The symphony orchestra is the advanced ensemble at Dow High School. Students must pass a rigorous audition to be eligible for this ensemble. This class meets for a hour every day and is a string orchestra 60% of the time. However, twice a week the symphonic band sends volunteer students to participate in orchestra, and those students create the full symphony orchestra. Students are expected to have a high proficiency on their instruments. The music played in this ensemble often includes original transcriptions rather than arrangements. This ensemble performs 7 – 8 times over the coarse of the year. These students also often have the opportunity to work with college professors in sectionals. They have worked with professors from Alma College, Central Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University.
In addition to all of these in-class activities, students can participate in extra events. These events include, but are not limited to District Solo and Ensemble, State Solo and Ensemble, Band and Orchestra Festival, All-State Honors Orchestra, Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Orchestra, Mid-Michigan Band and Orchestra Day, as well as numerous collegiate honors orchestras and chamber music festivals.
The honors orchestra is the most advanced string ensemble at Dow High School. Students must pass a rigorous audition to be eligible for this ensemble. All honors orchestra members are also members of the symphony orchestra. This chamber orchestra rehearses for two hours after school on Mondays. Students practice on their own to be ready for these limited rehearsals. Students in the honors orchestra play professional -level music. They perform approximately 15 times over the course of the year. This ensemble often represents Midland Public Schools in the community, performing at extra events for Northwood University, Creative 360, and the Gerstacker Awards.
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ABOUT AMANDA THOMS
Amanda Thoms is a former student of the Flint School of Performing Arts, Bachelor of Music Education from Grand Valley State University, Orchestra Director at Midland Public Schools including Midland Dow High School, Central Middle School, Chestnut Hill Elementary, Carpenter Elementary, and Eastlawn Elementary. She has studied under Dylana Jenson, MingHuan Xu, Eric Tanner, and Gregory Maytan.
about
the 50 state
string orchestra project
2022-2024
The 50 State String Orchestra Project is a large-scale consortium commission that is bringing new music to classrooms and concert halls all over the US in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with educational and community orchestras in all 50 states commissioning a new piece for string orchestra, similar in difficulty level and scope to Stephanie’s 2011 work for string orchestra Beyond the Gate. Her consortium commissions for chamber music have already brought new string-centered music all across the world, from her 50 State Sonata Project for violin + piano, inspired by the work of her teacher John Kendall, and her World Sonata Project, which was commissioned by violinists from 35 countries in 2016.