Orchestras
Chamber Orchestra
BHS Chamber Orchestra is the elite orchestra at Bentonville High School and is determined by audition. It is comprised of 35-40 serious student musicians, grades 9 through 12. The focus for this ensemble is to develop the highest level of ensemble playing and develop professional level skills and expectations to compete at a national level. The difficulty range of music performed by this ensemble is grade 4 through 6. The BHS chamber orchestra plays regular concerts throughout the community. We also send smaller ensembles to play at public and private events allowing students to experience professional level expectations. The members of this ensemble are expected to audition for All-Region and All-State orchestra ensembles as well as participate in 4 BHS Orchestra concerts throughout the school year and Concert Assessment in the spring. This ensemble competes regularly at National competitions and clinics. The BHS Chamber Orchestra has competed and performed in festivals and clinics in New York City, Dallas, Kansas City, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Tampa, Albuquerque, Orlando and Nashville. The BHS Chamber Orchestra placed 3rd in the ASTA National Orchestra Festival in 2016 and competed for the Orchestra cup in New York City in 2017 and 2022. We were awarded 1st Runner up at the National Orchestra Cup in NYC in March of 2022 and in 2023 won 1st in Chicago.
Camerata
BHS Camarata is the 2nd level ensemble determined by audition at BHS. The focus for this ensemble is to develop the skills required to compete at a regional level and is the training orchestra for the BHS Chamber Orchestra. This orchestra is comprised of 50-60 students, grades 9 through 12. The difficulty range of music performed by this ensemble is grades 3 to 4. Students grade 10-12 are strongly encouraged to audition for the high school All-Region orchestra. 9th grade students are expected to audition for the Jr. High All-Region orchestra. All students are required to participate in Concert Assessment in the spring.
Philharmonic Orchestra
BHS Philharmonic Orchestra is the 3rd level ensemble determined by audition at BHS. The focus for this ensemble is to develop intermediate skills in orchestral playing and to prepare them for the next level. This ensemble is comprised of 50-60 students, grade 9 through 12. The difficulty range of music performed by this ensemble grades 2.5 to 3.5. All 9th grade students in this ensemble are strongly encouraged to audition for the Jr. High All-Region orchestra. All students are required to participate in 3 BHS orchestra concerts throughout the school year and Concert Assessment in the spring.
Sinfonia
BHS Sinfonia is the 4th level ensemble determined by audition at BHS. The focus of this ensemble is to continue to introduce new ensemble skills as well as sharpen individual technique to prepare them for the next level. This ensemble is comprised of 25-35 students grade 9 through 12. The difficulty range of music performed by this ensemble can range from grade 1.5 to 3. There are no audition requirements for this ensemble. All students are required to participate in 3 BHS Orchestra concerts throughout the school year and Concert Assessment in the spring.