As of this year string players of the Lindenhurst High School have only had the opportunity to join one orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Lombardo. Next year that all changes! String players will be divided into two orchestras. There will be a String and Symphony orchestra. What is the difference? According to Mrs. Lombardo, who will direct both orchestras, the “String orchestra will meet every day as a full year course…This ensemble is designed to suit the needs of intermediate string players and will help students prepare for Symphony Orchestra, which will now be an advanced level orchestra.” This will be available for players grades 9 through 12. Luke Savinetti thinks, “this is a good move.” But what are the downsides to the way it is now?

Having just one orchestra makes it challenging to pick music that suits all students. Students that vary in playing level and understanding of music. For instance, a certain piece can suit one student, while it might not be challenging enough to another. Growth in a students ability to play their instrument and play as an ensemble is necessary for the improvement of the orchestra in its entirety. “Having two levels of orchestra will help meet students needs for level appropriate music repertoire,” says Mrs. Lombardo who thinks of this as a huge step forward for the orchestra program. Maly Rodriguez a violinist of the orchestra agrees with this statement.  She states, “It’s easier because your will be with people of the same level. The orchestra will sound good.¨ Change will also enable the orchestra  to be well represented in future endeavors such as competitions. This separate assemble concept has been open to band students for a quite some time yet absent for orchestra students for ten plus years! Mrs. Lombardo is looking forward to working with both orchestras next year and “watching the high school orchestra…continue to grow.”