Other Information – HS Orchestras
Practicing At-home practice is an important component of the orchestra program at Jenison and is expected of all students. Simply stated, if you want to get better at playing your instrument, you must practice on a regular basis. As high school students you are not required to turn in practice records. However, you are still expected to practice regularly in order to prepare for rehearsals, playing tests, auditions, and performances.
Repairs If anything is broken or out of place on your student’s instrument, please see a director immediately. Please do not attempt to repair anything yourself as you may damage the instrument unintentionally. Please do not go to a repair shop before seeing a director as they often require you to leave the instrument for an extended period of time.
JHS Musical This year, Jenison High School Theater Department will be putting on a production of the musical, Seussical the Musical. Information for joining the pit orchestra, cast, or a crew will be available later this school year.
Youth Orchestras The Grand Rapids area features a number of youth orchestra opportunities, such as St. Cecilia and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. Youth orchestras are a great way for students to further their performance skills and meet other students from across West Michigan and beyond. If you are looking for additional performance opportunities, this is a great option to consider.
MASTA Chamber Music Festival Each year, the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MASTA) hosts a Chamber Music Festival for senior high school string students. This is a great opportunity for students to receive coaching from expert chamber music performances, attend a musicianship enrichment class, and more. For more information, please visit astamichigan.org/events/chamber-music-festival or ask Mr. Harmsen.
MSBOA Orchestra Festival Every year, the High School Orchestras participate in MSBOA District X Orchestra Festival in late February. The Festival largely takes place during the school day on both Wednesday, Feb. 26th & Friday, Feb. 28th.
Solo & Ensemble Festival MSBOA District VII Solo & Ensemble Festival takes place each February at Kent City HS in Kent City. Orchestra students have the opportunity to participate in this festival by preparing a solo and/or ensemble piece of music and performing it for a judge. 10-12th grade students that receive the highest rating (a “I”) are eligible to participate at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Additional information will be distributed by a director as we get closer to S&E registration.
All-State Orchestra MSBOA All-State Orchestra is an excellent opportunity for students who want to audition for an extra challenge and a great opportunity to meet students from across the state of Michigan. The All-State Orchestras perform in conjunction with the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January. More information on this will be forthcoming.
Summer Music Camps The state of Michigan is home to many excellent summer music camp opportunities for students to participate in. These include, but are not limited to, MASTA String Camps, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, WMU Seminar High School Music Camp, Superior String Alliance Summer Music Camps, and many more! Summer music camps are a great way for students to keep playing their instruments over the summer and have some fun and meet new people in the process! For more information, please visit the links embedded in the camp names above or see a director.
Private Lessons While regular home practice will help each student to make steady progress, private lessons will help a student learn at an accelerated pace. The benefits of one-on-one instruction with a private teacher can enhance a student’s technique and musicianship to a great degree. If you are looking for a private teacher, please ask a director for more information.
Repairs If anything is broken or out of place on your student’s instrument, please see a director immediately. Please do not attempt to repair anything yourself as you may damage the instrument unintentionally. Please do not go to a repair shop before seeing a director as they often require you to leave the instrument for an extended period of time.
JHS Musical This year, Jenison High School Theater Department will be putting on a production of the musical, Seussical the Musical. Information for joining the pit orchestra, cast, or a crew will be available later this school year.
Youth Orchestras The Grand Rapids area features a number of youth orchestra opportunities, such as St. Cecilia and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony. Youth orchestras are a great way for students to further their performance skills and meet other students from across West Michigan and beyond. If you are looking for additional performance opportunities, this is a great option to consider.
MASTA Chamber Music Festival Each year, the Michigan Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (MASTA) hosts a Chamber Music Festival for senior high school string students. This is a great opportunity for students to receive coaching from expert chamber music performances, attend a musicianship enrichment class, and more. For more information, please visit astamichigan.org/events/chamber-music-festival or ask Mr. Harmsen.
MSBOA Orchestra Festival Every year, the High School Orchestras participate in MSBOA District X Orchestra Festival in late February. The Festival largely takes place during the school day on both Wednesday, Feb. 26th & Friday, Feb. 28th.
Solo & Ensemble Festival MSBOA District VII Solo & Ensemble Festival takes place each February at Kent City HS in Kent City. Orchestra students have the opportunity to participate in this festival by preparing a solo and/or ensemble piece of music and performing it for a judge. 10-12th grade students that receive the highest rating (a “I”) are eligible to participate at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. Additional information will be distributed by a director as we get closer to S&E registration.
All-State Orchestra MSBOA All-State Orchestra is an excellent opportunity for students who want to audition for an extra challenge and a great opportunity to meet students from across the state of Michigan. The All-State Orchestras perform in conjunction with the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids in January. More information on this will be forthcoming.
Summer Music Camps The state of Michigan is home to many excellent summer music camp opportunities for students to participate in. These include, but are not limited to, MASTA String Camps, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, WMU Seminar High School Music Camp, Superior String Alliance Summer Music Camps, and many more! Summer music camps are a great way for students to keep playing their instruments over the summer and have some fun and meet new people in the process! For more information, please visit the links embedded in the camp names above or see a director.
Private Lessons While regular home practice will help each student to make steady progress, private lessons will help a student learn at an accelerated pace. The benefits of one-on-one instruction with a private teacher can enhance a student’s technique and musicianship to a great degree. If you are looking for a private teacher, please ask a director for more information.