SantanJunior High

Dr. Samara Humbert-Hughes 

Orchestra 

hughes.samara@cusd80.com

Orchestra Descriptions: 

Santan's orchestra class is a ONE-YEAR Elective. Each orchestra meets 2-3 times per week for just over an hour each time.

Chamber Orchestra 

This orchestra is an audition-only orchestra with primarily 8th graders but also includes some serious 7th graders as well. It is recommended that students auditioning for Chamber Orchestra have taken or are currently taking private lessons and/or have participated in Honor Orchestra in 6th grade. If you would like to audition for chamber Orchestra, please send Dr. Samara Humbert-Hughes an email. 

In this orchestra, we work on advancing our skills on the bow and the left hand including working in various key signatures, learning how to play different bow strokes, and some basic shifting and vibrato concepts. The music we play in Chamber Orchestra is challenging and meant to work students to “the next level” both in reading music and playing skills. 

Chamber Orchestra gets to take a few Field Trips a year including at least one or two Orchestra Festivals where we go and play with and for other schools in the district. Chamber Orchestra performs three concerts at Santan each school year (December, February/March, and May).

Concert Orchestra 

Concert Orchestra is for students who have been playing their instrument already for 1-2 years. This orchestra does not require an audition.

In Concert Orchestra, we will work on advancing our posture on the instrument, note-reading skills, and learning about the different bow strokes. The music we play in Concert Orchestra includes both unison pieces as well as pieces which introduce independent parts (playing in harmony). 

Concert Orchestra gets to take a few Field Trips a year including an Orchestra Festival in May. Concert Orchestra performs three concert at Santan each school year (December, February/March, and May)