ENSEMBLES
SINFONIA
The Lamar Sinfonia is the premier string orchestra at Lamar High School. Sinfonia is comprised of the top string musicians in Lamar Orchestras and are expected to maintain academic eligibility throughout the year, practice consistently, sightread at a Level VI, and read and perform difficult music literature.
Entrance in the Sinfonia is by audition only. Sinfonia meets during 1st Period on A Days as well as afterschool Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-6:30PM.
PHILHARMONIA
The Lamar Philharmonia is the newest string orchestra at Lamar High School and serves dedicated string musicians who require further training in technique and musicianship before entry into Sinfonia. Philharmonia students are expected to maintain academic eligibility throughout the year, practice consistently, sightread at a Level IV, and read and perform intermediate music literature.
Entrance in the Philharmonia is by audition only. Philharmonia meets during 3rd Period on A Days as well as afterschool from 5-6:30PM.
AUDITION MATERIAL
2023-2024
All students must audition for placement in one of the two ensembles. Returning students audition during the Final Exam in May 2023. All other incoming students are automatically placed in Philharmonia for the first semester. Incoming students who wish to audition for placement in Sinfonia will audition via full video and audio recording, which will be send to Mr. Hale's email at donald.hale@houstonisd.org.
The auditions are in two parts and consist of a scale and a prepared excerpt. The scale and excerpt cut (if any) will be announced on the day of the audition. Students who wish to be considered for Sinfonia will need to perform a TWO or THREE OCTAVE scale.
PART I: SCALES
MAJOR SCALES: D, G, C, A, F, B-FLAT, E-Flat (up to three flats and three sharps)
MINOR SCALES: b, d, g, a, e, f#, c (up to three flats and three sharps)
PART II: PREPARED EXCERPTS
VIOLINS: MOZART - ALLEGRO FROM DIVERTIMENTO K.136 (EXPOSITION - M.1-42)
VIOLAS: GRIEG - PRAELUDE, FROM HOLBERG SUITE (M. 1-34)
CELLOS: PARRY - PRELUDE, FROM AN ENGLISH SUITE (LETTER D TO END)
BASSES: GRIEG - PRAELUDE, FROM HOLBERG SUITE (ALL)
SINFONIA PERSONNEL POSITIONS - FALL 2023
VIOLIN - (10)
VIOLA - (3)
CELLO - (3)
BASS - (1)



