The Pearce High School Orchestras consist of four ensembles: Concert, Philharmonic, Sinfonietta and Chamber/Symphony. Students are auditioned into each ensemble based on their technical and musical skills, assets and deficits in an effort to ensure each child’s musical needs are being met at the appropriate level of challenge and instruction. While we expect that most students will enter the Pearce Orchestra with some musical experience and fundamental string pedagogy, we also believe in providing an opportunity for first time musicians to learn the art of string performance. The Pearce Orchestra is open to ALL students at Pearce High School, grades 9-12.
Each ensemble participates fully in our concert series throughout the school year. The Chamber/Symphony orchestra is often asked to perform at local school or community events. The Philharmonic and Chamber/Symphony ensembles take part in the annual Pre-UIL Orchestra Festival and the annual UIL Concert and Sight Reading competition. Students in every ensemble are given the opportunity to perform a solo and/or ensemble at the Richardson Chamber Music Festival in the spring. In addition, students in all ensembles are invited to attend our annual Spring Trip and Competition. Opportunities for students to work with master teachers in the form of private lessons are made available throughout the school year and summer, and students are all encouraged to take lessons as well as attend summer string camps. The goal of the Pearce Orchestra program is provide quality music instruction on a stringed instrument to all interested students.