Welcome to Kennedy High School Orchestra!
Ensembles
Orchestra is a year-long class. There are two ensembles for student to participate in.
String Orchestra
Kennedy String Orchestra is Kennedy’s prep orchestra, and is open to all students who play a string instrument. There is no audition required.
All freshmen students who enter the orchestra program at Kennedy perform in the String Orchestra during their first semester, then may audition for Symphony Orchestra if they meet the performance requirements.
String Orchestra focuses on the development and improvement of technique, musicianship, style, music theory, and history through the study of diverse repertoire appropriate for developing student orchestras. String Orchestra performs at all orchestra concerts at Kennedy and also at various events throughout the community.
Symphony Orchestra
Kennedy Symphony Orchestra is Kennedy’s top orchestra, open to students who have had prior experience performing in orchestra. There is an audition required to participate.
Symphony Orchestra focuses on development and improvement of advanced technique, musicianship, style, knowledge of music history, and theory through the study and performance of advanced student and professional orchestral literature. Symphony Orchestra performs at all orchestra concerts at Kennedy and also throughout the community.
Later in the year, woodwind, brass and percussion students from the band join us to perform in our winter and spring concerts.
Both orchestras have the opportunity to tour and perform. Tours have gone to such places as New York, Chicago, and Orlando.
Orchestra frequently asked questions
What kind of opportunities are available for freshmen?
Summer orchestra camp: held each year in early August
Honor orchestras: All-State, IJHO Festival, NEISTA Honor Orchestra Festival, Metro Orchestra Festival
Community chamber groups
City and state solo and ensemble festival
Is orchestra camp required?
It is strongly encouraged, but we understand if there are conflicts with other summer activities. Contact Mrs. Driskell if you have questions.
I have a busy schedule, is there room for orchestra?
Yes! We have several students taking AP classes, Iowa Big, and Kirkwood Academy. View a sample Four Year Plan below to include music with any type of schedule. You can even participate in other music opportunities such as Choir and Show Choir.
View plan
Are there fees involved in Orchestra?
If you borrow an instrument from school (cellos and basses) there is a fee of $75 per year.
No student is ever excluded for financial reasons.
For students who wish to travel with the orchestra, there is an additional fee for trips. There are several fundraising and scholarship opportunities available.
Concerts
This year’s concert dates are as follows:
October 24- Fall Orchestra Concert
February 22- Future Ready Concert with Harding Middle School
March 2- Kennedy Honor Orchestra Festival (concert in the evening)
April 30- Spring Orchestra Concert
May 17- Symphonic Rock
Tickets are only required for the Honor Orchestra and Symphonic Rock Concerts. Use the link below to purchase tickets.
Orchestra Event Tickets
Is there a parent support group? How does a parent get involved?
The orchestra department welcomes any parent who would like to get involved and support the orchestra program. The parent group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. For more information, contact Kelly Faugn or Carrie Gray.