Garfield High School – Chamber Orchestra A/B

Mar 2026 · 2nd Semester

Chamber Orchestra is yearlong course for advanced music students who play violin, viola, cello and bass. Instruction in Chamber Orchestra provides the student advanced knowledge in ensemble skills, practice habits, personal musicality, and technique. As a vehicle for skill acquisition, students are introduced to music from a variety of cultures and time periods, work with a conductor, and perform in chamber settings to develop technique and musical leadership. Students practice appropriate rehearsal skills and performance etiquette. They cultivate life-long leadership skills and executive musical skills, including music theory concepts and knowledge of musical composition, arranging, and improvisation. Students learn major/minor scales, chord progressions, intervals, and ensemble etiquette. Students perform in school concerts and regional festivals. Semesters 1-2: Students learn rehearsal skills, performance etiquette and developed playing technique on their instrument that are necessary to perform repertoire appropriate for the ensemble. Semesters 3-8: Building upon skills and knowledge acquired in previous years, students increase their level of musical and technical development on their chosen instrument, gain a greater knowledge of the musical concepts, and deepen their understanding of their role within the ensemble, particularly in the development of leadership skills. Students broaden their understanding of a wider variety of styles, genres, and time periods. Students further hone the skills necessary to self-assess their individual musical and technical progress as well as how they are performing in roles within the ensemble. Students begin to make personal musical decisions that are in alignment with goals of the ensemble. Semesters 5-8 within the orchestral sequence: In addition to building on skills and knowledge acquired in previous semesters, students engage in career-connected learning through activities addressing management, evaluation, community service, fiscal responsibility, competition, leadership development, personal growth, employability, and career skills, advocacy, and social activities. As a preparatory Career and Technical Education (CTE) equivalent course, students demonstrate leadership and employability skills. Students have expanded opportunities to make direct connections to careers as working artists. Course content may include: portfolio development, guest speakers from arts industries, and development of professional responsibility skills such as time management, reliability and punctuality, ability to multi-task and present oneself professionally. This course may be repeated for credit.