Private lessons are highly encouraged for all Hersey orchestra members. Several string teachers are available to teach private lessons during the school day at Hersey. You can learn more about these lessons at https://www.ce.d214.org/music-lessons. If you are have additional questions, please contact Mr. Kuzmanoff directly at Christopher.Kuzmanoff@D214.org.
The following opportunities are open to students involved in the JHHS orchestra program.
● IMEA District 7 and All State Festivals: Interested students will
audition for the District IX Orchestra. Students who place highly in the District IX Orchestra may be selected to participate in the All State Festival. The All State Festival takes place in Peoria during the Illinois Music Educators Convention in January.
● Fall Musical Pit Orchestra: Every Spring, JHHS puts on a musical that provides instrumental students an opportunity to perform in a large scale stage production. Depending on the number of students interested in participating, there may be an audition to be a part of this ensemble. Past productions have included Evita, Little Women, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde and Chicago.
● District 214 Honors Orchestra: Each spring, orchestra and band students have the opportunity to audition to be a part of the District 214 Honors Orchestra. This ensemble is made up of dedicated, high achieving instrumentalist from all of District 214. This ensemble rehearses throughout the year and focus on advanced full orchestra literature.
The orchestra director uses Remind, a text and emailing service, in addition to Schoology emails to send out information. Please contact Christopher.Kuzmanoff@D214.org for the Remind code.
Yes, the orchestra does occasionally travel out of state and sometimes out of country. Past trips have included:
Carnegie Hall
St. Louis
Nashville
New Orleans