Extra Playing Opportunities


Nagel Fiddle Group - This group is open to all orchestra students and stars up around the second quarter. The Bluegrass Ensemble performs at the FHIMA Spaghetti Dinner and some of the regular orchestra concerts. We meet on Tuesdays from 2:30 - 3:20.


Solo & Ensemble Contest - Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the annual Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) Solo & Ensemble Contest. The purpose of this event is to promote and encourage students to improve basic musicianship through performing solo and ensemble literature. This is an assessment available to every orchestra student in the state of Ohio. Students who are taking private lessons are strongly encouraged to participate in this event. There are several classifications the students can compete in such as solo, duet, trio, and ensemble. The OMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest is held on April 5.


District 14 Honor Orchestra - This is a highly selected orchestra composed of the best middle school musicians in the Cincinnati are. Students who are interested in this orchestra will play an audition at Nagel and the selected finalists will be eligible to participate in this ensemble. Look for information to be sent home in late January/early February.


Rock Orchestra - This group is dedicated to breaking all the rules of traditional orchestra class. Many students play electric instruments (although NOT required) and we perform different genres of music, but mainly ROCK. Although this group is fun, you must still be dedicated to practice and prepare the music and attend all rehearsals!


There are also a number of year-long ensembles in the Cincinnati area that you can audition for, including the Blue Ash Youth Symphony, Cincinnati Junior Strings, and Northern Kentucky Youth Symphonies. Please contact me if you are interested in auditioning for one of these ensembles.


Other ensembles will be created accordingly throughout the year per student interest!