Welcome Future Mavericks!
Welcome to the McNeil High School Orchestra! We are thrilled to have you join our musical family as you take this exciting step toward becoming part of one of the most vibrant and talented organizations on campus.
Being a part of the Maverick Orchestra means more than just playing music—it means developing as a musician, working together with your peers, and creating unforgettable experiences. Our orchestra is known for its commitment to excellence, teamwork, and a passion for music that extends beyond the classroom. Whether you're a seasoned musician or still building your skills, this next school year is going to be full of growth, fun, and memorable performances.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Mr. Justin Anderson
Being a part of the Maverick Orchestra means more than just playing music—it means developing as a musician, working together with your peers, and creating unforgettable experiences. Our orchestra is known for its commitment to excellence, teamwork, and a passion for music that extends beyond the classroom. Whether you're a seasoned musician or still building your skills, this next school year is going to be full of growth, fun, and memorable performances.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Collaborative Environment: You’ll be working with passionate musicians who share your love for music. Together, we will make incredible music and support each other throughout the year.
- Performance Opportunities: From concerts and competitions, you will have the chance to showcase your hard work and talent in front of an audience.
- Fun & Engaging Rehearsals: Expect rehearsals that challenge you and help you develop your musical skills. We value hard work, but we also believe in making the process fun and rewarding.
- New Friendships & Connections: The orchestra is a wonderful place to make lasting friendships with fellow musicians. The memories you create will be some of the best from your high school years.
Mr. Justin Anderson
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What orchestras do we have?
The Maverick Orchestra program is growing in size and talent every year! We currently offer three performing orchestras and a NEW beginner strings course! Here at McNeil High School, there is a place for all musicians in orchestra!
BEGINNING STRINGS - NEW COURSE
All students are welcome to join this course, and no orchestra experience is required. This group is comprised of first year musicians or students learning a 2nd instrument. The instruments taught in this course are violin, viola, cello, and double bass. This course is great for students wanting to learn a new musical instrument, pursue a music career, or even join the orchestra community. The Beginning Strings class has no after-school rehearsal components.
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Members of this orchestra are mostly freshmen and sophomores, and are experienced instrumental musicians who focus on building solid fundamentals, developing music reading skills, strengthening listening skills, and gaining leadership experience.
The Concert Orchestra performs traditional concerts each year and participates in the UIL String Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contest. Members of the Concert Orchestra are highly encouraged to participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. All students must have a minimum of 2 years of string playing experience. This group is comprised of a mixture of students from all grades.
The Concert Orchestra has no extra rehearsal component.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Musicians in this orchestra are predominantly upperclassmen whose experience and achievement allow them to focus on refining their instrumental techniques, and musicianship skills while experiencing increasingly sophisticated repertoire. Students are highly encouraged to be enrolled in private lessons. Technical skills necessary to handle the technical demands of this group's repertoire include: all students must be comfortable up to 5th position; violas must be able to read treble clef and cellos must be able to read tenor clef; cellos and basses must be able to play in thumb position.
The Philharmonic Orchestra performs traditional concerts, provides music for campus events and participates in both the UIL Full Orchestra and UIL String Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contests.
Additionally, members of the Philharmonic are encouraged to participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest.
There is a mandatory rehearsal every Thursday from 4:30-6:00PM for the Philharmonic Orchestra from January until May.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Symphony Orchestra at McNeil High School stands as the pinnacle ensemble of musical excellence. The orchestra boasts a majority of its members as All-Region Orchestra students, showcasing their outstanding musical prowess.
The orchestra is comprised of mainly upperclassmen with a few highly talented underclassmen. All students should be enrolled in private lessons. Technical skills necessary to handle the rigors of this group are the ability to play beyond 7th position in all instruments; violas must be able to sight-read in treble clef, and cellos must be able to sight-read in tenor clef; cellos and basses must be comfortable playing in thumb position. This orchestra performs high level repertoire. There is a mandatory rehearsal every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00PM for the Symphony Orchestra from August until May.
*Entrance auditions are required for all orchestras. These auditions will take place March through April
All students are welcome to join this course, and no orchestra experience is required. This group is comprised of first year musicians or students learning a 2nd instrument. The instruments taught in this course are violin, viola, cello, and double bass. This course is great for students wanting to learn a new musical instrument, pursue a music career, or even join the orchestra community. The Beginning Strings class has no after-school rehearsal components.
CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Members of this orchestra are mostly freshmen and sophomores, and are experienced instrumental musicians who focus on building solid fundamentals, developing music reading skills, strengthening listening skills, and gaining leadership experience.
The Concert Orchestra performs traditional concerts each year and participates in the UIL String Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contest. Members of the Concert Orchestra are highly encouraged to participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. All students must have a minimum of 2 years of string playing experience. This group is comprised of a mixture of students from all grades.
The Concert Orchestra has no extra rehearsal component.
PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Musicians in this orchestra are predominantly upperclassmen whose experience and achievement allow them to focus on refining their instrumental techniques, and musicianship skills while experiencing increasingly sophisticated repertoire. Students are highly encouraged to be enrolled in private lessons. Technical skills necessary to handle the technical demands of this group's repertoire include: all students must be comfortable up to 5th position; violas must be able to read treble clef and cellos must be able to read tenor clef; cellos and basses must be able to play in thumb position.
The Philharmonic Orchestra performs traditional concerts, provides music for campus events and participates in both the UIL Full Orchestra and UIL String Orchestra Concert and Sight-reading Contests.
Additionally, members of the Philharmonic are encouraged to participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest.
There is a mandatory rehearsal every Thursday from 4:30-6:00PM for the Philharmonic Orchestra from January until May.
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Symphony Orchestra at McNeil High School stands as the pinnacle ensemble of musical excellence. The orchestra boasts a majority of its members as All-Region Orchestra students, showcasing their outstanding musical prowess.
The orchestra is comprised of mainly upperclassmen with a few highly talented underclassmen. All students should be enrolled in private lessons. Technical skills necessary to handle the rigors of this group are the ability to play beyond 7th position in all instruments; violas must be able to sight-read in treble clef, and cellos must be able to sight-read in tenor clef; cellos and basses must be comfortable playing in thumb position. This orchestra performs high level repertoire. There is a mandatory rehearsal every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00PM for the Symphony Orchestra from August until May.
*Entrance auditions are required for all orchestras. These auditions will take place March through April
Do we travel?
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Yeah we do! Mavericks love to travel! The orchestra travels for our annual Spring Trip! Some examples of trip we have had are:
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Do I have to Audition to be in orchestra?
All students wanting to be placed in a currently performing orchestra (Concert, Philharmonic, Symphony), must do the audition process. However, if you do not have any musical experience, join Beginner Orchestra! This is a great place to start your journey into the orchestra world! Beginner students still get all of the benefits of the program including travel!
The audition packets and upload portal will open the Monday after Spring Break, and students will have approximately 3-weeks to turn in their audition. All auditions are video submissions, so no need to schedule an appointment. Also, this allows you to record your audition several times and submit the best audition possible!
More information can be found here!
The audition packets and upload portal will open the Monday after Spring Break, and students will have approximately 3-weeks to turn in their audition. All auditions are video submissions, so no need to schedule an appointment. Also, this allows you to record your audition several times and submit the best audition possible!
More information can be found here!