Orchestra
Roosevelt High School Orchestra
2025-Present Dr.Christopher T. F. Hanson
As a conductor, violinist, composer, pedagogue, philosopher, and musicologist, Dr. Christopher T. F. Hanson enjoys working across a number of disciplines to promote the transformative power of the arts. Dr. Hanson holds three master’s degrees from Texas State University, in music history, music theory, and music composition. They also earned their PhD in Education from Texas State University, with a focus on educational research in teacher professional agency. While completing their doctorate, they earned a certificate of professional ethics from the Texas State Philosophy program.
Dr. Hanson has served as music faculty for schools in central Texas and Seattle. They have developed and facilitated a number of courses that explore creativity, imagination, and interdisciplinary pedagogy in grade school as well as higher education. Their research focuses on the transformative power of the arts, student and teacher agency, and the significance of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging (DEIAB) in education. As a queer scholar, Dr. Hanson uses research platforms to challenge and “queer” professional spaces of teaching and learning, particularly within and through the arts.
Dr. Hanson works with a growing number of diverse organizations to expand and amplify their work in education and the arts. They are frequently requested as a guest conductor and clinician. They are a principal explicator for the Seattle Symphony, offering a number of pre-concert lectures throughout the season, which highlight the significance of historical and cultural context to the experience of listeners and performers. They serve as the artistic director of the annual Wintergrass Youth Orchestra and the conductor for the advanced orchestra of the Japan Seattle Suzuki Institute. They are the artistic director for the Rainbow City Orchestra, a nonprofit community music organization that serves and supports the LGBTQIA+ community in greater Seattle through the study and performance of contemporary and historically marginalized composers.
Their compositions have enjoyed a number of premieres across the country, and address a wide range of personal and political issues. You can learn more about their work on their website www.christophertfhanson.com.
There are three orchestras at Roosevelt that are open to all students, regardless of financial need. Auditions are held for placement prior to each school year with the exception of incoming freshmen.
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is a class for all 9th grade students.
Students in this group, as well as all other groups, may form chamber groups and prepare pieces to perform at the chamber recitals and/or the Solo & Ensemble Contest.
Enjoy their performance of “There’s No Place like Home for the Holidays“
Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra is a class for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.
Students must be proficient in all positions up to 5th position on their instrument and audition to join. This class will focus on string and chamber orchestra literature. Students in this class will be expected to perform in several chamber music concerts throughout the year and perform in regular concert programs.
Enjoy their performance of “Valse des Fleurs“
Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Orchestra combines wind and string instruments and is available to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.
Admission to this class is by audition only.
This is a high level music class where students will be expected to excel. Performance in the full orchestra, string or wind chamber ensembles is required. String students will play some string chamber music. Wind instruments may also play in the Wind Ensemble.
Enjoy their performance of “Danses Caractéristiques“
Rising ninth graders are not required to audition and are placed in Concert Orchestra their freshman year. When submitting your registration request, select Concert Orchestra. Roosevelt Orchestra takes the summer off and fires up in early September, starting with optional All-State Orchestra Festival auditions.
Visit the Orchestra booster website for more information about auditions and placement
Many students take four years of orchestra and four years of a world language, both are year-long electives. To make room for other electives during your academic career, you may waive PE and take health during the summer.
How to Waive the Physical Education (PE) Requirement:
Seattle Public Schools Physical Education (PE) Waiver
- Participate in a school sport
spring semester during junior year or any semester senior year - Waive PE for an “other good cause”
spring semester during junior year or any semester senior year
When to Take Health:
- Summer, through the SPS Skills Center. Applications open in late March, classes occur in July
- Sophomore year, opposite a one-semester social studies class (ex: Black History)
- Orchestra years 1-3 fulfill your Visual/Performing Arts requirement
- Orchestra year 4 fulfills your Career Connected Learning (CTE) requirement
It is easy to do a sport and orchestra because orchestra is a class that occurs during the school day. If a conflict arises, the general rule is: concerts trump practices, games trump rehearsals. The key is to communicate with both Mrs. Gero and your coach before missing either orchestra or your team obligation.
Jazz Band II and III are extra-curricular activities that typically meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, all academic year, after school. In order to participate, students are required to enroll in a musical ensemble class such as Concert, Chamber, or Symphony Orchestra.
Jazz Band I (the highest level jazz ensemble) is a for-credit class that meets every school day, usually 5th period. Students are not required to enroll in another musical ensemble class such as Concert, Chamber, or Symphony Orchestra. However, we do have some very enthusiastic students who are enrolled in both JB1 and Symphony Orchestra!
Social Events
Orchestra is a strong community, you will make great friends and have continuity with Mrs. Gero all four years. We organize optional social events throughout the year including an ice cream social and performances such as the Seattle Symphony and Alvin Ailey.
Festivals and Retreat
- September – audition for All-State Orchestra Festival (optional)
- Fall – Retreat weekend trip to a Washington state university, to work with faculty
- February (usually the first Saturday) – EBMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival
- February- Symphony Orchestra at UW Orchestra Festival
- February (3rd weekend) – All-State Orchestra Festival (for accepted students)
- March – EBMEA Orchestra Festival
- March – WWU Orchestra Festival
- The Symphony Orchestra tours biannually. The next travel year is projected to be 2023. Details will be available by mid-June, 2022.
- October – Pumpkin Seed Concert
- December – Holly Berry Concert
- Late March or April – April Foolz Concert
- June – Spring Fling / Final Concert (including senior concertos)
Concert and Chamber Orchestra
Wear all black
Symphony Orchestra
Choose one of the following:
- A black tux with black bowtie and white shirt that you rent/purchase/borrow yourself
- Francine Gown, from Blue Ribbon Styles, ordered by Orchestra Boosters
Students who wish to show leadership in music may earn membership on Orchestra Council. Ways to demonstrate leadership and dedication include practicing before school and/or during lunch, participating in optional music festivals, and a willingness to lead your instrument section during class. Students are eligible starting the second semester of their freshman year. Meetings typically occur during Wednesday lunch periods.
Students
- Register for orchestra
- Demonstrate leadership and join the Orchestra Council
- Attend social events
- Participate in festivals and competitions
Family Members
- Attend Orchestra Boosters Meetings
The third Thursday of each month, 7-8 p.m., online:
Zoom Invitation URL
Meeting ID: 864 9807 3086 | Passcode: 235514 | Phone: 253-215-8782 - Take on an individual task – there are many time-limited jobs to be done throughout the year, Orchestra Boosters will distribute a sign up for specific tasks.
- Join the Orchestra Board – We have multiple positions open, email rooseveltorchestra@gmail.com if you are interested.
The Orchestra Department aims to protect the mental and physical health of our students.
If you have experienced wrongdoing, contact the Office of Student Civil Rights by phone: 206-252-0306, or email: oscr@seattleschools.org
File a Complaint Regarding: