The Caledonia High School Orchestra

The first high school orchestra was formed in the fall of 1989 with only five students. The orchestra has grown to include over 85 string players and a wind section of 25 students. The symphony orchestra began participating in MSBOA Festivals in 1992. Since that time, the group has consistenly earned first division ratings. In 2002, the honors orchestra began participating at festivals and has also earned consistent first division ratings.

In 1999, the orchestra traveled to Harrogate England where the students performed in the International Youth Arts Festival. The experience included performances at Ripon Cathedral and the International Youth Center. In May of 2001, the high school orchestra participated in Music in the Parks at Busch Gardens in Virginia. The group brought home awards for the best high school orchestra and received the highest numerical rating of all the participating bands, choirs, and orchestras.

In 2001 and 2005, the CHS Orchestra was showcased at the annual Michigan Music Educators Conference at the University of Michigan. In 2005, the group was one of only three orchestras in Michigan invited to perform for the music educators in Hill Auditorium. In 2007, the honors orchestra was selected to serve as a demonstration group for music educators studying conducting.

Some students begin in fourth grade - some wait until sixth grade. All fourth and fifth graders meet twice each week in orchestra classes at the high school from 7:45 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. We currently have around 75 fourth graders and 50 fifth graders. Orchestra is offered as a class at the middle school. There are classes at every grade level (6,7,8). Mr. Sowerby, teach these classes. Middle School Orchestras play four concerts each year and participate in solo festivals and orchestra festivals.

Many CHS Orchestra Alumni continue playing their instruments at the college level. Several have graduated with music degrees and many continue their studies with goals of either performing professionally or teaching orchestra in the schools.