PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (String Orchestra course # MU-520-1) is a non-auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 10-12. Philharmonic Orchestra focuses on continuing to develop skills such as higher position shifting, vibrato, bow control, as well as maturity of sound and musicality. Members of the Philharmonic Orchestra may audition for the chance to receive G/T credit. The Philharmonic Orchestra prepares and performs its own repertoire for each concert.

PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA G/T (String Orchestra G/T course # MU-820-1) is an auditioned ensemble made up of students in grades 9-12, however, the majority of musicians are upperclassmen. In a typical year, most members of the Philharmonic Orchestra G/T ensemble have taken private lessons during their musical careers, and we usually have a number of students successfully audition for regional youth orchestras such as the Howard County Youth Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra, Peabody Youth Orchestra, and others.