Expectations for each musician in the orchestra are:

• Take instrument home each night to practice a minimum of 30 minutes.

• Have all materials necessary to play in class each day.

• Be prepared to play every day.

• Pass all classes to maintain eligibility status. 

The Chamber Orchestra:  This orchestra is for the more aggressive musicians who are very dedicated to the art of string playing. 

The Symphony Orchestra:  Freshman thru senior year students make up this large performing group.  The wind & percussion players are added to the strings from the Excellent Raider Band program. 

The Philharmonic Orchestra:  This group of students are in the development stage of performance and is not quite ready for the Symphony.  Open to all classes.

The Freshman Orchestra:  New to Lee, the freshman form their own performing group and learn to perform in a larger group setting.  

Fiddling and Country Music:  This is for Violinist who want to learn alternative styles of violin performance.  Students must audition for Mr. Grinnell.  A limited number of guitar and bass players will be used in the class.

Each student has will audition for a performing group each year. The Orchestra is directed by Michael Grinnell who has been teaching in Tyler since 1999.  He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelors degree in Music Education (1981) and Master of Music (1983) in String Pedagogy.

Fun Stuff

The orchestra has activities during the year for fun and fellowship away from music.  There is a softball game, movie nights, Christmas reception, and times to celebrate our performances.  The student officers are in charge of planning and implementing these events. 

Here are just a few pictures of our latest softball game.