Spring Pops Concert 2012

Welcome to the website of the Wheeler High School Orchestra. The orchestra program at Wheeler has grown from 30 members to over 170 members in the past few years. The orchestra program is made of 3 orchestras—Philharmonia, Sinfonia, and Chamber. Membership in each of the orchestras is based on audition. In the last five years, the orchestras have performed at the “North American Music Festival” in Virginia Beach, as well as “Music USA Festivals” in Orlando, winning excellent ratings at these festivals. In 2009, the orchestra traveled to Chicago. In the spring of 2011, the orchestra traveled to New York and participate in an educational masterclass with members of the New York Philharmonic. As a part of the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, the orchestras received ratings of superior in both concert and sightreading.

Philharmonia Orchestra - The beginning orchestra where most students are 9th graders. Focus is technique and performing up to a Grade IV level by the end of the year. (Music levels are graded from 1- 6, 1 being the easiest and 6 being the most difficult.) Sinfonia Orchestra-  Intermediate orchestra with a mixture of different grade levels (9-12).  Students start at a grade IV level of music and perform grade V music by the end of the year. Chamber Orchestra - Advanced orchestra with a mixture of different grade levels. Students start at a Grade V level of music and perform grade VI music by the end of the year.