during the school day. They perform four local concerts each year (October, December, February, and May) in addition to participating in District Orchestra Festival and Solo and Ensemble Festival. The Junior High Orchestra Program also features a select group of string players during the Christmas season called "The Holiday Strings," who play each December in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops Concerts.
The High School has four orchestras that each meet for one hour daily; Concert Orchestra, Sinfonia, Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra. The Concert Orchestra was created in 1999 and is made up of younger high school string players. The Sinfonia is an auditioned ensemble of string players in the 9th through 11th grades. The elite Symphony and Chamber Orchestras contain string players in the 10th through 12th grades. These players join with Jenison's most talented wind, brass, and percussion players for three concerts each year (December, February, and May.) These groups also participate in District Orchestra Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and special events such as periodic "Side-By-Side" performances with the Grand Rapids Symphony. All of our high school orchestras play many different styles of music and perform around the community at various events, in addition to the yearly JHS Orchestra concerts.