HCPSS ES G/T Orchestra - CLES Chamber Orchestra
ESGTO
The Howard County Elementary GT Orchestra and GT Sinfonia are county-wide
ensembles for elementary string students who are excelling in their own school programs.
Students are selected by audition in September and rehearse once per week on Thursdays
from 4:30-6:30 PM throughout the school year. Students develop and refine musical skills
that challenge the individual player and contribute to the group as a whole. In addition,
students have the opportunity to gain musical leadership experiences that support
individual school programs.
Participation Requirements:
All applicants must be members of their own school orchestra in order to qualify.
If after auditioning, your child is selected to be in the orchestra,
there is a one-time $290.00 tuition fee assessed to parents of each participating student.
All rehearsals and concerts are mandatory.
Please check the schedule on the website to avoid conflicts.
Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from rehearsals and performances on time.
A list of members will be sent home so that carpools can be arranged.
Registration form:
You will be emailed an ESGTO Registration Form along with the audition schedule.
Please fill out the Registration Form online prior to your audition.
Audition Days/Times
ESGTO Auditions this year will be held on September 19-21 (Tues, Wed, and Thurs) at
Hammond High School, 8800 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046.
Auditions may be scheduled between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.
ensembles for elementary string students who are excelling in their own school programs.
Students are selected by audition in September and rehearse once per week on Thursdays
from 4:30-6:30 PM throughout the school year. Students develop and refine musical skills
that challenge the individual player and contribute to the group as a whole. In addition,
students have the opportunity to gain musical leadership experiences that support
individual school programs.
Participation Requirements:
All applicants must be members of their own school orchestra in order to qualify.
If after auditioning, your child is selected to be in the orchestra,
there is a one-time $290.00 tuition fee assessed to parents of each participating student.
All rehearsals and concerts are mandatory.
Please check the schedule on the website to avoid conflicts.
Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from rehearsals and performances on time.
A list of members will be sent home so that carpools can be arranged.
Registration form:
You will be emailed an ESGTO Registration Form along with the audition schedule.
Please fill out the Registration Form online prior to your audition.
Audition Days/Times
ESGTO Auditions this year will be held on September 19-21 (Tues, Wed, and Thurs) at
Hammond High School, 8800 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD 21046.
Auditions may be scheduled between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.
CLES Chamber Orchestra
The CLES Chamber Orchestra is an extra-curricular, before-school, ensemble that provides an additional musical challenge for Orchestra students. This is an auditioned group that performs above grade level music, and participates in additional musical events throughout the school year.
Participation Requirements
All members of the CLES Chamber Orchestra must also be members of the CLES Advanced or Intermediate Orchestras in good standing.
A lack of attendance, preparation, participation, or behavior that does not align with the values of CLES are grounds for a conversation around continued involvement in the Chamber Orchestra.
CLES CO Schedule
The Orchestra will meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:45 - 8:25 a.m. in the Orchestra Room. After rehearsal students will be dismissed to their classrooms.
CLES CO Auditions will be held before school at 8:00 a.m. and during your child's recess on 9/13/23 & 9/14/23.
Participation Requirements
All members of the CLES Chamber Orchestra must also be members of the CLES Advanced or Intermediate Orchestras in good standing.
A lack of attendance, preparation, participation, or behavior that does not align with the values of CLES are grounds for a conversation around continued involvement in the Chamber Orchestra.
CLES CO Schedule
The Orchestra will meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:45 - 8:25 a.m. in the Orchestra Room. After rehearsal students will be dismissed to their classrooms.
CLES CO Auditions will be held before school at 8:00 a.m. and during your child's recess on 9/13/23 & 9/14/23.
Auditions
Audition Requirements:
The audition requirements for the ESGTO and CLES CO are the same, but are evaluated to different standards.
1) Prepared Piece:
A prepared solo of your choice.
Minimum level for consideration is the equivalent of a Grade 2 piece from the end of Suzuki Book 1.
Please consult your teacher to make sure the level of your piece matches or exceeds this ability level.
2) Excerpt
This is a short passage from a larger piece that all students auditioning will play.
Violin - Viola - Cello - Bass
3) Sight reading:
Your child will be given a very short piece of music at the audition.
They will have one minute to study the music (without playing their instrument) and then will be asked to perform it.
The audition requirements for the ESGTO and CLES CO are the same, but are evaluated to different standards.
1) Prepared Piece:
A prepared solo of your choice.
Minimum level for consideration is the equivalent of a Grade 2 piece from the end of Suzuki Book 1.
Please consult your teacher to make sure the level of your piece matches or exceeds this ability level.
2) Excerpt
This is a short passage from a larger piece that all students auditioning will play.
Violin - Viola - Cello - Bass
3) Sight reading:
Your child will be given a very short piece of music at the audition.
They will have one minute to study the music (without playing their instrument) and then will be asked to perform it.
CLES Chamber Orchestra Information and Schedule
Information and Schedule
The Orchestra will meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:45 - 8:25 a.m. in the Orchestra Room.
The CLES Chamber Orchestra will meet Tuesday's. Schedule TBD
CLES Chamber Orchestra Performances:
12/11/23 - CLES Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:00 p.m. Centennial High School
5/9/24 -CLES Orchestra Spring Concert - 6:30 p.m. Centennial High School
6/5/24 - Spring Music Department Showcase - 6:30 p.m. Centennial High School
The Orchestra will meet on Tuesday mornings from 7:45 - 8:25 a.m. in the Orchestra Room.
The CLES Chamber Orchestra will meet Tuesday's. Schedule TBD
CLES Chamber Orchestra Performances:
12/11/23 - CLES Orchestra Winter Concert - 6:00 p.m. Centennial High School
5/9/24 -CLES Orchestra Spring Concert - 6:30 p.m. Centennial High School
6/5/24 - Spring Music Department Showcase - 6:30 p.m. Centennial High School
