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 are interested in playing advanced orchestral literature. 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
2017-2018
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.