The Bloomingdale Orchestra program consists of a Beginner Orchestra for ages 8 – 11 and an Intermediate Orchestra for ages 10 – 14. The focus of these ensembles is to train students in how to participate in a large ensemble, reinforce technique that they are learning in their private lessons, and have fun playing new repertoire.
Engaging music students in orchestral settings fosters teamwork and refining their musical skills collaboratively. The experience cultivates listening and performing within a shared sense of community, the basis for a well-rounded instrumental education.
Practice blending with fellow players and following a conductor.
Students will engage in musicianship activities that reinforce listening to their peers and basic theory skills.
Create friendships in a shared environment of music-making.
*Currently accepting students for Fall 2026 Enrollment*
Open by Audition for ages 8-11
Students must have played their instrument for a minimum of 1 year and be able to read notes within the staff.
Open to string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students.
Players learn how to play in an ensemble setting while following a conductor, learn the importance of playing together as one, balancing sound, matching pitch and tone, and perform at the end of the semester.
Conductor:
Dr. Rebekah Griffin Greene
Schedule:
Meets every Thursday 5:00pm – 6:00pm
First Rehearsal: September 17, 2026
Last Rehearsal: January 28, 2027
Concert Date:
TBD
Price:
$561.00 per 17 week semester
Audition Requirements:
– 1 solo piece that shows your best technical level
– 2 major scales one octave up and down
– short sight-reading assessment
Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Beginner Chamber Orchestra at the button below.
For More Details Contact:
Dr. Rebekah Griffin Greene
Beginner & Intermediate Orchestra Director
rgreene@bsmny.org
*Currently accepting students for Fall 2026 Enrollment*
Open by Audition for ages 10-14
Students must have played their instrument for a minimum of 2 years and be able to read notes within the staff and up to two ledger lines outside of staff.
Open to string, brass, woodwind, and percussion students.
Students with experience on their instruments for two years or more will join peers playing orchestral works new and old, make music with their instrumental sections and the wider orchestral setting, and perform at the end of the semester.
Conductor:
Dr. Rebekah Griffin Greene
Schedule:
Meets every Wednesday 5:30pm-6:45pm
First Rehearsal: September 16, 2026
Last Rehearsal: January 27, 2027
Concert Date:
TBD
Price:
$561.00 per 17 week semester
Audition Requirements:
– 1 solo piece that shows your best technical level
– 2 major scales and 1 minor scale in two octaves
– Sight-reading assessment
Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Intermediate Chamber Orchestra at the button below.
For More Details Contact:
Dr. Rebekah Griffin Greene
Beginner & Intermediate Orchestra Director
rgreene@bsmny.org
Open by Audition for ages 13 and up
Repertoire Level – NYSSMA Level 5+
Bloomingdale’s Advanced Chamber Orchestra is the school’s premier orchestral training ensemble and is now open by audition to students age 13 through adult who have studied their instrument three years or more and are ready to play the standard orchestra repertoire. This is an 8-week program that starts in April 28, 2026.
Students will explore a range of repertoire from romantic and baroque classical to modern compositions written for this style of group, in formats both with or without a conductor.
Conductor:
Conrad Chu
Schedule:
Tuesdays 4:45pm-6:00pm*
First Rehearsal: April 28, 2026
Concert Date:
June 16, 2026
Price:
$264.00 for 8 weeks of rehearsals starting in April 2026
Audition Requirements:
– 2 solo pieces contrasting in musical period, tempo, or playing style
– 1 major scale and 1 minor scale, in two octaves up and down
– Sight-reading
Students must audition before registering, either in person or by submitting a video recording. Select your preferred audition option for the Advanced Chamber Orchestra at the button below.
For More Details Contact:
Conrad Chu
Orchestra & Chamber Music Coordinator
clchu@bsmny.org
“I will never forget my first orchestral experience. I was in 4th grade, and I had just started the bass at my elementary school. Not having a bass at home, I practiced every day during lunch from October to May in my music teacher’s side room, where she had cut me a special strip of carpet so my endpin wouldn’t slide on the linoleum floor. My hard work paid off, and I was invited to play in the district music festival with select string players from all of the local elementary schools. We played Ode to Joy among other pieces, and the joy of creating sound with a larger group of musicians has stayed with me from that first thrilling moment throughout my life as I’ve played in orchestras and on Broadway. I want to share the joy of making music together with young players while they also learn to play fun and challenging pieces in time and in tune, with good posture and technique. Viva D’Orchestra!”
– Dr. Rebekah Griffin Greene, Conductor, Orchestral Director, Bloomingdale School of Music
