New 2011 - 2012 Orchestra Teacher

Rosie Riquelme
Collins Hill HS

Orchestra Program Description

High School Orchestra Program

Gwinnett County Public Schools offers a comprehensive orchestra program in sixteen high schools with a total of 2,375 orchestra students enrolled. As a continuation of the middle school orchestra program, which begins at the 6th grade level, students may continue their orchestra participation in the 9th through 12th grades. Students enrolled in high school orchestra have a variety of performing classes from beginning to advanced levels from which to choose.

The high school orchestra curriculum offers increased performance opportunities such as local school concerts and community events. In addition to the school orchestras many students participate in orchestras such as the Gwinnett County Public Schools honor orchestras, the Gwinnett County Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Kendall Honor Orchestra. Other area youth orchestras in which students participate are the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony, Buckhead Youth Orchestra, Ludwig Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. In addition students are chosen through competitive audition for the All-State Orchestra and the Governor’s Honors Program. High school orchestras have won many awards at the state, national and international level. Gwinnett County Public Schools orchestras have placed first in the National Orchestra Festival and have performed at Carnegie Hall, The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference.

Middle School Orchestra Program

Gwinnett County Public Schools students have the opportunity to join the middle school orchestra program as a sixth grade student. The orchestra program provides instruction on the following bowed string instruments: violin, viola, cello and string bass. No previous experience is required and upon joining the orchestra program, students become part of a seven-year curriculum which focuses on the AKS for orchestra.

Students enrolled in the middle school orchestras have many opportunities for performance at the local school, county, state, and national levels. Orchestra students are encouraged to not only become proficient as a performer, but to also appreciate all music and its importance in society.

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Music Department, click here for GSMST Orchestra Clip

The Gwinnett School of Mathematics Science and Technology's (GSMST) Music Department is comprised of a diverse student body providing an enlightening and enriched learning environment. GSMST is Gwinnett's first charter school serving students from the greater school system, and music instruction is tailored to meet the needs of this unique population. Courses are offered at various levels in Music Technology, Band, Chorus, Strings, and Piano. Over 50% of the student body participates in the music department.

The GSMST Orchestra program is comprised by over 20% of the student body. Participation in the Honors Orchestra is determined by audition. In addition to enhancing their performance skills, students learn music history, theory, and composition. Since the group's inception in 2007, they have received all "Superior" ratings at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, and members participate in local and state-wide honor groups. The ensemble has been called "Best of the Weekend" by judges at the Carowinds Music Festival in 2009, and plans to travel to China in the Spring of 2011.