SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA

Instructor:  Mr. Michael McNamara

Prerequisite:  1 credit Concert Orchestra and audition

Symphonic Orchestra is a nationally award winning, select group that performs collegiate and professional level repertoire.  It is open to all string playing students in grades 10-12 who have participated in Concert Orchestra and passed an audition process. The focus of this class is for students to play advanced orchestral literature and be exposed to some of the iconic works from the most famous composers. It is a curricular course and meets as part of a student's normal schedule.  

The orchestra performs at the winter and spring concerts, festivals, and throughout the community.  It rehearses in class as just strings.  On a few evenings per concert cycle, the orchestra combines with Symphonic Winds to create a full orchestra.  There is some flexibility with this evening schedule, and arrangements for evening conflicts are worked out on a case by case basis between the student and director.

Symphonic Orchestra

Video Performance Archives

2018-2019

Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs the final two movements (Lullaby and Final Hymn) from Stravisnky's Firebird Suite (1945 version). Michael McNamara, Conductor. Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Noah Manheimer of Enchanted Garden Studios.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs the finale to Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony. June 5, 2019. Michael McNamara, Conductor. Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered by Noah Manheimer of Enchanted Garden Studios.
RHS Symphonic Orchestra plays Fantasia and Fugue in C minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, transcribed for orchestra by Edward Elgar in 1922. Michael McNamara, Conductor. Engineered, Mixed, Mastered and Filmed by Noah Manheimer, Enchanted Garden Studios, Ridgefield, CT.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs the finale to Dvorak's 8th Symphony. December 12, 2018. Michael McNamara, Conductor. Engineered, Mixed, Mastered and Filmed by Noah Manheimer, Enchanted Garden Studios, Ridgefield, CT.


Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Elgar's Nimrod, the ninth movement from his famous Enigma Variations. December 12, 2018. Michael McNamara, Conductor. Engineered, Mixed, Mastered and Filmed by Noah Manheimer, Enchanted Garden Studios, Ridgefield, CT.

2017-2018

Ridgefield High School's Symphonic Orchestra performs the final two uninterrupted movements of Gustav Mahler's fifth symphony on May 23, 2018. The final movement is slightly abridged. Conducted by Michael McNamara. Recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered by Noah Manheimer, Enchanted Garden Studios.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens. Michael McNamara, Director. http://ridgefieldhsmusic.org
The Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Mahler's Symphony No.5 Mvt IV adagietto in concert 13th December 2017.
The Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Antonin Dvorak's New World Symphony in concert 13th December 2017.

 

2016-17

2015-2016

The Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slav, 14th April 2016.

The Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Overture to Egmont by Ludwig van Beethoven at the winter concert, December 16th 2015. This epic tone poem is the opening movement to Goethe’s Egmont, about a Dutch duke who was put to death resisting the Spanish Inquisition. He met his death with dignity and honor and is considered a hero, appropriately composed during Beethoven’s “Heroic Period.”

The Ridgefield High School combined Symphonic Orchestra and Concert Band perform the finale movement of Respighi’s Pines of Rome under direction of Michael McNamara. The finale of the April 14th 2016 concert brought on stage all members of the RHS music department, students and staff to perform this rousing musical depiction of the armies of the ancient Roman Empire returning from their campaign.

Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs (and dances to!) Danzon No. 2 composed by Arturo Marquez at the winter concert, 16th December 2015.

2014-2015

Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Themes from Jurassic Park by John Williams at their Spring 2015 concert. Conducted by Michael McNamara.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Michael McNamara performs Choral Prelude "Sleepers, Awake!" by J.S.Bach at the winter concert on 17th December 2014.
Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra performs Beethoven's Symphony No.7 2nd movement (0:13) and 4th Movement (9:11) at their Spring 2015 concert. Conducted by Michael McNamara.

2013-2014

2012-2013

The Ridgefield, CT, High School Orchestra performs Beethoven's complete Symphony No.5 under the direction of Michael McNamara at the High School Auditorium, December 19th 2012.
Danse Macabre by Canille Saint-Saens performed by Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Michael McNamara on 24th April 2013. See also... Dvorak Symphony No.8... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4dRMVMOxBM
Symphony No.8, Mvt IV by Antonin Dvorak performed by Ridgefield High School Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Michael McNamara on 24th April 2013 See also... Danse Macabre... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5D-AttJb0Q