Orchestra

Orchestra Details

The Stevenson Orchestra course is our entry-level class, suitable for young string players who want to continue their technical development. The Concert Orchestra class is more advanced and requires director approval for entry. Symphonic and Patriot Orchestra are by audition only and require higher technical and performance expectations for admittance. These top ensembles have regular collaborations with members of the Band department for full orchestra experiences. 

All ensembles play in regular concerts throughout the school year, and have opportunities for chamber music, service, travel, private lessons, and co-curricular clubs like the "Baroque Ensemble", "Viol Consort", "Pit Orchestra" and "Student Strings Board". In addition, special outreach, cultural and social activities are developed to enhance the ensemble experience and enrich the orchestra members. The orchestras receive unyielding support throughout the year from the String Parents Association.

Orchestra Directors

Enrique Vilaseco, Director of Orchestra
evilaseco@d125.org
847- 415-4771 

Anthony Krempa, Associate Director of Orchestra
akrempa@d125.org
847-415-4766

2020-21 Concert/Event Schedule

For 2020-21 orchestra concerts and events, please check out the Arts Event Schedule page.

Student Links

• Stevenson Orchestra Handbook
• Handbook Acknowledgment Form
• Orchestra Uniforms/Polo Shirts
• Senior Solo Audition Application

Parent Links

• String Parents Association
• SPA Membership/Donation
• Orchestra Uniforms/Polo Shirts
• Guitar Polo Orders

Incoming Freshman Strings Auditions for Fall 2021

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
3:30-5:30 p.m., Stevenson Orchestra Room 2200

Incoming freshmen are allowed to audition for Symphonic Orchestra or be placed in Concert Orchestra by recommendation. More information will be available about audition requirements for placement in the Concert Orchestra from their middle school directors.

Click here to sign up for an audition time

Symphonic & Patriot Orchestra Audition Materials for 2021-22 class placement

This information lists the prepared music required for consideration in the Symphonic & Patriot Orchestra classes for the fall of 2021. Below is a list of the musical excerpts for each instrument and links to each part, required scales and links, and information about the sight-reading audition component. Reach out to Mr. Vilaseco at evilaseco@d125.org if you have audition questions!

Instrument Specific Excerpts

Violin

• Weber, Oberon Overture mm.23-55
• Mozart, Symphony No. 39, Mvt.2, mm. 1-27 no repeats

Viola

• Brahms, Symphony No. 4, Mvt. 2, mm. 64-80
• Rossini, La Gazza Ladra, mm. 63-151

Cello

• Mendelssohn, Hebrides, Beginning -m. 33
• Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6, Mvt 2, mm.1-25

Bass

• Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4, Mvt. 1, mm.41-90
• Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Mvt. 4, Rehearsal 50-53

*All excerpts are taken from orchestraexcerpts.com. 

Scale Requirements

Click here for the sample ILMEA Orchestra Scale Sheets

• C, G, D, A, E, F, and Bb Major
• c and g melodic minor
• Violin-Viola-Cello: Three Octaves
• String Bass: Two Octaves
• Quarter Note = 120
• Detached Bowing

Sight-reading requirements

Sight-reading ability will be determined through in-class evaluations with your school instructors. 

Uniforms/Attire

Uniform requirements for Stevenson Strings students for the 2021-22 School Year:

Stevenson, Concert, Symphonic Orchestra (both boys and girls)

• All-black ensemble (see Policy Change here)
• Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

We are pleased to inform you that the Superstore options for the required Orchestra Polo have been updated.

ORCHESTRA POLO ORDERS
If you already own the Orchestra Polo Shirt, there is no need to re-order.

Questions? Please email shs.stringparents@gmail.com.

Patriot Orchestra ONLY

Boys

• Tuxedo Jacket and Pants (rented annually)
• Tuxedo Shirt, Bowtie and Cummerbund (purchased once for personal use)
• Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Violin/Viola)

• Concert Dress (purchased once for personal use)
• Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

Girls (Cello/Bass)

• Concert Blouse (purchased once for personal use)
• Orchestra Polo (purchased once for personal use)

PATRIOT ORCHESTRA UNIFORM ORDERS

All Patriot Orchestra students have been sent information via email to submit their measurements/sizes online. You can also complete that information via these links:

• Patriot Orchestra - Boys - new and returning students
• Patriot Orchestra - Girls (violin/viola) - new and returning students
• Patriot Orchestra - Girls (cello/bass) - new and returning students

Tuxedo Pants and Orchestra Dresses come in one length and must be hemmed temporarily for the student. The pants cannot be cut. Download this coupon for hemming services.

Guitar Boys and Girls

• Guitar Polo (purchased once for personal use)

For all polo shirt purchases (Guitar and Orchestra), sizing is on the Superstore.  

GUITAR POLO ORDERS

Additionally, there will be in-person Uniform support by the String Parents Association on the following days: 

• Thursday, Aug. 5 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)
• Friday, Aug. 6 - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (lobby space outside Band Room)

Questions? Email shs.stringparents@gmail.com

District 7 ILMEA Audition Information

If you are interested in auditioning for the ILMEA District 7 Orchestra this Fall please read below for information, links, and music excerpts, or visit this website https://ilmea.org/orchestra-audition-process

• Auditions will occur on Tuesday, Oct. 1
• Festival will be Saturday, Nov. 6
  Location: TBD

Required Strings Audition Materials

Fall 2021 Audition Material

Senior-level auditions will be blind auditions; click here for a sample script of what to expect.

For Piano Audition Information, please see Wind & Percussion District Audition Process

1 .2021-2022: Beethoven Year
Click Here for the state-required excerpts for Fall 2021 auditions.

2. Senior-Level Scales
Click Here for the Orchestra Scale Sheets

• C, G, D, A, E, F, and Bb Major

• C and G melodic minor

• Violin-Viola-Cello: Three Octaves

• String Bass: Two Octaves

• Quarter Note = 120

• Detached Bowing

3. Sight-reading
Retired sight-reading examples can be found under Audition Resources.

4. District-selected supplemental excerpts. 

• District 7 violin packet 
• District 7 viola packet
• District 7 cello packet
• District 7 bass packet