Orchestra

Orchestra Quick Links
String Parents Association
Private Music Lessons
See the orchestra program brochure

The orchestras are directed by:

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

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

All orchestra members perform in four major concerts during the school year. The main emphasis for the orchestra program is the development of total musicianship through the study, preparation and performance of quality literature and an authentic understanding of the language of music through a sequential curriculum of music theory topics.

The Stevenson High School orchestra program is comprised of four orchestras: 

• Three sections of Concert Orchestra
• Symphonic Orchestra
• Patriot Orchestra
• Advanced Orchestra (2020-21)

Concert Orchestra is the non-auditioned orchestra ensemble in which all students are enrolled, unless they have auditioned for and been place in Patriot Orchestra, which is not an option for freshmen.

Patriot Orchestra is the top orchestra with enrollment being limited to grades 10, 11 and 12. For two concerts per year the top winds and percussion join the orchestra to perform standard full orchestra literature in classical and pops repertoire. 
 
In addition, chamber ensembles, outreach activities, special cultural and social activities are developed to enhance the orchestras and enrich the orchestra members.

The orchestras receive unyielding support throughout the year by the String Parents Association.

2020-21 Concert/Event Schedule

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

Student Links
• Stevenson Strings Handbook
• Handbook Consent Form
• Strings Board Attendance
• Orchestra Uniforms/Polo Shirts
• Senior Solo Audition Application

Student Assignments
• Technique Self-Evaluation Form
• Orchestra Project Submission Form

Stay tuned for further fundraising information.

Parent Links
• String Parents Association
• SPA Membership/Donation
• Orchestra Uniforms/Polo Shirts

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. 

Uniform/dress fitting information for the 2020-21 school year TBA.

String Parents Association Scholarships
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the SPA Scholarship: Sohan Sarabu and Erin Yuan. Click on the photos below to watch a “thank you” message from each recipient.

         Sohan Sarabu

              Erin Yuan

District 7 ILMEA Audition Information
If you are interested in auditioning for the ILMEA District 7 Orchestra in the Fall of 2020, please read on for information, links and music excerpts. Reach out to Mr. Vilaseco at evilaseco@d125.org or Mr. Krempa at akrempa@d125.org if you have questions!

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

1. 2020-2021: Mendelssohn/Berlioz Year
Click here for the state-required excerpts for Fall 2020 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 
One of the ILMEA District 7 Festival pieces will be Russian Easter Overture, which will be used for auditions. Below are the links to audition packets for each instrument:

• Violin audition packet
• Viola audition packet
• Cello audition packet
• Bass audition packet

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REQUIRED HARP AUDITION MATERIALS

1. 2020-2021 Harp Etude

#40 Moderato (quarter note = 80)
All etudes are found in Bochsa, Nicholas. 40 (Quarante Etudes Faciles) Easy Studies Op. 318, Book 2. Salvi Publications
Please find all harp etudes using only the latest edition of Bochsa, Nicholas's 40 (Quarante Celebres Etudes) Easy Studies Op. 318, Book 2 (Salvi Publications) .Any previous editions are permanently out of print, and may contain different etude titles and numbers.

2. 2020-2021 Harp Excerpt

Tchaikovsky, Nutcracker Suite No. 1
Waltz of the Flowers – cadenza (mm 1-32)

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