Orchestra Ensembles (3rd–12th)

The Geneva Orchestra Program, directed by Eric Mendez and Henry Spears, seeks to cultivate the musical gifts given to each of us by God, developing those skills through the active study, practice, and collective performance of string and orchestral works. The mission of the orchestra program is to nurture a love and enjoyment for instrumental music, cultivating proficiency on a string instrument of choice, learning musical elements, and sharing this learned knowledge with the community.

Geneva orchestra students are encouraged to have fun, make lifelong connections, and glorify God through the performance of music and development of their character. In order to achieve these goals, every student must be diligent in striving to meet the fundamental requirements needed for a successful ensemble.


Geneva Orchestra Requirements

  • Students must own or rent an instrument for usage during rehearsals and performances.
  • Students must be able to commit to the respective weekly rehearsals and performances based upon grade level.
  • Students must be able to show a continued interest in developing their musical skill on their instrument through the seeking of further instruction. Private lessons are preferred and highly encouraged, but not mandatory.

Philharmonia Orchestra

  • For beginner/intermediate string musicians in grades 3–6
  • Dates: September 5–December 19 / January 13–May 5
  • Time: 3:30–4:30 pm Mondays and Thursdays
  • Place: Lower school instrumental music room
  • Fee: $300 per semester ($400 for non-TGS students). Students registered for the first semester will receive a $100 discount when they register for the second semester.
  • Students will perform at Lessons and Carols (Thursday, December 19, 2024) and the Spring String Showcase (Thursday, May 1, 2025).

Chamber Orchestra

  • For intermediate/advanced string musicians in grades 6–12 who have achieved a high degree of proficiency on their instrument and reflect a dedication to further their development in the musical arts
  • This is an auditioned ensemble. Information about what is required at the audition can be found here. Auditions will be held on Monday, August 12, in the Riley Arena band room from 7:10–8:50 am. Sign up for an audition time using this Google Sheet.
  • Dates: September 4–December 16 / January 8–May 21
  • Time: 7:15–8:15 am, Mondays and Wednesdays
  • Place: Riley Arena band room
  • Fee: $300 per semester ($400 for non-TGS students). Students registered for the first semester will receive a $100 discount when they register for the second semester.
  • Students will perform at the Upper School Christmas Concert (Friday, December 6, 2024), the Spring String Showcase (Thursday, May 1, 2025), and the Baccalaureate Service (Thursday, May 22, 2025).

Have Questions or Comments?

Please submit the following form and someone will be in touch very soon.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
The Geneva School
The Geneva School
May 20, 2025
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 16, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Volunteer Brunch

    Date: May 20, 2025 - May 20, 2025
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Closing Ceremony Rehearsal

    Date: May 20, 2025 - May 20, 2025
    Time: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

May 21, 2025
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 16, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 11th Exam Schedule (Exam #1 History / Exam #2 Math)

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 8:20 am- 10:30 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony Rehearsal

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
    See more details

  • K - Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm
    See more details

May 22, 2025
  • 7th–8th Half Day Schedule

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 9th–11th Exam Schedule (Exam #1-English / Exam #2-Science)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • US Early Dismissal 12:30

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Knights at Play

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am- 2:50 pm
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Konieczny)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 8:15 am- 9:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Stewart)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 9:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Petrak)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 10:15 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - End-of-Year Lunch

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 11:15 am- 11:45 am
    See more details

  • K - End-of-Year Lunch

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 11:40 am- 12:35 pm
    See more details

  • Baccalaureate Service

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

May 23, 2025
  • 7th–10th Exam Schedule (Exam #1-History / Exam #2-Math)

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Early Dismissal - Last Day of School

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 1st-6th Gr - End-of-Year Parties

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • Commencement Ceremony

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 2:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

May 20, 2025
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 16, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Volunteer Brunch

    Date: May 20, 2025 - May 20, 2025
    Time: 8:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Closing Ceremony Rehearsal

    Date: May 20, 2025 - May 20, 2025
    Time: 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
    See more details

May 21, 2025
  • Senior Trip

    Date: May 16, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 11th Exam Schedule (Exam #1 History / Exam #2 Math)

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 6th Gr - Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 8:20 am- 10:30 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony Rehearsal

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
    See more details

  • K - Closing Ceremony

    Date: May 21, 2025 - May 21, 2025
    Time: 1:00 pm- 2:00 pm
    See more details

May 22, 2025
  • 7th–8th Half Day Schedule

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 9th–11th Exam Schedule (Exam #1-English / Exam #2-Science)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • US Early Dismissal 12:30

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Knights at Play

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am- 2:50 pm
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Konieczny)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 8:15 am- 9:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Stewart)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 9:15 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - Closing Ceremony (Petrak)

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 10:15 am- 11:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 - End-of-Year Lunch

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 11:15 am- 11:45 am
    See more details

  • K - End-of-Year Lunch

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 11:40 am- 12:35 pm
    See more details

  • Baccalaureate Service

    Date: May 22, 2025 - May 22, 2025
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

May 23, 2025
  • 7th–10th Exam Schedule (Exam #1-History / Exam #2-Math)

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Early Dismissal - Last Day of School

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • 1st-6th Gr - End-of-Year Parties

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 8:00 am- 12:00 pm
    See more details

  • Commencement Ceremony

    Date: May 23, 2025 - May 23, 2025
    Time: 2:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

Recent Stories from Geneva's Blog

Wisdom and Eloquence: Worldview and Formation

By Christina Walker

In this series of blog posts that explore the book Wisdom and Eloquence by Ro…

Wisdom and Eloquence: Integration and Inspiration

By Christina Walker

It’s been a minute since we visited Wisdom and Eloquence, but now we’re g…

Wisdom and Eloquence: Our “Hope-Filled” Goal

By Christina Walker

Society is constantly changing; in the midst of that constant change, we are …

A Thousand Words

By Christina Walker

If a picture is worth a thousand words, it would take volumes to impart the s…