School Spotlight: Stillwater Area High School Concert Orchestra

Today's audio features the Stillwater Area High School (SAHS) Concert Orchestra led by Jerry Jones at their June 2012 concert.

7:15 a.m. and p.m.

• Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op. 46, No. 8

The Stillwater High School Orchestra program has been in existence since 1918, gaining a state and nationwide reputation for excellence in the last 25 years. In 1925, the ensemble was made up of 12 instruments, and in the subsequent nine decades, has grown to a full concert orchestra.

Drawing from a wide geographical area, string students in the Stillwater district can begin in orchestra as young as fifth grade. With string programs in each of the ten elementary schools, three in each of the two middle schools and four orchestras in the high school, the number of participating string students in the district is just under one thousand. Both the middle and high school ensembles consistently obtain high honors at contests like the MNSOTA Jr. High/Middle School Orchestra contest and the Minnesota State High School League Large Group Contests.

In recognition of their quality reputation and commitment, junior and senior students in the Concert Orchestra (as well as the Choir and Concert Wind Symphony) are given College in Schools credit by Century College. It is no wonder that the Stillwater School District was named as one of the 100 Best Communities for Music Education in America in the year 2000.

So how has the program managed to maintain such a good standing in the music education world? Jerry Jones, director of the high school Concert Orchestra wrote: "Two things: high-quality instruction and community support. Our string teachers are the best of the best and the Stillwater community has come to expect a level of quality that is unmatched."

A feature on the SAHS Concert Orchestra was originally published on Jan. 4, 2013.