This book contains collective insights from some of the most inspirational high school orchestra directors in the United States. They reveal their ideas on rehearsal philosophy, rehearsal preparation, warm-up strategies, favorite repertoire, tone/bow control, intonation, articulation, expression, online instruction, recruiting and building community. Each of their stories is as unique as the individual strategies and approaches they share. You will surely be inspired by their ideas, approaches, and strategies presented in Rehearsing the High School Orchestra.

"I know the most joy in my life has come from my violin." (Albert Einstein)

—Gail Barnes, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)

—David Eccles, The Lovett School, Atlanta, Georgia

"I want every student who comes through my door to enjoy and see the value of music."

—Creston Herron, Klein High School, Klein, Texas

"Without music, life would be a mistake." (Friedrich Nietzsche)

—Cathie Hudnall, Norcross High School, Norcross, Georgia

"To make a resolution and act accordingly is to live with hope. There may be difficulties and hardships, but not disappointment or despair if you follow the path steadily. Do not rest in your efforts; without stopping, without haste, carefully taking a step at a time forward will surely get you there." (Shinichi Suzuki)

—Scott Laird, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, North Carolina

"Orchestra class teaches so much more than how to play a stringed instrument. We learn valuable life skills in ‘O.R.C.H.E.S.T.R.A’—Opportunity, Responsibility, Concentration, Honesty, Effort, Self-Discipline, Trust, Respect, and Attitude."

—Charles Laux, Alpharetta High School, Alpharetta, Georgia

“I teach excellence and the commitment it takes to be excellent. Music is the discipline that I use to teach this. While music is a beautiful artform, the subject matter is never more important than the subject itself."

—Kirt Mosier, Youth Symphony of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri

"You are the music while the music lasts." (T. S. Eliot)

—Kirk Moss, University of Northwestern—St. Paul, Roseville, Minnesota

"The job of teaching is less about feeding information to students, and more about making them hungry."

—Christopher Selby, School of the Arts, Charleston, South Carolina

"High achievement always takes place within the framework of high expectations." (Charles Kettering)

—Laura Mulligan Thomas, Charlottesville High School, Charlottesville, Virginia