Chamber Orchestra

CONGRATULATIONS to the Dodgen MS Chamber Orchestra for winning 3rd Place in the A.S.T.A. National Orchestra Festival!!!!  

Chamber Orchestra concerts now complete for this school year.  Here are the rehearsal dates for the remainder of the school year:

Tuesday, April 15

Thursday, April 17

Tuesday, April 22

Thursday, April 24

Tuesday, April 29

Thursday, May 1---End of Year Celebration Breakfast

All rehearsals are 8:00AM-9:00AM. 

Chamber Orchestra Auditions for the 2025-2026 school year will be held during the weeks of April 28 and May 5.  Auditions will be held before school.  Sign-ups for auditions will be posted in the orchestra room by April 21. See Mrs.Culley or Mrs.Champion for more details.

Audition Requirements for 2025-2026:

Violin---2 octave A Major Scale and Arpeggio, and 30-second excerpt of a piece of your choice

Viola and Cello--- 2 octave D Major Scale and Arpeggio, and 30-second excerpt of a piece of your choice 

Bass--2 octave G Major Scale and Arpeggio,  1 octave F Major Scale, and 30-second excerpt of a piece of your choice

***Scales and arpeggios MUST be memorized.

***Students may choose to play a 3-octave scale for their audition.  Remember---INTONATION ACCURACY is most important.

2024-2025 Dodgen MS Chamber Orchestra Information 

Chamber Orchestra is an elite ensemble that requires consistent attendance and practice outside of rehearsals.  Chamber members are expected to come to rehearsals prepared.  This includes having all copies of the music, a pencil and instrument readily accessible for rehearsals.  Rehearsals will begin promptly at 8:00am.  Students must be at the front entrance of Dodgen at 8:00am on rehearsal mornings.  

Chamber Orchestra will rehearse on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00am-9:00am.    

Chamber Orchestra members are expected to have their music and a pencil with them at every rehearsal.   

Regular attendance is required for the success of the Dodgen Chamber Orchestra.  Students are allowed two tardies and two absences during the semester.  Please note that two tardies are the equivalent of one absence.  Please do not schedule doctor or dentist appointments during Chamber Orchestra rehearsals.  We have very limited rehearsal time.  

The Chamber Orchestra will perform at the A.S.T.A. National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta, GA on March 20-21.  More detailed information about this field trip will be available for Chamber Orchestra families before the end of August. Field Trip plans are still being made.  The Chamber Orchestra will have a N.O.F. Preview Concert at Dodgen.  The date and time of that concert will be announced soon. 

The Chamber Orchestra will perform at Walton High School on Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00pm.  This will be a combined concert with Dodgen Chamber, Walton Chamber and Dickerson Chamber Orchestras.  More detailed information about this concert will be sent home with students in mid-March.   

Additional rehearsals may be added if necessary.  Those dates/times would be sent to Chamber students at least one month prior to the rehearsal. 

The Dodgen Chamber Orchestra

The Dodgen Chamber Orchestra is an elite, audition-only ensemble for any interested 6th-8th grade orchestra student.  Chamber Orchestra has performed at invitation-only events at the state and national level.   In 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2024, the Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform at the Georgia Music Educator's Association In-Service Conference(the highest musical honor in the state).  In 2017, the Dodgen Chamber Orchestra won FIRST PLACE in the National Orchestra Festival---Middle School Division.  In 2019, the Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform at the United Nations in New York City.   In March 2020, the Chamber Orchestra performed at the National Orchestra Festival in Orlando, FL.  

     This ensemble is not only made up of outstanding musicians, but students who are mature and able to abide by a higher expectation that the average middle school student, with little parent guidance in regards to preparation and communication of information. All students accepted into Chamber Orchestra will be expected to attend rehearsals and any trips planned with the ensemble. Because it is such a small, elite group, full participation is expected from each and every member. Students will complete a membership contract, signed along with parental support. Please note, since Chamber Orchestra is an extracurricular ensemble, students may be removed at the discretion of the director at any time.