Ensembles

About the Marriotts Ridge High School Orchestra Program

There are currently four curricular orchestra classes at Marriotts Ridge High School. The names of these ensembles are Concert Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra G/T, and Chamber Orchestra G/T. 

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (String Ensemble course # MU-420-1) is a non-auditioned ensemble made up of 9th grade students and is the orchestra best suited for the typical freshman. Concert Orchestra focuses on continuing to develop skills such as higher position shifting, vibrato, bow control, as well as maturity of sound and musicality. The Concert Orchestra prepares and performs its own repertoire for each concert.

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (String Orchestra course # MU-520-1) is a non-auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 9-12. Philharmonic Orchestra focuses on continuing to develop skills such as higher position shifting, vibrato, bow control, as well as maturity of sound and musicality. Members of the Philharmonic Orchestra may audition for the chance to receive G/T credit. The Philharmonic Orchestra prepares and performs its own repertoire for each concert.

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA G/T (String Orchestra G/T course # MU-820-1) is an auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 9-12, however, the majority of musicians are upperclassmen. In a typical year, most members of the Philharmonic Orchestra G/T ensemble have taken private lessons during their musical careers, and we usually have a number of students successfully audition for regional youth orchestras such as the Howard County Youth Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, Peabody Youth Orchestra, and others.

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA G/T (String Orchestra G/T course # MU-820-1) is an auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 9-12, however, the majority of musicians are upperclassmen. The Chamber Orchestra is the most advanced orchestral ensemble at MRHS. While not required, all members of the String Orchestra G/T ensemble have taken private lessons during their musical careers, and we usually have a good number of students successfully audition for Maryland All State Orchestras, National Youth Orchestra, Howard County Youth Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, Peabody Youth Orchestra, and other extracurricular regional youth orchestras.