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.

2019-20 Concert/Event Schedule

Date	Time	Event	Location
Mon.-Tues., Aug. 5-6	9 a.m.-Noon	Orchestra and Guitar Camp	Orchestra Room (2200)

All incoming students are expected to attend this two-day event, and there is no registration or fee.

Date	Time	Event	Location
Wed., Aug. 15	7 p.m.	Senior Solo Recital	Recital Hall (4100)
Tues., Sept. 10	7-8:15 a.m.	Baroque Ensemble Auditions	Orchestra Room (2200)
Fri., Sept. 13	7-8:15 a.m.	Baroque Ensemble Auditions	Orchestra Room (2200)
Thurs., Sept. 26	6 & 7:30 p.m.	Orchestra Concert	Performing Arts Center
Tues., Oct. 1	3:30-9 p.m.	ILMEA String Auditions	Check www.ilmea.org
Mon., Dec. 16	6 & 7:30 p.m.	Orchestra Concert	Performing Arts Center
Tues., Jan. 14	7 p.m.	Consortium Concert	Performing Arts Center
Tues., Jan. 28	7 p.m.	Baroque Ensemble Concert	Recital Hall (4100)
Jan. 29-Feb. 1	TBA	ILMEA All State Festival	Peoria
Tues., Feb. 11	6 & 7:30 p.m.	Orchestra Chamber Concert	Recital Hall (4100)
Thurs., Feb. 27	7 p.m.	Guitar Chamber Concert	Recital Hall (4100)
Wed., March 11	7:30 a.m-3:30 p.m.	Orchestra Clinic Day	TBA
Thurs., March 19	6 & 7:30 p.m.	Orchestra Concert	Performing Arts Center
April	TBA	Orchestra/Guitar Placement Auditions (Incoming freshmen/current students)	Orchestra Room (2200)
Wed., April 29	7 p.m.	Baroque Ensemble Concert	Recital Hall (4100)
Thurs., May 7	6 & 7:30 p.m.	Orchestra Awards Concert	Performing Arts Center
Tues., May 12	7 p.m.	Guitar Concert	West Auditorium (2206)
Fri., May 22	5 p.m.	Graduation	Sears Centre Arena

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 fundraising information.

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

Incoming Freshman Strings Auditions for Fall 2020
Monday, April 13, 2020
3:30-5:30 p.m., Stevenson Orchestra Room 2200

Incoming freshman are allowed to audition for Symphonic Orchestra, Guitar 2, Patriot Guitar, or be placed in Concert Orchestra by recommendation. More information will be available about requirements for placement in the Concert Orchestra from their middle school directors. 

Click here to sign up for an audition time

Audition Requirements

Please be prepared for a short sight-reading excerpt.

Three-octave scales are required on all instruments and should be played at quarter note=120 with a detache bow stroke. Please prepare all scales, however, you will only be asked to perform one major scale and one melodic minor scale:
 
# Major Scales are : C, G, D, A, E and B.
b Major Scales are: F, Bb, Eb, Ab and Db.
Melodic minor scales are: C,G and D.
 
ILMEA scale sheets can be found at this link.
 
Brahms “Academic Festival Overture” & Beethoven Symphony 5 or 9 Excerpts
Be prepared on all excerpts, you will be asked to play a majority of them.
Download the PDFs below for excerpts for all instruments. Get started by listening and asking your private lessons teachers for help!
 
Violin audition excerpts
Viola audition excerpts
Cello audition excerpts
Bass audition excerpts

Questions? Contact Director of Orchestras Enrique Vilaseco at evilaseco@d125.org.

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.