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    We Want YOU To Join the Sartartia Orchestra!

    The Sartartia Middle School Orchestra has enjoyed a celebrated history of excellence in the 23 years of its existence. Since the school opened in 2001, the Sartartia Orchestra program has earned Sweepstakes at UIL each year, been a TMEA Honor Orchestra (State Champion) two times (2012 & 2024) as well as a Runner-Up, and finalist, received multiple Foundation for Music Education Mark of Excellence awards, performed at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, ASTA, and many more accolades. The program was started by Ann Victor when the school opened in 2001 and is currently directed by Heather Davis and Guillermo Teniente.

    Orchestra is a fine arts music class that focuses on the study of violin, viola, cello, string bass, and harp. We meet every day during school for 45-55 minutes, depending on the schedule. Students get a rigorous study of technique, theory, and performance in orchestra. Students have fun with friends and learn skills that prepare them to be life-long learners.

    If a student has previous playing experience on one of the instruments listed above, an audition can be scheduled with Mrs. Davis so that the student can be placed in either our Philharmonic, Sinfonia, Chamber, or Honors Orchestras.

    We require that our students practice between 100-200 minutes per week, depending on the orchestra placement. Beginner students have a requirement of 100 minutes per week.

    Private Lessons are highly encouraged (contact Mrs. Davis for recommendations)

    INSTRUMENT RENTALS

    We recommend that our students rent from a reputable violin shop in the area.
    Visit the Lisle Violin Shop website here.
    Visit the Katy Violin Shop website here.

     

    What Instrument Should You Choose?

    Violin

    v

    Violin is the smallest and highest sounding instrument in the orchestra string family.

    Watch a video here: 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv3wYoj1WoQ

     

    Viola

    v

    Viola is the middle voice of the orchestra family. Violas have the same strings as the cello, but it is performed similarly to the violin.

    Watch a video here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAWYKM0f7Qo

     

    Cello

    c

    Cello is a lower voice of the orchestra family. Cello is performed while sitting down.

    Watch a video here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNHP117b_E

     

    Bass

    b

    Bass is the largest instrument in the orchestra family. Bass can be performed standing or sitting.

    Watch a video here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs0W3JzGI5w

     

    Harp

    h

    Harp is also a large instrument in the orchestra family. It has many strings that are plucked with the fingers, and is performed sitting down in the orchestra setting.

    Watch a video here:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYbcvCEnsgg