Naperville North Orchestra

The highest human aspirations are presented through music as an art form. Music is experienced through sensitive perception and reaction. Orchestra study at Naperville North High School provides opportunities for producing, analyzing, conceptualizing, and evaluating music with the expectation that students will develop a personal sense of value for music in their lives.

Concert Orchestra

Concert Orchestra is for all incoming string students and develops students’ individual and ensemble musicianship. Class work includes individual work on both technical skills and overall musicianship. Concert Orchestra combines at various times for performances with the Symphonic Orchestra and also musicians in the band program. The orchestra performs several concerts each year, including both string orchestra concerts and full orchestra concerts. All of these performances, while outside of the school hours, are considered part of the course requirements and attendance is expected. Opportunity is also given students to perform in small ensembles, as soloists, and as members of the musical pit orchestra.

Chamber Orchestra

Chamber Orchestra is for string students selected by previous performance as a member of Concert Orchestra or by private audition for transfer students. Chamber Orchestra is the intermediate level orchestra at Naperville North High School. String and theory lessons from Concert Orchestra are drawn upon to move toward a more sophisticated level of performance. This orchestra combines with the Wind Symphony for a full orchestral experience. This orchestra also combines on occasion with the Symphonic Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra for large string ensemble works. Opportunity is also given students to perform in small ensembles, as soloists, and as members of the musical pit orchestra.

Symphonic Orchestra

Symphonic Orchestra is for string students selected by previous performance as a member of Concert Orchestra or by private audition for transfer students. Class work includes individual work on both technical skills and overall musicianship with emphasis on developing leadership skills for the string musician. Symphonic Orchestra combines with the top musicians of Symphonic Band to form the full sized Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra performs many concerts each year including both string orchestra concerts and Symphony Orchestra concerts. All performances, while outside of school hours, are considered part of the course requirements and attendance is expected. Opportunity is also given students to perform in small ensembles, as soloists, and as members of the pit orchestra for the musical.

Co-curricular Ensembles

At Naperville North there are three string based ensembles that rehearse outside of school:

The Renaissance Music Project works collaboratively with the band and choir in the study of music from the renaissance. Some of the most beautiful music in the Western tradition comes from this period of composition. The season culminates with the Renaissance Music Concert in December. To participate in this ensemble an audition is required.

The Bluegrass Fiddlers focus on American folk music and is the only non-audition extra-curricular group. It is an inclusive ensemble full of exciting performance opportunities.

The Bella Corda Ensemble is an advanced string group that focuses on music from the Romantic era. This group travels frequently to colleges and universities to workshop with professors and present new repertoire. To participate in this ensemble an audition is required.

More Information about the Director

Dana Green, Orchestra Director (more)