Orchestra

The Orchestra Magnet at Stivers School for the Arts focuses on developing each student’s skills as a soloist and as a performance group member.  The program is designed for students who play an orchestral instrument and who want to obtain an in-depth education in performance.  Our goal is to develop independent, expressive, and versatile musicians. Orchestra magnet students are expected to perform at the highest level.  The high expectations at Stivers allow students to excel in their magnet.  The course is demanding, but fulfilling.  Students are required to play every day and practice every night.  They are also expected to participate in recitals and in solo and ensemble contests.  Students receive a grade as they would in any academic course.  There are three levels of performance groups based upon skill progression:  Entry Level, Developing Level, which is the Chamber Orchestra, and Highest Level, the Philharmonia Orchestra.

 

Besides these, there are also chamber ensembles, which are groups of three to six students.  These ensembles perform both within and outside of school.  One such ensemble is the Next Wave Strings, an afterschool, all-volunteer high school group.  It is student-led, and facilitated by Lois Ramey.  This eclectic group performs diverse music ranging from Kashmir, an alternative group, to Led Zeppelin, The Police, and Coldplay.  Students use their classical skills and apply them to different genres of music.

 

Applied individual lessons are the backbone of the program and they help to develop a student’s core performance skills.  These lessons are taught by applied adjunct staff composed of local professional musicians.

 

In addition, students are encouraged to participate in outside activities.  Past students have participated in the Dayton Volunteer Association Competition for Young Musicians, the Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings Orchestra and Concerto Competition, and the Muse Machine Pit Orchestra.  This fall, students were also selected to perform in the OMEA Southwest Regional Orchestra and the Ohio University Honors Orchestra.  In addition, Stivers School for the Arts Orchestra members participate in the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Junior Strings Orchestra, the Springfield Youth Orchestra, and the Muse Machine Orchestra.  Students are also encouraged to attend summer music camps like the Sphinx Performance Academy in Detroit, the All-State Orchestra, or the OMEA Regional Orchestra.

 

Stivers Orchestra graduates have attended fine colleges and universities such as:  Oberlin, Baldwin Wallace College, Butler University, University of Dayton, Ohio State University, Vanderbilt, University of Colorado, University of Denver, Ohio University, Miami University (Ohio), and Bowling Green University, among others.

 

One of the unique aspects of the program at Stivers is the multi-age mentoring that happens among students.  Students help each other, care about each other, and develop strong peer relationships.

 

Instruments are available for student use while in the Orchestra Magnet, and all students are required to pay an orchestra magnet fee. 

 

Magnet Fees

Magnet fees for the Orchestra program fund the following:

  • Sheet music

  • Music Supplies (rosin, strings, rock stops, shoulder rests, etc.)

  • Uniforms (concert attire)

  • Instrument repairs and instrument replacement

  • Transportation to competitions and field trips

  • Competition fees

  • Guest performers and master classes

  • Concert tickets to performances (field trips)

Full-time Faculty
Lois Ramey
Michael Mangan

 

Applied Music Faculty
Cello: Jennifer Jaromin
String Bass: Nick Greenberg
Violin: Goldye Kopmar
Violin: Janice Brenneman and K. Frazier Robinson
Viola: Mark Ries

 

For more information, please contact Lois Ramey at lcramey@dps.k12.oh.us.

 

For audition information for Grades 7-8, please go to the 7-8 Audition Information page HERE.

For audition information for Grades 9-12, please go to the 9-12 Audition Information page HERE.

 

For performance information and schedules, please go to the calendar.


 

OMEA Rating Scale

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Rating I -An outstanding performance with very few technical errors and exemplifying a truly musical expression

Rating II- An unusual performance in many respects but not worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects in performance, ineffective interpretation or improper instrumentation.

Rating III- An acceptable performance showing accomplishment and marked promise, but lacking in one or more essential qualities.

Rating IV- Poor performance- Showing many technical errors, poor musical conception