Orchestral training

Kinder Orchestra

A small first orchestra for young string players with at least a year of private lessons behind them. No prior ensemble experience needed.
Portrait · a Kinder Orchestra player mid-phrase, bow on string
About the program

A first orchestra, kept small on purpose.

The Kinder Orchestra introduces young beginning strings students to orchestral playing. In this relatively small group, they learn important fundamentals of playing with others in an ensemble setting while still receiving close personal guidance.
The Kinder Orchestra rehearses and performs short, enjoyable arrangements for young string players. There are no strict age requirements, although members are generally under the age of 12.
Applicants must have had private individual instruction for at least one year, but prior orchestral or ensemble experience is not necessary. The Kinder Orchestra is featured twice a year in the annual Winter and Spring Concerts.
At a glance
Kinder Orchestra
Ages
Generally under 12, no strict requirement
Requirement
At least one year of private lessons
Ensemble experience
Not necessary
Meets
Saturdays, 1:00 to 2:30pm
Conductor
Olivia Martinez
Room
Orchestra Room 2
Performs
Twice a year, Winter and Spring Concerts
Times, room, and faculty are from the published 2025-26 Saturday schedule and are rechecked each season.
See the whole Saturday
Wide · Kinder Orchestra in rehearsal from the conductor’s position
A Kinder Orchestra player, bow on string
Moving up

Where Kinder Orchestra leads.

Kinder Orchestra prepares players for Sinfonia, a larger chamber orchestra for students who already have basic orchestral skills.
Each semester your child can audition for the next ensemble up, whenever they feel ready to handle its requirements. Those requirements are published, so you can read them together and decide when the time is right.
Sinfonia audition requirements:
Read about the next ensemble:

Not sure this is the right fit?

You don’t have to be. Every child auditions so faculty can hear where they are and how they learn, and they are placed where they will thrive. No child is turned away.