The Upper String Ensemble is a new highlight that is being added to orchestra in the high school, which is creating a lot of excitement in the music department.
“Next year we are doing something completely new to Commack High School where instead of having a ninth and tenth grade orchestra or and eleventh and twelfth grade orchestra what we’re doing is dividing it up into an Upper String Ensemble and a Lower String Ensemble,” said Dr. Frank Hansen.
Normally, the orchestra classes are split up between lower and upper classmen, but next year things will be different. The classes will be split up into an Upper String Ensemble and a Lower String Ensemble.
“The Upper String Ensemble will be by audition and the students who don’t want to audition and the incoming ninth graders will be in the Lower String Ensemble,” said Dr. Hansen.
The Upper String Ensemble will be by audition which the students will have to be playing a NYSMA solo level four and above and some scales too.
“Concerto D Minor,” said freshman Davin J.
That is the song that one of the people auditioning is playing.
Having the Upper String Ensemble is an adjustment that everyone will have to get used to, especially since this is the first time that the high school has done something like this.
“Well it’s different for us because ever since I’ve been here which is almost 30 years we’ve had it divided by grade level and so now it’s going to be more in terms of musical ability and so that really changes the things that we’re going to play for certain,” said Dr. Hansen.
Even though this is a huge adjustment, many students are excited for this change.
“I’m really excited,” said freshman Kayla J. ◼️
