Raleigh Children's Orchestra

The Raleigh Children's Orchestra

Ilse Wells Mann, Conductor
Molly Olah, Tanya Suggs, Deborah Tang, Coaches

The Raleigh Children's Orchestra is a multilevel string orchestra for students in grades two through seven. It is open to all string players who have played their instruments for six months or more. Many members have played their instruments for a number of years and provide leadership for those with less experience. Through weekly rehearsals students gain fluency in playing, ensemble experience, and confidence in performing. Emphasis is on listening skills and understanding rhythm. Parts with string names and finger numbers are available for those students who are still developing their music reading skills. RCO is intended to be a supplement to the instruction the members get in their school orchestras, their Suzuki lessons, and their private lessons.

Rehearsals and Concerts

Rehearsals and concerts are held on Thursday afternoon/evenings at the Sertoma Arts Center (1400 W. Millbrook Road in Raleigh.) During the school year there are two rehearsal sections (4:45 - 5:55 and 6:00 - 7:10); these are offered for scheduling convenience and more personal rehearsals. Both groups combine from 5:30 to 7:00 for three rehearsals before each concert. The summer session begins the first Thursday after the Wake County Schools recess in June through the concert the last Thursday in July. The one group in the summer meets from 5:45 to 7:00, giving the children incentive to play their instruments during vacation as well as weekly tunings.

Registration

Students may join in August for the first semester, in January for the second semester, in March for the second half of the second semester, or in June for the summer session. There are no auditions. Concerts are scheduled for November, March, May, and July. In addition to their instruments, students need to provide a music stand, a pencil, and a 3 ring binder.

Registration can be done in person at any Raleigh community center or online at RecLink.raleighnc.gov.

Class Fees and Registration Dates

For information about fees and registrations dates, contact one of the following:

Sertoma Arts Center
(919) 420-2329
Pullen Arts Center
(919) 831-6126
Ilse Mann (conductor)
(919) 781-3812 or Ilse@MannMusicStudios.com

Some partial scholarships are available; contact Ilse Mann for scholarship information.

History

The Raleigh Children's Orchestra (originally named the Raleigh Preparatory String Orchestra) has been in existence since 1983. Over the years it has been instrumental in giving hundreds of young string players a valuable foundation in ensemble playing, the incentive to keep playing, and an introduction to the joys of making music together.

Many members go on to play in their middle and high school orchestras, the All State orchestras, the Philharmonic Association's orchestras, Governor's School, and college orchestras.